Chicago Jazz Audio Experience

In this Chicago Jazz Magazine interview, Mike Jeffers talks with two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling about his upcoming performance at Ravinia on Father's Day, June 15th, inside the intimate Martin Theatre. Kurt shares insights into his new project celebrating Weather Report, featuring original member and legendary drummer Peter Erskine. The conversation also touches on Kurt's deep dive into the music and original members which sheds new light on why the group was ahead of it's time. 

Episode 085 Mike talks with Geoff Bradfield and playing with his group Tenor Time at the Green Mill and Juli Wood honoring others jazz musicians at Andy's Jazz Club.

Episode 084 Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Jake Shapiro, Ritchie Goods and Chien Chien Lu. Jake discusses his upcoming gig at the Kenilworth Assembly Hall and Ritchie and Chien Chien discuss the challenges of touring.

Episode 083 Mike Jeffers interviews Anne and Mark Burnell about their upcoming Halloween gig at Rhapsody and Clark Sommers tells us about his Release Party of "Feast Ephemera" at the Green Mill.

Around Town with Mike Jeffers Episode 082 with Eric Jacobson and Brett Dean.

Episode 081 Steve Sedergreen talks iwht Mike about his upcoming gigs with Pat Mallinger and Ty Cooper, how Chicago compares to Melbourne and playing at a young age with his dad and other great musicians. He will be here October 20 for a house concert and October 21st at Pianoforte.

Episode 077 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with Christian Dillingham previewing his upcoming performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival Sunday September 3 at the Von Freeman stage (north promenade) 1:50-2:45pm.

Episode 074 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with pianist Theodis Rodgers Jr. previewing his upcoming performance at the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival.

On Episode 080 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers pianist, composer and entrepreneur Greg Spero about his upcoming performance Thursday and Friday, September 28th and 29th at the Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple in Oak Park. Greg also discusses his concepts on composing, arranging and performing as well as his new tech startup and much more!

EPISODE 079 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview saxophonist Jim Snidero about his upcoming performances at the Jazz Showcase on September 26th & 27th and clinics with the UIC Music Department. Jim also talks about recording his latest release Far Far Away featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel!

Episode 078 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with the President and CEO of the Arcada Theatre and Des Plaines Theatre, Ron Onesti, previewing the upcoming performance at the Arcada Theatre   Satchmo Louis Armstrong the Musical on September 10th at 3pm. The performances is in conjunction with the St Charles Jazz Fest Weekend which happens September 7-10, 2023 in downtown St Charles.  

Episode 076 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with Jim Holman previewing his upcoming performance at the Labor Day Jazz Festival Monday September 4 at the Jazz Showcase 4-9pm.

Greg Duncan back in Chicago performing at Epiphany for the Arts on July 20, 2023.

Bear's story is a fascinating one – starting in Chicago, where he first started playing bass guitar, then moving to Los Angeles, where he collaborated and recorded with some of the most illustrious names in the global music scene.

Mike Jeffers and Juan Pastor talk about the Upcoming Chicago Jazz Festival. Juan Pastor is on the Pritzker Pavilion Friday September 1 at 4:15pm.

Around Town with Mike Jeffers talking to Javier Red's about his new release, Imagery Converter, Life & Umbrella.

Episode 073 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with bassist Eric Hochberg previewing his upcoming performance at the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival on Friday September 1, 2023 at 11:30am at the Von Freeman Pavilion with his group "Eric Hochberg's StringThing" featuring Mark Feldman, Larry Gray, Steve Million and Michael Raynor.

Saxophonist Chico Freeman sits down with Chicago Jazz Magazine founder, Mike Jeffers, for the October 2019 feature interview. Chico talks about growing up in a legendary Chicago musical family, the Freeman family. The son of Von Freeman, he shares stories about starting to play sax, attending Northwestern University, his decision to make music his career, moving to New York, performing with Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner and many others.

Chicago blues legend Jimmy Burns talks about his background, his love of blues and how he rose to prominence on the Chicago Blues Scene!   visit www.bluesinchicago.com and www.chicagojazz.com for more interviews and information.   #chicagoblues #bluesmusic #chicagojazz #jazzmusic

Episode 067 of "Around Town with Mike Jeffers" features an interview with the incredibly talented guitarist, Nick Moss, to delve into the making of his latest release, "Get Your Back Into It!" by The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling available July 14th on Alligator Records. In this interview, Mike Jeffers and Nick Moss talk about the creative process, inspirations, and concepts that shaped "Get Your Back Into It!" The collaboration with harmonica virtuoso Dennis Gruenling adds a whole new dimension to the band's sound, and Moss talks about how he first met Dennis and how the collaboration has evolved over the years. Visit https://www.bluesinChicago.com/ for more interviews Visit https://www.nickmossband.com/ https://www.alligator.com/ #chicagoblues #bluesmusic #bluesguitar @mikejeffersmedia

Chris Greene talks with Mike Jeffers about the Chris Greene Music musical journey and their upcoming performance at Evanston SPACE on July 23rd on EPISODE 067 of Around Town! Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for Interviews, Podcasts, Shows and more!   #musicpodcast #chicagopodcast #jazzpodcast #mikejeffers

Vasti Jackson, 2 Time Grammy Nominee and Cultural Ambassador of Mississippi talks with Mike Jeffers back stage at the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival. They discuss the origins of blues music, Chicago blues music, Mississippi blues music and the importance it has on modern day music. Watch the entire episode here Visit ChicagoJazz.com and BluesinChicago.com for more Chicago music!

Chicago jazz saxophonist Eric Schneider has toured the world with the Count Basie Band, Earl "Fatha" Hines and many others. He has shared the stage with Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Sammy Davis Jr. and many others throughout his musical career. On this "Around Town Rerun Mike Jeffers talks with Eric Schneider about getting his start in music, joining the legendary Count Basie band, the things he has learned throughout his musical career and much more. Watch the full interview on Mike's Youtube channel   #interview #musicpodcast #jazzpodcast #chicagopodcast

Chicago Blues Triple Threat Nigel Mack talks with Mike Jeffers about his new recording "Back in Style" and his upcoming release show at Buddy Guy's Legends on July 9th!   Get more information at NigelMack.com Watch the Interview! Subscribe to Mike Jeffers Media on Youtube Here

What a great experience talking with Sheryl Youngblood about her career in music on a new episode of "OPEN MIC". She has such a passion for music and people I hope you take a listen and check out her website www.sherylyoungbloodband.com   https://www.youtube.com/@mikejeffersmedia Thanks to Buddy Guy's Legends for hosting the interview!

Episode 061 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with singer/songwriter/arranger Joanie Pallatto discussing her new release "Accidental Melody" featuring Fareed Haque on Southport Records. She discusses the concepts for the new recording and previews her upcoming release concert Sunday June 11th from 4pm-6pm at the Green Mill.   Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz.

Episode 062 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with Kia S. Smith, the Executive Artistic Director of the South Chicago Dance Theatre, and Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few discussing the World Premiere of Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley at the Auditorium Theatre on June 10th at 7:30pm. Kia Smith, the daughter of the late great saxophonist Jimmy Ellis who founded Jazz in the Alley, talks about the history and process of creating this incredible show.   Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz  

Open Mic with Mike Jeffers Wayne Baker Brooks previews his upcoming Chicago Blues Festival performance on June 8, 2023 and talks about growing up with his father, Chicago Blues Legend Lonnie Brooks and brother Ronnie Baker Brooks.   Wayne talks about keeping his fathers legacy alive while finding his own sound and creating his own music. He shares stories about how his father, Lonnie, asked Albert King to talk him into playing the drums, meeting Muddy Waters on stage at Chicago Fest and much more.   Visit www.BluesinChicago.com for more information. #chicagoblues #chicagojazz #mikejeffers #waynebakerbrooks  

Episode 001 of OPEN MIC with MIKE JEFFERS features an interview with Michael Lerich who, during the 1970's, 80's, 90's and early 2000's was one of the busiest and most successful music contractors in only in Chicago but the country. Starting out at age 22 Michael began working with bandleader Alan Kay, learning the business of contracting musical groups for private events and weddings. By 1981 he was contracting over 1800 jobs a year with numerous groups throughout the city of Chicago and employing hundreds of musicians each week. Mike Jeffers talks with Michael on how he started his business, the important things he learned when working with clients, what the keys to running a great event and much more.  

Seven-time Grammy award winner, Paul Wertico Previews his "Letters from Rome Trio" and more on Around Town with Mike Jeffers.   Seven-time Grammy award winner, drummer and educator Paul Wertico talks with Mike Jeffers on Episode 058 of Around Town and shares details about his upcoming shows at Andy's Jazz Club, where he'll be performing with his Letters From Rome Trio featuring Fabrizio Mocata and Gianmarco Scaglia on April 28th and 29th.   Paul also previews his upcoming clinic scheduled to take place during the 32nd annual Chicago Drum Show on May 20th and 21st at the Kane County Fairgrounds and he and Mike discuss the upcoming Roosevelt CCPA Jazz Festival at the Jazz Showcase on April 29th.   Visit ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz #paulwertico #jazzdrums #jazzmusic #podcast  

Join Mike Jeffers for a conversation with acclaimed saxophonist Chris Madsen as they delve into his latest album, "The Trio Book," featuring bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall. Gain unique insights into Madsen's artistic vision for performing with only bass and drums as a saxophonist, and discover his innovative techniques for preparing to play in a group without a chordal instrument.   Don't miss Chris Madsen's The Trio Book release show at the Epiphany Center for the Arts on Wednesday May 10th. Get Tickets Here   Get More Chicago Jazz Music News and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Mike Jeffers talks with vocalist, Libby York, about her latest release "Dreamland" and the upcoming release show at Winter's Jazz Club in Chicago on April 20, 2023. Get to know Libby as she shares insights into her background, the inspiration behind her song choices, her passion for the lyrics, phrasing and more.   Visit https://www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz   #musicpodcast #podcastinterviews #jazzpodcast

Michael Stryker, Director of Jazz Studies at UIC, chats with Chicago Jazz Magazine founder Mike Jeffers about the UIC Jazz Festival happening on April 19th and 20th at the Epiphany Center for the Arts with special guest Jared Schonig. Learn more about this amazing festival and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of jazz with 2 days of performances and clinics. Michael also discusses the importance of jazz education for high school and college students and what are the crucial experiences that can help students develop into professional musicians and take their playing to the next level. Don't miss out on this informative conversation packed with valuable insights for any aspiring musician!   Visit for More Information about the UIC Jazz Festival   They also discuss the the final installment of Jazz Prayer at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park on April 21st. Visit for More Information   #musicnews #chicagojazz #jazzeducation #musiceducation

Episode 052 Around Town with Mike Jeffers       In this podcast episode, Mike Jeffers sits down with pianist Marcus Roberts to delve into his long-standing collaboration with his jazz trio, comprising of Jason Marsalis and Martin Jaffe. Marcus also gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming performance at the Music Institute of Chicago at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston on April 15th. Beyond discussing his trio's musical synergy, Marcus shares his insightful thoughts on the dynamic relationship between musicians and their audience, the changing perception of jazz in contemporary times, and the value of mentorship for aspiring musicians. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of Marcus Roberts' musical journey and the ever-evolving landscape of jazz.   #jazzpiano #jazzpodcast #musicpodcast  

Episode 051 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features and interview with saxophonist Shawn Maxwell discussing his new release "Story at Eleven".       This is his 11th release and Shawn discusses recording the project in one day and setting up the process so it felt like a live performance. He discusses how he continues to have a passion to compose and record and how after 11 recordings the way he conceptualizes his music has grown and encompassed all of the genres he is influenced by.   Visit ShawnMaxwell.com for more information and the new recording.   #jazzinterview #musicinterview #chicagojazz #chicago

Blue Note Recording Artist Immanuel Wilkins is Mike Jeffers guest on Around Town Episode 049 discussing his new release "The 7th Hand" and his upcoming show on March 28th at Constellation in Chicago. Wilkins discusses how he developed the compositions for "The 7th Hand" and the concept of the recording where the goal is to allow the music to flow freely through the musicians almost like it is coming from another place. You have to watch to hear this fascinating concept! Stream/Buy "The 7th Hand" at ImmanuelWilkins.com  

Episode 047 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers featuring an interview with Tammy McCann talking about her new release "Do I Move You?" and her upcoming release show at Winter's Jazz Club on March 21st!   Visit TammyMcCann.com for her new release

Guitarist Donovan Mixon talks about his company Performance Ear Training which he launched during the pandemic on Around Town with Mike Jeffers. Donovan developed his ear training teaching technique while he was a professor at the Berkley College of Music. Developing the ability to play what you hear as a musician is essential to get the most out of your instrument.   Donovan Mixon, professional musician and music teacher, talks about the importance of ear training for musicians. He covers different ways to improve your ability to hear and play music accurately, including online ear training tools and exercises through his company Performance Ear Training. More information https://performanceeartraining.com/ https://www.chicagojazz.com/ for all things Chicago Jazz

Multi-Grammy/Latin Grammy Award winning drummer Mark Walker talks about his performance and Masterclass at Martyrs' on December 15th with his band Mark Walker & Friends.   He also discusses his concepts on composing and arranging, recording and performing with Paquito D'Rivera and much more.   Get Tickets the Masterclass at: https://bit.ly/WalkerMasterClass Get Tickets to the Performance: https://bit.ly/MWPerformance   Visit www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz.

Brandon Goldberg talks about  his performance with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra as they present A Musical Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas.   At just 17 years old Brandon has performed at many of the countries major jazz clubs and he has released two recordings under his name. We here at Chicago Jazz Magazine hope you can attend the show and hear this young musician in person with a world class orchestra! As always thanks for watching!

Vocalist Paul Marinaro previews his new album release concert at the Studebaker Theater on November 4th at 7:30pm on Episode 015 of Around Town with Chicago Jazz hosted by Mike Jeffers   Get the NEW SINGLES from "Not Quite Yet" Here: https://paulmarinaro.bandcamp.com   Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz.

Ben Rosenblum joins Mike Jeffers to preview his upcoming performance at Ravinia this weekend with his Nebula Project. Ben talks about his background, concepts on composing and arranging and incorporating all of the different genres of music he is influenced into his music.

Lowdown Brass Band founding member, Shane, talks with Chicago Jazz Magazine's Mike Jeffers about the upcoming performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival on September 2nd at the Harris Theater Rooftop from 3pm-4pm.   The Lowdown Brass Band has been together for 20 years and has evolved throughout that time from a second line street band keeping the audiences dancing to the beats into a band with a message and a purpose but still spreading their infectious grooves.

Chicago bandleader and composer Gustavo Cortiñas talks about his new recording "Kind Regards – Saludos Afectuosos" with Mike Jeffers on this episode of Around Town with Chicago Jazz Magazine.  Visit www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz and more. Visit www.gustavocortinasmusic.com for more info on his new recording.

Chris Greene talks with Mike Jeffers, founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine, talk about the Chris Greene Quartet, his upcoming performances and new release.

Ethan Philion Previews "Meditations on Mingus" his new extensive recording featuring a large ensemble performing original arrangements of Charles Mingus music.   Watch the interview here    

Vocalist Alyssa Allgood talks with CJM founder Mike Jeffers about her upcoming performance at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, September 8-11, 2022. The weekend is a celebration of her birthday and the debut of new music she intends to record sometime soon. Get all the details on everything Chicago Jazz at www.chicagojazz.com Tickets for this weekend with Alyssa Allgood at www.jazzshowcase.com

Founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine Mike Jeffers Talks with Larry Fuller about his upcoming tribute to Ray Brown and much more on this episode of Around Town with Chicago Jazz Magazine.   Visit ChicagoJazz.com for Jazz News and Interviews

Angel Bat Dawid, vocalist and multi instrumentalist is the guest on the "The Future is Now" podcast on the Chicago Jazz Audio Experience hosted by Monica Staton.   Visit https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/the-oracle for more information on her new release.   IG - angeltheoracle  

Ms. Younger has an innovative approach to teaching, and works exceptionally well with students of all levels and ages. Her encouraging and supportive teaching style helps motivate students within musical style and variations. With an extensive background in classical music and jazz, Ms. Younger has an eclectic variety of musical techniques to offer. Ms. Younger has taught at The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, Adelphi University, Nassau Community College and is currently on the faculty at The Greenwich House Music School in lower Manhattan. She also has a private studio on Long Island and Manhattan. She is the Vice President of the Long Island and Metro NYC Chapters of the American Harp Society, and presents masterclasses and workshops internationally, in which she promotes the use of harp in multi genres. She is currently accepting a limited number of new students in Manhattan and Long Island.    

Johnny Iguana grew up in Philadelphia, where he studied piano from age eight and played piano and organ in blues bands from age 16. He moved to New York City at age 22, where he met one of his greatest musical heroes, Junior Wells. He was hired by Junior after auditioning live at the Boston House of Blues, and moved to Chicago in February 1994. He toured with the Junior Wells Band for three years, toured with Otis Rush and recorded with Carey (and Lurrie) Bell, Lil’ Ed and more. Johnny went on to play on Grammy-nominated albums by Junior Wells, Chicago Blues: A Living History and the Muddy Waters 100 Band, and he played all the piano on the “Chicago Plays the Stones” album (2018). Those releases saw Johnny play on record with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Derek Trucks, Gary Clark Jr., Johnny Winter and more. Now, after appearing on dozens of blues albums released by other artists, Johnny is set to release his debut blues-piano album as a leader in 2020 on the legendary Delmark Records label. “Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular!” features Lil’ Ed, John Primer, Billy Boy Arnold, Bob Margolin, Matthew Skoller, Billy Flynn, Kenny Smith, Bill Dickens and Michael Caskey.