Jazzcorner.com Innerviews

The great and innovative jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove passed away Nov 2 at the age of 49. Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich interviewed him several times. Here is his JazzCorner.com Jazz InnerViews Perspective produced in 2006 at the Barbados Jazz Festival.

Pianist Danilo Perez can pound out a mean montuno or tickle the ivories with a silky ballad. In his most recent CD, "Children of the Light," he emphasizes the jazz side of his multi-faceted career. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich discusses how Perez creates new music through what he calls "comprovization" - a combination of composition and improvisation.

Pianist Kenny Barron has excited jazz audiences since the early 1960s. As both performer and educator, Barron has popularized a melodic and straight ahead style. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich caught up with Barron at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and they discussed Barron's 2016 CD "Book of Intuition."​

One the busiest musicians on the New York scene, saxophonist and composer Chico Freeman decided to move to Europe more than 10 years ago. While there, he explored the musical traditions of Eastern Europe and Africa. With a new record, Freeman returned to the United States this year. In this special 30 minute JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich talks to Freeman about his experiences and his return.​

Cuban born pianist Omar Sosa is always full of surprises. In his 2015 CD Ile, he masterfully combines elements of Cuban son, jazz and flamenco. In this podcast Sosa tells Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich how he gets inspired to make such unique music.​

Composer and arranger Maria Schneider also conducts one of the country's finest jazz orchestras. It's not the big band sound of years gone by. She creates a contemporary sound that mixes elements of jazz and classical styles. JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich spoke with Schneider at her home in New York about a new CD and how she gets inspiration for new compositions.​

Clark Terry, who was born in 1920, was one of the elite group of jazz artists who played with both Duke Ellington and Count Basie. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective he doesn't take sides, saying one was better. Count Basie was the master of timing, says Terry, Ellington was the master musician. Clark Terry became famous for playing the trumpet upside down and performing his "mumbles" scat singing routine. Clark Terry, a true jazz treasure, passed away on February 21, 2015. Reese Erlich produced this Jazz Perspective in 2006.​

Carmen Lundy's latest CD "Soul to Soul," drawing on blues and gospel influences, ​with all original compositions. ​JazzCorner.com ​Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich explains, ​"​Lundy plays multiple instruments and has a major role in the recording process. She talks about the creative inspirations for writing, playing and recording her own CD.​

Big band leader, trumpeter and composer Gerald Wilson was a jazz treasure for more than 6 decades. JazzCorner.com's Lois Gilbert spent several hours with Gerald on his 89th birthday during the Detroit Jazz Festival. Gerald Wilson died on September 8, 2014; 4 days after his 96th birthday. This very special JazzCorner.com InnerView is brought to you by Mack Avenue Records. https://www.mackavenue.com

If you have ever heard one note from the great Dianne Reeves, you know she has you at hello! Her new album, "Beautiful Life" touches on several aspects of music and plays on the strings of our sensibilities, Mixing in her love of collaboration, Dianne has teamed up with a stunning array of peers including Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, George Duke, Gregory Porter, Gerald Clayton, Lalah Hathaway, Richard Bona and her producer Terri Lyne Carrington. In this JazzCorner.com InnerView, LeRoy Downs talks with Dianne Reeves about "Beautiful Life" sponsored in part by the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa where Dianne Reeves is performing September 25 - September 27, 2014. For more information visit: https://www.joyofjazz.co.za/

Pianist Oscar Hernandez, leader of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, can get down with a salsa beat or play a lilting Latin Jazz tune. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, Hernandez says Latin music should get the same respect as straight ahead jazz. It's not always party time. This Perspective was produced by Reese Erlich.

Multi-Grammy Award winner Arturo Sandoval is most famous for his jazz and Latin trumpet playing. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich asks Sandoval how he composed music for 12 films. Arturo says sometimes you get only 20 seconds for a music cut, but you learn how to do it. He is also featured on the "Spiderman" soundtrack.

Pianist Helen Sung is an artist who was born classical and grew up a jazz player. The Houston born composer, educator and swinging pianist was first introduced to the music in college and once intrigued by its rhythms, harmonies and sense of freedom, she switched her classical major to study jazz. Accepted as part of the first iteration of The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, Helen soaked up all of the lessons from Jazz Masters such as Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Jackie McLean, Ray Brown, Jimmy Heath and many others. Her latest record "Anthem For A New Day", features Reuben Rogers, Obed Calvaire, Ingrid Jensen, Seamus Blake, Regina Carter, John Ellis, Paquito D'Rivera. This JazzCorner.com InnerView is sponsored in part by the DC Jazz Festival. For more information visit https://dcjazzfest.org

Rudresh Mahanthappa is one of contemporary jazz's most vibrant saxophonists and composers, blending intense virtuosity, modern rhythms and the influence of Indian classical music. Born in Italy to Indian parents and growing up in Colorado, Rudresh Mahanthappa utilizes his varied background and influences to create his own sound. This JazzCorner.com InnerView is sponsored in part by the DC Jazz Festival. For more information visit https://dcjazzfest.org

When it comes to merging jazz and funk, no other trombonist has done as sublimely as Fred Wesley. As a funk musician and arranger, he's made history with James Brown, Bootsy Collins and Parliament-Funkadelic. On this podcast though, he reveals his first aspirations of being a straight-ahead jazz musician. In this JazzCorner.com Innverview, John Murph talks with the legendary trombonist about the art of jazz and funk as he prepares to showcase that blend at the 2014 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. This podcast sponsored in part by the Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival. For more information visit: https://pittsburghjazzlive.com

Ralph Peterson talks about his three decade-plus career as a powerhouse jazz drummer and bandleader. He learned the ropes from Art Blakey with whom he played with as a second drummer. Peterson discusses how he met Blakey and about his tribute to the jazz icon at the 2014 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. He also shares with JazzCorner.com InnerView host John Murph, the origins of his Fo'Tet ensemble. This podcast is sponsored in part by the Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival. For more information visit: https://pittsburghjazzlive.com

It hard to categorize bassist Christian McBride. He's as adept on acoustic bass as well as electric and transitions easily from mainstream jazz to downright funk, always with rhythm, swing and poise. In this special jazzcorner.com InnerView with producer Lois Gilbert, Christian takes us on his journey from his roots in Philadelphia to be one of the leading bassists of our time.

The great saxophonist and flutist Frank Wess ​died on Oct 30, 2013. He became famous playing with the Count Basie Band in the 1950s. His incredible career spanned both the big band and bebop eras. In this Jazz Perspective from 2007, Wess tells ​JazzCorner.com ​producer Reese Erlich that he really didn't have any problems playing bebop – except the drumming was so different. "Art Blakey was dropping those bombs," he said with a laugh. This Jazz Perspective includes Wess' playing from the Count Basie days as well as his CD 'Hank and Frank'.

Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa paid his dues studying and performing in Cuba before bursting onto the international jazz scene, winning top honors at the Montreux Jazz Festival. He artfully combines the modern rhythms of Havana with an acute jazz sensibility. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich caught up with Lopez-Nussa at the Montreal Jazz Festival and provides this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective.

Pianist Jason Moran electrified the jazz scene as a young man in the late 1990s. He became known as one of the best interpreters of the music of Thelonious Monk. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich spoke with Moran recently at the Montreal Jazz Festival about his new work celebrating the life of Fats Waller.

Trombonist and composer Wayne Wallace began his career performing with musicians such as Aretha Franklin and Earth, Wind and Fire. He now fuses elements of R&B and jazz with a variety of Latin music styles. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich met with Wallace in San Francisco to talk about his new CD "Latin Jazz - Jazz Latin."

Vocalist and pianist Patricia Barber is also a talented song writer. She composes tunes about environmental destruction and politics, but she always returns to writing about love and loss. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich interviewed Barber at the Montreal Jazz Festival for this Jazz Perspective.

Vocalist Gregory Porter shook up the jazz world when his first CD, "Water," was nominated for a Grammy. With his second CD, "Be Good," Porter continues to combine a silky smooth voice with socially conscious lyrics. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich interviewed Porter at the Curacao Jazz Festival.

Saxophonist Archie Shepp's career goes back nearly 50 years, including playing on Coltrane's iconic album, "A Love Supreme." Today Shepp mixes jazz, blues and other influences into what he calls "African American Music." JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich spoke with Shepp as he prepared to launch a national tour. Music for this Perspective comes from the CD "Wo!man."

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris excels at playing straight ahead and blues-infused jazz. With his Concord CD "90 Miles," you can add Afro-Cuban jazz to the list. JazzCorner producer Reese Erlich interviewed Harris at the Montreal Jazz Festival about his latest recording for JazzCorner.com.

Vocalist and pianist Eliane Elias grew up musicially with Bossa Nova and quickly fused it with jazz. The performer and composer continues to explore new musical adventures in her CD "Light My Fire." JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich interviewed Elias at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Brazilian-born vocalist Luciana Souza has just issued two CDs simultaneously, something rather unusual in the jazz world. One features her singing bossa nova classics and the other showcases ballads sung by Chet Baker. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich offers this Jazz Perspective.

Claire Daly plays a deep and sonorous baritone saxophone. Traditionally used to play the bass part while other saxophones play the lead, Daly is one of a few modern players who plays the baritone as a bright, melodic instrument. Producer Reese Erlich offers this JazzCorner.com Perspective.

George Cables is one of the outstanding jazz pianists of any generation. He's been a Jazz Messenger for Art Blakey and pianist for Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper and Freddie Hubbard, among others. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich looks back on Cables' fabled career.

Danilo Perez is not only a talented jazz pianist, he also founded the Danilo Perez Foundation in Panama City to provide free music education for children. Jazz Corner producer Reese Erlich visited Panama to file this exclusive report on Perez and the Panama Jazz Festival.

John Scofield started at the top, playing Carnegie Hall for his first gig in New York – and, he notes wryly, he hasn't played there since. Scofield, a master of many guitar styles, also has a wonderful sense of humor. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich caught up with Scofield at the Panama Jazz Festival and offers this Jazz Perspective.

Pianist and composer Oscar Perez is one of the bright young lights of the Jazz-Latin scene in New York. Along with Danilo Perez, Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez and others, Oscar Perez is helping create a new sound based on fusing traditional Latin with funk, jazz and other contemporary music. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich sat down for a talk with Perez in New York.

Larry Goldings can surprise you with his Hammond B-3 organ virtuosity. He's equally adept at playing a bluesy tune and a jazz standard not usually played on organ. JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich caught up with Goldings after a performance at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Pianist Bill O'Connell has played Latin music for nearly 40 years, having apprenticed with the great Mongo Santamaria. He says the Latin Jazz scene remains strong in New York, as you can hear on his CD "Triple Play." JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich talks with O'Connell about Latin Jazz and about his solo CD inspired by the 9/11 attack on New York.

Andrew Cyrille is best known as a free jazz drummer who exploded on the New York scene in the 1950s. In his most recent CD, Route de Freres (Street of Brothers), Cyrille explores his Haitian roots. As JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich discovered, Cyrille makes use of Haitian melodies, singers and rhythms to create a fascinating mix.

Saxophonist Kenny Garrett became best known as a sideman to Miles Davis in the mid 1980s. In an interview conducted by JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich, Garrett talks about his long career as both a sideman and leader of his own groups.

After his groundbreaking association with Bill Evans, Paul Motian later collaborated with pianists Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett. An eclectic artist, he also worked with Arlo Guthrie including, a stint at Woodstock. Later, Motian become a composer and bandleader, producing a number of well-regarded projects for ECM Records beginning in the 1970s. He had, since the early 1980s, also led a celebrated trio featuring guitarist Bill Frisell and saxophonist Joe Lovano. On November 22, 2011, Paul Motian died at the age of 80 leaving a wealth and breadth of stunning music. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich spoke with Motian in 2008.

Pianist and composer Kenny Werner has been part of four CDs in less than two years, with two coming out so far this year. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich caught up with Werner to talk about his career and latest efforts.

Flutist and saxophonist Jane Bunnett has a smoking new CD called "Cuban Rhapsody." Playing duets with Cuban pianist Hilario Duran, Bunnett shows both prodigious technique and improvisational skills on some Cuban classics. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich offers this Jazz Perspective.

Trumpeter Randy Brecker feels equally at home playing jazz, R&B or Latin music. His latest CD features him playing with the Danish Radio Big Band. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich caught up with Brecker at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. Randy Brecker is a JazzCorner.com roster artist. For more visit www.randybrecker.com

Dianne Reeves is joining jazz vocalist Lizz Wright and African pop singer Angelique Kidjo to perform an unusual show at the Detroit Jazz Festival on September 2 and Tanglewood Jazz Festival on September 4. They pay tribute to the blues, jazz and pop singers of years past - but put their own special stamp on the music. Reese Erlich interviewed Reeves for this special JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective. For more info, please visit www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org and www.detroitjazzfest.com

Drummer Jimmy Cobb turned 82 this year but still keeps up a regular schedule of performing and teaching master classes. Perhaps most famous when he was part of Miles Davis band (1957-63), NEA Jazz Master Cobb has a distinguished career as both sideman and group leader. Producer Reese Erlich interviewed Cobb for this special JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective prior to his appearance at this year's Tanglewood Jazz Festival. For more info visit: www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

Vocalist Lizz Wright has long impressed audiences with her blues and gospel inflected jazz. Now she's joined with Dianne Reeves and Angelique Kidjo to perform "Sing the Truth," a vibrant homage to the female musicians of the past. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich talked with Wright about her career and the Sing the Truth Project, which will be featured at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival. For more info visit: www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

Terri Lyne Carrington is a talented drummer, composer and music educator. She's currently touring with Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright and others, and is the music director of "Sing the Truth", which will be performed at this year's Detroit Jazz Festival. Carrington also recently released a new CD, Mosaic. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich sat down for an in-depth interview with Carrington. For more info on the "Sing the Truth" project visit: www.detroitjazzfest.com

John Santos has been playing innovative jazz and Latin music for over 30 years. In his new CD, "Filosofia Caribena," he explores the music created at the intersection of African American and Latin cultures. JazzCorner's com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich interviewed Santos at his home in Oakland, California. Santos makes a rare East Coast appearance with his sextet at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival in a tribute to the great Cuban bassist Cachao. For more info, visit www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

Guitarist Bill Frisell has become immensely popular with his explorations of different kinds of music, from jazz to country and folk. Now he's joined vocalist Vinicius Cantuaria to play bossa nova and other styles of Latin music. The new CD, "Lagrimas Mexicanas" (Mexican Tears) features all original tunes performed by the masterful duo. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich interviewed Frisell at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland.

The wonderful British jazz pianist died on February 14, 2011. He developed the "Shearing Sound," which some saw as old fashioned. But as you'll hear, he could really swing. JazzCorner.com producer Reese Erlich interviewed Shearing in Britain in 2000.

Jazz critics and fans alike say Wayne Shorter is one of the great modern masters of the saxophone. He played with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis and later co-founded Weather Report. In recent years he's focused efforts on his outstanding quartet. This special 12 minute Jazz Perspective looks at Wayne's life as performer and composer. It's produced by JazzCorner.com's Reese Erlich. The Wayne Shorter Quartet is appearing on Feb 8, 2011 in Boston and Feb 9 in New York. For more info, visit Absolutely Live Entertainment

Taylor Eigsti hit the jazz scene over 10 years ago as a boy prodigy. Since then he's issued 7 CDs as a group leader. His latest, "Daylight at Midnight," charts a new direction for the pianist, featuring original vocals by Becca Stevens. Jazz Profiles producer Reese Erlich recently sat down with Eigsti for a chat.

Grammy award winner Arturo O'Farrill is bringing the Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Orchestra to Cuba the week of December 13. Arturo and producer Lois Gilbert hope to bring you daily podcasts from Cuba with interviews, reports on special events and much more. This JazzCorner.com InnerView is a preview of what's to come with Arturo O'Farrill and Lois Gilbert

Pianist and composer Michel Camilo brought his band to the Curacao Northsea Jazz Festival in September, earning standing ovations from the crowd. In this special JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich talks with Camilo about the festival and his latest big band CD/DVD, "Caribe."