Mike Jeffers Audio Experience

EPISODE 037 Chicago Music Revealed with JD Walter

 

Mike Jeffers and special guest vocalist Jd Walter talking about his new recording "Dressed in a Song" where he performs with 6 of his favorite piano players and mixture of original compositions and well known songs. JD also discusses how he developed his sound and improvisational style at the UNT College of Music and studying with Deborah Brown. Thanks to the Epiphany Center for the Arts.

 

About JD Walter

A native of eastern Pennsylvania, JD Walter’s past, present, and future has always embodied music. From church Boy choirs at the age of six to the American Boy choir school in Princeton to the University of North Texas on a vocal jazz scholarship, Walter has become a pioneer of improvisation and electronic innovations in the world of jazz. His recording career spans 20 years and his purist progressive approach to jazz music has been recognized worldwide.

After extended studies in Amsterdam with Jazz vocal Icon, Deborah Brown, Walter returned to the U.S. and embedded himself in the New York Jazz scene. It was in New York, surrounded by visionaries of jazz, where he began to organically develop his liberated, vibrant style that turned him from straight-ahead to progressive jazz singing. Walter’s recordings include, "Dressed in a Song", “Sirens in the C-House,” “Clear Day,” “Dedicated to You,” “2Bass, a Face and a Little Skin,” “Live in Portugal,” “Live at the 55 Bar,” “One Step Away,” and Guest appearances on over 100 recordings.

While recording his most recent album, “Dressed in a Song,” a life-threatening health scare and subsequent heart and vocal cord surgeries kept Walter out of the studio and off the road for several years.

The latest album, released on February 7, 2020, testifies to his personal progression as an evolving artisan and provides an intimate, inventive collection of standards and originals. “Dressed in a Song,” produced by Walter and Grammy-winning producer and A&R executive Al Pryor, features piano and vocal duets and trios with veterans and up-and-comers alike, including Jim Ridl, Orrin Evans, Jean-Michel Pilc, Marc Cary, Taylor Eigsti, Julius Rodriguez, Ben Wolfe, Obed Calvaire, and Becca Stevens.

Over the decades, Walter has performed as a featured artist at numerous American jazz clubs and festivals in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Central America as well as over 80 tours in Russia. He remains a regular in the New York music scene, and has headlined at Dizzy’s Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, The Blue Note, and The Jazz Gallery, among other venues.

He has shared the stage with legendary artists, ranging from Dave Liebman, Billy Hart, Tom Harrell, Eddie Gomez, Bob Dorough, Nicholas Payton, Ben Monder, Sean Jones, Jean-Michel Pilc, Bill Evans, Mark Murphy, Greg Hutchinson, Ari Hoenig, Randy Brecker, Tim Warfield, Jim Ridl, Orrin Evans, Seamus Blake, Igor Butman, Nasheet Waits, Craig Handy, Boris Kozlov, Robin Eubanks, Eric Revis, Billy Drummond, Christian McBride, Adam Nussbaum.

Walter currently resides in New York and teaches privately and abroad at The Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen, Holland, The Jazz and Music School in St. Petersburg, and the Music Wave School in Moscow.

EPISODE 036 Chicago Music Revealed with guest Bear Williams

About Bear Williams

In 1976, I attended the funeral services of "Howlin Wolf" at the A.R. Leak Funeral Home in Chicago.  I was just 17 but it was a very impactful moment in time for me. I was just deciding at that time what I wanted to do with my life and I just knew soon after that chance encounter with the late legend that music would indeed become my life's passion. 

My high school band director, Mr. George Hunter was the teacher that urged not only myself, but all of my classmates to attend this homegoing service. Mister Hunter didn't let us know who the artist was, but what he did say was "All of you need to go up to Leak's funeral home after school today and pay your respects to a giant in the music industry." I think the seeds of the Blues were somehow planted in me that day.

Throughout my long career I've played many styles of music from Rock to Soul to Jazz to Country to Reggae to Pop. But I must admit, that the one music that brings me the greatest joy inside my soul is that of the Blues and Americana roots genre. Perhaps it's the simplicity and rawness of the music coupled with the complexity and raw emotion of the stories that grabs me and just won't let go. The great B.B. King once said that, "The Blues is soothing to me, just like if someone had a toothache and a dentist gives them some medicine to stop the toothache." That's what the Blues meant to B.B. and I can agree with him wholeheartedly. 

My new project, "Waters Of Love" is the beginning of a brand new journey in music for me. Its a path that I am extremely proud and excited to be traveling upon. If you're a fan of Blues and Americana Roots music, then won't you come along on this journey with me? I know that we'll have a ball together!

 

 

EPISODE 035 Chicago Music Revealed with guest Sam Newsome

EPISODE 036 Chicago Music Revealed with special guest Sam Newsome discussing his 3 new releases.

 

About Sam Newsome

New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome often works in the medium of solo saxophone, an approach for which he gained world-wide critical acclaim with his 2009 recording, Blue Soliloquy: Solo Works for Soprano Saxophone. This recording received a five-star review in Downbeat magazine. 

 

Newsome has since released several critically acclaimed solo saxophone CDs: 

 

• Sonic Journey: Live at the Red Room (2020);
• Chaos Theory: Song Cycles for Prepared Saxophone (2019);
• Sopranoville: Works for Prepared and Non-Prepared Saxophone (2017);
• The Straight Horn of Africa (2014);
• The Solo Concert: Sam Newsome Plays Monk and Ellington (2013); 
• The Art of the Soprano, Vol. 1 (2012). 

 

EPISODE 034 Chicago Music Revealed with guest Spanish Harlem Orchestra Artistic Director Oscar Hernandez

EPISODE 034 of Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers and special guest Spanish Harlem Orchestra Artistic Director Oscar Hernández discussing the upcoming release "The Latin Jazz Project" due out May 22nd. Visit http://www.spanishharlemorchestra.com/

 

About the Spanish Harlem Orchestra

 

Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the three-time Grammy® winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York style, hard core salsa. 

Whether in a concert hall or at an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in, they come at you full force, from start to finish. Their energy on stage and their rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the music’s storied history, the ensemble’s thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience.

Now celebrating their 15th year, SHO, as they are known to fans, is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio (Spanish Harlem NYC). Their music is characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. They are on a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura (hard salsa) alive and expand its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant, creating a unique and fresh approach.

With six CD’s and five Grammy nominations, this powerhouse orchestra is aware that it is crucial to continually push themselves and raise the bar. Their latest release and 6th album entitled “Anniversary” won the 2019 Grammy® Award for “Best Tropical Album”.

Guitarist Bobby Broom on EPISODE 033 Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers

Episode 033 Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers and special guest Bobby Broom talking about his upcoming performance as part of the Jazz Foundation of America Musicians' Emergency Fund Concert 5/14 Featuring: Sheryl Crow, Robert Cray, Milton Nascimento, Anjelique Kidjo, Stanley Jordan, Ivan Neville and many more.

Watch Live Tonight at 8pm EST and 10pm EST. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYoeS...

 

#bobbybroom #jazzfoundationofamerica #chicagomusicrevealed

 

About Bobby Broom

By 16, Broom had a regular gig with bebop pianist Al Haig when the saxophone colossus himself, Sonny Rollins, invited him to go on tour. Broom declined, though he did perform with Rollins at Carnegie Hall later that year. Five years later, including one at Berklee, Broom at last joined Rollins’s touring band, ultimately spending two five-year stints with him. Prior to joining Rollins, Broom declined yet another prestigious gig—a spot in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers—to instead sign with GRP Records and make his crossover jazz debut, 1981’s Clean Sweep. That record and its follow-up, 1984’s Livin’ for the Beat (Arista), attracted a following and promised a career in what would soon be known as smooth jazz. Broom, ever independent-minded, though, instead jumped ship for Chicago, where he concentrated on straight-ahead jazz. He continued with Rollins, joined Kenny Burrell’s Jazz Guitar Band, and worked with Miles Davis, Stanley Turrentine, and his early idol Charles Earland. In the 1990s Broom formed two trios: The eponymous Bobby Broom Trio and the Deep Blue Organ Trio. Deep Blue recorded four albums before its dissolution in 2013. Broom also made three quartet records (No Hype Blues, Waitin’ and Waitin’, and Modern Man) before deciding to focus on his guitar- bass-drums trio as his primary outlet, beginning in 2001 with Stand! (Premonition). He solidified a lineup with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins with 2006’s Song and Dance, which was also Broom’s first recording for Origin. That trio also scored with the vibrant 2008 live date The Way I Play and the 2009 Bobby Broom Plays for Monk, which Allmusic’s Rick Anderson called “a warm and wonderful tribute to one of America’s finest composers.” Makaya McCraven was introduced on drums for Upper West Side Story (2012), Broom’s first collection of all original compositions, and My Shining Hour (2014), his first standards album. The Organi-Sation was born from the ashes of the Deep Blue Organ Trio, which had been a regular touring opener for Steely Dan. Unaware of their 2013 disbanding, the Dan once again called Broom in 2014 to book his “organ group” for their summer tour. Broom was reluctant to throw together another organ combo when he wanted to focus on his working trio, but McCraven wouldn’t hear of it. “He said, ‘Man, you can’t not do this,’” Broom recalls. “He said, ‘Let’s sit down, go through our rolodexes, and figure this out.’” When they reached the name of organist Ben Paterson, Broom thought he might be on to something. As Paterson was about to begin an extended stay in Chicago, he agreed to join the band. McCraven took a leave midway through the tour, with Watkins replacing him. The Organi-Sation quickly jelled as such: “I thought after the Deep Blue Organ Trio that I would never feel anything quite like that chemistry again,” Broom says. “And boy, was I wrong.” If Soul Fingers was the product of that chemistry, it’s also a natural outgrowth of Broom’s personal artistic values. “The interpretation of popular songs doesn’t seem to be the mode du jour for jazz players, but I have to play music and a style that suits me, one that I want to hear,” he says. “This record—these songs, this presentation—is how I want to engage with the world.”

These Days Magazine founder Patrick Welby on Chicago Music Revealed EPISODE 032

EPISODE 032 CHICAGO MUSIC REVEALED with Mike Jeffers and special guest founder of These Days Magazine Patrick Welby.

Visit thesedaysmag.com/ for article and information.

Trumpeter Rachel Therrien on EPISODE 031 - Chicago Music Revealed

EPISODE 031 Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers and special guest trumpeter Rachel Therrien. Rachel and Mike talk about her new release "Vena".

Thanks to the EPIPHANY Center for the Arts for the support htt://www.epiphanychi.com

Visit http://www.chicagomusicrevealed.com
#windyfest
#chicagomusic
#musicnews
#themusicbusiness

About Rachel Therrien

Between New York City and Montreal, French-Canadian trumpeter, composer and producer Rachel Therrien boasts an enviable CV. She is considered one of the most promising jazz musicians, playing a wide variety of musical styles and rhythms.

Winner of the 2015 TD Grand Prize Jazz Award at the renowned Montreal International Jazz Festival, the 2016 Stingray Jazz Rising Star Award and nominated as Best Jazz Producer at the IMA’s 2018 Award, she has shared stages with many world-class musicians in clubs, festivals and on television throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

EPISODE 030 - John Primer talks about music and live streaming events on Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers

EPISODE 030 with Mike Jeffers talking with special guest John Primer about his career in music. Plus Dave Katzman give us a Blues in Chicago and Beyond Update.

Thanks to the EPIPHANY Center for the Arts for the support htt://www.epiphanychi.com

Visit www.chicagomusicrevealed.com
#windyfest
#chicagomusic
#musicnews
#themusicbusiness

About John Primer

In 1979, the great songwriter Willie Dixon persuaded him to join his band the Chicago Blues All Stars. John traveled the U.S., Mexico and Europe, trying on hats as a rhythm guitarist, lead slide player and powerful singer. Muddy Waters heard John play and six months later Muddy recruited him not only as his guitar player and bandleader, but also as an opening act. John stayed loyal to Muddy until his death in 1983.

After Muddy’s death, John signed on with the legendary Magic Slim. For the next 14 years, he toured with Magic Slim & the Teardrops as bandleader and guitarist, culminating with the Teardrops being voted repeatedly the number one blues band in the world. This unstoppable blues band invented the "Chicago lump" blues sound we know and love today.

In 1995, John ventured out on his own as a veteran bluesman
and released his solo major label debut, The Real Deal. Since that time he’s released or been recorded on over a dozen albums and toured extensively all over the world. A master storyteller and songwriter, his catalog of songs is endless. Some of the awards attached to him include: 2 Grammy nominations and 2 Living Legend honors as well as a Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Artist from the National Blues Foundation and many more.

Shaunda Brooks-Green, founder of Windy Fest and the 6D Networktainment group on Chicago Music Revealed

Episode 029 Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers and special guest Shaunda Brooks-Green the founder of Windy Fest & 6D Networktainment. Shaunda discusses the entertainment industry, emerging artists, Windy Fest and much more.

Thanks to the Epiphany Center for the Arts visit www.epiphanychi.com

Visit www.windifestchi.com, www.6dnetworktainment.com, www.Shaundavbrooks.com

 

#chicagomusic #musicpodcast #entertainmentpodcast

Joel Spencer on Chicago Music Revealed EPISODE 028

EPISODE 028 of Chicago Music Revealed with Mike Jeffers and special guest drummer Joel Spencer talking about the late Richie Cole and much more.

Thanks to EPIPHANY Center for the Arts for the support of the program. Chicago Music Revealed is a daily podcast and video show that talks with musicians from around the country about their music, new releases, background and more. Mike Jeffers is the director of programming at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago and the founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine. He is also a professional musician who attended the University of North Texas before returning to Chicago to begin his professional career.

Get more information at: http://www.chicagomusicrevealed.com

http://www.Epiphanychi.com

http://www.ChicagoJazz.com

#musicpodcast #musicinterviews #musicnews #chicago