You Dig?

Season Three concludes with one of today's most thoughtful jazz artists. Steve sits down with saxophonist, composer, educator and author Adam Larson for an engaging conversation about music, creativity, entrepreneurship, education, family life and building a sustainable career in today's music industry. They discuss Adam's acclaimed educational books, his Music Business Boot Camp, composing, Micha...

Trumpeter, composer, educator, and bandleader Derrick Gardner joins Steve on the Front Porch for an inspiring conversation about music, family, mentorship, and building a life in jazz. From growing up under the influence of his legendary father Burgess Gardner, to performing with Frank Foster and the Count Basie Orchestra, touring with Harry Connick Jr., leading the acclaimed Big Dig! Band, and di...

British trombone/composer/producer phenom Callum Au joins Steve Wiest for an engaging conversation about trombone, arranging, composition, creativity, and his acclaimed new album Sing Seven Seas. The discussion ranges from Callum's early years in Blackpool, England, to his work with Michael Bublé, Claire Martin, Quincy Jones celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall, and his growing reputation as one...

Tour manager and production veteran Ed Sargent joins Steve Wiest for a wide-ranging conversation covering forty-four years of friendship, music, and adventures on the road. Ed shares stories from his years with Maynard Ferguson, explains the culture and etiquette of the legendary tour bus known as "The Jar," recounts memorable moments with Dizzy Gillespie, Joan Jett, Aerosmith, and Steven Tyler, a...

On this deeply musical and often hilarious episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with trumpet legend Randy Brecker for an epic late-night hang covering improvisation, practice, composition, Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Horace Silver, the Brecker Brothers, Seventh Avenue South, and Randy’s beautiful new album Espirito. Highlights include: 🎺 The famous Miles Davis wah-wah story 🎺 How Randy w...

Steve Wiest dives deep into the music of legendary trumpeter, composer, and fusion pioneer Randy Brecker in this deluxe edition of the You Dig? Sampler Platter. From Dreams and the original The Brecker Brothers to the orchestral brilliance of the NDR Bigband collaborations, this episode explores the compositions, recordings, musicians, and moments that helped define modern jazz fusion. Featured mu...

Steve Wiest welcomes Dave Richards of Tower of Power to You Dig? for a joyful deep dive into life inside one of the most iconic horn bands in modern music. Dave discusses his North Texas roots, touring internationally with Tower of Power, working with Emilio Castillo and Doc Kupka, surviving the Maynard Ferguson “Front of the Bus” game, composing for large ensembles, memorizing the legendary T.O.P...

Steve hangs out on the front porch of the hippest crib in the village with rising film composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Julia’s music and creative process to balancing family life and career-building in Los Angeles. The discussion dives deep into the realities of modern film composition, networking, jazz education, demos, editing, and forgi...

What-the-WHAT?! So how did THIS happen? Well, I asked my pal Glenn Kostur to help me check some tech to get ready for an upcoming episode with Rising Star Film Composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolawska and we accidentally came up with so much SHTICK (mostly two old guys forgetting words...but shtick nonetheless) that I turned it into an episode (with the help of my crack editing team, of course) So here Y...

In this episode of You Dig? , Steve Wiest sits down with acclaimed jazz bassist and educator Lynn Seaton. A former member of the Count Basie Orchestra and a longtime professor at the University of North Texas, Seaton shares stories from his career performing with some of the most important figures in jazz. The conversation explores the role of the bass in jazz, the importance of time and feel, and...

Welcome to another You Dig? SAMPLER PLATTER! 🎶 On this episode, we spotlight the artistry of master bassist Lynn Seaton—a deeply musical voice heard across decades of jazz performance at the highest level. Featured here are selections from Lynn’s work as both sideman and leader, spanning big band, trio, and solo bass artistry. 🎧 Featured Tracks: 🎺 “Blues for Red” From: Woody Herman – 50th Anniv...

Welcome to the INAUGURAL episode of our new series "DIG U(niversity)" This is where we feature one of the MANY great jazz programs around the world and lift up everything they are doing to further our music and to help prepare the next generation of great artists. We begin with the wonderful Tim Ishii and his stellar program at The University of Texas Arlington (UTA) This is also where I'm hosting...

Guitarist and composer Ryan Davidson joins Steve Wiest for a wide-ranging conversation about music, storytelling, and the creative process behind his album Country . From early encounters with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Lyle Mays to his work with Gord Bamford and Drew Jurecka, Ryan shares the experiences that shaped his musical voice. The discussion explores his unique compositional approach...

You Dig? Sampler Platter – The Music of Ryan Davidson What happens when a master jazz guitarist turns his attention to country music? On his latest release, Country , Ryan Davidson explores the genre not just as a style—but as a series of musical landscapes, each with its own voice and identity. In this Sampler Platter, we feature selections from Country , including: “Headache Country” “Old West C...

🎧 You Dig? Sampler Platter — The Music of Eric Jacobson This episode features music from acclaimed trumpeter Eric Jacobson, showcasing his work as a bandleader and collaborator across multiple recordings. “Let’s take a moment and listen—this is where the conversation meets the music.” Featured Tracks: • “Survival” — Heading Home (Origin Records) Trumpet: Eric Jacobson Tenor Sax: Geof Bradfield Pi...

In this first installment of the Rising Stars series, Steve Wiest sits down with trumpeter, composer, and entrepreneur Eric Jacobson for an honest and inspiring conversation about building a life in jazz. Eric shares how he has created a sustainable career performing hard bop, releasing original music, teaching, and promoting his work—all while staying true to the music and continuing to grow as a...

In this episode of You Dig? , Steve Wiest sits down with legendary drummer Jeff Hamilton for a relaxed, front-porch conversation about music, swing, and a life spent at the highest level of jazz. From performing with Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, and Ella Fitzgerald, to insights on groove, big band drumming, and artistic discipline, Jeff shares stories, humor, and deep wisdom from decades on the band...

🎙️ YOU DIG? with Steve Wiest Episode: Denis DiBlasio — Maynard Stories, Jazz Wisdom & Life Lessons In this episode of You Dig? , Steve Wiest sits down with legendary saxophonist, composer, and educator Denis DiBlasio for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about music, mentorship, and life on the road. From unforgettable stories with Maynard Ferguson to encounters with jazz icons l...

In this episode of You Dig? , Steve Wiest sits down with legendary saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, collaboration, and the lifelong journey of music. Jeff is known for his work with Béla Fleck & the Flecktones , the Dave Matthews Band , and his own genre-bending ensemble Mu’tet . He has also released more than two dozen albums as a leader a...

Steve Wiest sits down with acclaimed trumpet artist Ingrid Jensen for a deep conversation about creativity, orchestration, mentorship, and life in jazz. They discuss Ingrid’s album Landings, influences including Kenny Wheeler and Miles Davis, stories about Clark Terry and George Coleman, and the creative process behind improvisation and composition. A relaxed and insightful conversation about the...

Welcome to The Sampler Platter , a feature from You Dig? where Steve Wiest highlights the music of upcoming guests on the show. In this episode we explore the remarkable trumpet artistry of Ingrid Jensen , one of the leading voices in modern jazz. Known for her work with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, and the all-star group Artemis , Jensen’s playing blends lyri...

YOU DIG? with Steve Wiest Episode: John Clayton — Bass, Arranging, Mentorship & The Music Life In this episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with legendary bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and bandleader John Clayton for a deep and relaxed conversation about music, creativity, mentorship, and life inside the jazz community. From arts education and raising the next generation of musi...

Pull up a chair, grab your beverage of choice, and welcome to the inaugural gathering of The League of Extraordinarily Caffeinated Gentlemen . In this high-octane roundtable edition of You Dig? , Steve Wiest is joined by: • Glenn Kostur – saxophonist, composer, and longtime collaborator of Maynard Ferguson (Big Bop Nouveau) • Art Bouton – Director & Founder of the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orche...

FOR VIDEO VERSIONS: You Dig? YouTube/ @youdigpod Welcome to the John Clayton SAMPLER PLATTER! Here I will present some of the music that we discuss on John's episode of "You Dig?" What I'll be playing: 1. How Insensitive 2. The Jones Brothers and here is where you can pick up the albums that these pieces are from: Diana Krall Featuring The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra "From This Moment On" http...

You can see the4 VIDEO version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod Please click LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to help us grow the You Dig? podcast adventure! About this episode: The great Bob Mintzer stops by and we have a blast talking about his mighty oeuvre in general, and specifically his newest release "Bob Mintzer and WDR Big Band Cologne "Soundscapes" Plus Bob takes the "Dig You I...