Multi-Emmy and Grammy winner, composer/pianist Mike Renzi discusses his work as Music Director for Sesame Street, Mel Tormé, Peggy Lee, Liza and numerous others and reveals what continues to thrill and inspire him about jazz.
Billy Stritch
Billy Stritch returns to "Jazz Inspired," this time onstage at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY to talk, play and sing with Judy. Two Steinways and another great conversation.
Judy talks with pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch fresh from his participation in the 2013 Bobby Short tribute at Jazz at Lincoln Center and discussed how Bobby, Liza and other greats have informed and shaped his music and career.
Steve Ross
Cabaret star Steve Ross was one of Judy's early guests on Jazz Inspired and is not only a close pal of hers but a frequent musical collaborator. We revisit this hilarious conversation (Steve’s one of the funniest people Judy knows) about his long career and how the greats, Cole Porter, Noel Coward and others, continue to inspire him.
Roland Guerin
New Orleans bassist Roland Guerin and Judy met and recorded their conversation and played on stage at the 2013 Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where they discussed Roland's New Orleans roots and favorite jazz.
Gerald French
New Orleans drummer, Gerald French joined Judy onstage at the 2013 Ascona Jazz Festival to discuss his passion for the music of his hometown and his feelings about carrying on the tradition of jazz. Judy also talked him into her playing a few tunes with his band.
Larry King
Jazz pianist/vocalist Larry King discusses his many musical influences from Bill Evans to Ella Fitzgerald and how living and working in Paris has enhanced his creativity.
Duke Heitger
Trumpeter Duke Heitger isn’t a native New Orleanean, but has lived there many years and talked with Judy about the challenges and advantages of a career in this most musical of cities, when you aren’t a native. Recorded onstage at the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Maud Hixson
I talk with vocalist Maud Hixson about her CD Don’t Let A Good Thing Get Away and its focus on the compositions on Mickey Leonard.
Champian Fulton
Pianist/singer, Champian Fulton talks about the advantages of starting a music career outside of L.A. or NY and how her father’s taste in music has influenced her since before her birth. Hint: He held headphones up to her mama’s baby bump. Baby Bud Powell, anyone?
Jay Leonhart
Bassist Jay Leonhart starting playing multiple instruments as a child and by his early teens had his own TV show with his banjo-playing brother Bill. Leonhart eventually found his home on the bass, but kept the variety going with collaborations with everyone from Judy Garland and Carly Simon to Sinatra and Sting.
Jerry Wexler
The late record producer Jerry Wexler has been called "The Godfather of Soul Music" and as a music reporter in the late forties, he coined the term "rhythm and blues" for what had previously been called “Race Records." Jerry generously volunteered to be one of Judy's first interviews for Jazz Inspired. Judy taped her conversation with Jerry at his home in East Hampton, NY in the fall of 2000 where he discussed his life-long love for jazz and how this love influenced his producing style with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and others.
James Gavin
Writer James Gavin discusses his biographies on Chet Baker, Lena Horne and Peggy Lee and the combination of talent and heart that inspired him to write about these three greats.
Bryan Batt
I met with actor and New Orleans native in his home in that fabulous city to discuss Bryan's time on Mad Men, his book about his mother, She's Not Heavy, She's My Mother, and his continuing love for the city of his birth.
Ruth Leon
British writer/producer Ruth Leon has been a presence on the Broadway and West End Theater scene for years, with books and criticism on the subject and with her production work in television and radio. Ruth discusses her new position as program director for London’s elegant cabaret venue, Le Crazy Coqs at the Brasserie Zedel, and why this room is thriving when similar venues are closing in America.
John Boutté
Vocalist/composer John Boutte, like many of his fellow New Orleaneans, grew up surrounded by music in the streets and in his home, but unlike most of his fellow natives, he went on to a career in the military after graduating with a degree in business. With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Nat Cole, John’s vocal style is swinging and unique. John wrote and sang the theme for the HBO series Treme but sees the fame he’s gained from this as giving him freedom to make the music he wants, rather than a road to stardom.
Gene Casey
With his group The Lone Sharks, Gene carries on the tradition of Western Swing, roots music and old style rock and roll. He discusses the continuing appeal of this music and his soundtrack writing for “Justified”, “Sons of Anarchy” and “The Killing Season”.
Steve Brown
The great British drummer discusses his wide range of influences and his work with Scott Hamilton, John Bunch, Barry Harris and other jazz giants.
Freddy Cole
The late pianist/vocalist Freddy Cole was a smooth, classy presence on the jazz scene, still traveling until Covid-19 shut down the music business. He was just as opinionated and enthusiastic about jazz as he was when he was a much younger man. Freddy passed away in June 2020. This is my 2014 conversation with him, recorded in a Shelter Island, NY restaurant where he would be performing later that night. I live in Sag Harbor, just across the water, so this was a lucky break to have him close by and willing to have a jazz inspired conversation.
Roy Scheider
The late Roy Scheider was inspired to be an actor by the collaborative creativity he saw with the jazz groups he heard as a young man. Roy was a life-long music-lover, first falling for the heartfelt songs of Country Western music, and later, for the joyful sounds of New Orleans jazz. Roy felt life is music, and in particular, saw a special connection between the art of acting and jazz.