Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage

Carl is joined by the solo artist and jazz pianist, Kayla Waters. Kayla has been making waves in the industry with her powerful performances while also being an advocate for her fellow artists and creating a positive change in the music industry. She talks about how she fell in love with music and tinkering on the piano when she was as young as 10 months old. She shares how her father is one of he...

In this episode Carl is joined by Dee Lucas who has been in the game for 20 plus years now. He is an accomplished saxophone player and composer with 9 albums and multiple top songs to his credit. On his latest release “The Time is Now”, he is joined by the likes of David P. Stevens, Adam Hawley and Blake Aaron. In the interview Dee shares why he decided to be a musician, the story about his music,...

In this episode Carl is joined by Kim Scott, one the hottest contemporary jazz artists on the scene right now. Her billboard #1 charting album, Shine, has been a mainstay on smooth jazz radio for the last few months. She has 5 albums to her credit, she has collaborated with some of the top names in the business and she is also a member of the all-female super group Jazz in Pink. She is a smooth ja...

Eric Essix began as a fusion and contemporary jazz bandleader in the early 90s. He appeared on the scene with two recorded albums of light pop, fusion, and modern material for Nova. His subsequent releases for Zebra Records showed a shift from his established smooth funk “1998's Small Talk” to a more mature, bluesier style with a distinct Southern feel “Southbound, released in 2000”. Eric talks ab...

In this special 50th episode of Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage, we will be learning more about the founder of the Podcast, Carl Brown. Carl shares his background, the business that he retired from, personal development, and how he is preparing for the upcoming Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. Fresh Coast Jazz Festival founders Carl and Nicole Brown felt compelled to make a positive impact on the community.&...

Carl is joined by Phillip "Doc" Martin, a top-notch practitioner in two different professions. Phillip is a smooth and contemporary jazz artist with seven albums and multiple top songs, while also being an accomplished dentist. He shares how he enjoys the best of both worlds in this episode. He also talks about his experience of the very first time he heard his song on the radio and how collaborat...

In this episode Carl is joined by Kim Scott, one the hottest contemporary jazz artists on the scene right now. Her billboard #1 charting album, Shine, has been a mainstay on smooth jazz radio for the last few months. She has 5 albums to her credit, she has collaborated with some of the top names in the business and she is also a member of the all-female super group Jazz in Pink. She is a smooth ja...

Today Carl is joined by Alex Bugnon, a swiss born musician, composer and band leader. He released his first album Love Season in 1989 which received several awards and critical acclaim. He has released ten more widely heralded projects since that debut. He is a regular on the jazz festival touring scene and is always able to get the crowds going. In this episode Alex shares his musical influences,...

In this special 50th episode of Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage, we will be learning more about the founder of the Podcast, Carl Brown. Carl shares his background, the business that he retired from, personal development, and how he is preparing for the upcoming Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. Fresh Coast Jazz Festival founders Carl and Nicole Brown felt compelled to make a positive impact on the community.&...

Bob James is a keyboardist, arranger, and record producer who plays Jazz in America. He created the band Fourplay and composed "Angela," the tune that serves as the anthem for the TV program Taxi. His first seven albums' music has frequently been sampled, helping to create hip hop. Bob James discusses his life experiences, the process he uses to create music, the music that has influenced him, wor...

In today’s episode, host Carl Brown is joined by Ilya Serov. Award-winning trumpeter /singer / guitarist /band leader Ilya Serov has a passion for jazz that knows no bounds. A talented young musician with an old soul, Ilya brings an infusion of imagination, vision and energy to the many shades of America’s original musical art form. Possessing both chops and charisma, his live performances and rec...

In today’s episode, host Carl Brown is joined by Adam Hawley, Adam was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. At a young age, he developed a keen interest in music, taking up piano lessons at eight and guitar lessons a year later. He eventually attended the University of Southern California where he graduated with a Ph. D. in Music. Adam shares how he became successful at an early age in his career....

Carl Brown is joined by a producer, guitarist and a radio DJ, Gregory Goodloe. Gregory is a self taught musician, Denver native and U.S. Army Veteran. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he received a music scholarship to Paul Quinn College in Dallas Texas. Gregory has also opened for and played with gospel greats such as Shirley Caesar, Angela Spivey, The Gospel Keynotes and the Rance...

Eric Essix began as a fusion and contemporary jazz bandleader in the early 90s. He appeared on the scene with two recorded albums of light pop, fusion, and modern material for Nova. His subsequent releases for Zebra Records showed a shift from his established smooth funk “1998's Small Talk” to a more mature, bluesier style with a distinct Southern feel “Southbound, released in 2000”. Eric talks ab...

James PJ Spraggins is a drummer, composer and producer. He developed a love for music at an early age in the church while growing up in Bessemer, Alabama. He received a music scholarship to Alabama State University. After graduating, PJ began chasing his dream of making music a full-time career. In this episode, PJ shares what led him to choose smooth jazz music. He also discusses how he character...

Alexander Zonjic was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1951. He is a radio host and a versatile professional flutist with an extensive and varied career recording and performing jazz and classical music. Alexander learned to play the guitar and performed as lead guitarist in a local rhythm and blues band by age 15. In this episode, Alexander shares his experience on how he got the great opportunity for...

Today’s guest is Nathan Mayfield. He has been making quite the name for himself and his band the Jazzmen in our hometown of Milwaukee. He will be providing the entertainment on our Fresh Coast Cruise and he and the Jazzmen will be entertaining at the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival Night Cap. In this episode, Nathan shares his musical journey, why he chooses to be a trumpet player, his process for creat...

Carl is joined by Doobie Powell. Doobie is an independent gospel music artist. He has worked with other gospel artists such as Kim Burrell, The Clark Sisters, Tonex, Tye Tribbett, Kelly Price, Tramaine Hawkins and John P. Kee. He has released three independent albums and is the founder of Chip Off The Block Productions. In this episode, Doobie shares what made him decide to play smooth jazz music....

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 an...

Carl Brown is joined by a Grammy-winning contemporary jazz and R&B guitarist and composer, Freddie Fox. He is recognized worldwide for his own solo work, featuring multiple Top 20 Billboard hits including the #1 single “Too Tuff”. He is a front man, he’s a sideman and he has lent his talent to several tv shows over the years. Freddie talks about his experiences throughout the years, his proces...

Carl Brown is joined by the talented and soulful Kevin Whalum. Get a peek behind the curtain to learn more about Kevin Whalum as an artist and performer through his interesting stories and the conversation he and Carl share in this episode.  Listen to find out how Kevin pulls people in not only with his music but by pouring his heart out and his gift for relaying positive affirmations to chan...

In this very first episode of Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage podcast, your host Carl Brown welcomes one of the most successful artists in all of contemporary jazz, Najee, a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated saxophonist and flautist with six No. 1 albums, and five No. 1 singles. Najee shares about his career, songs and albums, plans, playing with some great musicians, like Shaka Khan, Prince, and others...

In this episode, your host Carl Brown welcomes Marcus Adams, a saxophonist, and a vocalist. His latest project Reset is reflective of what everybody is going through right now. His career was started and rooted in the church. Gospel music was his first love. He describes himself as a Soul/Jazz artist. Marcus is a school teacher and also a mental health advocate. In this episode, he describes his m...

Today’s guest has one of the most beautifully distinctive voices in contemporary jazz. Her first US project Wanting catapulted her onto the jazz charts, and she has continued to make some of the most special music in contemporary jazz to this day. Ms. Gabriela Anders was born in Argentina and moved to New York when she was 18.  She grew up listening to Miles Davies, Dexter Gordon, Cuban music...

In today’s episode, your host Carl Brown is joined by Shayna Steele. Her colleagues praise her ability, dedication and drive to perfecting her craft as a professional singer and knockout performer. With a voice that the London Jazz News says “unleashes enough voltage to light up the West End”, Shayna Steele has made her mark as an in-demand vocalist in the studio and on the stage. Shayna shares ho...