March 2020: John Harvey
WICR's Keshon Griffin spoke with Jazz artist John Harvey about the album "Big Band of Brothers" which is a jazz celebration of the Allman Brothers Band. The first time Harvey saw the Allman Brothers Band perform live was in 1972. Harvey says that today his affection for the Allman Brothers Band runs deep, and his fascination with the power and elegance of big band is equally enduring.
December 2019: Ada Rovatti
WICR's Isaias Jackson Jr. spoke with jazz artist Ada Rovatti about her recent album "Sacred Bond" with Randy Brecker. Brecker and Rovatti first met in 1996 and got married in 2001. The album title "Sacred Bond" comes from the sacred bond that Rovatti and their 10 year old daughter Stella have together.
November 2019: Rich Willey's Boptism Funk Band
WICR's Brody Butcher spoke with jazz trumpeter and band leader Rich Willey. Rich Willey is the lead musician for Rich Willey's Boptism Funk Band. Just this year, they released their newest album, Conspiracy. The album started as just an idea that made itself bigger than they had ever envisioned it to be. Rich also made his own big band album earlier this year while also playing on 8 of the 12 songs!
October 2019: Tucker Brothers
WICR's Thomas Gismondi spoke with jazz bassist, Nick and guitarist, Joel. Members of the Tucker Brothers. After releasing albums in 2015 and 2017, Joel and Nick returned in July 2019 with the latest Tucker Brothers Group album, Two Parts. This album is a display of two siblings' dual evolution as jazz musicians. The brothers have differentiated styles, but they are unified in this collection of songs.
September 2019: Richie Cole
WICR's Thomas Gismondi spoke with jazz saxophonist Richie Cole about his collaborative album, The Keys of Cool featuring Tony Monaco. Cole was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. He has always loved the jazz and blues of the Hammond B-3 and that brought him to playing with some of the best organ players in the area. Cole's partner Tony Monaco introduced memories of swinging days in funky joints. Cole was inspired once again for jazz, jazz, jazz!
August 2019: Karina Corradini
WICR's Thomas Gismondi spoke with jazz vocalist Karina Corradini about her debut recording album, Bridge to Infinity. Karina was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At 18 she sang professionally with her sextet, 'Karina Corradini and the Summer Band.' By the time she moved to the United States in 1999 she was one of the busiest jazz singers in Buenos Aires. After years of development Karina has perfected an album filled with romantic ballads, swinging standards, boleros and bossa-novas.
July 2019: Lisa Maxwell
WICR's Thomas Gismondi spoke with jazz composer and arranger Lisa Maxwell about her debut release, Shiny!. Lisa has orchestrated for Warner Bros, led the horns section of Guns n Roses, and been featured on several television shows including: Sons of Anarchy, Person of Interest, Dexter, Four Weddings, and more. Her album, dedicated to the late trumpet player Lew Soloff, is filled with fresh, swingin', and funky arrangements.