Music Travel Guide

British pianist, composer and educator Joe Webb joins me for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to become the musician you want to be. Joe Webb is a highly regarded pianist, jazz musician, and London-based composer, originally from Wales. He has emerged as a leading force on the U.K jazz scene today, captivating audiences with his exceptional talent and rockstar-like persona. We t...

In this episode, I’m joined by Grammy-winning keyboardist, composer, producer, and arranger Jason Miles - an artist whose legacy spans decades of music-making across jazz, R&B, and beyond, and whose work has helped define the sound and direction of multiple musical eras, working alongside some of the most influential voices in modern music like Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Grover Washington J...

In this final episode of the year, I’m sharing a short snippet from a live Q&A session inside the Music Travel Guide Club Membership , featuring creative producer and coach Lucy Woolley. Lucy's expertise spans project planning, network building, and professional development, helping independent artists navigate the complexities of the music industry. In this extract, Lucy breaks down why knowi...

Today’s episode is one I’m really excited to share! I had the chance to meet saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Immanuel Wilkins in my hometown, Mantova (Italy), during the 45th edition of Mantova Jazz - one of Europe’s most historic and respected jazz festivals. Immanuel is one of the most distinctive voices in today’s jazz scene, not only for his sound, but for how deeply he reflects on what...

Your best strategy will always be your clarity of desire.  When you know exactly what you want and why you want it.  I believe that kind of clarity will do more for you than any technique in the world.  Now…the question is: how do you, as a musician, achieve that kind of clarity in your music career? To help you explore that, I’m very excited to welcome Dave Stapleton . Dave is a British composer,...

Learn how to turn your music journey into a compelling story that builds real fans. To help us break this down, I’m thrilled to be joined by Eric Karsenty . Eric is a classically trained piano player with a deep passion for jazz, and a music-obsessed marketer with over two decades of experience delivering global campaigns and partnerships for some of the biggest names in the business, including Wa...

What does it really mean to define your artistic identity?  And how do you know when you’ve found it?  Luciane Dom has some answers for you.✨ Born in Brazil, Luciane is a multilingual singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound flows between soul, jazz, R&B, and Afro-Brazilian roots.  Her voice is instantly captivating, but it’s her artistic identity that truly sets her apart.  In this episo...

What makes someone stop and really listen when you talk about your music? In today’s episode, I am dropping into a highlight from a recent live Q&A inside our Club, featuring none other than Allie Silver , world music artist manager and founder of Free Radical Productions. Over the past decade, Allie has managed and produced more than 50 international tours across 37 countries, bringing artist...

How do you find the right creative partners? How do you build a thriving music community around you? To break it all down, I’m sitting down with Alexander Flood —one of Australia’s most forward-thinking and versatile drummers. His sound is a fusion of nu-jazz, deep house, broken beat, DnB, funk, and experimental vibes—completely his own. Back in 2020, just a few years after topping his jazz progra...

I love the music and energy that emerge from artists who make their multi-creative sides shine together contagiously. One such artist is James Berkeley . As an instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer, James has established himself in the UK jazz, soul, and R&B scenes through a wide range of musical projects. Whether delivering electrifying live performances with his band Yakul or working behin...

If there's one musician who truly embodies resilience, it's Lakecia Benjamin . Just a couple of weeks ago, at the 60th Jazzfest Berlin, I had the privilege of sitting down with powerhouse saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin for an inspiring conversation.   Throughout her career, she's played alongside legends like Anita Baker, the Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, the Roots, Missy El...

If you’ve ever found yourself relaxing on the couch with a warm cup of tea, lost in thought about your day, Cecily’s beautiful music is exactly what you need to enhance those moments.   Cecily is an amazing vocalist and songwriter based in DC, known for her soothing and rich voice. She describes her music as a blend of soul with strong influences from jazz, 90’s R&B, and a touch of folk. She’s...

Etuk Ubong is without a doubt one of the most electrifying trumpet players in Africa. Seun Kuti himself called him ‘one of the best things to come out of Lagos,’ and it’s easy to see why. Etuk picked up the trumpet at 14 and hasn’t looked back since. What sets him apart is his fusion of Afrobeat, Highlife, Jazz, and the traditional drumming of the Ekombi, creating his signature sound, 'Earth Music...

Bia Ferreira , a Brazilian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, stands out for her innovative approach to combining Afrodiasporic rhythms – like soul, R&B, reggae and rap – with Brazilian music – such as samba and repente.  She is known for her straightforward lyrics addressing important topics like necropolitics, racial quotas, anti-racism, women's rights, LGBTQIAP+ rights, and affect...

Natalie Greffel is a versatile Mozambican-Danish singer, bassist, composer, and passionate advocate for the arts. In addition to his work as a musician, she serves as a curator for XJAZZ! FESTIVAL, curating an eclectic lineup of performances, workshops, and special events showcasing contemporary jazz while honouring its rich cultural heritage. In our conversation, we talked about her multicultural...

EXCERPT - I've made public a snippet of our recent live Q&A session within our Club Membership with Berlin-based Hungarian musician and producer Szabolcs Bognar aka  Àbáse . In this excerpt, Àbáse discussed the behind-the-scenes process and inspirations of his new album 'Awakening' , as well as his personal views and experience in promoting the album release. I am grateful for this lively and...

EXCERPT - I've made public a snippet of our recent live Q&A session within our Club Membership with drummer, percussionist and producer from São Paulo, Brazil, Vitor Cabral . In this session, we covered a wide range of topics including Samba rhythms from Brazil, shining a spotlight on talented Brazilian artists who deserve more recognition, and all things the creative process. One particular h...

Odd Okoddo is a duo from Kenya and Germany, comprised of Olith Ratego and Sven Kacirek. The two artists crossed paths in Kenya around ten years ago when Sven Kacirek was working on his album "Kenya Sessions," which gained him recognition as a global producer. In 2018, they officially formed the project ODD OKODDO , combining their diverse talents seamlessly. Together, they create an energetic and...

Ma Nu is a renowned DJ in the underground scene of northern Italy, and he has gained recognition as one of the resident artists at the prestigious Jazz Re:Found Festival. 🎷 Additionally, Ma Nu plays a vital role in Riviera Gang Crew, an influential organization that has been leading the electric clubbing scene in north-western Italy for several years. In our conversation, we talked about "Liguria...

Eve Risser , a talented performer, composer, and arranger from France, is the founder of The Red Desert Orchestra . This ensemble comprises nine skilled European musicians and was founded by Risser herself. The group focuses on two main programs: Kogoba Basigui and Eurythmia . Kogoba Basigui originated from collaborating with seven (now six) Malian musicians based in Bamako (Kaladjula Band). In co...

Nicola Conte, a talented Italian DJ, producer, guitarist, and bandleader, has gained recognition for his distinctive contributions to the acid jazz genre. Growing up in the charming city of Bari in southern Italy, he always had a deep passion for expressing himself through music. Inspired by his journeys to London and influenced by what was happening between jazz and clubs in the UK with people li...

Alogte Oho is the number one Frafra gospel artist from within the vibrant music scene of Bolgatanga in Northern Ghana. Bolgatanga and its environs are the birthplace of most of the musicians in Frafra country and, thus, the cultural epicentre of northern Ghana. At thirteen, Oho joined the church choir, deeply impressed by its energy and spirituality, and gained his first experience of professional...

On this Club members-only Talk Series, I am excited to welcome multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, DJ, and collector Mauricio Fleury . For over two decades, Mauricio has been a dynamic presence in the vibrant city of São Paulo. For the last 20 years, Mauricio has been on the road and in studio with great artists from Brazil and abroad, such as Gal Costa, João Donato, Bixiga 70, Tony Allen,...

In today's episode, I sit down with Berlin-based jazz poet, vocalist and pianist Sean Haefeli to discuss his thinking process in jazz poetry and how Strata Records - The Sound of Detroit Reimagined by Jazzanova (Album - 2022) came to life. I hope you take something amazing from our chat! Enjoy the listening 🎧 Want to join a community of black music lovers? 📆 Do not miss our next Online Meetup on...

In today's episode, I sit down with the great London-based saxophonist and composer Camilla George to discover more about the new UK jazz scene revival and her latest release 'Ibio-Ibio' (Album - 2022). Listen in and enjoy this insightful chat! 🎧🙂 Want to join a community of black music lovers? Do not miss our first Community Event on March 25 at Rhinoçeros in Berlin. Meet great music enthusiast...