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Titre
Date
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Pete Christlieb: From Deacon Blues to the Next Gig
30 Jan 2026
01:43:13
Episode 19:
Pete Christlieb is a legendary saxophonist whose powerful sound and fearless improvisation continue to shape both jazz and commercial music. He rose to international prominence as a longtime featured soloist with the Doc Severinsen–led Tonight Show Band, where his commanding tenor voice and electrifying presence became instantly recognizable. Christlieb’s recording legacy includes some of the most iconic saxophone moments in popular music, including his lyrical solo on “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan and his elegant playing on “Unforgettable” by Natalie Cole. Equally respected in the jazz world for his collaborations with Warne Marsh and Chet Baker, Christlieb continues to perform and inspire, embodying a rare blend of virtuosity, soul, and authenticity that resonates across generations.
►about Pete Christlieb: https://petechristlieb.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:47: Drag racing, Valley College (Los Angeles), First road gig with Si Zentner 6:00: The art of playing dance music 9:01: Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Ray Brown… 16:50: Las Vegas, Jerry Gray, Tex Beneke, Peggy Lee, Lou Levy 26:00: Cannonball Adderley 30:30: Louie Bellson, Woody Herman 31:50: Tom Scott, Glenn Campbell Show, and Marty Paich… 34:24: “Play horn, get check” 41:20: Snooky Young, The Tonight Show…, and Steely Dan 44:45: “Deacon’s Blues” 51:13: Warne Marsh collaboration 1:00: Violin to saxophone… 1:05:35: Saxophone sounds…Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt… 1:13:35: The pinnacle is the next gig, payola, and back to the Warne Marsh collaboration, back to Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show… 1:26:00 New chapter of life in Washington 1:28:00 Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Michael Brecker, and woodwind doubling… 1:37:00 Closing graitude
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Capture: Yang Yang Audio Capture: Yang Yang Video and Audio Editing: Izzi Guzman Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Sean Jones: Eternal Consciousness, The Last Album, and the 3 "Enough's"
24 Sep 2025
01:05:37
Episode 18: Sean Jones
►about Sean Jones: https://peabody.jhu.edu/faculty/sean-jones/
Book References:
The War of Art, Steven Pressfield
A Return to Love, Marrianne Williamson
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Dr. Joy DeGruy
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle
Quotes:
“Eternity is in love with the creations of time” ~William Blake
“Many are called, but few are chosen”.
”My teacher saved my life, man”. ~Sean Jones
“Every ending is a new beginning”
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”.
“The trumpet is the mirror of the mind” ~Bill Fielder
“Eradicate the “t” off of “can’t”, and say I can” ~Bill Fielder
Ego: “I becomes bigger than “we”… ~Sean Jones
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions
2:50: Taking risk and staying uncomfortable, resistance, The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield
10:18: A Return to Love, by Marrianne Williamson, eternal consciousness, One mind.
12:51: Patience and compassion.
15:30: Fatherhood and learning how to take a step back, breaking generational chains. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Dr. Joy DeGruy
18:57: Being “called”. “Many are called, but few are chosen”.
20:40: Growing up in the church in Warren, Ohio. Wanting to be a teacher and having great teachers. ”My teacher saved my life, man”.
26:30: Navigating racism and ignorance.
27:50: Return to an elevated human consciousness. “Every ending is a new beginning”
29:52: Unity and the illusion of separation, Herbie Hancock’s mission
34:28: Faith: “You become what you believe”. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”.
39:00: Words are so powerful. “The trumpet is the mirror of the mind” ~Bill Fielder, “Eradicate the “t” off of “can’t”, and say I can”~Bill Fielder
41:07: Mistakes and intuition.
42:34: Patience, and a Gonzalo Rubalcaba story
44:40: The Power of Now, A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle, surrender
46:46: What makes you laugh?
49:40: The misfortune and blessing of loss
50:10: A divine experience and spirit. Eternal consciousness.
52:18: Fasting and sacrifice to clear the mind’s eye.
55:20: Define ego: It’s when “I becomes bigger than “we”…
The illusion is always there along with the truth
57:44: “My last album”, and what’s next
1:00:00 Resistance to barriers and programs. “The resources are there”.
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Jazzmeia Horn: The Teacher Mission
04 Aug 2024
00:52:02
Episode 9: A conversation with Multi-Award Winning Artist, Educator, and Entrepreneur, Jazzmeia Horn
“Horn is among the most exciting young vocalists in jazz, with a proud traditionalism that keeps her tightly linkedto the sound of classic figures like Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter, but a vivacity of spirit and conviction that places her firmly in the present”
~The New York Times
~Jazzmeia’s mother
“What do you do with what you know how to do?
~Jazzmeia Horn
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:25 – The teacher mission 5:20 – Harriet Horn, Jazzmeia’s grandmother 8:51 –Musical beginnings in Dallas and the “peewee” choir 14:25 – Early experience with music school 19:55 – The move to New York City 25:43 – “Battle Scars” 32:40 – Bandleading styles (balancing feminine and masculine) 37:14 – Empress Legacy Records 44:33 – What’s next? 46:28 – The writing process (and Garage Band example)
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Ben Williams: Mentors, Vulnerability, and Social Consciousness
01 Jul 2024
00:59:10
Episode 8: A conversation with Grammy Award winning bassist, composer, singer, bandleader, and producer, Ben Williams
►Ben Williams website: https://www.benwilliamsofficial.com
“What makes everybody special is that they are one of one. Nobody can do what you do, and you can’t do what anybody else does”. ~Ben Williams
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:16 – Growing up in D.C. and the origin story… 9:10 – Hearing how music connects with life and soul. 9:35 – How we listen to music differently now 15:35 – Listening to music within different roles. 18:50 - Spending time with Pat Metheny 21:47 – Mentors and heroes, Rodney Whitaker, Stefon Harris, David Sanborn 28:25 – What makes you “you” reflects in the music. 32:42 – The vulnerability of singing 33:18 - José James and “I am a Man”, and social consciousness. 40:10 – What it means when YOU HAVE TO DO “IT” “The Universe rewards solid decisions…the doors will start to open”. 45:10 – New York, moving to L.A., and the next step 51:52: Let’s play something 52:32: Ben Williams/John Daversa Duo
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Editing: Max Nierlich Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, October 27, 2023
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
“My favorite thing to do is to listen” ~Luciana Souza
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 3:22 – Growing up in Brazilian musical culture 8:40 – Godfather, Hermeto Pascoal 11:38 – “the musician’s musician”. 14:13 – Dorival Caymmi 17:42 – Leaving space in the music 20:54 – Listening and reverence for nature 25:45 – Soul Confidence 29:48 – What’s the mission now? 32:34 – Everybody goes to samba school 34:14 – Trumpet players and singing 36:45 – Evolution from fear 37:57 – Protecting soul innocence and nurturing creative music 42:47 – Dafnis Prieto 45:00 – Scheduling the summer, feeding soul confidence, and following the seasons 51:36 – Connecting to the body 53:29: Writing from improvisation
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Sara Gazarek: Merit as Currency, Launching a Career, and Creative Expression
06 May 2024
00:50:41
Episode 6: A conversation Sara Gazarek
►Sara Gazarek website: https://saragazarek.com
Born and raised in Seattle, WA, GRAMMY Award® winning jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek reigns as one of the most creative voices of her generation, and one “who may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer” (Los Angeles Times). Collaborating with jazz legends Fred Hersch, Billy Childs, Kurt Elling, and more, and with 6 critically-acclaimed albums under her belt at the age of 40, Gazarek often tours internationally as a soloist/band leader, and as a co-founder of the vocal collective, säje, whose debut album earned a GRAMMY Award® for Best Arrangement Instruments and Vocals. Sara is a 2023 Chamber Music of America New Jazz Works grant recipient, serves on the LA Chapter Board of Governors for the Recording Academy, and works as an Associate Professor of Jazz Voice at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) where she is currently designing and leading their new jazz voice program. Sara’s full length nonet project, an expansion of her critically celebrated EP Vanity, is set to release in Fall of 2024.
Humanity is at the core of this artform, I am human, everyone is human. If I’m not embracing the spectrum of humanity, what am I doing with this genre that I’ve dedicated my life to?” ~Sara Gazarek
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 4:13 – Seattle, in the beginning… 5:48 – given permission to be myself/having respect for the music 7:40 – feeling embarrassed about “things I didn’t know”. 10:30 – “Even if I don’t know, I’m going to keep on going”. No imposter’s syndrome 13:25 – Launch of a career… 18:18 – Merit as currency 19:13 –“You can’t control why people write good or bad reviews” ~John Clayton 25:00 – “Everything I do, I throw 100% of myself into it”. 25:37 – No barriers to creative expression 29:19 – Being ok with what we can’t control 33:00 – säje 37:50 – Values and Intentions in music making 43:10 – Thirsty Ghost
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Editing: Max Nierlich Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Miami, FL, April, 2023
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Maria Schneider: Tough Love, Musical Risk Taking, Bob Brookmeyer, Gil Evans, and David Bowie
28 Mar 2024
01:09:19
Episode 5: A conversation with composer, Maria Schneider.
In this episode with Multi-Grammy Winner, NEA Jazz Master, composer and musician advocate, Maria Schneider, we discuss her new “Decades” project, Bob Brookmeyer’s “tough love”, a mystical dream with Gil Evans, balancing preparation with letting go, and much more…
“When you do what you love, it telegraphs”. ~Maria Schneider
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:58 – “Life Stuff”…Taking care of the aging. 6:40 – The vinyl experience, Maria’s retrospective “Decades” project, and life pivot points 14:33 – Bob Brookmeyer ‘s “tough love” 16:29 – Balancing preparation and letting go, musical risk taking, and some astrology stuff. 27:00 – How do you know when a piece is finished? 28:38 – Doing what you love 30:55 –The insignificance and significance of a human being. 34:30 –Alchemy through music. 35:24 – How do you help someone to discover their greatness? 40:25 – Ivan Lins story 41:24 – Looking back at your musicand its evolution… 44:35: Visions and intuition 51:22: Following that “gut” feeling 57:40: A dream with Gil Evans 1:01:11: Fear of death 1:06:41: A lesson from David Bowie
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Regina Carter: Detroit, Setting Boundaries, Wynton Marsalis, and Freedom
03 Mar 2024
00:46:12
A conversation with violinist, Regina Carter. ►Regina Carter website: https://reginacarter.com
In this episode with MacArthur Fellow, Doris Duke Artist Award Winner, and Multi-Grammy Nominee, violinist, Regina Carter, we discuss mentorship, sisterhood, setting boundaries, and a new horizon as an end-of-life doula (and more...)
"Dying is about as real as it gets!" ~Regina Carter
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:46 - Regina’s mother, Grace Carter 8:32 - Yehudi Menuhin 9:12 - The responsibility of being a role model 12:03 - Musical influences, Detroit and beyond 21:26 - Getting permission to say “no” 24:27 - Setting boundaries 26:15 - Mentors and sisterhood 31:01 - Wynton Marsalis 33:47 - Freedom 36:52 - Training to be an End-of-Life Doula 43:52 - Thank you! Following instincts…
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Timelessness, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Haden, Separation and Unity.
30 Jan 2024
01:06:14
A conversation with Gonzalo Rubalcaba ►Gonzalo Rubalcaba website: https://www.gonzalorubalcaba.com
“The concert is the moment of joy, the work is behind that” ~Gonzalo Rubalcaba
►Key Moments 0:00 Introductions 3:56 Tempo and Time (tiempo), and family influence 15:08 Superman, Flash, and “Timelessness” 17:00 Connect, take your time: It’s not the tempo, it’s the message 19:07 Spaces of separation and unity 19:38 Dizzy Gillespie stories and insights 24:19 Sound, intention, and unique, personal touch 33:03 Dedication to practice. “The concert is the moment of joy, the work is behind that” 37:46 Charlie Haden and Dizzy Gillespie’s mentorship and friendship—the responsibility of returning the gift. 55:30 Recognizing when to watch and listen, and that’s it, “There’s nothing to do”. 56:52 Advice for the “little” Gonzalo: “Carefully, but do it again". 59:03 What is talent? 01:01:49 Gonzalo’s mother’s guidance 01:04:40 Thank you for lowering all of our heartbeats, Gonzalo (Flash)!
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford: Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dedication, Keep Love Always In the Game
17 Jan 2024
00:53:53
A conversation with Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford.
In this episode with Vanguard Jazz Orchestra veterans, Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford, we discuss "tough love", inspiration, dedication, moms, and the "New York standard", (and much more...)
"Why don't you say "yes" and watch what happens. There's inspiration everywhere you look!" -Dick Oatts
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Intro 1:32 – Dedication, discipline, routine, and the “New York standard”. 10:11 – Humility, Integrity, and Service. 13:51 – When Terell joined the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra… 16:30 – When challenges push us…and Moms are the best! 20:27 – When Dick met Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Mel Lewis 23:40 – How committed are you? 25:22 – “Bud” Herseth, “the world’s greatest trumpet player” 30:44 – “Strength equals weakness. Weakness equals strength” (Arnold Jacobs) 31:40 – Clark Terry 36:45 –The next generation of students 44:09 – “Art Blakey was a mirror”… 46:18 – “The farther you go forward, the father you gotta go backwards” 48:36 – You gotta hear Dick Oatts! 50:29: Jon Faddis’ tough love 52:44: Closing
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Jihye Lee: Positivity, Inner Strength, Playfulness, and the Game of New Worlds
07 Dec 2023
00:39:08
Jihye Lee, Brooklyn-based composer, arranger, and conductor. ►Jihye Lee website: https://jihyemusic.com
In this episode with composer, Jiyhe Lee, we discuss culture shock, inner strength, love of big band music, K-pop, and more!
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Intro 2:45 - Musical Values, Intentions, and Inspirations 5:48 - Jihye’s mission 9:12 - Positivity, Inner Strength, and the Game of New Worlds 12:51 - Falling in love with the Big Band 14:10 - Playfulness, The World Will Be Kind To Me, You, and Everyone 14:55 - Challenges and Struggles 19:28 - Bringing the life stories to the music 25:14 - Korean Pop and Beyond 32:00 - Culture Shock 34:50 - Can Music Be Taught?
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Dr. Marshall Hawkins: L.O.V.E. and Life Mission
11 Aug 2025
01:04:50
Episode 17: Dr. Marshall Hawkins
Idyllwild Arts Academy Jazz Program Founder, Bassist with Richie Cole, Miles Davis Quintet, Betty Gray, Donny Hathaway, Lena Horne, Roberta Flack, Manhattan Transfer, and more…
►about Dr. Hawkins: https://idyllwildarts.org/people/marshall-hawkins/
Selected quotes from our podcast:
· “Pay attention to your subject matter. Your subject matter is your life”
· “I think about that first note that I’m going to play. I think about that note with such reverence, that I may never get a chance to play that note again”.
· “Don’t let anyone get in the way of you and the love in your heart”. “Don’t get in the way of my love. I will fight you”.
· “You have to be careful what you wish for because you’re going to get it. So, you’ve got to be prepared”.
· “I’ve never, never thought about money”.
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions
2:16: Earliest memories, gift of memory, and “second childhood”
5:07: Growing up in Washington D.C. in the 1940’s, “Victory Gardens”, church, being humble, “C Jam Blues”, the Boy Scouts, model airplanes, glee club, and the building of Frederick Douglass Junior High School.
15:30: Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) and exposure to racism. Being a track star and la musica as passports, “U.S. History”, and scout master.
21:40: Voices above the crowd and becoming a professional musician.
26:58: L.O.V.E. and not taking the “J” out of joy.
31:49: Louis Armstrong: “what are you going to do to leave a legacy for humanity”?
33:20: Giving and receiving
34:45: Playing the bass and becoming a professional musician overnight.
38:52: Betty Gray (first gig at the Bohemian Caverns in DC), Lena Horne and Travelin’ Light (1965), and Miles Davis
41:53: Working with Miles Davis
44:08: Idyllwild Arts and numerical configuration (1978)
47:58: Tanzania, respect for elders, Maasai ancestral lineage, “we know who you are”
55:50: Advice for young musicians: “Silence is golden!”
59:03: Marshall and John improvise “All the Things You Are”
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Michel Camilo: Creative flow, no ego, and commitment to practice!
13 Jun 2025
00:37:50
Episode 16: Michel Camilo, Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Emmy Winning Pianist, Composer, and Bandleader
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Anat Cohen: Creativity, Acknowledging Fear and Developing Trust
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Marcus Miller: Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Grover Washington, Jr., Wynton Kelly, Filmscoring...
15 Mar 2025
01:10:32
Episode 14: Grammy-Award Winning Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer, Composer, and Music Icon, Marcus Miller
►Marcus Miller website: https://www.marcusmiller.com
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
1:49: John’s “Fat Time” car accident story
3:21: Producing Miles Davis’ Tutu, Siesta, and Amandla and more…
19:40: The bass clarinet
23:20: Miles Davis mentorship
33:55: The recording of Grover Washington Jr.’s “Just the Two of Us”
38:30: The recording of Donald Fagen’s “The Nightfly”
42:10: Luther Vandross
48:30: Scoring for films
55:55: The acoustic bass
56:55: Wynton Kelly
57:18: Funk and Fusion, and “you gotta learn jazz”
1:01:47: The Jazz Cruises and communicating with audiences.
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Jeff Babko: Work Ethic, Navigating Creativity, Film and Television, and Touring
11 Feb 2025
00:56:43
Episode 13: Jeff Babko, Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!)
►Jeff Babko website: https://www.jeffbabko.com
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:56: Back at University of Miami
4:26: Vinyl collection
6:06: How do manage consuming music?
10:55: 1990’s Jazz fusion, the young lions, and the gig with Julio Iglesias
19:05: Joining drummer/producer Simon Phillips
22:00: Work ethic, discipline, details, and the love…
27:55: Robben Ford, Toshi Yanagi, blue hair, and auditioning for the Martin Short Show
32:55: The Wayne Brady Show, touring with Marty Short and Wayne Brady, and joining the Jimmy Kimmel Show. “Everyone working is a good thing”.
36:12: Navigating tours with Toto, James Tayler, Steve Gadd, Steely Dan, Steve Martin and Martin Short, while playing the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
38:27: The character of the comedic accompanist
41:06: Julio Iglesias story (and the “wrong notes”). Be aware, read the situation.
44:37: What’s coming next? Managing finances
47:37: Transitioning into the role of the “seasoned veteran”, and mentor.
51:16: Jeff and John play some D dorian model duo…
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Bob Sheppard: Creative Community, L.A. Recording, Curiosity, and Freddie Hubbard
17 Jan 2025
01:20:59
Episode 12: A conversation with renowned jazz artist and educator, Bob Sheppard
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:33 – Playing with the JD Big Band 2:15 – Bob’s studio and cultivating a creative community in Los Angeles 14:15 –Being on the scene, practicing, merit, and the social scene… 27:50 – Thoughts and observations about practicing 37:15 – Recording work in L.A. 40:10 – Teaching, curiosity, sound, trying different equipment, and practicing the ends of notes 56:43 – Truth telling and caring for students. 59:15 – Playing with Freddie Hubbard 1:18:26– Bob and John play a little free duo.
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Capture: Max Nierlich Audio Capture: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, February 28, 2024
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Michael Mayo: Professionalism, Showing up for Yourself, "2 Strikes", and Gaming
05 Oct 2024
00:54:01
Episode 11: A conversation with acclaimed singer, songwriter, (and gamer!), Michael Mayo
►Michael Mayo website: https://www.michaelmayomusic.com
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:51 – Musical upbringing and influences 5:40 – Learning about professionalism 8:08 –More about professionalism and boundaries: “2 strikes”. Know your worth. 12:00 – The “shed” mentality 14:20 – Practicing “Giant Steps” and the small, tiny details 19:04 – Being a singer in an instrumental world. (Proving “them” wrong). 23:56 – The voice has moods and the musical self has moods. Showing up for yourself. 26:00 – How to deliver notes with a positive spirit. 27:13 – Influential mentors and the Thelonious Monk/Herbie Hancock Institute. Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter (and the movie, The Langoliers). 36:49 – “Desert island” records and musical influences. 41:42 – Pandemic time, going “in the cave”. 43:00: Gaming and how it’s become a “shed” for music. 48:04: Exploring instruments you don’t play. “Sometimes it can be easier when you don’t have the chops” 49:05: New album! 51:05: Back home in L.A. 52:10: Where can people find you?
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Ari Hoenig: Composing and Playing, Dedication, and "Why the Drums"?
04 Sep 2024
00:54:38
Episode 10: A conversation with jazz drummer, composer, educator, and entrepreneur, Ari Hoenig
Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. Ari is widely noted particularly for his drumming not being relegated to just keeping tempo, or being a side issue to the music he plays in, but rather for elevating drumming as an indispensable part of the performance.
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:20 – Musical upbringing and influences 7:53 – Teaching practices and philosophies 12:47 –Why the drums? 18:00 – The decision to be a professional musician. Career day! “I wanna be a drummer”…or a “fruit visionary”. 23:50 – Going to North Texas… 30:28 – Composing 36:02 – How playing and composing influence each other 40:22 – Where does your dedication derive from? 44:40 – How do you approach new musical situations? 48:40 – Where can we find you? 49:31 – Ari Hoenig and John Daversa Duo !!
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Editing: Max Nierlich Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, February 19, 2024
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Whit Sidener: Legendary Jazz Educator and Multi-Woodwind Artist
23 Apr 2026
01:18:42
Episode 20: Whit Sidener
Featuring legendary jazz educator and multi-woodwind artist Whit Sidener, this episode highlights a remarkable career that bridges elite performance and transformative education. A seasoned saxophonist and woodwind specialist, Sidener has performed and recorded with iconic artists including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and the Bee Gees, bringing a deep well of real-world artistry into his teaching.
As a longtime professor and former Chair of Studio Music and Jazz at the Frost School of Music, Sidener played a pivotal role in shaping one of the nation’s leading jazz programs. Across decades of leadership, mentorship, and vision, he has guided generations of musicians—many of whom have gone on to define the modern jazz landscape.
Sidener’s legacy is not only measured by his own accomplishments, but by the lasting impact of his students, his commitment to artistic excellence, and his belief in music as a lifelong pursuit of growth, discipline, and human connection.
►Learn more about Whit Sidener: RS Berkeley Bio: https://www.rsberkeley.com/whit-sidener Frost School Feature: https://news.miami.edu/frost/stories/2024/11/program-leader-honored.html
►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:31: Whit’s biography 6:21: Early musical experiences and influences 12:47: Joining the Tommy Dorsey Band, (around 1962) 17:12: Mingling with the Duke Orchestra Orchestra 18:00: Gigging with the circus, Holiday On Ice, playing to track, and the union in Florida 22:53: Leaving Tommy Dorsey, “Moneyball”, and going back to college. 27:40: Meeting Jerry Coker, Jamey Aebersold, Gary Campbell, Randy Brecker, in Indiana. 28:52: U.S. State Department Tour to the middle east for 5 months (1965). 29:40: Miami invitation 33:30: University of Miami in the mid-1960’s 37:37: Gigging in Miami in the mid to late 60’s 39:36: Playing with Frank Sinatra 40:20: Louis Armstrong story 43:25: joining University of Miami’s faculty 46:39: Gerry Mulligan joins the UM faculty for a year. 48:25: Impact on Jazz Education, teaching excellence 53:06: Why is this important? 55:50: Evolution of higher education since 1972 58:00: Acceptance of electric guitar as principle instruments at UM, Pat Metheny and many more… 1:01:19: Building a financial future for younger students 1:04:42: Taking care of health 1:09:53: What’s happening now? What do you listen to? 1:12:00: “Thanks for putting up with me” 1:13:40: UM legacy, the Foster Building, and Thank You’s
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Capture: Yang Yang Audio Capture: Yang Yang Video and Audio Editing: Izzi Guzman Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, January 31, 2025
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP),
►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)