Vocalist Jane Monheit was slatted to be the "next Diana Krall", in the early years of her career. Jane discusses the pressure she felt from this expectation and her decision to go her own way and resist her handlers urging to follow a commercial route.
Jessica Molaskey
Singer and Broadway performer Jessica Molaskey talks about her work with husband John Pizzarelli and her CD tribute to Peggy Lee.
Peter Mintun
Peter Mintun, doesn't consider himself a jazz pianist, but rather a pianist specializing in jazz age tunes. Peter was smitten with 20's and 30's music from a young age, and now, after years of playing it, and befriending many of the composers and performers from this period, he's become an authority and archivist of this musical period, and shared with me his thoughts on what makes this music so special and enduring.
Paul L. Mills
Poet Paul L. Mills started his career as a street poet in the 70's and at that time the NY Times described him "as a voice musician, a young man with a flow of words like a river, like a jazz instrument." Paul developed a considerable following around the world for his unique presentations, but in the late 80's changed directions and studied literature and then law, eventually practicing civil rights and criminal defense.
John Miller
As a bass player, John Miller has played with everyone from Madonna to Sinatra, but at long last, has recorded his first CD as vocalist/guitarist under his own name.
Butch Miles
Drummer Butch Miles talks about his years with the Basie band and the importance of a great education and constant practice to play at a high level.
Roger Michell
My 2003 conversation with stage and film director Roger Michell, who died September 2021 at the age of 65. Emotional truth was Roger’s focus, whether directing Shakespeare on stage, a television comedy, an edgy, intense film like Changing Lanes or his most famous film, the romantic comedy Notting Hill.
Roger loved jazz and felt it shared his focus on emotional truth. Throughout his career, he used his favorite jazz recordings to inspire his stage and film projects.
I met Roger Michell on a QEII crossing from England to NYC, where I was performing and he was lecturing. We became friends and agreed to meet during my next U.K. visit to have the following conversation for Jazz Inspired, which we recorded at the BBC studios in London.
Andrea Marcovicci
Cabaret star discusses her first ever Christmas CD and how jazz and improvisation has influenced her cabaret work.
Michelle Manzo
Vocalist Michelle Manzo's vocal influences range from Celia Cruz to Sarah Vaughan. This wide range of influences and her four-octave range contribute to her powerful and unique sound.
Marilyn Maye
Eighty years young at the time of our interview and now still going strong at 96! Marilyn performs with the energy a 40-year-old would envy and a talent that Johnny Carson honored a record seventy times on his Tonight Show.
Leonard Maltin
We revisit Judy’s conversation from 2000 (one of her first for Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired) with author and film critic and film historian Leonard Maltin, where he discusses his favorite jazz, his own piano playing and his four-hand duet with Judy on Entertainment Tonight early in Judy’s career.
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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