Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Louisiana funkmaster Ivan Neville has family roots that digs deep into the music industry, being the nephew of members of The Neville Brothers.   His dad is the soulful Aaron Neville, which provides a great base in that Ivan's talents digs deeper into the heritage performing a style of funk that is cutting-edge! He has released 4 solo albums, hit the charts and has led his band Dumpstaphunk since...

Soulful singer-songwriter Selina Albright is featured on our special "rising star" edition.  The daughter of jazz saxman, Gerald Albright, her angelic tone adds character and emotion to any ballad, yet her powerful voice and energetic stage presence captivates her audiences.  Award-winning program director, Ray White , catches up with Selina backstage after her soundcheck for a performance in Nove...

Gerald Albright is one of the top saxophonists in the world.  Early in his career Gerald spent time playing the bass guitar, too!  In the early 1980's you could find him playing with the likes of Whitney Houston, The Temptations, Anita Baker and Patrice Rushen - just to name a few.  Gerald launched his solo career in 1987, in the infancy of what became the Smooth Jazz format.  He's recorded well o...

Formed in 1976, Midnight Star hit the R&B charts during the 1980's.  The band had numerous singles hit dual charts including "Operator", "Midas Touch", "No Parking" and "Freak-A-Zoid".  In our November of 2011 interview, award-winning program director Ray White talks with band members about their last studio album - 15th Avenue and highlights from their career.   Lisa Davis features R&B diva Toni...

Paul Taylor has been a groundbreaking force among sax elite in the smooth jazz genre since his first album in 1995.  Paul's had albums and singles hit the top of the Billboard charts on numerous occasions.  Another highlight of his musical career was spending time playing with The Rippingtons.  Award-winning program director Ray White sits down with Paul, in November of 2017, to discuss his latest...

Steel drum virtuoso Andy Narell first hit the national scene, as a youngster, on the TV show I've Got A Secret in 1963.  His career has taken him throughout the world with stops at Carnegie Hall and playing in front of 80,000 people.  Andy's latest album is titled We Kinda Music .  In our May of 2010 interview, Andy talks with two-time program director of the year, Ray White , about his collaborat...

Stanley Clarke , the legendary bass player and songwriter is "Sittin' In" with two-time New Music Weekly magazine's Program Director of the Year - Ray White , on this dynamic episode!  Stanley is a founding member of Return To Forever who recorded his first solo album in 1973.  He's been tapped for several Grammy awards and garnered several lifetime achievement awards.  On this episode we talk abo...

Since his major label debut 30 years ago, Southern blues guitar wizard, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis has become a worldwide guitar hero.  Armed with signature molten licks, melodic riffs and rousing solos, his legions of fans spread globally.  In this episode, award-winning program director, Ray White , hangs with Tinsley at Waves of Sound studio in Virginia Beach, VA in March of 2015, fo...

For over 40 years, Pieces of a Dream have been at the forefront of jazz performers.  Formed in Philadelphia in 1976, original members Curtis Harmon and James Lloyd lead the way today.    The late Grover Washington, Jr. helped the band to launch their career to global fame.  With 18 studio albums under their belts, the band is stronger than ever today!  In this episode, award-winning program direct...

Gloria Gaynor had two Top 10 hits in the mid-to-late 1970's and continued to land on the charts through the early 1980's.  Signed to Columbia Records by the industry guru Clive Davis, her title track from the 1975 album "Never Can Say Goodbye" was the first song to top Billboard magazine's dance chart - while reaching the Top 10 of the pop charts, too.  Award-winning program director, Ray White ,...

The Rippingtons were formed in 1985 by the phenomenal guitarist  Russ Freeman .  Throughout the years, the band has included a "who's-who" roster from the contemporary jazz genre including Kenny G, Kirk Whalum, David Benoit and Omar Hakim.  In this episode, award-winning program director Ray White talks with Russ about the bands' latest release - True Stories , reuniting with saxman Brandon Fields...

One of the top R&B singers today, Kenny Lattimore has been called "Lover Man" by many of his fans.  Since launching his solo career in 1996, he has a total of 7 albums to his credit.  Several, with his former wife Chante Moore.  In our June of 2011 interview, Kenny talks with award-winning radio personality Ray White about his Timeless CD and highlights from his career.  His latest project, Vulner...

On this special Holiday Edition, we feature the keyboardist for the Steve Miller Band, Joseph "Hands of Soul" Wooten .  His career started with his world-class musician brothers - The Wootens .  Since 1993, you'll find Joseph performing with the Steve Miller Band , garnering 3 Grammy nominations as a member of the band.  He's released several solo albums with the latest titled Soul Of Freedom .  S...

David Dyson , a bassist, songwriter, arranger and producer, launched his career after attending Berklee School of Music - with Walter Beasley.  Shortly thereafter, he was tapped as musical director and bassist for New Kids On The Block in the late 1980's until 1992.  Since then, David has been in high demand by world-class performers including Bob James, Chico Freeman, Jonathan Butler, Pieces of a...

Jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan is known worldwide as a unique guitar player whose technique involves tapping his fingers on the fretboard of the guitar with both hands.  At 17 years old he won an award at the Reno Jazz Festival.  He's played with the likes of Quincy Jones, Richie Cole and The Dave Matthews Band.  Stanley joins award winning  program director, Ray White , on this July of 2012 interv...

Blues/Rock guitarist and vocalist Bobby Messano is in the Delaware Blues Hall of Fame and has been nominated on several occasions for GRAMMY awards.  Most recently, as of this writing, Bobby is up for a Hollywood Music In Media award.  He was a member of Starz and recorded and/or toured with the likes of Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Peter Kriss (Kiss), Gloria Gaynor, Clarence Clemmons and many others. ...

There have been only a handful of bands that have reached the pinnacle of the music industry... Earth, Wind and Fire is one such band!  Closing in on nearly 50 years of recording excellence, they have been bestowed with every major music award given by the recording industry.  On this episode award-winning radio personality Ray White , interviews Verdine White and Ralph Johnson during EW&F's Summe...

Considered by fans and critics alike to be the "heir to Grover Washington Jr.'s throne," Walter Beasley is an acclaimed saxophonist, vocalist, educator and entrepreneur.  You'll find Walter's albums and singles consistently towards the top of the smooth jazz charts.  A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Walter talks with the " Coool CAT " in our October of 2016 interview.  He sh...

Maysa Leak is among the top R&B and jazz vocalists today.  She launched her career as a backup singer to Stevie Wonder and has recorded since the early 1990's with Jazz/Funk/R&B band, Incognito .  Since 1995, Maysa has recorded a dozen albums as a solo artist. Having reached the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts on several occasions, award-winning program director Ray White , caught up w...

Najee , jazz saxophonist and flautist, started his music career playing in a band that performed for our troops around the world.  His first major break was supporting Ben E. King.  In 1983, Najee toured with Chaka Khan, before he recorded his first solo album three years later.  The album - Najee's Theme, earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Album.  On this episode, award-winning musicolo...

This episode features a tribute to an amazing guitarist who was one of the premier musicians in the world - Chuck Loeb .  Chuck's rise to stardom began in the late 1970's playing with elite jazz musicians of that time.  In the 80's, he was a member of the supergroup Steps Ahead and most recently played with Fourplay and Jazz Funk Soul .  If that wasn't enough to keep him busy, he made time to reco...

Kim Waters has perfected his saxophone playing for nearly 3 decades professionally - with 22 solo albums.  Kim is also a member of The Sax Pack and Streetwize bands.  He creates dreamy melodies, crafts funky originals and turns timeless R&B classics into his own marvelous creations.  In our November of 2016 interview, award-winning program director Ray White talks with Kim about his latest release...

Chicago blues and soul guitarist/vocalist, Ronnie Baker Brooks grew up with the blues, as son of the legendary Lonnie Brooks.  At the age of nine, he joined his Dad on stage developing his style and showmanship.  Throughout Ronnie's career, he's played with most of the icons in the blues music genre.  In our September of 2012, Ronnie touches on his days with the blues greats and provides insights...

On this episode, we'll feature the legendary multi-Grammy award winning jazz keyboardist, arranger and record producer - Bob James .  In our interview, conducted by Ray White - 2017 Program Director of the Year by New Music Weekly Magazine, Bob touched on his early years with Creed Taylor and how he was discovered by Quincy Jones.  In addition Bob, in this May of 2017 interview, shares insights in...

Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, The Stylistics had twelve consecutive Rhythm & Blues Top 10 hits during the early 1970's.  All were produced by the legendary Philadelphia record producer, Thom Bell.  In this July of 2010 interview with co-founder Airrion Love , he looks back to the hit making years of the band and also shares his insights on their latest album, That Same Way ....