Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Funk/Dance band Brass Construction recorded a string of hit singles and albums from 1975-1985.  Their 1976 tune " Movin " reached #1 on both the R&B and Dance charts.  Today, you can find the band playing Soul and Funk festivals around the country.  Award-winning program director Ray White catches up with band members in November of 2011 to talk about their good time funky music and other happenin...

Grammy-award winning guitarist/vocalist Norman Brown can be found on a regular basis towards the top of the contemporary jazz music charts.  Having sold over 2 million albums, he also performs as a member of the smooth jazz supergroup BWB .  Syndicated radio show producer Ray White , caught up with Norman in September of 2014, to talk about his influences and latest solo and collaborative projects...

Chieli Minucci and Special EFX have been a mainstay in the contemporary jazz scene since 1983.  Chieli's guitar playing is world-class and his composing has won him three Emmy Awards along with a Grammy nomination.  The title track from his latest album Deep As The Night was Billboard's #1 Smooth Jazz Song of the Year for 2018.  In our November of 2018 interview, award-winning program director Ray...

The legendary Ramsey Lewis , jazz pianist and composer, has reached the pinnacle of his musical career capturing numerous gold records and Grammy awards.  Since 1956, he's released dozens of albums.  Throughout his career Lewis, who is a NEA Jazz Master, has also joined forces with hundreds of musicians to create new and innovative music.  In our July of 2014 interview, award-winning program direc...

Saxophonist Kim Waters combines the best of jazz, R&B, funk and soul in his music.  He constantly lands towards the top of the music charts.  Over Kim's career, he's recorded 23 albums - all stellar!  Award-winning program director Ray White , catches up with Kim backstage, in October of 2018, to talk about his latest project - What I Like . Having sold over 180 million records, Janet Jackson is h...

The Commodores co-founder and lead guitarist Thomas McClary was with the band for 15 years, after forming in 1968.  The band was nominated for 8 Grammy awards, during his stint.  In 2003 , they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.  After leaving the group, Thomas signed a solo contract with Motown releasing an album with a Billboard R&B charting tune.  In recent years, he's performed w...

Bassist and singer George Porter, Jr. formed The Meters in 1965, who are recognized as one of the progenitors of funk music.  The band has been nominated 4 times for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and was presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Today they carry on the tradition as The Funky Meters .  Since 1990, George tours on a regular basis with his own band - The Runnin'...

Candy Dulfer is the diva of pop/funk/jazz saxophonists.  Her career was launched right out of the gate with her Grammy nominated album Saxuality featuring the crossover hit Lily Was Here .  Besides releasing 11 solo studio albums, she has performed in the studio or live with many other great musicians including Prince, Maceo Parker, Angie Stone, Tower of Power and Pink Floyd.  Executive Producer R...

Keyboardist Tom Schuman , original member of Spyro Gyra , has written or co-written over 50 of the bands songs throughout the years.  The jazz fusion band has sold over 10 million albums, since forming in the mid-1970's.  Spyro Gyra has been nominated for 12 GRAMMY awards, throughout the years.  As a solo artist, Tom has released 7 albums including his latest, Live At Marians Jazz Room .  Award-wi...

At the forefront of club-infused, soul-jazz is Bluey .  The co-founder and band leader of Incognito has been the mastermind behind their success since forming in 1979.  With nearly 20 singles hitting world-wide charts, Bluey's released solo albums and others with his band Citrus Sun .  Award-winning program director, Ray White , catches up with Bluey right before he hits the stage for a show to ta...

Two-time GRAMMY winner Peabo Bryson is the most prolific male voice in hit duo songs in history.  His Soul, R&B and Pop ballads with the likes of Roberta Flack, Celine Dion, Regina Belle, and many others, have landed on the charts since the late 1970's.  As a solo artist, Peabo has also gained much notoriety with additional hits and three Gold records. On this October of 2011 interview, award-winn...

Saxophonist Dave Koz brings joy to thousands of people every year with his Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour .  For over 20 years this show has been full of pageantry and music from the top musicians in the Contemporary Jazz and R&B genres.  On this "Holiday Special" we'll feature Dave, keyboardist Brian Simpson and guitarist and leader of The Boneshakers - Randy Jacobs .  Award-winning program...

Throughout her career you could find Mindi Abair in the middle of the contemporary jazz, pop, rock, R&B, and blues scenes.  From Aerosmith...to the Boss...to jazz's Summer Horns, Mindi has graced the spotlight.  This awesome saxophonist has been tapped for two Grammy nominations and produced over ten #1 radio singles as a solo artist.  Award-winning program director, Ray White , sits down with Min...

Celebrating the highlights of the first 50 Episode of our syndicated radio show - Sittin' In With The Coool CAT!   These are segments from our most listened to shows since launching in January, 2017.  Guests include Will Downing , Russ Freeman (Rippingtons), Earth, Wind & Fire , and Maysa . Join award-winning program director Ray White and your "hostess with the mostest," Lisa Davis , on this spec...

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber has been perfecting his talents since releasing his first album in 1977.  Having attended the famed Berklee College of Music, he is also and accomplished composer and record producer.  Jeff's career reached its' pinnacle in 2018, winning a Grammy award for the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Prototype by his band Jeff Lorber Fusion.  On our October of 2014 intervie...

Chris "Big Dog" Davis is a two-time Grammy nominated writer and producer, having over 15 #1 smooth jazz records to his credit.  His talents are in high demand, having worked with Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Maysa, Will Downing, Brian McKnight, Najee, Phil Perry and many more Contemporary Jazz, R&B and Gospel musicians.  Award-winning program director Ray White catches up with the Big Dog (who also...

Tower of Power have been playing American R&B/Soul music with their world-renown horn section since 1968.  Along with their music releases, dozens of other bands and performers have tapped TOP's horn section to record on their albums.  Formed by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka, they are still blowing some mean horns today!  Tower of Power have spawned numerous world-class musicians through...

Guitarist/Bassist/Producer Earl Carter , launched his career with nationwide exposure as a member of Experience Unlimited (EU), whose song appeared on Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing  soundtrack. He's also played shows with numerous contemporary jazz bands in recent years. Today Earl has released several solo albums that have showcased his excellent ability as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. ...

Harpist, singer/songwriter Li'l Ronnie (Owens) has been performing since the 1960's and has been fronting his own band for over 30 years.  Whether leading the Grand Dukes , The Blue Beats or collaborating with other blues artists, his music always makes you move your feet and make you want to get up and boogie!  In our September of 2012 interview, award-winning program director Ray White , catches...

The Chairmen of the Board launched their career in 1967 when Holland/Dozier/Holland left Motown and formed their own record label, which signed the band.  Led by General Johnson , the Soul/R&B/ Beach Music group had several hits in the early 1970's.  Since General's passing in 2010, longtime band member Ken Knox has taken the reins, adding to the bands' legacy.  Award-winning program director Ray...

Keiko Matsui has garnered worldwide accolades as a masterful keyboardist and composer.  Over the course of four decades, she has been at the top of the smooth jazz, jazz fusion and new age music charts.  Keiko's music transcends cultures from around the world, providing unique untifying undertones.  Award-winning program director, Ray White , spent time with Keiko in November of 2017 to talk about...

Peter White's career was launched to a level of worldwide recognition in the mid 1970's as a member of Al Stewart's band - which had two Top 10 songs on the popular music charts.  After a 20-year collaboration with Al, Peter's musical endeavors was then focused on the jazz scene.  Winning numerous Smooth and Contemporary Jazz awards throughout his career, this guitarist has released over 15 albums...

Dave Muse has had an accomplished career as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and singer.  As a member of Firefall , he's recorded several platinum and gold records and nearly a dozen songs that landed on the charts.  He also was a member of the Marshall Tucker Band for nine years.  Dave's released four instrumental albums as a solo artist with the latest titled - Forgotten Journey . ...

War crossed many musical boundaries upon launching in 1969.  The Afro Cuban Jazz Rock Blues band, was like no other group in history.  Band members transcended racial and cultural barriers within their multi-ethnic lineup.  War's 1973 release, A World Is A Ghetto , was the top selling album of the year.  in November of 2017, Award-winning program director, Ray White , sat down backstage at the Jaz...

Bob Mintzer has been the saxophonist for the Yellowjackets since 1991, playing on over a dozen studio albums with the jazz fusion band.  With his own Big Band, Bob has produced numerous albums, received 3 GRAMMY award nominations and was a GRAMMY winner in 2002.  Throughout his career, Bob has played with many of the jazz greats including Buddy Rich, Tito Puente, Hubert Laws, Randy Brecker and Pet...