Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Alex Bugnon learned his signature piano style of playing by studying at the most prestigious schools in Europe and America, charting with his first solo release in 1988.  Alex remains at the top of his game today!  Award-winning program director Ray White sat down with Alex in February of 2016 to talk about his transition from classical playing to jazz, his current studio album Harlem and much mor...

Dave Koz launched his solo career in 1990 and has sailed to the top of the contemporary jazz scene.  Garnering nine Grammy nominations, his high-energy saxophone work has also been featured on numerous albums by all-star musicians, television and he even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Award-winning program director Ray White sat down with Dave before a performance of one of his hallowe...

The legendary Randy Brecker has played trumpet and flugelhorn with a who's who of world-class musicians since the late 1960's.  With 20 solo albums to his credit and nearly a dozen with his brother Michael, as the Brecker Brothers , Randy is among the elite musicians in the world today.  Award winning program director Ray White , caught up with the Grammy winning musician in January of 2013 to tal...

Many jazz followers are familiar with the work of saxman Jeff Kashiwa as a member of The Rippingtons , throughout the 1990's.  Since 1995 , Jeff has produced 9 solo albums with a new release expected very soon.  You'll also find Jeff in the sax-loaded band - The Sax Pack .  Jeff's latest solo project is titled Fly Away .  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Jeff in the lo...

Emilio Castillo , co-founder of Tower of Power , has led the band for over 50 years.  Their horn-based R&B/Pop sound is known worldwide for their fantastic musicianship.  TOP's vocalists are among the best of the genre.  Multi-award winning program director, Ray White , caught up with Emilio in April of 2020 to talk about their latest release - Step Up ,  the band and today's challenging times.  I...

Greg and Gary Grainger are two of the busiest guys in the music business.  As co-founders of Pockets in the late 1970's, they recorded 3 studio albums which contained 6 songs that landed on Billboard's R&B charts.  Back together today, Pockets have been in the studio and have just released their new single - Work It Out .  In recent years, bassist Gary and drummer Greg, have produced several album...

One of the top R&B singers today, Phil Perry launched his career in 1971 as a member of The Montclairs.  He's sang on numerous contemporary jazz albums throughout the years and has released 12 solo studio projects.   You'll find him in the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, too!  Multi-award winning program director Ray White , talks with Phil about his latest album - Breathless , the Jazz Legacy Foun...

Smooth Jazz keyboardist Jay Rowe can be found on stage with many of today's top performers on the smooth jazz scene.  Special EFX , and others, keeps him on the road for most of the touring season.  Jay's talents includes writing, producing and serving as musical director.  He's released 5 solo albums with the latest being Smooth Ride .  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up wit...

Mike Phillips has played with many of music's top performers throughout his career including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Boyz II Men and Babyface.  As a solo artist, he has a handful of albums to his credit.  In our October of 2018 interview, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Mike to talk about the honor of being the first musician to be signed by Nike, his M.P.3 album and h...

Peter White started his musical career in the pop/rock world in the mid-1970's playing with Al Stewart and Basia.  In 1990, he launched his solo career shifting over to smooth jazz and jazz fusion styles.  Since then Peter has had 13 Top 10 albums and 12 Top 20 singles.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White hooked up with Peter backstage after a show in August of 2019.  His lively interv...

"Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin performed on his first record in 1967.  This blues guitarist/songwriter/vocalist has played in bands with the legends - Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins and many others.  Bob's won numerous blues music awards and played on several Grammy winning recordings.  Multi-award winning program director, Ray White , caught up with Bob backstage to talk about highlights from his c...

4-time Grammy nominee Boney James is among a small group leading the way in the contemporary jazz genre.  In 2009, this saxophonist/songwriter/producer was named by Billboard magazine as one of the Top 3 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Decade.  Boney's right at home writing and playing R&B tunes too, having collaborated with Morris Day, The Isley Brothers, Faith Evans , Angie Stone and many other...

Marcus Miller is king of the funky bass and an outstanding composer, producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist.  Throughout his storied career he's worked with Miles, Herbie, Luther and Sanborn.  Marcus has been nominated for numerous Grammy awards throughout the years, winning two.  Our Ray White , a multi-award winning program director, talks with Marcus about his latest album Laid Black , hi...

Cyril Neville's career was launched when he joined his brother Art's band - The Meters , in 1970.  His percussion and vocal skills added a new dimension to the band.  From there brothers Aaron and Charles teamed with Art and Cyril to form the Grammy-award winning group, The Neville Brothers , in 1977.  In 1998 Cyril released the first of 4 solo albums and then in 2012 formed Royal Southern Brother...

Saxtress/vocalist Paula Atherton wows crowds with her unique mix of Contemporary Jazz/R&B/Soul/Funk grooves.  With her songs landing on the charts on a frequent basis, she's appeared on the Today show, Good Morning America, and Rachel Ray.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White catches up with Paula before her performance at the Jazz Legacy Foundation Gala in November of 2019 and talks wi...

Soulman Clarence Carter first hit the charts in 1967 and has earned three Gold Records during his career.  His musical endeavors were launched at the historical FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL and from his humble soul and R&B beginnings, he carved a niche for himself later in his career by writing and singing songs of unabashed love.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White , caught up wi...

Jazz and Pop superstars Gerald Albright , Melissa Manchester and Dave Koz join us on this very special Holiday Edition of our show.  We feature, in these Fall/Winter of 2019 interviews, insights into their latest holiday albums, songs and tours along with much, much more!  Gerald just released his Not So Silent Night project while Dave added to his extensive catalog of Christmas releases with Gift...

Michael Lington is a purveyor of Soul and R & B music expressing himself through his excellent saxophone playing and his songwriting and producing abilities - mainly in the contemporary jazz genre.  With 11 solo albums and more than 24 charting singles to his credit, Michael is at the forefront of the jazz scene today.  Award-winning program director Ray White catches up with Michael backstage, in...

Brian Culbertson is at home no matter what style of music he plays - Jazz, R&B, or Funk.  His talent transcends all aspects of music production and instrumentation, including keyboards, trombone, drums and bass.  Brian's credits include over 28 #1 contemporary jazz and other national charting projects.  Multi-award winning Program Director Ray White talked with Brian in November 2015 about the ins...

Music Director West Byrd has been on stage with a "Who's Who" in the Contemporary Jazz and R&B world.  Names like Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright, Shelia E, Rick Braun, Peabo Bryson, Nathan East and dozens more!  He recently worked on Kim Scott's Free To Be album and continues to be the "go to" music director for the major artists!  Multi-award winning program director Ray White hosts this speci...

Woodstock Music and Art Fair celebrates it's 50th anniversary, having been held August 15-18, 1969.  In this special edition, we look back at this event that was the ultimate concert of the 20th century.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White talked with bluesman Johnny Winter , before his passing, about this historical festival.  Your "Hostess with the Mostest," Lisa Davis , takes you ba...

History making flute player Althea Rene , was the first flautist to reach the number one spot on a Billboard chart.  Drawing music inspiration from her father (one of Motown's original Funk Brothers), Dezie McCullers, Althea has landed on the Top 20 charts five times.  In 2018, she released a book too - titled " Becoming Chocolate Barbie ."  Althea just released her latest album - Flawsome , to cr...

Ms. Shaun Murphy is the Blues...is Rock...and also Americana.  You may have seen her with Bob Seger, Little Feat and also Eric Clapton - along with many others throughout the years, but deep down in her soul, she is a lady of the blues!  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Shaun in May of 2019 while she was on Bob Seger's "Final Tour."  They talk about her years with Bob...

Duke Robillard stands out as one of the top blues guitarists of his generation.  However, his repertoire includes swing, jazz, standards and rockabilly, too.  BB King called him, "One of the great players."  Duke's career was launched when he co-founded Roomful of Blues in 1967.  Then in 1990, he became a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds .  Most of his career, Duke has been the leader of his ow...

Keyboardist, songwriter and bandleader Lao Tizer , pushes the envelope in the contemporary jazz genre.  Consistently surrounding his enormous talents with other world-class musicians, his music is always "fusion-fresh," combining various music genres.  Multi-award winning musicologist and syndicated radio producer Ray White catches up with Lao on the road to talk about the convergence of audio/vid...