Music Life and Times

EP89: Supportive Club Owners

Some of the best places in America and around the world to play music are provided by club owners who see their role not as businesses designed to create profits, but as

EP88: The Upside of Jazz with Joe Alterman

On Saturday evenings at 7:00 on WABE 90.1 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate in Atlanta, jazz pianist Joe Alterman hosts a show titled “The Upside of Jazz.” The show

EP87: Play for Someone You Love

Rich Matteson was a jazz euphoniumist, rare enough in itself, but also a legendary teacher who started the jazz studies program at the University of North Florida. He rec

EP86: The People Along the Way

Inspired by Kevin's story in Episode 83 about how several people went out of their way to help him, against all odds, to get to an international performance, Mike talks a

EP85: Music Pays You In So Many Ways

 As one of the most in-demand products in the world, music offers lots of career opportunities. With the right amount of work and dedication, musicians can make a very go

EP84: Authenticity Revisited

One of the life lessons you learn, learning to play music is how to be authentic. In music it means developing your own style and individual expression. Of course, you ar

EP83: Joe Gransden's “The Future of Jazz”

Like many accomplished jazz musicians, renowned trumpeter, vocalist and big band leader Joe Gransden is mindful of the need to play a role in ensuring the survival of tha

EP82: Jamie Hood - The Joy of Playing and Giving Back

Jamie Hood is the owner-operator of the digital marketing agency, Jamie Hood Creative/Marketing, but also a lifelong musician. That experience and his passion to “give ba

EP81: Taking Risks

Sonny Rollins passed away on May 25 at the of 95. The legendary saxophonist of the bebop era and beyond was famously unhappy with his performances. But the occasional bad

EP80: Will Scruggs and Churchill Grounds at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Center

Will Scruggs is a noted jazz saxophonist with a head for business and a major commitment to the sustainability of jazz in the city of Atlanta. That has led Will on a thre

EP79: Confidence, Not Arrogance

2026 Super Bowl winning quarterback Sam Darnold was once considered a “draft bust.” Interviewed after his Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots, Darnold told repor

EP78: The Psychedelic Buddy Red

Guitarist Buddy Red describes his music as “psychedelic.” The son of Atlanta rapper T.I., a pioneer of trap music, the 26-year-old Red has adopted a style more closely as

EP77: J.Paul Whitehead: Getting Back to My Music

It's not an uncommon story: Musicians take another course in life to ensure a steady enough career to support themselves and their families. But sometimes, they have the

EP76: The Eclectic World of Steve Williams

Steve Williams is a multifaceted musician: composer, arranger, saxophonist. His depth of expertise and versatility has led him over his more than 50 years of playing and

EP75: Mica Bethea - Persistence and Determination

In 2005, Mica Bethea, a 21-year-old jazz student at the University of North Florida, was driving back to campus when he was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer in stand-still

EP74: Musicians Are Entrepreneurs

An entrepreneur is defined as someone who starts or owns a business and is willing to take on the related risks. As a musician, your business is your career, and while yo

EP73: Howard Paul Part II: Savannah Jazz

Howard Paul is well known and respected as a highly accomplished jazz guitarist. But he is also a pillar of the Savannah, Georgia music community. He has served as Savann

EP72: Music and Ministry - Timothy J Mercaldo

Reverend Timothy J. Mercaldo is a professional musician and, for more than 35 years, an evangelical minister who uses music as his primary way to connect with people. Wit

EP71: Howard Paul, Guitarist and Guitar Maker

Howard R. Paul is one of those rare individuals with the talent and energy to successfully navigate a dual career as business person and jazz musician. Paul has establish

EP70: The Versatile Bassist Chris Riggenbach

Through 20-something years of his post-graduate professional music career, Bassist Chris Riggenbach has compiled an impressive resume based on his versatility. Playing ce