Podcasts about Jazz piano

Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityEvery month at Jazz Piano Skills, we begin a new tune study by doing what every serious jazz musician should do first—understand the harmony.In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence launches a month-long study of the classic standard Teach Me Tonight with a thorough harmonic analysis of the tune. You'll explore the form, chord changes, harmonic function, common progressions, and voicing structures that provide the foundation for confident jazz piano performance.More importantly, Dr. Bob addresses a question every musician eventually faces:"How do I know when I've finished learning a tune?"The answer reveals one of the most important truths in music education: the tune is never the goal—the musician is the goal.Through this discussion, you'll discover why growth requires movement, why studying new tunes strengthens essential skills, and how every tune ultimately points us back to the fundamentals and the Seven Facts of Music.In This Episode• Why musicians should continue moving forward instead of waiting to "finish" a tune • The difference between learning tunes and developing musicianship • The form and harmonic architecture of Teach Me Tonight• Harmonic function and common chord progressions found throughout the tune• Block voicings, shell voicings, and two-handed voicing applications• The Seven Facts of Music and how they appear in every tune you study• Practical practice strategies for developing transferable jazz piano skillsEducational Materials IncludedJazz Piano Skills members have access to the complete lesson packet featuring:• Harmonic analysis worksheets• Lead sheets and illustrations• Voicing studies• Practice guides• Play-along tracks• Masterclass support materialsKey TakeawayThe tune changes. The skills remain.The goal is never to complete a tune. The goal is to become a more complete musician.Join Dr. Bob as he explores the harmonic foundation of Teach Me Tonight and demonstrates how great tune study leads directly to stronger jazz piano skills, deeper musical understanding, and greater artistic freedom.Discover. Learn. Play. Jazz Piano.Support the show

Join Adam Maness as he delves into the best new music released in April 2026 (ish). This month we're featuring the incredible microtonal Angine de Poitrine and many more!

You've never heard Kid A like THIS. Jazz musicians Adam Maness and Peter Martin break down Radiohead's 2000 art rock MASTERPIECE track-by-track to uncover what's really happening in the music that makes this album so incredible. Why do we love Radiohead's Kid A so much? Watch to find out.PLUS - Jazz musicians play Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place". One shot, one take, no AI. FULL video: https://youtu.be/c5w9BHKe0rc-------------------------------Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/yhi-------------------------------About You'll Hear It:In this popular music series, Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again.-------------------------------Hidden artifacts from the albums we love:https://youllhearit.com/newsletter-------------------------------Chapters Legend:

About the EpisodeOn this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with keyboardist, arranger, bandleader, and all-around musical Swiss Army knife Jeff Babko. Jeff is one of those musicians whose career quietly spans an incredible range of musical worlds, from television and touring to studio work and bandleading, and our conversation ends up feeling like a masterclass in how to build a life in music while staying curious and grounded.We start in the present, where Jeff has recently stepped into a larger leadership role on Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the passing of longtime music director Cleto Escobedo. Jeff reflects on what that responsibility means to him and how leading a band in that environment requires both musical preparation and a deep sense of trust and respect for the musicians around you.From there we rewind to an important musical turning point. Jeff tells the story of seeing James Taylor live in college, backed by a band that included Don Grolnick, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Landau, and Carlos Vega. For Jeff, that moment crystallized what “grown-up musicianship” could look like—players serving the music with taste, humility, and deep craft.We also talk about Jeff's time at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and the lifelong community that came out of those years. That theme of musical community carries into his long-running collaboration with Steve Martin and Martin Short, where Jeff has learned firsthand how musical timing and comedic timing often work the same way. Playing for comedians, it turns out, requires the same instincts as great improvisation.Toward the end of the conversation, we zoom out to bigger questions: legacy, awards, AI, and what actually lasts in a musical life. Jeff shares a perspective I really love: the most meaningful musical moments often aren't the ones captured online. They're the warm-up before a taping, the look between bandmates, or the feeling of someone in the audience connecting with the music in real time.Key TakeawaysVersatility is a career advantage — Jeff's work spans television, touring, arranging, and bandleading.Leadership grows from trust and preparation — especially in environments like Jimmy Kimmel Live!.Seeing great musicians early can shape a path — Jeff's experience watching James Taylor's band left a lasting impression.Musical communities matter — relationships formed in school and early careers often last decades.Comedy and music share timing instincts — playing for comedians requires the same listening and responsiveness as improvisation.Humility sustains a career — serving the music and the band keeps the work meaningful.The most powerful musical moments are human ones — often unseen and impossible to capture online.Music from the EpisodeHead Trauma - Mondo Trio (Jeff Babko, Jeff Coffin, & Vinnie Colauita)International Client - Jeff BabkoFranklin - Jeff BabkoNostalgia is For Suckas - Jeff BabkoAbout the PodcastThe Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams, featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the influences, decisions, and experiences that shape a life in music—one conversation at a time.Connect with the ShowEmail: contact@thebandwichtapes.com

How can music serve as both an anchor and a form of political resistance? What does it mean to create art in an age of "cognitive violence"? In this episode of Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing, host Abhay Dandekar sits down with the legendary Vijay Iyer—MacArthur Fellow, Harvard professor, and one of the most influential pianists and composers of our time. Described as a "social conscience" and "multicultural gateway," Vijay shares a masterclass on the physical and emotional labor required to maintain a creative life over three decades.From the necessity of protecting time against the "colonization of memory" to the humbling experience of being an "eternal student," Vijay discusses the profound "transduction" that happens between an artist and their audience. Vijay's insights on "shared feeling," the mathematics of emotion, and the courage to remain vulnerable offer a roadmap for co-constructing a more intentional future.Key Topics Discussed:The Ritual of the Body: How the sensory, physical connection to an instrument serves as an anchor against modern information overload.The "Eternal Student" Mindset: Lessons from legends like Zakir Hussain on why mastery is a lifelong pursuit of learning.Music as Political Action: How instrumental compositions, like his tribute to Refaat Alareer, engage with the global zeitgeist.The Power of Collaboration: Building a sense of "home" and common cause through cross-cultural artistic partnerships.Mathematics vs. Feeling: Using "similarity relationships" and the physics of sound to evoke unquantifiable human emotions.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction03:22 Daily Routines and Creative Energy05:59 The Power of Performance and Humility10:03 Transduction in Music: Connecting with Audiences14:18 Exploring the Concept of 'We' in Music17:18 Unlearning as an Educator20:11 Sponsor Break: Travelopod and RuffRest21:23 Contrasts in Musical Expression22:41 Exploring Similarity in Music and Mathematics28:12 The Intersection of Politics and Music32:55 Identity and Belonging in a Global Context39:43 Music as a Space for Community and Home42:41 ConclusionShoutouts to to Gauri for turning 40, to the Artemis crew and Amit Kshatriya for a mission accomplished and job well done, and to artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat for his sculpted statue of Swami Vivekananda being unveiled in Seattle.  Lastly, our collective hearts will always be filled with the songs and music of unforgettable Asha Bhosle - Hari Om Sadgati!Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple or Spotify or wherever you podcast!TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING is proudly brought to you by TRAVELOPOD, with personalized travel support to help you explore the wonders of the world.  Start your next journey at vacation.travelopod.comThis episode is also sponsored by RuffRest® , the only dog bed you'll ever need.  Go to www.timberdog.com to learn more

We're looking at the best jazz releases of March 2026! Listen with pianist Adam Maness as he breaks down and reacts to these great tracks.Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi

Struggling to make your improvisation sound natural, confident, or truly “jazzy”? You're not alone. In this episode, I break down the most common mistakes I see students make when learning jazz piano improvisation — mistakes that quietly stall progress even when you're practicing regularly. If your solos feel random, stiff, overly complex, or stuck at the same level, one or more of these issues is probably at play. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why improvising without clear tools leads to guessing instead of music - How rhythm (not notes) is the real foundation of great solos - Why playing two hands together too early can slow your development - The crucial difference between group improvisation and solo piano improvisation - Why mastering fundamentals matters more than learning advanced tricks - How trying to sound “fancy” often backfires - Why practicing only on full tunes limits growth - The importance of understanding the three core improvisation languages: blues, bebop, and modern This episode is about clarity — helping you identify what may be holding you back and giving you a more direct path forward. If you're serious about improving your jazz piano skills, these insights can save you months or even years of frustration. Ready to Commit? If you're ready for a complete step-by-step system for mastering improvisation, comping, and solo piano, check out Proficient Jazz Pianist (PJP). It's the foundation program I use to help students build real skills without guessing what to practice: Learn more here: http://jazzpianoschool.com/pjp Not quite ready yet? Start with the FREE Jazz Piano Roadmap. It breaks down the three core goals of jazz piano and exactly what tools you need to develop each one: https://jazzpianoschool.com/roadmap Stay connected: Website: https://jazzpianoschool.com

Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington: The musicians on this album were already legends when it came out in 1955. Each of them completely reinvented how people play their instruments. Drummer Kenny Clarke: the originator of so much of modern drumming language. Bass player Oscar Pettiford: possibly the greatest bass soloist in the history of the instrument. And then there's Monk, one of the singular greatest pianists of all time. And here they are playing the music of Duke Ellington: an untouchable legend. The result is an album that brought Monk's genius to the masses. And it may just be one of his best. In this LIVE episode of You'll Hear It, jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break down this remarkable moment in music history, playing Monk's interpretations next to Duke's originals. If you've never really got Monk, this album is your gateway into his music. And if you're already a fan, you'll never hear this album the same way again.-------------------------------Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://openstudiojazz.com/yhi-------------------------------About You'll Hear It:In this popular music series Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again.-------------------------------Sign up for the You'll Read It newsletter for little known stories about the artists you love: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter -------------------------------0:00 - "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"2:07 - You'll Hear It Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center6:02 - The Story of Thelonious Monk8:24 - First Official Recording: Coleman Hawkins Quartet (1944)10:21 - Keepnews Big Idea to Bring Monk to the Masses14:46 - "It Don't Mean a Thing": Duke's original vs. Monk's version20:40 - Bassist Oscar Pettiford's Sophisticated Musical Language24:10 - Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald's Version27:38 - "Sophisticated Lady"31:44 - "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" 35:08 - Bet You Can't Guess This Singer39:10 - "Black and Tan Fantasy": Duke (1927) vs. Monk42:30 - Oscar Pettiford Plays "Basso Profundo" with Duke Ellington45:00 - "Tricotism" - Oscar Pettiford 45:55 - Kenny Clarke deep dive47:48 - "Mood Indigo" 49:50 - "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart": Duke's original vs. Monk's version52:30 - "Solitude"55:00 - "Caravan": Duke's original vs. Monk's version 58:35 - Categories: Desert Island, Apex Moments, Bespoke Playlists, Quibble Bits59:50 - Drummer Kenny Clarke's Brush Master Class1:04:00 - Is This Better than Kind of Blue?1:04:55 - What to Listen to Next

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Larry Goldings—keyboardist, organist, composer, and one of the most respected musical collaborators working today. Larry has built a career that stretches across jazz, pop, film, television, and session work, but what really stands out in our conversation is his deep commitment to serving the music first.We start by talking about some of the projects currently on his plate. From a new recording with his organ trio featuring Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart, to an unexpected and joyful children's album with tap-dance legend Melinda Sullivan, Larry's creative world is constantly expanding. Whether it's instrumental jazz, singer collaborations, or more experimental projects, his curiosity keeps pushing him into new musical spaces.A major part of the conversation centers on his long-running role in James Taylor's band. Larry shares how he first connected with James in the early 2000s and what it takes to serve those songs night after night at the highest level. Playing alongside musicians like Steve Gadd, he reflects on what he's learned about feel, restraint, and the kind of deep musical trust that makes a rhythm section truly work.From there we head down the rabbit hole into Scary Goldings and Scary Pockets, the groove-driven projects that have introduced Larry to a whole new generation of listeners online. He talks about how those sessions began, why the format encourages spontaneity, and how collaboration and curiosity remain the driving forces behind the music.For the gearheads and music nerds—myself included—we also revisit a memorable moment from the Michael Brecker “Time Is of the Essence” sessions. Larry recalls the experience of playing alongside Elvin Jones, navigating the nerves of the session, and the unforgettable moment when the music suddenly locked into place.Along the way, we also get into the craft of organ playing itself—especially Larry's approach to left-hand bass, and why bass players have influenced his musical language just as much as other organists. At the end of the day, everything comes back to the same principle: serve the feel, serve the song.Key TakeawaysLarry Goldings's current creative projects, including a new organ trio record with Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart.The unexpected collaboration with tap-dance legend Melinda Sullivan on a children's album.How Larry joined James Taylor's band and what he's learned from years on that stage.The musical philosophy of rhythm sections built on feel, restraint, and trust, especially alongside Steve Gadd.The origins of Scary Goldings and Scary Pockets and how those sessions reached a global audience online.A behind-the-scenes story from the Michael Brecker “Time Is of the Essence” recording sessions with Elvin Jones.Why Larry's organ language is shaped as much by bass players as by other keyboardists.Music from the EpisodeThe Shakes — Scary PocketsTimeline — Michael BreckerSolid Jack — The Larry Goldings TrioDisco Pills — Scary PocketsArc of the Pendulum — Michael BreckerAbout the PodcastThe Bandwich Tapes is a long-form conversation podcast where host Brad Williams sits down with some of the most thoughtful musicians, composers, and artists working today. The show explores the stories behind the music—creative process, collaboration, career paths, and the human experiences that shape the sounds we love.Connect with the ShowEmail: contact@thebandwichtapes.com

Most jazz pianists think confidence comes after they get better. It doesn't. Confidence is built intentionally — through depth, constraints, measurable progress, and exposure to the areas you tend to avoid. In this episode, I break down four practical ways to build real, grounded confidence at the piano: • Stay in one lane long enough to build familiarity • Practice under constraints to reduce hesitation • Create measurable proof in every session • Do more of what you're avoiding If you've ever felt like you're guessing when you sit down to play — even after practicing — this episode will help you recalibrate your approach. Confidence isn't loud. It's quiet certainty. Ready to Commit? If you're ready for a complete step-by-step system for mastering improvisation, comping, and solo piano, check out Proficient Jazz Pianist (PJP). It's the foundation program I use to help students build real skills without guessing what to practice: Learn more here: http://jazzpianoschool.com/pjp Not quite ready yet? Start with the FREE Jazz Piano Roadmap. It breaks down the three core goals of jazz piano and exactly what tools you need to develop each one: https://jazzpianoschool.com/roadmap If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow the podcast and leave a review — it helps more serious jazz pianists find structured education instead of random information overload.

D'Angelo's Brown Sugar sounded like nothing else in 1995. R&B was slick, polished, and built for clubs. D'Angelo later said the "deeper consciousness" had gone out of contemporary music. Questlove later wrote that contemporary R&B had become "trite" and "soulless" ... and then there was Brown Sugar, D'Angelo's debut album. It sounded more like the '70s than the '90s. More like church than the club. On this episode of You'll Hear It, jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin go track by track through D'Angelo's debut, pulling apart the vocal stems, naming the jazz chords underneath the soul, and tracing every influence back to its root. They also bring in the archival recordings you might have missed: a live set from the Jazz Café London that gives the album a whole second life, and a J Dilla remix.-------------------------------Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://openstudiojazz.com/yhi-------------------------------Related You'll Hear It episodes:Voodoo: https://youtu.be/AYqmFNF2s0U-------------------------------About You'll Hear It:In this popular music series Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again.-------------------------------Sign up for the You'll Read It newsletter for little known stories about the artists you love: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter -------------------------------00:00 - D'Angelo's Brown Sugar01:11 - Let's Go Back to 1995 05:35 - "Brown Sugar"08:30 - Engineer Bob Power's Influence 09:13 - "Brown Sugar" Felt Different From Anything Else in 199516:57 - D'Angelo on Why He Picked Bob Power19:30 - "Alright" 28:57 - Isolated Vocal Stems on "Alright"31:27 - "Jones in My Bones" 33:20 - The Little-Known D'Angelo Album36:25 - "Me & Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine"40:30 - The J Dilla Remix (1997)44:18 - "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker" 46:30 - Live at the Jazz Cafe - "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker"48:10 - "Smooth" 50:20 - D'Angelo Could Have Been a Jazz Pianist53:04 - D'Angelo and Peter's Ellis Marsalis Connection56:21 - "Cruisin'" 59:25 - Ad Break: Learn To Play Like D'Angelo1:00:37 - "When We Get By"1:04:44 - "We Were Just Mocking Dilla": Raphael Saadiq on How "Lady" Was Made1:06:20 - "Lady"1:11:02 - "Higher"1:15:28 - "Brown Sugar" Hits Different 30 Years Later1:17:00 - Our Favorite Moments1:23:45 - Quibble Bits, Snob-O-Meter & Accoutrements1:27:26 - Up Next + Listener Reviews1:29:45 - Open Studio Plays "Lady"

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with pianist, composer, improviser, label founder, and educator Kris Davis—one of the most forward-thinking voices in creative music today. Our conversation left me feeling genuinely energized. Kris approaches music with a rare combination of curiosity, discipline, and fearless experimentation, and it was a joy to dig into how all of that shows up in her work.We start with what's immediately ahead for her: a trip to Hamburg to premiere a newly expanded big band version of a trio piece with the NDR Big Band. Kris shares the very real “composer panic” that comes with catching an engraving mistake right before rehearsal—one of those behind-the-scenes realities of composing that every musician can relate to.From there, we talk about festivals—especially Big Ears, which feels like its own musical universe—and dive into two major pillars of her work: prepared piano and large-form composition. Kris reflects on studying with pianist Benoît Delbecq, whose approach to prepared piano emphasized rhythm, individuality, and finding a personal sonic vocabulary.One of the highlights of our conversation is a deep look at her remarkable Solastalgia Suite, written for the Lutosławski Quartet after a commission through Poland's Jazz to Pad Festival. Kris talks about learning how to write for strings in real time and how the concept of **solastalgia—the grief you feel for your home while you're still living in it—**became the emotional core of the piece.We also zoom out into the bigger picture of her work: her leadership role alongside Terri Lyne Carrington at Berklee's Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, and her decade-long journey building Pyroclastic Records, a label dedicated to supporting adventurous music and the artists creating it. At its heart, this conversation is about craft, community, curiosity, and the importance of taking creative risks on purpose.Key TakeawaysThe behind-the-scenes realities of composing for large ensembles—including last-minute engraving panic before a premiere.Why festivals like Big Ears create a unique ecosystem for creative music.How studying with Benoît Delbecq shaped Kris Davis's approach to prepared piano.The creative challenge of writing for string quartet for the first time.The emotional meaning of solastalgia and how it shaped the Solastalgia Suite.Kris's work at Berklee's Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice alongside Terri Lyne Carrington.How Pyroclastic Records has grown into an important platform for adventurous and forward-thinking music.Music from the EpisodeDiatom Ribbons — Kris DavisInterlude (from the Solastalgia Suite) — Kris DavisLife on Venus (from the Solastalgia Suite) — Kris DavisRun the Gauntlet — Kris DavisAbout the PodcastThe Bandwich Tapes is a long-form conversation podcast where host Brad Williams sits down with some of the most thoughtful musicians, composers, and artists working today. The show explores the stories behind the music—creative process, collaboration, career paths, and the human experiences that shape the sounds we love.Connect with the ShowEmail: contact@thebandwichtapes.com

In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Eigsti, and this conversation goes everywhere I hoped it would. We talk about preparation versus spontaneity, writing music that leaves room for the present moment, and why the best ensembles feel more like carefully cast films than perfectly rehearsed machines.Taylor shares what it's been like working recently with Michael League, Ben Wendel, Kendrick Scott, Antonio Sánchez, and others, and we get deep into his compositional mindset—why quantity matters, why “bad ideas” are necessary, and how composition is a muscle that has to be exercised. We also talk about his Grammy-winning albums Tree Falls and Plot Armor, the long studio hours behind them, and why recognition doesn't always translate the way people expect.Along the way, we hit on collaboration, identity, touring life, teaching, football fandom, and what it really means to show up prepared and fully present for the moment that actually matters—the short window onstage when everything finally comes alive.Music from the Episode:Let You Bee (Taylor Eigsti)Bucket of F's (Taylor Eigsti)Look Around You (Taylor Eigsti)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

We're looking at the best jazz releases of February 2026! Listen with pianist Adam Maness as he breaks down and reacts to these great tracks.Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi

Most jazz pianists aren't stuck because they're lazy. They're stuck because they're working very hard on the wrong things. In this episode, I talk about why putting in more hours doesn't always lead to better results — and why that gap between effort and progress can feel absolutely crushing. I share personal experiences from my own journey (both in jazz piano and beyond) and explain what's really happening when you're practicing consistently but still feel stuck. Proficient Jazz Pianist (PJP), is the complete step-by-step system for building real jazz piano skills — comping, solo piano, and improvisation — without jumping between random lessons or getting lost in information overload. If you want a clear, structured path for what to practice and how to turn what you already know into something playable, you can learn more here: http://jazzpianoschool.com/pjp More ways to stay connected: Website: #JazzPiano #MusicPractice #FocusedPractice #CreativeGrowth #JazzPianoSchool #ProficientJazzPianist

We're looking at the best jazz releases of January 2026! Listen with pianist Adam Maness as he breaks down and reacts to these great tracks.Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi   00:00 - Intro00:50 - Why Don't You - Sam Fribush, Corey Fonville, Charlie Hunter03:09 - Talking Drum - Julian Lage04:58 - Flim - Winderman, Colman, Kimock06:53 - Nacho Supreme - Motion II08:51 - Wisdom Is Eternal (For Barry Harris)10:49 - Unpersuadable Extern - N∆BOU12:11 - Free Walk - Vladko14:17 - Fireball - John Ellis & Double Wide15:52 - Giant Steps - Billy Hart18:50 - Parks Lope - Aaron Parks

Welcome to 2026! As what will certainly prove to be an interesting year kicks off, the boys dive deeply into little-discussed keyboard master Kirk Lightsey's discography, checking out a couple of leader dates, an unusual duet exploration of a single composer, and a sideman appearance in a saxophonist's band who at least one Allaboutjazz reader finds worthy of a box set. Kirk Lightsey – ISOTOPE, COLTRANE REVISITED AT BIRDSEYE; Kirk Lightsey and Harold Danko – SHORTER BY TWO; Ricky Ford – SHORTER IDEAS.

KeywordsJazz Piano, Growth, Harmony, Improvisation, Melodic Design, Solo Piano, Music Education, Jazz Community, 2026 VisionSummaryIn this final episode of 2025, Dr. Bob Lawrence reflects on a year of growth within the Jazz Piano Skills community, emphasizing the importance of harmony, melody, and improvisation. He introduces the Four Pillars of Jazz Piano, which will guide the learning process in 2026, focusing on harmonic architecture, melodic design, improvisation development, and solo piano interpretation. The episode concludes with gratitude for the community's commitment and a vision for the upcoming year.TakeawaysThe final podcast of the year is a time for reflection.2025 was marked by growth in musical and educational aspects.Jazz Piano Skills emphasizes understanding over shortcuts.Harmony is essential for creating strong melodies.Improvisation is structured composition in real time.Emotional playing stems from harmonic awareness.Harmony serves as the musical map for melody.The Four Pillars of Jazz Piano will guide future studies.Each pillar supports the others in learning jazz piano.Community commitment is vital for musical growth.TitlesReflecting on a Year of Growth in Jazz PianoThe Importance of Harmony in Jazz MusicSound bites"This podcast is a special one for me.""Emotion comes from harmonic awareness.""Thank you for trusting the process."Support the show

We're looking back at the best jazz releases of 2025. Listen with pianist Adam Maness as he breaks down and reacts to these great tracks.This is a new segment from the team behind You'll Hear It, and we're looking to continue this music discovery pod as a weekly series in 2026. Help us shape this series and leave us a comment with your feedback.00:00 - The Best New Jazz of 202500:55 - "Spiral Dance" - Branford Marsalis Quartet02:30 - "Minor Blues Redux" - Kenny Barron4:54 - "Icarus" - Joshua Redman6:55 - "Thou Swell" - Gillian Margot, Geoffrey Keezer9:30 - "Southern Nights" - Sullivan Fortner12:30 - "Anything but now" - Cécile McLorin Salvant16:30 - "Everything Means Nothing to Me" - Brad Mehldau22:00 - "Over (feat. Yebba)" - Robert Glasper24:40 - "Carved From" - Mary Halvorson26:45 - "Old Folks" - Christian McBride29:00 - "Windows" - Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Brian Blade33:00 - "Mood Indigo" - Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Charlap Play better in 2026 and beyond at Open Studio. Join today with our last BIG savings of the year at openstudiojazz.com/yhi

KeywordsJazz Piano, Christmas Music, Solo Piano, Improvisation, Vince Guaraldi, Christmas Standards, Jazz Education, Music Theory, Piano Techniques, Holiday TunesSummaryIn this festive episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence celebrates the holiday season by exploring classic Christmas tunes through the lens of jazz piano. He recaps previous studies, introduces new plans for solo jazz piano playing, and demonstrates various approaches to well-known Christmas songs. The episode emphasizes the importance of harmonic and melodic analysis, improvisation, and the joy of playing solo piano. Dr. Lawrence shares personal anecdotes and insights, making this episode both educational and heartwarming as he wishes listeners a Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season.TakeawaysThe importance of a clear thought process in music.Music is a combination of sound and silence.Harmonic and melodic analysis are crucial for jazz piano.Solo piano playing requires emulating an ensemble.Backing tracks are valuable for practice.Silent Night evokes strong memories and emotions.Swinging is essential for certain Christmas tunes.Let It Snow is a classic that doesn't mention Christmas.The Christmas Song is perfect for practicing space and pacing.Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season to all. TitlesJazz Piano Christmas CelebrationExploring Christmas Classics in JazzSound bites"Merry Christmas!""Silent Night is embedded into their memory.""Enjoy a Jazz Piano Christmas!"Support the show

Could this be peak Frank? Sinatra at the Sands captures the energy, the cool, and the incredible voice that made this crooner so iconic. Backed by the Count Basie Orchestra with arrangements by a young Quincy Jones, this live album still swings 60 years later!Sinatra at the Sands was recorded at a moment when Sinatra was emerging from a slump. Rock and roll dominated the airwaves, the Beatles were redefining popular music and crooning just wasn't cool anymore. But this album, recorded live in Vegas, shows a 50-year-old Frank sounding loose, confident, and completely at home in front of a band that swings like nothing else. Listen with us as we break down and react to the best of this swingin' album.Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi   00:00 - Intro Jam: Fly Me To the Moon01:35 - The Sinatra-Basie Episode!03:45 - Is This Peak Frank?05:45 - The Mid-60s Culture Shift07:45 - "Come Fly With Me" 12:00 - The Quincy Influence14:45 - "I've Got You Under My Skin"17:30 - What To Listen For22:30 - "The Shadow of Your Smile"26:20 - Freddie Green's "Chunking" Technique28:15 - Sinatra's Vocal Gift33:30 - "Street of Dreams"35:50 - "One For My Baby (And One More for the Road)"38:40 - "Fly Me To the Moon"45:00 - "One O'Clock Jump"49:50 - Desert Island Tracks54:05 - Apex Moments59:05 - Categories1:03:20 - Coming Up Next Week

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on pianist Marcus Roberts.Roberts plays jazz piano like he's lived through its entire history. His style pulls from Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller as much as it does from bebop. He spent years in Wynton Marsalis's band, has performed piano concertos with Seiji Ozawa, and today leads The Modern Jazz Generation, a 12-piece ensemble encompassing three decades of musicians.Roberts is here today to talk about something beyond performance. He's one of twenty artists awarded a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation's Performing Arts Technologies Lab. His project tackles a technical problem that's plagued remote music collaboration: latency. He's working to get the delay below 40 milliseconds so musicians in different cities can actually play together in real time.Roberts has been blind since age five, and he's used technology his whole life to access music and create it. From Braille music notation to AI-powered tools, he shows us how tech can serve artists rather than replace them. And that's just a hint of where this conversation goes.(The first two musical excerpts heard in the interview are from a Marcus Roberts live performance, Jazz in Marciac 2024)–Dig Deeper• Visit Marcus Roberts at marcusroberts.com • Check out Marcus Roberts' music on Qobuz • Marcus Roberts on Wikipedia • Marcus Roberts - 60 Minutes Profile "The Virtuoso" (2014)• Jason Marsalis - drummer in Marcus Roberts Trio and The Modern Jazz Generation • Rodney Jordan - bassist in Marcus Roberts Trio • The Modern Jazz Generation - Roberts' 12-piece ensemble founded in 2012• Dig into this episode's complete show notes at podcast.thetonearm.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate The Tonearm ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of The Tonearm in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit podcast.thetonearm.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Talk Of The Tonearm email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn. • Be sure to bookmark our online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on pianist Marcus Roberts.Roberts plays jazz piano like he's lived through its entire history. His style pulls from Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller as much as it does from bebop. He spent years in Wynton Marsalis's band, has performed piano concertos with Seiji Ozawa, and today leads The Modern Jazz Generation, a 12-piece ensemble encompassing three decades of musicians.Roberts is here today to talk about something beyond performance. He's one of twenty artists awarded a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation's Performing Arts Technologies Lab. His project tackles a technical problem that's plagued remote music collaboration: latency. He's working to get the delay below 40 milliseconds so musicians in different cities can actually play together in real time.Roberts has been blind since age five, and he's used technology his whole life to access music and create it. From Braille music notation to AI-powered tools, he shows us how tech can serve artists rather than replace them. And that's just a hint of where this conversation goes.(The first two musical excerpts heard in the interview are from a Marcus Roberts live performance, Jazz in Marciac 2024)–Dig Deeper• Visit Marcus Roberts at marcusroberts.com • Check out Marcus Roberts' music on Qobuz • Marcus Roberts on Wikipedia • Marcus Roberts - 60 Minutes Profile "The Virtuoso" (2014)• Jason Marsalis - drummer in Marcus Roberts Trio and The Modern Jazz Generation • Rodney Jordan - bassist in Marcus Roberts Trio • The Modern Jazz Generation - Roberts' 12-piece ensemble founded in 2012• Dig into this episode's complete show notes at podcast.thetonearm.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate The Tonearm ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of The Tonearm in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit podcast.thetonearm.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Talk Of The Tonearm email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn. • Be sure to bookmark our online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Cyber Monday at Open Studio! Grab our biggest savings of the year and take your playing to the next level: https://www.openstudiojazz.com/yhi/Keith Jarrett's "The Köln Concert" is the best selling solo piano album of all time. But why this album? Possibly because it sounded like nothing else in popular music at the time of its release in 1975. It is cinematic, genre-fluid and masterful – in many ways ahead of its time.Jazz musicians Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to one of the most popular albums in the history of jazz, pulling apart all the elements that make it great: the melodies, the vamps, even the "soul" of Jarrett's notoriously flawed piano. If you know "The Köln Concert" well, watch for the analysis and hot takes. If you haven't heard this album before, it may just become the soundtrack to your life!00:00 - Is it Köln or Cologne?06:30 - Part I09:20 - How Jarrett Made Music for the Moment17:00 - Jumping Back Into Part I23:00 - Joyful and Fearless 29:00 - All the Genres33:20 - Legit Amazing AND Popular36:05 - The Harp42:00 - Part II a48:25 - 80s Cinema Vibes54:20 - Part II b1:00:55 - Part II c1:04:00 - Apex Moments & Categories1:11:45 - GALA + Black Friday at Open Studio!

The Real Path To Jazz Piano Improvisation

Why Jazz Piano Students Never Find Gold

How to Start Jazz Piano Improvisation the Right Way

At Town Hall captures a pivotal moment in Nina Simone's story, when she left behind her dream of being a concert pianist and embraced her identity as an indefinable and remarkable talent.At Town Hall shows off Nina's classical chops, infused with the jazz influences from working in nightclubs and mixed with the folk and gospel sounds of her youth. Adam and Peter pull apart the tracks to highlight each element of her unique musical blend. This may not be one of her most recognizable albums, but it is one of her most interesting. It's made even more fascinating by the fact that Nina met bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Ben Riley only as they walked on stage! Listen to hear her arranging and composing on the spot.Subscribe to the You'll Read It newsletter for stories that didn't make the pod: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi   

Haunting Jazz Piano Progressions: 5 Minor Chord Sequences That Send Chills

Haunted Jazz Piano Improvisation: 3 Scales That Give You a Spooky Sound

KeywordsJazz Piano, improvisation, harmony, chords, voicings, practice, learning, techniques, repertoire, jazz standardsSummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores common questions related to jazz piano, covering a wide range of topics from fundamental techniques to improvisation, harmony, and repertoire. The discussion is structured around seven categories of questions, providing insights and practical advice for jazz pianists at all levels. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding musical concepts, practicing effectively, and the value of both listening and playing in the learning process.TakeawaysThe importance of engaging your ears while practicing scales.Using backing tracks can help develop your internal sense of time.Memorization is less effective than understanding harmonic function.Improvisation should start with chord tones, not scales.Inversions are crucial for smooth chord transitions.Shell voicings are essential for jazz pianists.Transcribing melodies is more beneficial than memorizing solos.Practice should be structured with clear objectives.Recording your practice sessions helps track improvement.Listening is as important as practicing in jazz education.TitlesJazz Piano Skills: Common Questions AnsweredUnlocking Jazz Piano: Insights and TechniquesSound bites"One tune is all that you need.""Record yourself. Make it a habit.""You need to do both."Support the show

Jake Sturtevant is a seasoned band director and professional piano player. In this session we go through exactly what to have your kids play, and what to ignore in those jazz band charts! It is quite simple! Complete with demonstration....less is more - and you really only need two notes! ⁠https://Jakesturtevant.com⁠ To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years. Connect with us with comments or ideas Follow the show: Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com On Youtube The Growing Band Director  Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector If you like what you hear please: Leave a Five Star Review and  Share us with another band director!

5 Jazz Piano Practice Habits That Changed Everything

Does it get any better than that ARP bass line on “Chameleon”? That's right, it's Herbie time! Join Peter and Adam as we explore Herbie Hancock's explosive breakout from Blue Note jazz man to platinum-selling Headhunter. Transport your ears to an afro-futuristic daydream as we dissect Herbie's funk-jazz era – and the cast of characters that helped push jazz records back onto the Pop charts. You'll hear stem breakdowns of Paul Jackson's brilliant bass grooves, the magic of Mike Clark's “Oakland sound” drums, and, of course, much geeking out over Herbie's mind-bending synth and electric keyboard experiments (excuse our stank-faces). From Fat Albert Rotunda (1969) through the slept-on Sunlight (1978), we ask: is this Herbie at his greatest?

Tune in as we pay tribute to the incomparable Roberta Flack, who we sadly lost last month. From her 1969 debut album First Take (featuring Open Studio artist Ron Carter on bass) to her iconic collaborations with Donny Hathaway – we dissect why what Flack didn't play was just as important as what she did. We'll explore how this classical piano prodigy, who entered Howard at 15 and didn't write her own songs, became the Quiet Storm Queen that influenced every soul, R&B, and jazz singer since. You'll hear why her understated yet commanding vocals and that classic 70s kick drum made “Killing Me Softly” a hit, grooving duets like “You've Got A Friend,” and deep cuts that redefined ballads. Join us to uncover the genius of Roberta Flack.

Have Giant Steps and Meditations scared you away from John Coltrane? Join us on the other side of the Trane tracks with what might be the best trio of albums ever dropped in the same year. We're talking 1963 Coltrane—at his most accessible (dare we say smooth?) yet still cutting straight to the truth. From the GRAMMY hall-of-famer Ballads to his legendary Impulse! sessions with Duke Ellington and Johnny Hartman, enter the perfect gateway into Coltrane's world. We break down his honest melodies, the masterful support from McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison (and more), and quibble with certain Rudy Van Gelder… choices… Whether you're Coltrane-curious or already converted, this episode has something special for your ears.Link to Spotify playlistTry OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/aboutLooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further!https://youllhearit.com/

There is one secret taken directly from my new "Proficient Jazz Pianist" course on cocktail style ballads that you need to know. And I'm going to explain it and tell you what it is in this podcast lesson. My new "Procient Jazz Pianist" course is actually a 3 in 1 course pack that covers, how to play in a group, solo piano and improvisation. Go to https://jazzpianoschool.com/proficient to get a $200 discount now during this launch. Also... Have you been trying to learn jazz piano with youtube videos, dvds, teachers but feel like you're still constantly guessing, can't play any tunes without copying what someone else has played, and don't know how to connect all the tid bits you've learned? I went through the same thing but thankfully stumbled upon a learning system I created based on proven language learning blocks. The JPS System brings you through 4 main categories of learning, Theory, Technique, Improvisation and Repertoire. I'll show you exactly how to utilize our popular system so you can finally achieve jazz piano freedom: http://jazzpianoschool.com/lookinside ----------------------------------- Get more FREE jazz piano education from us! Facebook: https://facebook.com/jazzpianoschool Blog: http://jazzpianoschool.com/blog Lick of The Week: https://jazzpianoschool.com/lotd/ http://jazzpianoschool.com/jpspodcast

Has Brad Mehldau always been one step ahead of jazz? In this episode, Peter and Adam trace his evolution from the straight-ahead Art of the Trio series to the produced, cinematic experiments of his 2002 opus Largo. We look at how Brad's late nights in LA, love of Radiohead, and partnership with producer Jon Brion blurred the lines between indie pop, alt rock, and jazz, creating a new “Populist Jazz.” Discover how Brad Mehldau's Largo paved the way for a generation of genre-bending artists from The Bad Plus, to Robert Glasper, to our very own Adam Maness – and cemented his place as the greatest genre hacker in jazz.Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/aboutLooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further!https://youllhearit.com/

I recently had a member request a walkthrough of this for Valentines day so Suzanna, here you go! Don't forget to go to https://jazzpianoschool.com/proficient to pick up my latest new 3 pack bundle course covering the 3 most coveted goals in jazz piano. #1 - Playing in a band, #2 - Solo Piano Cocktail Style Ballads and more, and of course #3 - Improvisation. Also... Have you been trying to learn jazz piano with youtube videos, dvds, teachers but feel like you're still constantly guessing, can't play any tunes without copying what someone else has played, and don't know how to connect all the tid bits you've learned? I went through the same thing but thankfully stumbled upon a learning system I created based on proven language learning blocks. The JPS System brings you through 4 main categories of learning, Theory, Technique, Improvisation and Repertoire. I'll show you exactly how to utilize our popular system so you can finally achieve jazz piano freedom: http://jazzpianoschool.com/lookinside ----------------------------------- Get more FREE jazz piano education from us! Facebook: https://facebook.com/jazzpianoschool Blog: http://jazzpianoschool.com/blog Lick of The Week: https://jazzpianoschool.com/lotd/ http://jazzpianoschool.com/jpspodcast

Comping and voicings sneak their way into every aspect of jazz piano. If you don't know how, why, and when to use specific voicings, everything else will crumble. Plan your comping strategy in this lesson! Don't forget to pick up my free jazz piano planning guide for 2025 by going to: https://jazzpianoschool.com/2025guide Also our New Years sale is still going! Get discounts and deals, checkout our New Years Sale at the link below: https://jazzpianoschool.com/holiday. Also... Have you been trying to learn jazz piano with youtube videos, dvds, teachers but feel like you're still constantly guessing, can't play any tunes without copying what someone else has played, and don't know how to connect all the tid bits you've learned? I went through the same thing but thankfully stumbled upon a learning system I created based on proven language learning blocks. The JPS System brings you through 4 main categories of learning, Theory, Technique, Improvisation and Repertoire. I'll show you exactly how to utilize our popular system so you can finally achieve jazz piano freedom: http://jazzpianoschool.com/lookinside ----------------------------------- Get more FREE jazz piano education from us! Facebook: https://facebook.com/jazzpianoschool Blog: http://jazzpianoschool.com/blog Lick of The Week: https://jazzpianoschool.com/lotd/ http://jazzpianoschool.com/jpspodcast

It's not information students need, it's planning and focus. These days the internet is DISTRACTING. It makes students more lost than ever before. That is why I'm going to help you plan for 2025. Tell you what you need to learn, and help you sprint towards your goals. To get huge discounts and deals, checkout our New Years Sale at the link below: https://jazzpianoschool.com/holiday. Also... Have you been trying to learn jazz piano with youtube videos, dvds, teachers but feel like you're still constantly guessing, can't play any tunes without copying what someone else has played, and don't know how to connect all the tid bits you've learned? I went through the same thing but thankfully stumbled upon a learning system I created based on proven language learning blocks. The JPS System brings you through 4 main categories of learning, Theory, Technique, Improvisation and Repertoire. I'll show you exactly how to utilize our popular system so you can finally achieve jazz piano freedom: http://jazzpianoschool.com/lookinside ----------------------------------- Get more FREE jazz piano education from us! Facebook: https://facebook.com/jazzpianoschool Blog: http://jazzpianoschool.com/blog Lick of The Week: https://jazzpianoschool.com/lotd/ http://jazzpianoschool.com/jpspodcast

In this very special cross-over episode, Adam Maness and Bob DeBoo from Upright Citizens check out 12 of their favorite live albums recorded at the famous Village Vanguard. What's your favorite live album? link to our spotify playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/5fzI04bkuBXe0YQcfqJmkt?si=0dk9OWMZTVS6G7wdH93X-wWanna check out some Upright Citizens?https://www.openstudiojazz.com/upright-citizens/Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

In this solo episode, Peter Martin gives advice on how to life a musical life in the coming year and what to do to set yourself up for success.Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

Adam and Peter list their favorite tunes that actually teach ya something! Learning these tunes will give you a better grasp on your playing in these contexts.Check out our playlist on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/69uTCFvMKo8CEBLfWrGiL6?si=ZPCpzVnQThq6Wy87bhAEjALooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

Ever get overwhelmed with emotion from a tune? In this episode, Adam and Peter talk about what about music can evoke such emotion. Link to our Spotify PlaylistLooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

Join us as we dive into the life and legacy of Art Tatum, the jazz piano virtuoso who took entertainment on the instrument to a new level.  YT playlist • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kn6Z2anqCFpTOc4H957o0Oktgr_C9gl7QOscar Peterson and Count Basie on Art Tatum  • https://youtu.be/YAeT3Dr74YsArt Tatum performances • https://youtu.be/D9Cs_zb4q14 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMyhzadzTQLooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

Do you ever find yourself lacking on a little holiday cheer? Do the holiday classics seem a little drab and dull lately? Well you may not be alone - Check out Peter and Adam's list of holiday classics that just aren't giving the same cheer they used to. Which holiday songs are you tired of hearing?  Link to our Spotify playlistLooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

Peter and Adam both name their 7 favorite GAS standards from best to worst. What's your favorite GAS standard?Link to our bespoke Spotify playlist.https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2g0agwmyxmyLTXEYKSpfwC?si=sNBsRlrsSyuAR1x8FNy85gLooking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furtherhttps://youllhearit.com/Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipeCheckout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio