Updates!

For the second installation of Things You Should Know, we do a deep dive and breakdown of one of my favorite tracks I have worked on, "Broadway" from Jordan Ziskin's debut album, Crazy Child (2021). I tell you the backstory and recording process of Crazy Child and how Jordan and I came up with the parts for this song as well and breaking down the songwriting tricks Jordan uses. Hope you enjoy!

The debut of our new segment, Songs You Should Know! A shorter version of our normal episodes, we focus solely on songwriting here. Being the creator, we do some of my songs to begin with! Two of my favorite singers in New Orleans join me to bring these never-before-heard songs into existence. Jeanne-Marie Harris is a local from the Westbank who I have been working with for a couple years now and is my go-to call when I need a singer and Charlie Ray is my guy! I have worked extensively with both and love hearing their interpretations of my music. Enjoy! Intro Sometimes I Wonder/Jeanne-Marie Harris Worth Waiting For/Charlie Ray What Do I Know About Love?/Jeanne-Marie Harris Your Picture/Charlie Ray Take It Away/Jeanne-Marie Harris Outro

Mike Clement was the first person I thought of when I decided to bring the podcast back because he fit every criteria. Great player? Check. Great composer? Check. Should be a household name? Absolutely. A transplant from British Columbia, Mike Clement is the most in demand guitarist in New Orleans. In addition to being THE call for the straight-ahead jazz world, Mike weaves his way through several different genres, working with everyone from my wedding band to legendary New Orleans trumpet player Leroy Jones. If this wasn't enough, Mike is branching out into his solo career with a second album as a leader coming out in April 2024. In this sit down we talk about the Canadian contingent in New Orleans, his journey, his philosophy, and his new record.

In the first segment of Things You Should Know, I sit down with you to explore Letter From 810 from Monquez Pippins. This track, from Q's debut recording FINE BY ME, is one of my favorite tracks I ever worked on, including my own records. We will talk about the preproductions process, experiences in problem solving, my role as producer, and a section by section breakdown of the song from beginning to end. This episode is real music nerd stuff!

Before we dive into all of the new stuff, we are going to take a trip down memory lane. For our refresher, here are some highlights from previous episodes! Jordan Ziskin Jon Sheckler Sean Britt Monquez Pippins Steve Denny

A short and sweet update on the status of PYSK.

Steve Denny and I go back almost a decade, but he continues to surprise me each and every time I see him.  Originally from Denver, Colorado, Steve slowly and quietly made his way to New York for seven years.  In between, he landed in Chicago, UNCO, and headed Dazzle Jazz in Denver for several years.  We talk about his history, his journey from classical to jazz, his approach, his feelings about the current scene and his upcoming release, Life in New York​. For more information on Steve, visit www.stevedennyjazz.com and check out is debut album Life in the Basement.  Also be on the look out for his next record, Life in New York. www.shecklermusic.com

Monquez "Q" Pippins was born to take the stage and has done just that for most of his adult life.  After ten years on cruise ships, Q took his talents to NYC where he recorded his debut EP, Fine By Me, coming out in the summer of 2020.  A huge voice with a bigger personality, we talk about his journey from Flint, Michigan and all the stops along the way, as well as his influences, his experience making his debut EP, and his future plans. For more information on Q, visit www.monquezpippins.com and look out for his debut EP Fine By Me Fall 2020! www.shecklermusic.com

I’m not great at predicting the future, but I’m sure that Sean Britt will be a part of it.  On the outside, he is a happy, humble, joyful guy but once you get to know him….he is a happy, humble, joyful guy.  On top of playing with him in my trio, he is the first musician invited to join Linden St. Connection and the first artist that I approached as a producer.  I love this guy and it was great to get him over to the apartment and listen to his take on the creative process, the Brubeck Institute, and his upcoming record. For more on Sean, visit www.seanbrittmusic.com. www.shecklermusic.com

Jordan Ziskin takes Jon Sheckler, your usual host, out for a drink and we get into my personal history, writing, producing, the advantages of NYC, the formation of Linden St. Connection, and some other random questions.  We did this all while listening to some bangers at the Keep in Ridgewood, Queens. For more information on Jon, visit www.shecklermusic.com