Jazz Flyte Podcast

Imagine attending a concert and being able to identify every note the musicians play, including the ones they get wrong. For most people, that's nearly impossible. For Dave Thomas, it's part of how he experiences music. On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend, Cleveland pianist, music director and educator Dave Thomas, for a fascinating conversation about perf...

What does it take to build a music career that lasts for decades while still owning the work you've created? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with pianist, producer, radio host and entrepreneur Bob Baldwin for a conversation about music, longevity, collaboration and the business behind the art. Bob takes me back to his beginnings as a pianist inspired by his father and explain...

What happens when music isn't something you choose, but something that has been part of you for as long as you can remember? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Cleveland vocalist Sarah’s Girl, also known as Stacy, for a conversation about family, performing, finding her place in music and the personal story behind the name audiences know her by. Stacy grew up surrounded by...

What happens when playing one instrument, working in one genre or following one creative path simply isn't enough? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Ellis Hamilton, a 27-year-old saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer whose creative ambitions stretch from contemporary jazz to film scoring and beyond. Ellis shares how his love of music developed without being confi...

What does it take for a group to create music together for nearly 50 years and still find something new to say? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Curtis Harmon of Pieces of a Dream for a conversation about longevity, creativity, mentorship and the evolution of a group that has become part of contemporary jazz history. Curtis takes me back to the early days of Pieces of a D...

What happens when a trombone placed in your hands at five years old becomes the instrument that takes you all the way to the Grammys? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with trombonist Hank Bilal for a conversation about gospel roots, jazz, mentorship, and building a career around an instrument that deserves a little more attention. Hank grew up in a musical family where church...

What happens when the dream starts becoming real, but you're still doing the work nobody sees? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist Kyle Schroeder for a conversation about becoming an artist, building an independent music career, and finding your own place in contemporary jazz. Kyle takes me back to the beginning, from learning guitar and oboe to discovering the s...

What if the opportunity you walked away from wasn't the end of your story, but the beginning of finding your own path? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Erin Stevenson for a conversation about taking chances, trusting your instincts and building a career that doesn't follow a traditional blueprint. Erin takes me back to her early days with Girls’ Tyme, the group that would...

What does it take to become the musician that some of the biggest names in music trust when it's time to record? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. for a conversation about the musicians, lessons, and decisions that shaped his extraordinary career. Paul takes me back to his early years, when Patrice Rushen became a mentor and helped introduce him...

What if greatness isn't about talent alone, but about the discipline to improve every single day? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I welcome Skinny Hightower for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, leadership, and the mindset behind building a lasting career in music. Skinny shares how his journey began as a drummer before expanding into bass, piano, production, and composition....

What happens when you stop asking what an instrument is supposed to do and start asking what it could do? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I welcome bassist E. Pruitt for a conversation about creativity, innovation, and building a musical identity that's entirely your own. E. shares how hearing melodies beyond the traditional role of the bass inspired him to embrace the seven-string bass...

What separates a great musician from a lasting legacy? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I have the privilege of sitting down with Patrice Rushen for an inspiring conversation about excellence, preparation, and the lifelong pursuit of mastering your craft. Patrice reflects on growing up in Los Angeles, discovering music at an early age, and how a community that valued education, disciplin...

What happens when music becomes more than entertainment? What happens when it becomes identity, culture, and a bridge between communities? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I welcome Dan Kuramoto and June Kuramoto of Hiroshima for a conversation about the band's extraordinary journey and the lasting impact of their music. We discuss how Hiroshima emerged during a time when Asian American...

Some artists create timeless songs. Others create timeless collaborations. George Benson has done both. On this special edition of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I celebrate the extraordinary career of George Benson by highlighting a collection of memorable duets that showcase the depth and versatility of one of jazz's most influential artists. Rather than focusing on his biggest solo hits, I revisit som...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist, keyboardist, composer, and recording artist D.S. Wilson for a conversation about second chances, musical reinvention, and what it means to fully commit to your calling. D.S. shares how his musical journey began with piano lessons as a child before discovering the saxophone and eventually spending years performing in rock bands...

Some opportunities change the course of your life forever. For drummer Reggie Jackson, one phone call did exactly that. In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with acclaimed drummer Reggie Jackson to discuss his journey from playing in church and local jazz bands in Columbus, Ohio, to spending more than two decades touring and recording with legendary vocalist Diane Schuur. Reggie s...

Most people associate the violin with classical music. Karen Briggs changed that perception one note at a time. In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with world-renowned violinist Karen Briggs to explore the extraordinary path that took her from a junior high school orchestra program in Virginia to stages across more than 50 countries around the world. Karen shares how an inspiring...

What happens when a Cleveland native, poet, drummer, and arts leader is handed the keys to one of the most respected jazz festivals in the country? In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Orlando Watson, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, for a conversation about music, community, leadership, and coming home. Orlando shares his journey from g...

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Nils to talk about his journey from Germany to becoming one of the most recognizable names in contemporary jazz. Nils shares how growing up on rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple eventually led him toward funk, fusion, and artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Larry Carlton, and Steps Ahead. We talk about the succes...

Some musicians spend their entire lives chasing balance. Others somehow learn how to live inside the chaos and still create beautiful music. In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with George Franklin of GTF for a conversation about music, discipline, creativity, and what it really takes to sustain a lifelong passion while managing a completely different full time career. George sha...

What does it really take to build something that lasts? In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Bob Mintzer and Russ Ferrante of Yellowjackets, a band that has remained relevant, creative, and respected for over four decades. This is not just a conversation about music. This is a conversation about commitment. We talk about what it means to be part of a true collective, where th...

Some artists find their sound early. Others spend a lifetime building it. This conversation is about the second path. In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Reza Khan, a guitarist whose journey spans continents, cultures, and decades of quiet dedication. We start at the beginning. Growing up in Bangladesh, surrounded by Indian classical discipline while being exposed to Western...

Some stories stay with you long after the conversation ends. This is one of them. In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Willie Bradley, a trumpeter whose journey is built on faith, perseverance, and second chances. We go all the way back to the beginning. A young kid in South Carolina surrounded by music, inspired by legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, discovering hi...

Fifty years. Let that sit for a moment. In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Jay Beckenstein, the leader of Spyro Gyra, a group that has shaped the sound of contemporary jazz for generations. We go back to the beginning. A name that came from a late-night moment and stuck. A band that was never supposed to last this long but did. And a journey that started with a dream of pla...

What happens when talent meets opportunity and pressure at the same time? In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Patches Stewart, a world-class trumpeter whose journey started in New Orleans and led him to stages alongside legends like Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller, and Quincy Jones. We talk about what it really looks like behind the scenes. The early days of struggle. Learning how...