It’s for the streets, it’s for the people and it’s to dance to. It’s anti-institutional. Jazz and Black Music was birthed in the streets and we can’t forget that. Join hosts, Vocalist, flautist, and producer, Melanie Charles and Yunie Mojica, Saxophonist, producer and GRAMMY nominated composer, as they converse with fellow musicians, creators, movers and shakers.
Melanie Charles & Yunie Mojica
Melanie and Yunie sit down with artist, musician and songwriter, Jack Fuller. They discuss the many facets of gender and gender identity. As many of us have seen in the ethers, blogs, YouTube and internets, the cultural war between our transgendered sisters and cis gendered sisters. In this special episode with Jack Fuller, recorded during pride month, Melanie and Yunie sought out to create a safe space where they can air out misunderstandings, confusions and even our traumas. At the end of the day we all want to me seen, heard, understood, and we all just want love and safety. We hope you listen with an open mind and open heart
It's been a little while, but we're back! Mel and Yunie chop it up, catch up, talk about everything from music, movies, tv, basketball and what's happening this summer -- SummerStage, Tour, gigs, all that that good stuff. Stay tuned new episodes with some amazing guests!! Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @Yuniemo Questions / comments? Email us at makejazztrillagainpodcast@gmail.com
In this Episode your hosts Melanie and Yunie catch up with their long time friend, colleague and fellow musician, Raynel Frazier. Raynel shares her experiences as an arts administrator, and musician, all while studying for her doctorate in Organizational Development and Change. She's a Trill superwoman to say the least!! The ladies also get into some interesting conversations about the “trendy” corporate topic – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in relation to belonging. We learned A LOT but also had some laughs along the way, so get into this episode with us! About Raynel Frazier Raynel Frazier started her career in the arts as a trombonist studying Jazz Studies at the Hartt School of Music, Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, and received her master's in arts administration from American University and resides in New York City where she has worked as manager of programming at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) and was responsible for booking Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center's world-renowned Jazz Club. Raynel was also a tour manager for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, traveling around the world to expand the global community of Jazz. Raynel is currently the Programs Producer at Chelsea Factory and a doctoral student at Bowling Green State University, pursuing a Doctorate in Organization Development and Change. She hopes to use her degree to help arts organizations thrive to produce art that inspires communities. Raynel's Article: Aligning Diversity Values with Artistic Programming by Raynel Frazier Raynel's Recommended Book to find your purpose: Live Your Calling: A Practical Guide to Finding and Fulfilling Your Mission in Life by Kevin Brennfleck and Kay Marie Brennfleck Melanie Charles Live at Blue Note NYC: Monday, February 27 | 8pm | 10:30pm | Tickets Here Follow Raynel Frazier: @ray_fraz Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @Yuniemo Questions / comments? Email us at makejazztrillagainpodcast@gmail.com
If you don't know who Endea Owens is, you are about to find out! Trill hosts, Melanie Charles and Yunie Mojica sit down with Detroit native, NYC Bassist, Endea Owens and chat about her humble beginnings, journey to New York, the support received and the challenges she endures as a black woman. Endea Shares her faith in God, successes, challenges, inspirations, new music, fashion and her initiative to feed communities in need throughout the New York, the “Community Cookout”. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do! Presented with Support for Winter Jazz Fest (January 12-18, 2023) Winter Jazz Fest Promo code: WJF15 - 15% OFF ALL MARATHON TICKETS Manhattan Marathon Fri. Jan 13 | Brooklyn Marathon Sat. Jan 14 Endea Owens & The Cookout Winter Jazz Fest performance: Friday, Jan. 13 | Zinc Bar NYC | 7:30PM Follow Endea Owens: @endeatheebassbae | Website | Music Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @Yuniemo Questions / comments? Email us at makejazztrillagainpodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, Melanie and Yunie catch up with their friend who happens to be one of the most in-demand drummers on the scene, Savannah Harris! These ladies get into so many key topics around being a musician in today's ever changing times. From the importance of mentorship, touring as a drummer, fashion, femininity as a musician and even dating. Savannah shares the impactful mentorship she's had with the late great Geri Allen, the process of being in Christian McBride's band, and of course… a round of Trill Trivia! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @yuniemo Follow Savannah Harris: @savvyknows Questions / comments? Email us at makejazztrillagainpodcast@gmail.com
We got a very special guest in the house ya'll!! The legendary Philly bassist, band leader, festival curator and Grammy award winning recording artist, THEE Christian McBride aka DJ Brother Mister!!! Your hosts, Melanie and Yunie kick it with McBride in the realest most trillest way, chatting about the legendary album Parker's Mood, how he became a DJ, what it's been like being the Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival, stories about the late great Roy Hargrove and so much more. They even get Christian to spill some tea and indulge in the infamous Trill Trivia. You don't want to skip this episode, because here, you get the real side of Christian McBride! Come chill with the Trill girls and get into this podcast! Remember, whatever you do… remember to Make Jazz Trill Again!! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @Yuniemo Follow Christian McBride: @chrmcbride | @brothermisterproductions
Mel and Yunie catch up and continue the conversation around Festival Season! The ups and downs, the history, a behind the scenes look at touring, booking, programming, and even budgets and pay
Make Jazz Trill Again Podcast is back! Instead of comin to you live at a Trill event, Mel and Yunie are bringing you the podcast in true podcast form, remote from the east and west coasts. Tap in and get a chance to catch up with the Trill girls about Summer Festivals reemerging, their hot takes on the “Jazz Police”, industry topics around music, Jazz, deals and contracts and so much more. Get into it here with Yunie and Mel, and remember, whatever you do… remember to Make Jazz Trill Again!! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @Yuniemo Next Performances: Melanie Charles - Mondriaan Jazz Festival, Den Haag, Netherlands Tickets - Saturday, Oct. 8, 8pm Melanie's Tour & Performance Schedule Yunie Mojica - Sonic Messengers (w/ AceMo) @ Public Records (Brooklyn, NY) Tickets - Saturday, Sept. 3, 11pm
In this episode, Melanie and Yunie get a chance to sit down with the multi-talented vocalist, musician, composer, VJ and radio personality, China Moses! They get deep into China's childhood stories, lessons, music, the everyday life of being an artist, and some Trill Trivia! If you missed out on this live experience, now's a chance to catch the vibe here! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Recorded Live at: Nublu | 151 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009 Follow and Find China Moses here: http://chinamoses.com/ (IG: @chinamoses)
In this episode, MJTA hosts Melanie and Yunie are live in LA!!!! Recorded at the new performing arts venue, 2220 Arts + Archives with a special guest Author, Poet and Activist and Resident Programmer of 2220 Arts + Archives, Harmony Holiday. They celebrate Holiday's most recent release of her book Maafa, and get deep into multiple topics about Harmony's research and book on Abbey Lincoln, storytelling, censorship, sampling, and other masters such as Max Roach, Amiri Baraka, and Charles Mingus. If you missed out on this live experience back in April 2022, now's a chance to catch the vibe here! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Recorded Live on April 19, 2022 at 2220 Arts + Archives | 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 Follow Melanie Charles: @melaniecharlesisdflower | melaniecharles.com Follow Yunie Mojica: @Yuniemo ind out more about 2220 Arts + Archives: https://www.2220arts.org/ Follow and Find Harmony Holiday Here: Twitter: @Harmony_Holiday Bio: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harmony-holiday Purchase the book "Maafa" by Harmony Holiday Harmony's LA Times Article on Sun Ra: May the ghost of Sun Ra return to lift the 50-year curse he cast on Los Angeles
In this episode, Melanie and Yunie sit down with not one but two special guests! DC native, Radio personality, writer for New Music NPR and fellow podcaster, Keannna Faircloth and Jazz, R&B, Funk, Neo-Soul vocalist and activist, Jeanette Berry. They get deep into multiple topics on music selection, influences, mentorship, being an underdog, and of course.. Trill Trivia! If you missed out on this live experience back in February, now's a chance to catch the vibe here! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Recorded Live at: Nublu | 151 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009 Follow and Find Keanna Faircloth here: https://www.artimacy.org/ IG: @jazzygirlrockin / @artimacypodcast Follow and Find Jeanette Berry here: https://jeanetteberry.com/ IG: @jb_solivagant
Melanie and Yunie kick off the Make Jazz Trill Again Podcast live at Nublu with special guest Grammy-Award winning songwriter and vocalist, Kendra Foster! This episode is filled with gems, stories, advice, trill trivia and a straight up good time. If you missed out on this live experience, now's a chance to catch the vibe here! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Recorded Live at: Nublu | 151 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009 Kendra Foster website: www.kendrafoster.net (IG: @mzkendrafoster / @kfcreativecritiques)
Welcome to the first episode of the “Make Jazz Trill Again Podcast” Hosted by Melanie Charles & Yunie Mojica! In this first episode, both Melanie and Yunie introduce themselves and highlight special guest Vibraphonist, composer, and bandleader, Nikara Warren. They get into Nikara's inspiration behind her band and debut album NIKARA presents Black Wall Street, and much more! Presented with support from Winter Jazz Fest Recorded Live at: HighBreedMusic Lounge in Brooklyn, NY Where to find Nikara Warren: IG: @Nikaramusic http://www.nikarawarren.com/ Purchase Nikara's Debut Album: https://nikarapresentsblackwallstreet.bandcamp.com/releases Melanie Charles IG: @melaniecharlesisdflower Yunie Mojica IG: @yuniemo