Episode 38: “You’re a Funny Guy”

Episode 41 belongs to the trumpet, the first prominent voice in jazz. Doc Cheatham, a first generation jazzer, and Harry “Sweets” Edison, of the second generation, share their stories.

We end Season 5 as we began, with a variety of jazz life stories. From piano nightmares to surviving on potatoes and onions, these cats have seen it all. See you on the flip side.

Your host, Monk Rowe, directs the spotlight on himself and speaks about licks, riffs, bumper music, inspiration and the creative process.

Find a gathering of jazz musicians and you’ll hear laughter and humorous stories galore. Lou Marini, Dave Pell, Jake Hanna, Bill Watrous and Joe Wilder make Episode 38 one to smile about.

The celebrated jazz masters all had a distinctive sound. Ernie Watts, Phil Woods, Holly Hofmann, Sweets Edison and others offer their thoughts on how to develop your own audio trademark.

The term “backing up a soloist” does not do justice to the distinct skill of making an artist sound their best. Norman Simmons, Mike Longo, Howard Alden, Al Grey, Gregory Caputo and Michael Moore enlighten us on the art of accompanying.

What makes a singer a “jazz” vocalist? Joe Williams, Janis Siegel, Giacomo Gates and Dianne Reeves address this question and offer advice for those aspiring to that label.

The role of women in jazz has come a long way from the days when big bands featured their “chirper” or “chickadees” on a few brief songs per night. Vi Redd, Sherri Maricle, Ann Rabson, Marian McPartland and others share their experiences in what was traditionally a man’s world.

Season 5 kicks off with a sampler of memorable anecdotes that cover a range of topics from Basie to barracudas. We hear from Skitch Henderson, Benny Powell, Joe Wilder, Chubby Jackson, Ruth Brown, Iola Brubeck.

The jazz life is not an easy one and the life skills learned along the path can be relevant to anyone, in any field of endeavor. Season 4 ends with profound statements from Charles McPherson, Stefon Harris, Karolina Strassmayer, Maria Schneider, Denis DiBlasio, Joe Williams, Harold Ousley and Gregory Caputo.