Robin is the author of “Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original” that was published in 2009 and recently released in paperback. This biography of Thelonius Monk explored his life and career as one of the most prominent jazz musicians. It is a great read especially if you couple it with his recordings. Robin is currrently a professor at Univerisity of Southern California and University of California at Los Angeles. Robin will be visiting with Chris Cortez.

Come hear Joyce Randolph talk about her music and tell her stories. Joyce currently sings with several local gospel church groups and teaches piano to sixty students in San Jose. Recently she did a concert in San Jose and the SJ Mercury News told her story( http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_19064475 ). Be sure to check out her music on her web site at http://www.joycerandolph.com/audio.htm . The audio clips from June 5, 2010 are not to be missed.

Michel just completed his new CD “Shot Through with Beauty” with the John Stowall Michel Zilber Quartet. In addition he was just at Piedmont Piano in Oakland with his trio. Come here what he has to say about all his projects and fun stuff that is going on.

Read the rest of this entry »

Celia Ihne is the host of open mike night at the Berkeley City Club on Durant Ave in Berkeley. The Berkeley City Club is a wonderful building designed by the architect of Hearst Castle,  Julia Morgan. Open Mike night happens on Monday’s. Tune in and see what Celia is working on and what projects are in the works.

Ed Reed has had a long hard life. He grew up in Watts in LA during the 30s and 40s. A heroin addiction cost him several stints in San Quentin and Folsom prisons. Ed’s first recording were released in 2007. Today Ed sings and teaches at the Jazz School in Berkeley. He performs mostly in the Bay Area but will be at Sculler’s in Boston in Jan. Come here his stories on I’m Talkin’ Jazz.

A friend of mine shared this track with me on Facebook. It is real nice.

Five Spot After Dark – Curtis Fuller

Curtis Fuller has had a long and rich jazz career playing trombone. He has been a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie’s band, Count Basie’s band and more. Now in his 70′s he leads his own group and is releasing his new CD “I Will Tell Her”, a tribute to his late wife.

A traditional hard bop player Curtis has been named a NEA Jazz Master in 2007. Read his interview at

Curtis Fuller NEA Jazz Master interview

Chris Cortez will be chatting with Chris Potter. Chris has been on tour with McCoy Tyner and is currently playing with his trio in NY.

Read the rest of this entry »

Long time Bay Area pianist Larry Vuckovich will be talking to Mal Sharpe this Sunday 11 Dec. If you get a chance catch his 75th birthday celebration on Dec 10 at Piedmont Piano in Oakland. Also check out his music at his web site http://www.larryvuckovich.com/listen.asp . Lots of good listening there.

Ken Peplowski was here this last summer at the Stanford Jazz Festival. He currently is play with Bucky Pizzarelli in NYC. Come here what he has been up to.

Read the rest of this entry »

Organist Barbara Dennerlein is at home with jazz on a Hammond B3 as well as a full church pipe organ. Barbara started playing when she was 11 and now has been playing for over 35 years. She has played with many of the jazz artists as well as German classical musicians like pianist Friedrich Gulda. Listen in as she visits with us at KCSM.

Read the rest of this entry »