Yonathan Avishai and I met in a conference room at Bexley Public Library in the village of Bexley in Columbus, Ohio. He was bright, friendly, and alert despite his long flight the day before. Yonathan is an Israeli-born French resident. His flight took him over six time zones, from France to New York and then to Columbus. This was a visit arranged by A Tribe for Jazz, a nonprofit organization here that is focused on improving the legacy of jazz. Having Yonathan Avishai in Columbus was a good thing, for both Yonathan and Strictly Jazz Sounds. This is the 10th episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, an ..read more

What’s the difference between a producer of an event and a promoter? I’ve often wondered about that when it comes to producing or promoting a music community event or a jazz concert. Cincinnati, Ohio resident and Jazz Alive Executive Director Laura Ann Gentry set the record straight for me on Strictly Jazz Sounds, your conversation about all things jazz. In episode 9 of Strictly Jazz Sounds, I spend time with Laura Ann Gentry, president of LAG (Laura Ann Gentry) Productions, LLC. She’s a producer and promoter and has been for more than 24 years.  She produces and promotes jazz events in a ..read more

The jazz scene in Columbus, Ohio is an eclectic one.  Like many big cities Columbus has a 24-hour jazz radio station that plays mostly smooth and R&B-tinged jazz peppered with some classic jazz from the 50s, 60s and 70s; it has establishments that host jazz groups and at least two bona fide jazz clubs. Then, there are two nonprofit organizations: Jazz Arts Group or JAG and A Tribe for Jazz, the newest in town. A Tribe for Jazz is the topic of this episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds. Stephanie Matthews is the executive director for A Tribe for Jazz. Under her leadership and passion, A Tri ..read more

On today’s episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, I have a conversation with Emmet about his show: how he selects the guests, the challenges doing the show, the dreams he holds for it and the impact he hopes to have on jazz as an artform. Emmet Cohen is a pianist, composer, bandleader, and internet entrepreneur. What began as a means to play a gig when the Covid 19 pandemic-imposed lockdown closed the Kansas City venue he was scheduled to play, became a whole other enterprise. Every Monday night at 7:30 pm ET since March 2020, Emmet Cohen, with his show “Live at Emmet’s Place”, kicks off his shoes ..read more

2022 was a banner year for drummer Brian Blade. Nine recordings were released with Brian as a leader, co-leader, or side-player that year. As the year was coming to a close, I began to compile my list of “Best Jazz of 2022”. It was then that I realized that Brian had been a very busy man during the last few years. My curiosity was spiked about this. I wanted to talk to Brian about this prolific output of music but, you see, I had already interviewed him in 2022, twice. But, hey, I wanted to find out more about his incredible list of recordings. We begin exploring the nine releases with the Lif ..read more

What’s the difference between a producer of an event and a promoter? I’ve often wondered about that when it comes to producing or promoting a music community event or a jazz concert. Cincinnati, Ohio resident and Jazz Alive Executive Director Laura Ann Gentry set the record straight for me on Strictly Jazz Sounds, your conversation about all things jazz. In episode 9 of Strictly Jazz Sounds, I spend time with Laura Ann Gentry, president of LAG (Laura Ann Gentry) Productions, LLC. She’s a producer and promoter and has been for more than 24 years.  She produces and promotes jazz events in a ..read more

Immanuel Wilkins is considered one of the most compelling instrumentalists in improvised music today. His primary instrument is the alto saxophone but that’s not all he can play. There’s a video you can find on YouTube of an interview he did when he was 11 years old. You see an acoustic bass in the background. He can play not only the bass but also piano and other instruments. I consider Immanuel Wilkins one of today’s young geniuses roaming the urban landscape. In episode 5 of Strictly Jazz Sounds Philadelphia-raised, Brooklyn-based alto sax player, composer, bandleader, and Blue Note re ..read more

Fabian Almazan gives his heart, music, and soul to sustaining the environment. He gives so much that he started a record label, Biophilia Records, that does not print CDs or vinyl records. How does he sell recordings? Each carefully designed CD sleeve has a digital code that buyers use to purchase the tracks. If that’s not enough, all recording artists who sign on to the label must commit to giving back to the environment in their own way. Fabian, who is Cuban-born, Miami-raised and lives in Harlem, NY, feels that a strong connection with the natural world also exists in music. It’s about sust ..read more

Caleb Wheeler Curtis designs playgrounds for his band members when he composes, creating opportunities for improvisation within a structured framework. It’s all about space to freely express oneself. This Ann Arbor, Michigan native who now lives in Brooklyn, New York City, has recently released to critical acclaim his fifth album, Heatmap. Caleb and I spent some time talking about this recording and his growth as a musician.  Caleb is the consummate collaborator with a discography that details a journey full of an adventure in music.  Beginning with Walking Distance: Neighborhood in ..read more

Marta Sanchez combines the technical of classical with the soul of jazz, presenting innovative and emotive compositions that stir the mind and fill the spirit. This Madrid, Spain native now resides in Brooklyn, NY, performing in New York clubs with the best New York has to offer. Marta is now among the elite performers in the jazz capital of the world.   Marta discovers a different music scene in New York City than Madrid, Spain. Armed with a strong and dynamic classical background, Marta combines these two genres to create a powerful sound. Her Influences include Ravel, Schaumburg, and D ..read more