Felix Contreras

Award-winning journalist, music critic and co-creator/host of NPR’s Alt Latino, Felix Contreras has the widest range of music he adores of anyone I know. He’s an international ambassador of Latin music and art but can just as easily rhapsodize about his love for The Grateful Dead, jazz, and the Beatles and explain poetically how it all connects.

Felix and I met at NPR in 2001 when Jazz Inspired was part of a show called, “Jazz Riffs” and Felix was the Executive Director of the series. 

Felix has been a dear friend ever since, and a tireless supporter of Jazz Inspired, so it was a treat and honor to finally have him on the show.

Sam Dunn & Nina Clark

British singer/songwriter, Nina Clark and British guitarist Sam Dunn are a special pair. They can swing like mad, or break your heart on a jazz standard, then be equally effective in other stylistic directions from rock and pop to Country and soul.  

Sam and Nina’s CD Easy Loving celebrates the collaboration of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass, and the unique character of this pair whose music continues to inspire and inform Sam and Nina their own unique duo.

John Pizzarelli Two

Guitarist/vocalist, John Pizzarelli has enjoyed a long career delighting audiences with his swinging music and charming stage presence.  As the son of famed guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John was exposed not only to Bucky’s talents growing up, but to the jazz greats in Bucky’s orbit. 

John and I have known each other since the early days of our careers, so today’s conversation was a fun reunion and a chance to talk about John’s new CD, Dear Mr. Bennett, which celebrates his friendship with Tony Bennett and the many ways Tony’s music continues to inspire him.

Julie Benko

Actor, singer and writer Julie Benko made that exciting understudy to star journey we all love with her celebrated turn as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl in 2022 when she stepped in and wowed critics and audiences alike. Her performance earned a Dorothy Loudon Award for excellence in Theatre, and the NY Times named her The Breakout Star in Theater in 2022.

I saw her onstage as Emma Goldman in the Broadway revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center two days before this conversation, where we talked about her Broadway adventures and her latest CD Euphonic Gumbo, produced with her husband, jazz pianist Jason Yeager. Euphonic Gumbo celebrates Julie and Jason’s longtime love for New Orleans music. 

Betty Bryant Two

Pianist and cheeky singer/songwriter is a model for how to go through life with humor, joy and purpose.  It makes sense that at 96, most would have things figured out if they’ve decided to stay around and keep doing what they love.

Betty came to Jazz Inspired to discuss her CD Lotta Livin’ in 2024 and at the time was a bit nervous about participating in a long-form interview.  To her delight, she had a ball and agreed to come back for a second conversation, this time about her CD Nothin’ Better to Do, along with her friend and frequent musical collaborator, multi-instrumentalist, Rob Kyle, whom you’ll hear chime in now and then.

Leonard Maltin Two

Film critic, historian, podcast host, educator and, although he rarely admits it, jazz pianist, Leonard Maltin is a tireless evangelist for the music and movies he loves.

Leonard agreed to be one of my first guests on Jazz Inspired, a generous move on his part since he’d been doing this sort of thing for years and I’d been doing it for two minutes.  For thirty years, Leonard provided movie reviews and Hollywood insights on Entertainment Tonight, and every now and then, he’d sneak in a jazz feature, which he did on me in 1992, a gift that gave a tremendous boost to my career.

Leonard is as busy as ever, teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts, lecturing, writing, and talking movies with his daughter Jessie on their podcast Maltin on Movies. I’ve seen Leonard many times since our first chat on this show in 2000 and thought it was time to check in with his latest activities.

Ken Peplowski One

Clarinetist/saxophonist, Ken Peplowski had his first professional gig when still in elementary school and went on to play with everyone from Marianne Faithfull and Leon Redbone to Peggy Lee and Charlie Byrd.  

Ken was only sixty-six when he passed away February 1, 2026 after a five-year battle with multiple myeloma. Ken was a joyful, generous spirit and one of the first musicians I played with when I came to New York when we were paired in a jazz festival in front of thousands.  I was nervous and he was cool, and his lovely attitude carried me along musically and otherwise, so no one knew I was shaking in my boots except me.

This is the first of my two-part conversation with Ken, recorded in 2016 in Manhattan.

Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz

Venezuelan pianist, Otmaro Ruiz and Brazilian vocalist Catina DeLuna’s latest CD, Lado B Brazilian Project 2, features less well known songs from the Brazilian songbook, and fresh arrangements of some of the classics.

Lado B, means B Side. Catina and Otmaro thought it would be a fun pursuit to record these often forgotten tunes they both consider as interesting as the celebrated A side cuts.  

These are two fabulous musician who are unusually articulate in explaining their process so this was a fascinating and enlightening conversation. They’re also loads of fun.

Sinne Eeg

Danish singer Sinne Eeg has been celebrated internationally with numerous awards, including the French Order of Arts and Letters. Her CD Shikiori is another first, a duo recording with her longtime pianist, Jacob Christoffersen. 

The CD was recorded in the Japanese country home of bassist Saigo Matsunaga. The house is named Shikiori which means “A place where hearts return” making it the perfect intimate environment for a dreamy recording that is all about the heart.

Nicole Zuraitis Two

Singer/songwriter/pianist, Nicole Zuraitis has a big heart and a big voice to match.  She leans into both to spread her love and art around, always hoping to make the world a better place.

Nicole first appeared on Jazz Inspired to discuss her CD How Love Begins, which went on to win a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.  She won a second Grammy the following year, along with her husband, drummer Dan Pugach. Now, Live at Vic’s Las Vegas, her first recorded live, has two Grammy Nominations. I was curious how this recognition has changed her life and what she’s discovered from the experience.

Christian McBride

Eleven-time Grammy-winning bassist, bandleader, composer and voice of Jazz Night in America, Christian McBride, is everywhere all at once. You’d think he’d wear out, but no, he’s tirelessly passionate about it all and can’t wait to dive into the next project, whatever that might be.

I discussed it all with Christian and his latest CD at the time, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, which features his big band and some of his favorite musicians, from famous longtime collaborators like Sting and Dianne Reeves, to newer voices like Antoinette Henry and Samara Joy.

Ira B. Liss & Dan Radlauer

Like many creative artists during the pandemic, saxophonist/band leader Ira Liss and multi-instrumentalist/composer Dan Radlauer were inspired by their unexpected gift of time. They had collaborated previously on a number of projects but with this CD, they did something unusual. Dan and Ira invited musicians not usually associated with jazz to perform with Ira’s big band with arrangements by Dan.  

Artists as diverse as Country Music’s Vince Gill and jazz recorder virtuoso Tali Rubinstein—and everyone in between—jumped at this unique opportunity to play or sing with a big band with original compositions by Dan or songs of their choosing. The result is the CD, Unexpected Guests.

Antonio Adolfo Two

Brazilian composer/pianist Antonio Adolfo grew up listening to and being influenced by the music of Cole Porter, a favorite composer he celebrates on his CD, Love Cole Porter. Aldolfo feels there is a natural synergy between jazz, the American songbook and especially the poetic sounds of this favorite composer.

 I talked with Adolfo from his home in Rio de Janeiro.

Jonathan Stout

Guitarist, bandleader, swing dancer, and occasional lawyer, Jonathan Stout loves swing music and diving into the specifics of what makes that music so appealing.  Plenty of doctors, lawyers and those in other fields play music on the side, but Jonathan is the first virtuosic musician I’ve met who does a bit of lawyering on the side.

We talk discuss all this, Jonathan’s latest CD, the enduring appeal of this engaging musical style. 

Melissa Errico

Tony Award-nominated actress, singer, writer Melissa Errico started singing at eleven, and with her pianist father, trumpet-playing brother and Melissa on vocals, they would--in her words--make guerrilla assaults on her neighbor’s pianos, going from door to door as a kind of Italian Partridge family, inviting themselves in to entertain anyone who’d have them.  These adventures and others made clear where Melissa’s life was headed. 

Tom Gold

I first experienced the artistry of ballet dancer/choreographer, Tom Gold at the premiere of his French Cinema-inspired piece, Le Voyage in April 2025 in Manhattan.  Although Tom was a twenty-one year member of New York City Ballet and the founder/director of his own company since 2008, I was new to his work.  Imagine my delight when the music accompanying the dancing was jazz performed by vocalist Olivia Chindamo, pianist Matthew Sheens with bassist Marty Jaffe. 

Tom Gold is a life-long jazz lover and feels the improvisational aspect and rhythmic feel of jazz have always touched something deep inside him and influenced his approach to dance and life.

Matthew Sheens

Australian pianist/composer Matthew Sheens listens intently, whether playing music or having a conversation.  Matthew’s musical inspirations range from Herbie Hancock to Kurt Rosenwickel to George Russell and everything in between so I knew a fun conversation about it all was in store.

I met Matthew in April 2025 shortly after he became an American citizen, something he didn’t plan on when he came to the States on scholarship to the New England Conservatory but rather a reality that unfolded as he fell in love with New York and its unique music scene. Before and after this milestone Matthew won numerous awards and commissions and when we spoke in September 2025, he’d just finished an untitled CD of original compositions which we preview during our conversation.

Stella Cole

Vocalist Stella Cole is a romantic and not afraid to show it.  In our time when so much is slick or ironic, Stella chooses to be sincere and sing from the heart, digging deep into the emotional journey of a song, always with a bit of hope shining through, reflecting the classic musicals of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s that she loved as a child.

Stella has toured with Post Modern Jukebox, with her own band, and now, three albums later, she’s off and running with loads of fans who include her twenty-something contemporaries, those who heard some of those songs originally, and everyone in between.

Bevan Manson One & Two

Pianist, composer Bevan Manson’s CD Talking to Trees, was inspired by his love of nature and his fears for it, as global warming continues to threaten our environment.

Bevan grew up with a jazz musician father who played his great record collection for Bevan, as well as a healthy dose of classical music. Loving it all, Bevan ignored the pop music of his day, and instead, dove into piano lessons at seven, went on to study at Eastman School of Music, to teach at UC Berkeley, and eventually, to write for film and TV. 

Talking to Trees includes Bevan’s original compositions along with fresh takes on well-known classics, all honoring the importance of our natural environment. We had so much fun that I made this a two-part show!

Melinda Rose & Frenchy Romero

Longtime friends and musical collaborators, vocalist Melinda Rose and pianist Frenchy Romero first met in their teens during a weekly jam session in Miami, then stayed in touch with mutual support and encouragement as they continued studying and developing their individual creative visions.  Now, after years of gigging and teaching together and on their own, they’ve joined forces on their first CD as a team, I’m On My Way, a collection of standards and originals.