– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
Singer/composer/educator Eve Zanni talks talks about her two new books in her Jazz Superheroes series: Billy Holiday ‘Lady Day’ and Lester Young ‘Prez’
Among other things, Eve was closely affiliated with St. Peter’s (the jazz church in Manhattan) where she ran the annual “To Prez with Love” event for years.
We talk about those magical events and Eve’s latest project: Books that make jazz more accessible to young audiences.
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
Jazz is the art of improvisation.
Contrary to popular misconception, the ability to improvise is not a spontaneous skill that arises out of nowhere.
It’s the result of listening, practice, study – and courage.
It’s not easy standing up in front of a room full of strangers and creating something “good” on the spot.
For over fifty years, Indiana-born Jamey Aebersold has been at the helm of a publishing enterprise that has smoothed this process for literally millions of people all over the world.
One of his innovations is the Play-A-Long, recordings that allow musicians to practice their improvisation skills without the need for a live rhythm section.
Everyone from beginners to well known pros uses them to keep up their chops up and advance their art.
Click here for : More info about Jamey Aebersold Jazz
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
What do jazz giants Clark Terry, John Coltrane and Tito Puente all have in common?
They were all Navy men and their time in the service played a role in their development.
(And after his service, Tito Puente was able to study at Juilliard thanks to the GI Bill.)
Today we talk with Carl Gerhard, Lieutenant Commander, US Navy (Retired), who has experienced the Navy’s music program at all levels – as a student, as a teacher and as a director.
Interestingly enough, “musician” is one of the oldest occupational specialties in the Navy.
An important, but little known chapter of American music history…
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
A lot goes into the creation of our “jazz world.”
First come the musicians. Equally necessary is the audience. Also included is everyone who contributes to the creation and education of the audience – and that’s where our jazz journalists come in.
Author, producer and veteran jazz writer with over 40 years in the trenches, Howard Mandel is the president of the Jazz Journalists Association.
In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about Howard’s work including his books “Future Jazz” and “Miles, Ornette, Cecil: Jazz Beyond Jazz” and the pleasures and challenges of being a jazz writer in the digital era.
Among the many intriguing initiatives the Jazz Journalists Association is involved in their annual Jazz Heroes awards is one the most impressive.
Every year, community members nominate “advocates, altruists, activists, aiders and abettors of jazz” who work to help jazz flourish in their local communities.
If you’re a writer or documenter of jazz with video, audio, photography – on the web or via broadcasting – or if you just appreciate these arts and want to support them and follow some truly interesting work check out the Jazz Journalists Association.
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
Jazz on the Tube’s Ken McCarthy interviews John Ernesto of Berks Jazz Fest.
Berks is a world class, community-supported jazz festival that takes place every spring in southeastern Pennsylvania. One commentator has called it the “biggest jazz festival in the world.”
With over 100 performances spread out over ten days it may well be.
For ten days, jazz takes over bucolic Berks county, with Reading, Pennsylvania (about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia) at its center.
Unlike some commercially oriented jazz festivals that hire big stars from the popular music world to generate maximum revenues, Berks, which is operated by the Berks County Arts Council, keeps the focus on jazz in all the flavors and shapes in takes.
Now in its 28th year, the festival offers student musicians educational and performing opportunities and professionals with unique creative set ups while making a major economic contribution to its community.
The festival is popular among the musicians themselves who like the laid back atmosphere that’s all about the music.
A very short list of this years headliners includes Randy Brecker, Maceo Parker, Deedee Bridgewater, and Gerald Veasley.
“I’ve been to a lot of jazz festivals around the world and none of them compares to Reading (Berks.)” – Michael Tozzi, veteran Philadelphia jazz DJ.
If you’re a jazz festival lover, this is one that should definitely be on your radar Berks Jazz Fest.
– Jazz on the Tube
Sonny Rollins
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