The Ava Renn Interview

When I tell my friends that I'm interviewing Jack DeJohnette everyone has their own image. For drummers they might Identify with technique and musicality, for avid fans it might conjure associations with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson and the ECM label. For this host Jack DeJohnette represents a titan of humanity who was one of the leaders of a revolution in music and sociology. He was talented enough to play with major figures and emotionally connected to the individual and the music. This was coupled by the institutions of music who embodied the true essence of art.What I admire most about Jack is his ability to come in to a session of lesser known but equally talented cats and make everyone feel comfortable and swing the band. This combination enhanced countless sessions and made for a more accessible and tolerant atmosphere. In summation, don't resent those who are not as strong but enhance the social paradigm by sharing your genius. Jack DeJohnette welcome to the JFS.

"Dave Brubeck helped shape my musical life. He was incredibly honest and fearless in his musical directions. A mixture of classical and jazz in his improvisations mixed with odd time signatures and a joyful and playful approach towards experimenting. His music was never boring and always accessible. Too hip to try to be hip. He taught me how to be myself by always being himself in his music. If you can find it, check out Stardust, recorded back in the 50’s on Fantasy Records."George Marsh

Singer and band leader talks about her early experiences with the divine and navigating creative control as a female within the music racket.

Dynamic hip hop artist talks about owning his own truth in this life and channeling that mission within his music.

My guest today is traversing the United States in a bus with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. That's New Orleans but so is the salty blues and the Afro jazz that Ellis Marsalis and Harold Batiste have been playing for decades.My guest came of age when labels began to define music. Race records>R&B but when Elvis started singing that music it became rock. My guest had to learn how to advocate in a metropolitan center, a gumbo of odd Meters and Native Americans playing funky beats, pulsating rhythms that echo with the sounds of Congo Square.Sea-Side Records became the operation headquarters as my guest reaped the treasure brought in by younger bands playing his tunes. I think of Lowell George and Little Feat, Levon Helm and The Band and old Medicine Show buddy Mac Rebenack playing at The Blue Cat where the strippers would dance to Duke Ellington tunes.....@/)His understanding of the industry allowed him to expand his musical repertoire and become a leader of Love Life and Faith. Those are two of the L's of the Jake Feinberg Show.Albums on Reprise spoke of the Strut, hand to mouth relationships that some of us know. to sweet Louisiana soul from the bogs and swamps and fried alligator gumbo stew of The Big Easy with the Meters as his rhythm section playing a center of the universe boogie with danceable Southern Night after Night after Night.....He has witnessed the music industry shrink into a small business, he's seen the infiltration of click tracks and the elimination of bleed through radio channels, shrinking live music venues and a new generation of musicians raised on electronic beats to pacify rather than inspire. Messages that denigrate as opposed to uplift. From the Sanctified Churches to the Mega Church.....it all rolls into one.I'll Take A Melody - Allan Toussaint welcome to the JFS

Prolific rhythm maker talks about his concept of time and how he integrates that within different musical contexts including Guava Tree.

Conduit to the divine talks about the songs that have come through her since she was a young girl growing up in Nigeria.

A couple of musical brothers talk about the first iteration of 3rd Borough and their intentions going forward in its newest configuration.

Lebanese musician who sings in English talks about overcoming personal and physical hardships as he enters a new chapter of his musical career.

Boogaloo Lou talks about playing the blues in the ghetto and being a mentor to younger jazz cats.