What do Ella Fitzgerald and Patsy Cline have in common? They were both considered the epitome of their respective styles of music. They have both influenced hundreds of other musical artists. And Staci Griesbach can knock your socks off singing either woman’s music. Some people wouldn’t put country and jazz in the same boat. But after years of listening to both genres, Staci realized they weren’t so different after all. Not only are both styles “born in America” — they have similar emotional undercurrents. A good lyric, paired with a good melody, that moves the listener every time. If you’re n ..read more

During the pandemic lockdown, when doors were shuttered and people were cut off from one another, Rowan Flack was dreaming about wide open spaces. And writing about them in her new single, “The Calling.” “The Calling” is a dreamy tune featuring an intimate setting of voice and piano. Rowan’s poetry-inspired lyrics are a perfect pairing for the playing of Deschanel Gordon (BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020). Together they help us break free from the constraints of everyday life and find solace in the calling of the mountains. Tune in to get to know Rowan Flack and learn more about her follow-up EP ..read more

This summer, Simeon Davis released the album, Of Narratives & Nocturnes. And it’s truly all about the narrative. If you like a good story, you’ll love Simeon’s music. His music doesn’t just tell a story — the band members are acting out the narrative, role-playing their individual themes. They’re more like thespians than musicians. In his hands, a band becomes a boat rocking across the ocean, a keyboard takes on the voice of God, and a guitar whispers the beguilings of the devil. In this episode, we dive into two tracks from the album, “Eden” and “Pleiades” whose respective inspirations co ..read more

Les McCann and Joe Alterman started as mentor and protege, but have become close friends over the last decade. When Joe first met Les, all he wanted to do was play like him. But Les taught Joe to do just the opposite: to embrace his own experiences and create a unique sound. Instead of trying to be a #2 Les McCann – be a #1 Joe Alterman. You may recognize Les McCann from his album with Eddie Harris, Swiss Movement, which features tunes like “Cold Duck Time” and “Compared to What.” It’s a great recording, but he’s also got some hidden gems, like the album Invitation to Openness. It’s a complete ..read more

Meet Joe Alterman, the boy who wanted to play Bluegrass guitar and instead became a jazz pianist. And one hell of a jazz pianist at that. Not only will you love Joe’s playing and original compositions - he’s got some great stories about jazz masters we all know and love. From his college days at NYU, working at the Blue Note, to his continued relationship with the great Les McCann — he passes on the lessons they shared with him. Plus, you’ll get a kick out of the story behind the title of the track “Don’t Forget to Love Yourself,” co-written with Les McCann. Tune in to hear Joe’s story and fal ..read more

As the “world’s leading dramatic interpreter of Frank Sinatra,” Richard Shelton certainly holds a unique relationship to the legend. He’s portrayed Sinatra in the critically acclaimed shows Rat Pack Confidential and Sinatra: Raw. But it doesn’t stop there: he’s got a crooning voice of his own that swings superbly through original music. An Englishman in Love in LA holds a little something for everyone. Old favorites from Frank Sinatra are mixed with masterful new tunes by LA bassist and composer Alex Frank, and former BBC ‘Young Composer of the Year’ Alex Rudd. Whether it’s a sorrowful melody ..read more

Roxy Coss is a saxophonist, Composer, Bandleader, Recording Artist, Educator and Activist (Founder and President of WIJO). Sounds busy, huh? We didn’t even mention that she recently became a new mother! Anyone with even half as busy a life could testify that it’s easy to get caught up in so many different roles. Without hardly noticing, you start to compartmentalize. Pre-pandemic and pre-baby, Roxy Coss was feeling a separation between various parts of her life. She was working on new music, and the more it emerged, the more she realized it was a manifestation of these “Disparate Parts.” Ultim ..read more

Meet Liam Forde: a connoisseur of all things music, elegance, and food. He’s a hopeless romantic with one foot in 2022 and one foot in the world of the 1930s nightclubs. One listen to his latest album Great To Be Here and you’ll be floating back in time to old New York where grand hotels and chique elegance reign supreme. A middle-class child from a modest home, Liam found himself drawn to the grandiose world of music by a next-door neighbor who taught him how to make tomato sauce and pie dough — love classical music. Later, he found himself entirely captivated by his sister’s CD of Ella Fitzg ..read more

If you love Brazilian music, you’ll love Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini's most recent album, Auburn Whisper. Auburn Whisper showcases their myriad of talents. Not only are they exceptional on their individual instruments (trombone and guitar), but they are also tasteful lyricists and songwriters. Together they weave the story of disappointment, acceptance, and resilience in the face of a worldwide pandemic — all with the wonderful flavor of Brazil. Their original songs carry the longing for loved ones in another country, hope in the midst of darkness, and tales of Brazilian goddesses. Tune i ..read more

At 19 years old, Grace Fox is already a force to be reckoned with. She’s already formed her own big band, recorded her first album, and performed as a trumpeter and bandleader at one of the most respected jazz clubs in NYC, Birdland. We don’t want to give too many details away, but in this episode of Bite-Size Jazz, Grace dives into the mishaps of recording — like when singers back out of recordings at the last minute — and the inspiration behind her original songs, including procrastinated homework assignments that later became killer big band charts. She also opens up about the struggles of ..read more