JAZZIZ Not What You Think – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, we're joined by saxophonist and composer Marion Meadows, a leading figure in the contemporary jazz world. He's here to discuss his latest release, Just Doing Me, his 17th studio album, which showcases original music and collaborations with artists like Chris "Big Dog" Davis and Paul Brown. In this episode, Meadows also shares stories from his musical journey, explores topics ranging from the transformative power of the arts to his lifelong fascination with science, and reflects on how his music has evolved.

This week's episode features a conversation with Jimbo Ross, once described by the great Don Ellis as the only jazz violist in captivity. Known for his collaboration with many of the greats and for leading his Bodacious fusion band, Ross recently released a new album as a bandleader under his own name. "Jazz Passion & Satin Latin" finds him harkening back to his jazz roots with an accessible playlist of standards, classics, hidden gems and originals. Aside from sharing memories from his musical journey and speaking about the new album, he also talks about the instrument he plays on the new LP -- a modified copy of a classic viola, reproduced on a 3D printer and upgraded with a 5th string to extend the upper range of the instrument.

In this episode of the JAZZIZ Podcast, we’re speaking with trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, a top star of both contemporary and straight-ahead jazz with several excellent, award-winning recordings under his belt. He’s here to share insights about his latest album, Count Your Lucky Stars, which will be released on July 8. In our conversation, Hasselbach talks about his earliest formative musical memories and the process of crafting his distinctive sound. Turning our attention to his latest album, Hasselbach discusses the inspiration behind Count Your Lucky Stars and the aura that he sought to achieve for it. We also discuss a recent compilation of his, The Vocalists, highlighting some of his collaborations with top vocalists over the years, and much more.

Our first interview for our JAZZIZ Podcast series is with Aaron Myers, who is fast becoming one of the names to know in jazz. Based in Washington DC, Myers is known for his piano mastery and one-of-a-kind vocal range. His talents are showcased on The Pride Album, which he released in 2021, which features original compositions and arrangements of classics, and offers a fusion of his artistry and activism. The Pride Album is one of the topics covered in this conversation, as well as his musical beginnings, the message he aims to communicate with his music and some of his stories from the road. A great way to kick off the 2023 season of The JAZZIZ Podcast!

David Perrico is a classically-trained trumpeter, an award-winning conductor/composer/arranger, and one of the most in-demand musicians in Las Vegas. Regularly wowing audiences with his bands, including the acclaimed Pop Strings Orchestra, and having toured internationally with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and other great ensembles, Perrico recently unleashed his new creation: the 68-piece band Pop Symphonic. The orchestra is showcased on his latest release, Sidewalk, on a program of ten original compositions and orchestrations by Perrico himself. We talk about this album and more in our latest episode of The JAZZIZ Podcast.

Welcome to the JAZZIZ Podcast. This is our new series of podcast conversations, hosted by JAZZIZ Online Editor Matt Micucci and featuring some of the best artists of today’s jazz and creative music scene. Many of these artists are part of JAZZIZ Vinyl Club, our series of limited-edition color vinyl albums curated by the JAZZIZ Editors, featuring some of the most exciting jazz artists from yesterday and today that we cover in the print version of JAZZIZ, our website and these podcasts.

For trumpeter/composer Thomas Heflin, his Tennessee roots have always been a central part of his musical identity. His laid-back playing style mirrors his easy-going personality and his songs are always inviting, soulful and melodic. His latest album, Morning Star, was released earlier this year on Blue Canoe Records. It is presented as a late-night radio show, complete with station IDs and a radio DJ, and featuring vocal tracks and instrumentals that flow effortlessly from one to the next. The music on it is also inspired by things that bring him joy and hope. We talk about the album and more with Heflin on our latest JAZZIZ Podcast.

Welcome to the JAZZIZ Podcast. This is our new series of podcast conversations, hosted by JAZZIZ Online Editor Matt Micucci and featuring some of the best artists of today’s jazz and creative music scene. Many of these artists are part of JAZZIZ Vinyl Club, our series of limited-edition color vinyl albums curated by the JAZZIZ Editors, featuring some of the most exciting jazz artists from yesterday and today that we cover in the print version of JAZZIZ, our website and these podcasts.

UK-based trumpeter/keyboardist Iwan VanHetten wears many hats, including those of composer, producer, musical director and educator. Over the years, he has played and collaborated with many of the greats, from Sister Sledge to Jools Holland. Along with Rob Harris and Paul Turner, he completes the new trio TRIONIQ. Earlier this year, he released an exciting new album as a leader called Parabbean Tales, born from the concept of combining Caribbean-influenced music with contemporary jazz and funk. We talk about this exciting project and more, including some of his earliest musical memories and his belief in the narrative power of music.

Mike Miller was born into a musical family and learned to play bass before switching to the guitar as his primary instrument of choice. Since then, variety has been a keyword of his acclaimed career, whether collaborating with such greats as Chick Corea, Gino Vannelli and Boz Scaggs or leading his own fascinating projects. The latest of these is Trust, which marked his first album as a leader in many years. Featuring rich original compositions, stellar improvisations and prowess of interplay and technique, Trust also finds Miller alongside many talented artists and showcases many aspects of his creative personality.

From his upbringing on a South African farm an hour away outside of Johannesburg to his present-day life in Jerusalem, the life of Yosef Gutman Levitt (also simply known as Yosef Gutman) has been quite a journey. After attending the Berklee College of Music in the late 1990s and playing on the New York scene in the early 2000s, the bassist/composer put his career on hiatus. He taught himself to code and started a thriving business that he sold in 2018 to return to music full-time. Since then, he has been developing and exploring a unique sound, which is showcased on a set of new recordings, including his latest album, Upside Down Mountain, his first trio album as a leader.

Saxophonist Javon Jackson first gained international prominence working with legendary drummer Art Blakey as part of the latter's Jazz Messengers ensemble. In later years, he continued to collaborate with some of the greatest artists in jazz artists and established his own reputation as a trailblazing composer, performer and bandleader, as well as a renowned jazz education.

His latest album is a historic collaboration with poet/activist Nikki Giovanni, who curated a program of hymns, spirituals and gospel songs for The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni. The album was released today, and is one of the topics of our latest JAZZIZ Podcast conversation with Jackson, along with stories from his own artistic journey, the current state of jazz education and more.