You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians

What happens when a 21-year-old Stevie Wonder gets the keys to the Motown kingdom? You get Talking Book, a no-filler masterpiece. Adam and Peter go track-by-track through Stevie’s first fully self-driven album, where he played nearly everything himself. From the sticky funk of “Superstition” to the guitar-like tones of “Big Brother,” we break down Stevie’s best clav sounds, synth bass lines, and h...

One afternoon in Oslo changed the course of jazz piano history! In this episode, Adam and Peter dive into Facing You, the hit 1971 ECM release where a 26-year-old Keith Jarrett – torn between Miles Davis’ electric band and his own acoustic instincts – walked alone into a studio and recorded eight completely improvised masterpieces. From the gospel-tinged “In Front” to the apex moment in “Lalene,”...

Does it get any better than that ARP bass line on “Chameleon”? That’s right, it’s Herbie time! Join Peter and Adam as we explore Herbie Hancock’s explosive breakout from Blue Note jazz man to platinum-selling Headhunter. Transport your ears to an afro-futuristic daydream as we dissect Herbie’s funk-jazz era – and the cast of characters that helped push jazz records back onto the Pop charts. You’ll...

Take a trip with us to the most revolutionary decade in jazz (1923-1933), when a young Louis Armstrong was creating a new improvisational vocabulary in real-time. This isn’t the “Wonderful World” Satchmo most know, but the young gunner whose genius trumpet solos on “West End Blues” and “Tight Like This” were toppling trumpet kings. We break down Pops’ evolution from King Oliver’s second to pioneer...

Tune in as we pay tribute to the incomparable Roberta Flack, who we sadly lost last month. From her 1969 debut album First Take (featuring Open Studio artist Ron Carter on bass) to her iconic collaborations with Donny Hathaway – we dissect why what Flack didn’t play was just as important as what she did. We’ll explore how this classical piano prodigy, who entered Howard at 15 and didn’t write her...

Could Miles Davis’ peak performance come alongside a bunch of kids who weren’t even getting paid? In this episode, Peter and Adam dive into one of the greatest live albums ever captured, My Funny Valentine: Live at the Philharmonic (1964). We explore how Miles Davis, sideman George Coleman, and a young rhythm section (Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and teenage Tony Williams) made jazz history in real...

When Epic Records told Michael Jackson “no” to Quincy Jones, he fought back and changed music forever. Join Adam Maness and Peter Martin as they dive into Jackson’s 1979 masterpiece Off The Wall – the album that planted MJ’s flag as a solo artist. We explore how a young Michael partnered with Quincy Jones, created magic with studio legends Louis Johnson and Greg Phillinganes, and transformed Rod T...

Can you believe the most celebrated Bill Evans Trio was only together for 18 months? In this episode, we’re looking at early 60's Bill alongside Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and the four albums they recorded together before LaFaro’s tragic death at just 25 years old. From Portrait in Jazz and its cross-over with Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue through Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie...

What makes New Orleans funk hit so different? In this episode, we dive into the swampy funk of The Meters, the iconic quartet that’s left its mark on everything from Wu-Tang to Whitney Houston and beyond. We break down Leo Nocentelli’s chicken-scratch guitar, Art Neville’s genius riff comping, Zigaboo’s “direct assault” on the high hat, and the thumping George Porter Jr. bass lines that defined th...

Have Giant Steps and Meditations scared you away from John Coltrane? Join us on the other side of the Trane tracks with what might be the best trio of albums ever dropped in the same year. We’re talking 1963 Coltrane—at his most accessible (dare we say smooth?) yet still cutting straight to the truth. From the GRAMMY hall-of-famer Ballads to his legendary Impulse! sessions with Duke Ellington and...

Has Brad Mehldau always been one step ahead of jazz? In this episode, Peter and Adam trace his evolution from the straight-ahead Art of the Trio series to the produced, cinematic experiments of his 2002 opus Largo. We look at how Brad’s late nights in LA, love of Radiohead, and partnership with producer Jon Brion blurred the lines between indie pop, alt rock, and jazz, creating a new “Populist Jaz...

From the hypnotic grooves of “Black Cow” to contributions from jazz legends Wayne Shorter, Steve Gadd, and Victor Feldman, Steely Dan’s 1977 masterpiece Aja reigns amongst the best—and best-produced—albums of all time. In this episode, Peter and Adam break down Fagen and Becker’s jazz-infused harmonies, their precision recording process, and the album’s audiophile-worthy engineering. Tune in for s...

In this very special cross-over episode, Adam Maness and Bob DeBoo from Upright Citizens check out 12 of their favorite live albums recorded at the famous Village Vanguard. What's your favorite live album? link to our spotify playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5fzI04bkuBXe0YQcfqJmkt?si=0dk9OWMZTVS6G7wdH93X-w Wanna check out some Upright Citizens? https://www.openstudiojazz.com/upright-citi...

In this solo episode, Peter Martin gives advice on how to live a musical life in the coming year and what to do to set yourself up for success. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio 🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel for a better lo...

Adam and Peter list their favorite tunes that actually teach ya something! Learning these tunes will give you a better grasp on your playing in these contexts. Check out our playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69uTCFvMKo8CEBLfWrGiL6?si=ZPCpzVnQThq6Wy87bhAEjA Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for u...

Ever get overwhelmed with emotion from a tune? In this episode, Adam and Peter talk about what about music can evoke such emotion. Link to our Spotify Playlist Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio 🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel...

Join us as we dive into the life and legacy of Art Tatum, the jazz piano virtuoso who took entertainment on the instrument to a new level.  YT playlist  • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kn6Z2anqCFpTOc4H957o0Oktgr_C9gl7Q Oscar Peterson and Count Basie on Art Tatum   • https://youtu.be/YAeT3Dr74Ys Art Tatum performances  • https://youtu.be/D9Cs_zb4q14  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Do you ever find yourself lacking on a little holiday cheer? Do the holiday classics seem a little drab and dull lately? Well you may not be alone - Check out Peter and Adam's list of holiday classics that just aren't giving the same cheer they used to. Which holiday songs are you tired of hearing?  Link to our Spotify playlist Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no f...

Peter and Adam both name their 7 favorite GAS standards from best to worst. What's your favorite GAS standard? Link to our bespoke Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2g0agwmyxmyLTXEYKSpfwC?si=sNBsRlrsSyuAR1x8FNy85g Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from...

Black Friday is upon us! Go to https://openstudiojazz.com/blackfriday for our biggest savings of the year. Think you can teach somebody a lesson in 60 seconds? Join Adam and Peter as they reminisce about their journey teaching in a short format. Check out all our shorts at our Open Studio channel Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/...

What's on your playlist? Join Adam and Peter as they hang and share some music they've been inspired by lately. Our Spotify Playlist Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open S...

Roy Haynes! The greatest to ever do it - join us as we remember the life and legacy of one of the true legends of Jazz history. Reaching Fourth - McCoy Tyner Coltrane Quartet 1963 Newport Matrix - Chick Corea David Letterman feat. The Fountain Of Youth Band Freedom Band - Chick Corea Quartet 2010 Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want t...

Adam and Peter reluctantly wade into the tired old 'Who Killed Jazz?' debate... Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio 🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel for a bette...

Lou Donaldson, November 1, 1926 – November 9, 2024 We honor the late, great Lou Donaldson who created new pathways for generations of Jazz musicians to come. Everything I Play Gonna Be Funky (From Now On) Christian McBride/NPR's Jazz Night in America “Let’s Cool One” from Thelonius Monk’s "Genius of Modern Music, vol. 2" “A Night at Birdland” (Blue Note Feb. 21, 1954) - Night in Tunisia Interview...

Adam and Peter dive into some of the greatest tracks by the incredible Charlie Haden. Our Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0j2izk6G8ZzBhEK7yf2W2r?si=olxr53YgQUSpiZw6NvpiIA Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a Speak...