#87: Gregory Porter on Nat King Cole (with Lee Mergner)

This conversation was recorded on the inaugural sailing of Botti at Sea and it featured an interview with the great vocalist Gregory Porter by Lee Mergner, as part of the Jazz on Film series he hosted that week.  This episode is about the legendary Nat King Cole. Most people know about Gregory’s professional affinity for Nat and his music, but may not know just how personal that affinity is.  He explains his deep love for Nat and even sings a few tunes that make that connection clear.

In this conversation recorded on The Smooth Jazz Cruise 24.1, saxophonist Mindi Abair talks with cruise host Talaya from SiriusXM.  . Mindi talked about collaborating with other artists on The Smooth Jazz Cruise.  And about breaking into the music business when she first moved to LA where she was discovered by Bobby Lyle.  She also reflects on partnering with guitarist Randy Jacobs in the band The Boneshakers.  And of course she discusses her wine and jazz adventures. 

In this one-on-one conversation from Botti at Sea earlier this year, Alonzo Bodden, our longtime comedian in residence, sat down with Keb' Mo' to talk about his storied career in music. And that career has truly been storied, starting with the fact that Keb' released his first album way back when, billed by his given name of Kevin Moore. Of course, that became grist for material for our friend Alonzo. Make no mistake, Keb' is a humble yet gifted guitarist, singer and songwriter. Someone who has earned every bit of his remarkable success. As is often the case, the audience got into the act at the end with informed questions and comments. 

In this conversation from The Jazz Cruise '24, Catherine Russell interviewed pianist Renee Rosnes about her upbringing in Canada as a student of classical music who was introduced to jazz by an important mentor. Renee also reflected on working with jazz legends like Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson and James Moody. She also talked about her own music as a longtime bandleader and her very special collaborations with her husband, fellow pianist Bill Charlap. And, of course, about Artemis, the super group she founded that performed on the cruise.

In this interview from Blue Note at Sea '23, noted record producer Don Was spoke with the great percussionist and bandleader Sheila E.  Sheila talked with Don about her unique musical relationship with her father Pete Escovedo and her brothers.  She shared stories of working with legendary artists such as Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson and Prince.  She also explained the mission for her Elevate Oakland community organization.  And she told us about her practice regimen.

This episode features a very special interview with jazz icon Wynton Marsalis by his old friend Christian McBride from The Jazz Cruise earlier this year.  The two have a long history going back to 1984 when Christian was a 14-year-old bassist in Philadelphia and Wynton took him under his wing. He even assured Christian’s mother that we would watch over Christian when he moved to NYC a few years later.  Given their relationship and how they both became mentors to so many musicians across multiple generations, it should come as no surprise that the theme of their conversation here was about mentorship and inspiration. Wynton discussed his unique relationship with the late jazz writer and provocateur Stanley Crouch and with Betty Carter, as well as his connection to so many greats, not only in jazz, but in Black American culture, like Ralph Ellison, August Wilson and Albert Murray. Christian also gave Wynton a three-song Blindfold Test, featuring trumpeters.  You can guess how that went. The two also played a couple of duets.  But throughout their talk, it’s the stories about their elders that resonated.

This episode features an interview with keyboardist/trombonist/bandleader Brian Culbertson by Talaya from The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2023.  Brian talks about recording his first album in his apartment when he was in college at DePaul in Chicago. He also explained how he came to develop his streaming show The Hang and how he recorded numerous albums during the pandemic.  Along the way, Brian shares his creative process for writing, arranging and producing. 

In this conversation recorded during Blue Note at Sea '23, saxophonist David Sanborn talks with his old friend and colleague Marcus Miller about his storied life and career in music. 

In this conversation from Blue Note at Sea '23, host Don Was interviews Christian McBride about his practice regimen for the bass, his early years growing up in Philadelphia, his love of James Brown and how he handles his many roles as a musician, composer, bandleader, radio host and educator.  

This episode recorded on The Smooth Jazz Cruise features an interview with saxophonist Candy Dulfer by one of our hosts Talaya. Candy talked about her very musical upbringing in the Netherlands with her father Hans, a noted jazz saxophonist, as well as her own unique journey, crossing paths and collaborating with Dave Stewart, Prince and Van Morrison, and establishing herself as a solo artist.