Jazz Flyte Podcast

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with one of jazz’s true pioneers—John Klemmer. From the first few moments of our conversation, I could feel the weight of his experience, passion, and humility. John shares how his journey started with a guitar at five years old, and how he eventually found his voice through the saxophone, playing in Chicago jam sessions be...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Antoine Knight—a powerhouse saxophonist and military veteran who's making serious waves on the Smooth Jazz charts. You’ve heard “Step 2 Me Baby,” now hear the story behind it and the man who co-wrote it with multi-award-winning guitarist Adam Hawley. From grooving to Junior Walker on 8-tracks as a kid to playing the tenor sa...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Quintin Gerard W., also known as The Fnkysax Player. Quintin is more than a saxophonist — he’s a creative force who blends funk, gospel, blues, and jazz into a powerful urban contemporary sound that speaks to both heart and culture. From playing sax since the age of eight to co-writing with jazz greats like James Lloyd of Pie...

On this powerful episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Billboard-charting saxophonist, pianist, producer, and now actor — Judah Sealy. Known for his smooth jazz hits and solo production style, Judah takes us behind the scenes of his unexpected leap into Hollywood as he portrays Clarence Clemons in the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. Judah opens...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Will Downing — the smooth baritone voice behind timeless R&B and soul classics like “A Million Ways,” “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This” with Rachelle Ferrell, and “I Go Crazy.” Known as The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, Will has released 29 albums over 38 years, building a legacy grounded in authenticity, grit, and undeni...

What happens when you’ve dedicated your entire life to music—without ever clocking into a “regular” job? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and producer Steve Oliver, a true force in contemporary jazz for nearly 30 years. From radio airwaves to festival stages to composing scores, Steve has built a career fueled entirely by his pas...

What happens when a soulful voice meets a purpose-driven mission? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by Marcel Anderson, a multi-talented neo-soul artist, bestselling author, and public speaker who brings a unique blend of gospel, jazz, and soul into every note he sings. From growing up in a family of seven with strong musical roots to sharing stages with legends like Stevie Won...

On this soulful episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I have the pleasure of welcoming Will Donato, a powerhouse saxophonist, award-winning composer, and dynamic spirit in the smooth jazz world. With a Billboard-charting hit like Grand Slam, a string of collaborations with musical greats like Ricky Lawson, Al McKay, and Gerald Levert, and a long career of live shows and heartfelt music, Will has live...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by genre-defying guitarist and composer Grant Geissman, a name synonymous with both jazz innovation and unforgettable television soundtracks. We kick things off with the story behind one of the most iconic solos in contemporary jazz—Grant’s performance on Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione. He shares how that opportunity came about and how Chuck e...

This week on The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by one of the most essential voices in today’s smooth jazz scene—saxophonist Jeff Ryan. Jeff shares how he picked up the sax at age 10, inspired by the soulful sound of Grover Washington and the raw power of Michael Brecker. Coming from a family of musicians, Jeff knew early on that music wasn’t just something you play—it’s something you feel. With f...

Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast! This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lemek, a genre-defying guitarist who’s already stacked an impressive resume at just 26 years old. Signed to Trippin’ N Rhythm Records, Lemek has had a combined 9 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts and over a million streams on Spotify—all off his debut album Emergence. Now, with his sophomore al...

Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast! I’m honored to be joined by the legendary Michael Paulo, one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in contemporary jazz, soul, and pop for nearly five decades. You’ve heard his iconic “saxpertise” alongside greats like Al Jarreau, Kenny Loggins, James Ingram, Jeff Lorber, and many more. Now, Michael shares the untold stories behind the music—an...

This week on The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist J. Saxx, also known as John Watkins, who takes us deep into the grooves of his musical journey—from childhood curiosity to sold-out shows across Ohio. J. Saxx grew up surrounded by musicians—his father, Rev. John C. Watkins, his uncle Lamar Gaines, and his grandfather Charles Pace—all shaping his early relationship with music. We tal...

Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast. I’m your host, Darrell Scott, and this week I’m joined by legendary composer, producer, and keyboardist Tim Heintz—a true behind-the-scenes force in the world of music and sound design. Tim takes us on a journey that began with him playing organ as a child and blossomed into a career that’s spanned decades and genres. From the soulful stylings of Chaka Khan...

This week on The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with multi-instrumentalist and smooth jazz artist Rob Zinn, whose path to the stage wasn’t your typical tale of musical prodigy turned star. Born into a household of discipline—his father was in the FBI—Rob was urged to pursue a more "secure" path. But music kept calling. After years of playing trumpet in big bands and keeping music on the back burne...

This week on The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Omar Sosa, whose piano playing and compositions transcend borders and awaken the spirit. Omar takes us deep into his musical philosophy—one rooted in ancestral voices, global rhythms, and spiritual expression. We talk about his upcoming trio project “Outside the Box,” which features Jovani Terry and Julia Miltenberg, and will debut i...

Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast! This week, I’m excited to bring back one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary jazz—Ragan Whiteside. Known for her powerful stage presence and mastery of the flute, Ragan is no stranger to innovation. In this episode, she shares her latest musical venture Chopped and Flutted and why she’s on a mission to bring real flute sounds back into jazz production...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with the radiant force that is Avery Sunshine. If you’ve ever wondered what sunshine sounds like, tune in—because Avery brings it. We talk about everything from the origin of her stage name to her Grammy win, and how her journey from a musical household in Chester, PA shaped her unforgettable voice and message. Avery...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I take a virtual flight to London to sit down with keyboardist, composer, and producer Oli Silk — one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary jazz and often dubbed the UK’s Smooth Jazz Ambassador. Oli’s story starts with the jazz-funk duo Sugar & Silk, which led to a solo career packed with Billboard hits — including the iconic Chill or Be Chil...

In this special episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with the iconic Maysa—a voice that has shaped the sound of contemporary soul and jazz for more than three decades. With her unmistakable honey-toned mezzo-soprano and magnetic presence, Maysa opens up about her unforgettable audition for Stevie Wonder, her time with Wonderlove, and the fateful moment she got the cal...

In this week’s episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by the sensational Jessy J—one of the most sought-after saxophonists in contemporary jazz today. With eight Billboard-charting albums, 13 top singles, a global fanbase, and a performance history that spans over 17 years, Jessy J brings not just skill, but soul to every note. Jessy started playing saxophone at nine, pivoting from piano an...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with world-class drummer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Valentine—but this conversation goes far beyond the beats. Known for his work with artists like Richard Elliot, Peter White, Stephanie Mills, Lindsey Webster, and even rock icons like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, Eric steps out from behind the kit to talk about...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with master guitarist, composer, and educator Richard Smith—a man who’s been shaping smooth jazz from every angle for decades. Born in Detroit and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Richard’s musical journey began with a spark from a Chick Corea concert at just 14 years old. That one moment set the stage for a life of passion, discipline, and bold choic...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by internationally acclaimed guitarist JJ Sansaverino—a man whose career spans more than three decades, five albums, and over 50 tour dates a year. You might know him from his Billboard #1 hit or his fiery blend of smooth jazz, traditional jazz, reggae, blues, and R&B. But behind the strings is a story that started with a turntable, a Santa...

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with producer, pianist, and songwriter Michael Broening—a man behind more than 65 contemporary jazz hits, including 25 number-one singles. You’ve probably heard his work even if you didn’t know his name. From George Benson and Al Jarreau’s Grammy-winning track “Mornin’” to chart-toppers with Marion Meadows, Lemek, and Althea René, Michael’s inf...