My 2000 conversation (one of my first for Jazz Inspired) with author, film critic and film historian Leonard Maltin. We discuss Leonard’s favorite jazz, growing up in a musical family, his own piano playing and his four-hand duet with me on Entertainment Tonight early in my career. Yup, Leonard did a five minute feature on me for ET. In TV terms that’s VERY long. These days even Taylor wouldn’t get five minutes on ET, so this was a career changing moment for me that I owe to Leonard.
Richard Maltby
Tony Award winning director/lyricist Richard Maltby discusses his Fats Waller inspired play "Ain't Misbehavin'", his screenwriting, and how jazz influences everything he creates.
Maude Maggart
Cabaret singer and sister of pop star Fiona Apple discusses her Irving Berlin tribute CD and future collaborations with her sister.
Darlene Love
Vocalist/actress Love first received acclaim in "girl groups" of the 60's and later as an actress playing Danny Glover's wife in the Lethal Weapon series. Darlene discusses how her current role in "Hairspray" on Broadway confronts issues she lived through in the 60's and how her love of jazz influences everything she sings.
Eddie Locke
Jazz Drummer Eddie Locke discusses his long tenure in jazz and his work with Roy Eldridge and other jazz greats.
Peter Levinson
Jazz biographer talks about his books on Fred Astaire and Tommy Dorsey and their importance in the development of jazz.
Michael Law
British singer/pianist, Michael Law, finds the jazz feel in the music of Cole Porter and Noel Coward and especially sees a jazz-like timing in the humor of both.
Stacey Kent
Vocalist talks about her influences from Ella to Barbara Streisand and how living in Europe influences her approach to jazz.
Jon-Erik Kellso
Trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso talks about his enduring love for jazz and classical music, and the importance of a childhood surrounded by music.
Ashley Kahn
Author/jazz critic Ashley Kahn discusses his books "Kind of Blue The Making of the Miles Davis Classic" and "A Love Supreme the Making of John Coltraine's Signature Album".
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Michael Kaeshammer
Boogie pianist Michael Kaeshammer talks about bringing this music to a younger generation.
Bo Joseph
Painter/sculptor, Bo Joseph, compares his process to that of a jazz musician and discusses how music changes what he creates.
Mike Jones
Jazz pianist Mike Jones talks about his steady gig playing with Penn (of Penn and Teller) Jillette before Penn's Vegas magic show every night and making contemporary piano rolls at the 100 year old QRS company.
Tim Johnson
Animation Director Tim Johnson, of DreamWorks Animation, talks about his feature film, "Over the Hedge" and the importance of music in animation.
Penn Jillette
One-half of the magic duo Penn & Teller, Penn Jillette discusses his bass playing during the pre-show of his Vegas act, and how jazz has changed his life.
Adrian Jackson
Artistic Director of the Wangaratte Jazz Festival talks about the challenges and joys of producing Australia's largest jazz festival.
Stuart Isacoff
Author and pianist explains how the openness and improvisation of jazz has affected his writings and creative endeavors and discusses his fascinating book, Temperament: The Idea That Solved Music’s Greatest Riddle.
Keith Ingham
British jazz pianist talks about how he went from being an Oxford-graduated language scholar to working with actor Peter Sellars and being a top jazz pianist.
Dick Hyman
Pianist/composer Dick Hyman has enjoyed a fascinatingly diverse musical career, recording under his own name, collaborating with others, acting as musical director for movies and television and playing concerts. Dick has an unusually astute understanding of jazz history and the stylistic elements that distinguish the piano giants who created this music. Dick shared his thoughts on these players and how they’ve influenced his own creativity when I recorded this coversation in 2006.
Cady Huffman
Tony award winning actress Cady Huffman talks about her hilarious turn as Ulla in "The Producers", learning about jazz through Mr. Rogers, and how she combines her Broadway roots and her love for jazz in her vocal performances.