WUSF Studio Sessions Podcast

Formed in 2022 by Trombonist James Wall and Multi-Instrumentalist T.J. Schaff, The Schaff - Wall Collective is a diverse and experimental music ensemble that performs in multiple configurations across the West Coast of Florida. The group draws influence from multiple genres and specializes in live jazz, fusion, pop, and New-Orleans style music. The band's core duo consists of James Wall (Trombone/...

Meet Gabrielle Leonore: she is an autistic artist who is premiering her first one-woman show, My Life as an “Inspirational Porn” Star, that she acts, writes and produces. You may have recently seen her as “Desdemona” in TheatreFor’s production of Desdemona: A Play about a Handkerchief and as  a “Person in Charge” in Tampa Rep’s production of Straight White Men. She has played Various Roles in “A S...

Soul Mafia is the Tampa Bay area's hottest new dance band, featuring experienced players from across the region with a song list ranging from funk and soul classics to the latest dance hits, smooth jazz and much more. Songlist includes Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Chaka Khan, Daft Punk and Sade. The group performs everywhere from concert halls and nightclubs to private events, weddings and parties.

"The Tal Cohen Trio manages to combine complex, modern jazz concepts with graceful phrasing, thoughtful development and honest expression. The original ideas, high level of communication and spontaneity of the group is a breath of fresh air and proof that jazz has a bright future” – David Manson, Director of EMIT & the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival. This concert was filmed on location at the Si...

Meet Kathryn Golden & Ashley James - filmmakers of Santos: Skin to Skin , a documentary about the life of latin percussionist and educator John Santos. They sat down over Zoom to talk more about their film, which goes beyond the life of Santos and holds a lens to the profound effect that music, especially of latin influence, has on us through history, activism, grief and ultimately, love.

La Lucha is a Tampa Bay-based trio that consists of three best friends from three different parts of the world: Colombia (Alejandro Arenas), Mexico (John O’Leary), & United States (Mark Feinman). Their music ventures boldly into a wide variety of musical styles, offering an appealing and fun mix of genres under the jazz umbrella. The combination of their musical versatility and varied musical...

Meet Dylan McHann. He is an accomplished saxophonist and composer based in Miami, Florida and plays tribute to some of the greats like Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. He’s performed in prestigious clubs like Dizzy’s Coca Cola and at festivals like the Monterey Jazz Festival. He recently performed a show that honors two jazz giants—Horace Silver and Cedar Walton. This concert was filmed at Studi...

Travis Van Bumble and Stephanie Ruscito are The House Cats: a husband and wife, guitar and vocals duo, playing straight ahead-jazz, bebop, and swing. Travis and Stephanie grew up near Clearwater, and have been playing music together for over ten years. Travis’ walking baselines and chord melodies give The House Cats a big, swinging sound, but as soon as they play a ballad you’ll feel the mood shif...

Amigo the Devil is a musician and songwriter who channels a voice of unsettling beauty and raw truth. He's a master at murderfolk, the genre that combines Americana, dark folk, and metal with themes of the macabre. His songs are greatly influenced by the honesty of Leonard Cohen, the creativity of Tom Waits and the ruthlessness of Chavela Vargas. He's currently touring and will be performing his s...

Meet Daniela and Nate, a Bossa Nova duo dedicated to sharing authentic Brazilian jazz with audiences across the globe. They’ve travelled and performed hundreds of shows from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. They’re currently touring their latest show, Love and Bossa Nova, which began in the pandemic on Zoom and quickly transformed into a live concert series. They’re performing on April 23 at the Palladium...

Ty Scott King is an award-winning, multi-Billboard charting poet and hip hop artist and a best-selling author. Ty has successfully showcased her poetic talent on the National Poetry Slam level and hosted both an internationally aired TV show and her own radio show.

Jeremy Carter is a true study of Jazz music, Nebraska native, and understudy of the Southeast’s best professors and musicians. Jazzy funk riffs, screaming over the sounds of the BSP is truly a spectacle, for the ears and the eyes. If you find yourself stop-dancing in a dropped draw fashion, it is probably because of Carter’s riffs–his soul pouring over the speakers like sand. Carter has recorded w...

Meet Dylan McHann. He is an accomplished saxophonist and composer based in Miami, Florida and plays tribute to some of the greats like Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. He’s performed in prestigious clubs like Dizzy’s Coca Cola and at festivals like the Monterey Jazz Festival.  I spoke with Dylan over zoom about his upcoming show at Studio 620 on Saturday April 5. The show honors two jazz giants—...

MPM is an instrumental trio based out of Tampa Bay, Florida specializing in jazz performance. Led by Alex Malkovich on guitar and saxophone, Cooper Madden on bass, and Ayrias Pedigo on drums, this ensemble performs classic bebop tunes in a modern way. This concert was recorded at In Between Days, an intimate sake bungalow house in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Sandujazz is an ensemble devoted to the sounds of the African, Caribbean, and Latin American idiosyncrasies. Since 2019, the group has released its first trilogy of albums blending Jazz Fusion and Salsa styles with psychedelic influences. They are now a prominent part of the jazz scene in Tampa led by the new generations.

Meet Steve Hunter. He's a musician, composer and guitarist who has been touring and recording with musicians like Peter Gabriel, Dr John, Jack Bruce, Lou Reed, Tracy Chapman, Mitch Ryder, Jason Becker, and Alice Cooper. Steve has contributed to ten Alice Cooper albums, starting in 1973 with Billion Dollar Babies and was recently featured heavily on the new ‘Welcome 2 My Nightmare'. He’s also had a...

ERG is a new ensemble exploring the intersections of composed and improvised creative music. Four of its five members are SHIM alumni and include David Pate (saxophones & flute), Tom Kersey (cello), David Manson (trombone), TJ Glowacki (double bass), and Jim Stewart (drums). Their collective experiences include the free spirit of SHIM, the experimentalism of BONK, and the groove and grittiness...

Charlee Loyst is a pianist from St. Pete Beach, FL. Influenced by Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly, Charlee Loyst has developed a sound that combines his classical background with his passion for jazz to craft musical ideas and share his story. He currently studies at Berklee College of Music and is majoring in Performance. Set List: 1. Softly, as in A Morning Sunrise - Sigmund Romberg 2. Voyage - Kenn...

Harrison Jazz Ensemble performed in the WUSF Studio. Pianist and songwriter Roger Harrison played several original pieces while musicians from the Al Downing Association Henry Ashwood, Ron Gregg, and Valentyn Korniienko.

The Tampa-based jazz ensemble Crisis: The Jazz Project features musicians who play in non-jazz bands around the Tampa Bay Area and cover contemporary jazz artists like Roy Hargrove and Herbie Hancock. Their setlist also includes trumpeter and comedian Brad Gilmore performing a cover of "All of Me" with a Louis Armstrong twist. Set List: 1. Strasbourg / St. Denis - Roy Hargrove 2. Mercy, Mercy, Mer...

Meet Sarasota's Rich & Rose–a musical duo that features the guitar work of Charley Rich with the captivating vocals of Daenah Rose. For four years, this duo has been charming audiences with their blend of American Songbook classics, jazz favorites, pop, and original compositions.  You can learn more about Charley Rich and Daenah Rose by visiting CharleyRich.com Be sure to watch their Studio Se...

Meet Mindi Abair. She’s a 2x GRAMMY nominated saxophonist, vocalist, author and wine entrepreneur. She’s recorded and toured with ensembles and musicians like Aerosmith, Gerald Albright, Gregg Allman, Dave Koz and Trombone Shorty. Mindi has just released a new album “I Can’t Wait for Christmas.” She’s currently touring and will be performing at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, FL on December 20...

Studio Sessions is a jazz podcast showcasing intimate performances from Florida musicians. Recorded live at the WUSF Performance Studio in Tampa, each episode features unreleased tracks and exclusive interviews with the bands. Discover a diverse range of sounds and styles and celebrate the talented artists shaping jazz in the Sunshine State.