Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage

In today's episode, Carl talks to Quintin Gerard W., who has made quite a splash in the music scene, as an amazing saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist from Louisiana. His single "Broken Promises" reached the top five on all major smooth jazz charts, and that's not even mentioning how both he and his son, Lemek, have been at number one simultaneously. They discuss the importance of recording and...

In this episode, Carl speaks with guitarist Andrea Lisa, a new artist to the American smooth jazz scene. She sings with passion, conviction, and purpose. She shares the story of how she got started in music at 15, starting a band in 2011, moving from New Zealand to Australia, and what it was like to leave everything to chase her passion. Andrea talks about the musicians who influenced her music an...

Carl speaks with Ryan La Valette, a multi-instrumentalist and rising star in the smooth jazz scene from New Zealand, whose debut album on Trippin' N Rhythm Records produced two Billboard number one hits: "Let It Flow" and "Highway 10." Ryan shares the story of how his interest in music began at an early age, and how he was naturally drawn to musical instruments, with a particular obsession with gu...

It takes a lot of faith to go out and be the artist that you wanted to be. But, when opportunity comes along your way, be sure to grab it like Nathan Mitchell did. Nathan shares how having the right blend of being a great performer and an amazing musician is necessary in the industry. Listen as he shares his other passions when he is not doing music and find out how being a good performer and musi...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with B.D. Greer, a talented contemporary jazz artist. Born as Brianna Davis Greer, B.D. Greer hails from Wisconsin and has a profound love for music and theater, which led her to venture to New York City at just 18 years old. B.D. Greer talks about her life in NYC and when she decided to embark on a new career path after feeling her self-worth diminish fr...

Step into the captivating world of contemporary jazz and soul with the one and only Selina Albright, a singer and songwriter who has collaborated with legendary artists like George Duke, Chaka Khan, and her father, Gerald Albright! Selina opens up about her musical journey and the inspiration behind her heartfelt lyrics that tell stories of her own life experiences. Embracing vulnerability and tru...

Join us for an exclusive interview with legendary guitarist, Larry Carlton. We discuss his incredible career, from playing on over 250 million records sold to performing with some of the greatest musicians of all time. He has been nominated for 19 Grammys and won the award four times. Larry gives insight into his style that has set him apart and how he approaches new sessions as a servant rather t...

Today, we're going to be discussing the life and career of Paul Brown. A two-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, Paul Brown has been in the music business for almost five decades and is still producing hit records with some of today’s biggest stars. We will also look into his production style which combines soulful R&B influenced instrumentation with lead instruments that “sound l...

In a momentous milestone, Carl Brown is thrilled to welcome back the legendary Najee, who was the first-ever guest of the Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage podcast. With multiple number one albums and singles, a worldwide tour experience, and a list of accolades including multi-platinum status and Grammy nominations, Najee is truly a saxophonist and flautist extraordinaire. From receiving the prestigious...

In this episode, Carl talks to Lindsey Webster, a contemporary jazz artist with many Billboard charting songs. Growing up, Lindsey was exposed to a variety of music styles which has helped shape her sound today. She writes all of her music from the heart and some of her top musical influences are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin. They discuss her musical journey where Lindsey exp...

In this Bonus episode, Carl interviews Oli Silk. Oli is a UK-based keyboardist, producer and composer, and a part time DJ. He released his first album 2000 and continues to establish himself as a top contemporary jazz artist. He’s had several songs that reached the billboard Top 10 and multiple number 1 hits and he’s played many of the big smooth jazz events and is a regular in Smooth Jazz radio....

In this Bonus episode, Carl Brown introduces us to Jeff Ryan who is one of the Smooth Jazz world’s breakout new artists. His debut single Up and Up reached number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. He’s gone on to release several other songs that many smooth jazz fans know and love. In 2020, he was named Billboard’s number one Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year. He has played some of the bi...

In this captivating episode, we delve into the extraordinary career of Walter Beasley, a renowned professor, recording artist, and composer. With 26 albums, 12 educational DVDs, and a cookbook to his name, Walter's passion for music shines through. From his early start at 13 to his graduation from Berklee College of Music, he shares valuable lessons on hard work, diligence, and sacrifice. Staying...

Discover the vibrant world of Milwaukee's Cosmic Endeavors as they take the jazz scene by storm, blending jazz, hip hop, and funk into a unique and captivating sound. Join Carl Brown as they dive into the inspiring journey of this music collective and explore the power of music to move and inspire. Milwaukee's Cosmic Endeavors recently claimed victory at the Fresh Coast Jazz Hometown All-Stars Sho...

Join us for an exclusive interview with legendary guitarist, Larry Carlton. We discuss his incredible career, from playing on over 250 million records sold to performing with some of the greatest musicians of all time. He has been nominated for 19 Grammys and won the award four times. Larry gives insight into his style that has set him apart and how he approaches new sessions as a servant rather t...

Today, we're going to be discussing the life and career of Paul Brown. A two-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, Paul Brown has been in the music business for almost five decades and is still producing hit records with some of today’s biggest stars. We will also look into his production style which combines soulful R&B influenced instrumentation with lead instruments that “sound l...

Join us for an episode filled with artistic inspiration as Carl interviews the multi-talented Ryan Montano, a musician, writer, actor, model, and filmmaker. Let's explore Ryan's journey into smooth jazz and his aspirations to perform more, along with the inspiration behind his soulful songs. Ryan talks about his favorite albums, memorable jazz concert experiences, and his advice on focusing on str...

Get ready to be swept away by the mesmerizing sounds of JJ Sansavarino, a contemporary jazz guitarist extraordinaire. In this episode, Carl talks to JJ about his music, his influences, and the creative process behind his chart-topping hits. JJ explains how his musical journey began, from his early days as a child to his education at the prestigious Berklee School of Music. He tours across the US a...

This week's podcast episode features Chris "Big Dog" Davis, an award-winning writer, producer and performer who has collaborated on a range of projects that challenge and diversify his creativity. He shares his journey and experiences, from his first big hit as a producer and his current projects. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, with a background in classical composition from Yal...

Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of captivating music as host Carl Brown welcomes the talented music artist Riley Richard to the show. Riley's musical journey began at a young age, starting to play the saxophone at just 10 years old. From his debut song "Family Ties" spending weeks on the Billboard chart to performing with renowned artists, Riley's career is a testament to his dedication...

Carl speaks with Ryan La Valette, a multi-instrumentalist and rising star in the smooth jazz scene from New Zealand, whose debut album on Trippin' N Rhythm Records produced two Billboard number one hits: "Let It Flow" and "Highway 10." Ryan shares the story of how his interest in music began at an early age, and how he was naturally drawn to musical instruments, with a particular obsession with gu...

Carl interviews Danish-born saxophonist Michael Lington, a multi-talented musician and entrepreneur. Michael shares his passion for music and his journey from playing the clarinet at age 7 to releasing his first album in 1997. Michael's music has made it to the charts 25 times, and he is a serial entrepreneur running a record label, wine company and cigar company. With an impressive career that sp...

In this Bonus episode, Carl Brown introduces us to Jeff Ryan who is one of the Smooth Jazz world’s breakout new artists. His debut single Up and Up reached number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. He’s gone on to release several other songs that many smooth jazz fans know and love. In 2020, he was named Billboard’s number one Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year. He has played some of the bi...

In this Bonus episode, Carl Brown introduces us to Lin Rountree who has 16 singles on the Billboard Jazz charts. He is a soul/urban jazz trumpeter, record producer and composer. He has numerous collaborations with some of the industry’s top R&B/Contemporary Jazz artists to his credit and he is poised to be one of the most renowned artists of his generation. Lin talks about his journey with mus...

In this Bonus episode, Carl interviews Oli Silk. Oli is a UK-based keyboardist, producer and composer, and a part time DJ. He released his first album 2000 and continues to establish himself as a top contemporary jazz artist. He’s had several songs that reached the billboard Top 10 and multiple number 1 hits and he’s played many of the big smooth jazz events and is a regular in Smooth Jazz radio....