Composer/Producer/Bassist Greg Reeves discusses his latest CD and the influence his physical surroundings had on his music.
Robert Redford
When I first conceived of Jazz Inspired, Academy Award, BAFTA and two-time Golden Globe-winning director, actor, producer, Robert Redford was the first person I thought of as the ideal guest, a creative artist I admired greatly who loved jazz and was inspired by it.
I tried every imaginable way to get to him but never managed it until, in 2005, he invited me to bring my trio to the Sundance Film Festival which he thought would be a stimulating addition to the lineup of films being shown.
I took advantage of the moment and asked him to sit down for a conversation on Jazz Inspired while we'd be in the same place at the same time. He loved the concept of the show and generously spent two hours with me, one before we recorded, just to get to know each other. Happily, Bob (yes, I wound up calling him Bob at his insistence) brought me back multiple times for other events, all highlights of my career.
Robert Redford died September 16, 2025 in his home in Sundance at the age of 89. Here we celebrate his extraordinary life with our 2005 conversation.
Paul Prudhomme
Chef Paul discusses his childhood as one of 13 siblings (and how one cooks for such a brood) and talks about the similarities between being a great chef and being a great jazz musician.
John Pizzarelli
Singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli talks about working with his famous dad Bucky and the influence singer/songwriters of his youth have had on his music. Hint: John REALLY wanted to be...
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Bucky Pizzarelli
Jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli died April 1, 2020 from Covid 19 at the age of 94. Bucky continued to perform into his 90s, even after a stroke and pneumonia led to several hospitalizations in 2015 and 2016. In spite of all that, by the end of 2016, Bucky was back in action.
I was the Artistic Director for a festival in Brazil for years and in 2009 brought Bucky as one of my featured acts. This was a festival in six different cities, so I had a lot of tricky logistics to deal with and many cranky musicians. Bucky, then 83, was the sharpest dresser, never complained, was always cheerful and the first to be ready for his soundcheck. He was a wonderful role model for everyone, an example of a life well-lived. This is my 2010 conversation with Bucky about playing with everyone from Benny Goodman to Stephane Grappelli and why it’s so hard to find musicians today who play great rhythm guitar.
Michelle Pirret
Young vocalist Michelle Pirret talks about the difficulties of finding your own sound in the pop world today.
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David Parsons
Dancer/choreographer David Parsons talks about capitalizing on improvisation and the input of his dancers when creating a piece, and his passion for creating with jazz musicians, most notably, his work with the late Billy Taylor.
Ken Page
Broadway star Ken Page (Ain't Misbehavin', Cats) and movie actor (Dreamgirls) talks about the way jazz used to influence stage performers and how he misses that influence in many performers today.
Charles Osgood
My 2003 conversation with the late radio personality and host of CBS Sunday Morning Charles Osgood who passed away in January 2024. Osgood compares jazz playing and his own writing for radio and TV and talks about having a recording studio early in his career and recording the celebrating Jazz Samba album with Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz.
Ed Ornowski
Jazz drummer discusses his work with the great tap dancers and working with everyone from Renee Fleming to Bob Dorough.
Robert O'Meally
Author and head of jazz studies at Columbia University, Robert O'Meally talks about his book on the jazz writings of Ralph Ellison.
Hugh O'Conor
Irish actor Hugh O'Conor (Chocolat, My Left Foot) talks about his favorite jazz and growing up in a house filled with the classical piano music of his father, concert pianist John O'Conor.
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Ron Nyswaner
Academy Award winning screenwriter ("Philadelphia") Ron Nyswaner discusses the importance of music in all his movies, and how often his soundtracks act as another "character" in his films.
Jaqui Naylor
Singer/Songwriter Jaqui Naylor combines pop and jazz in what she calls "acoustic smashing". Jacqui feels her love for jazz and her roots in that tradition is what allows her to make this all come together.
Nanette Natal
Singer/songwriter Nanette Natal reveals why 70's style activist songs, even done in a jazz style, are needed today more than ever.
Lee Musiker
Jazz pianist/conductor talks about working with some of the great jazz vocalists of our time and his present gigs as musical director for Tony Bennett and Barbara Cook.
Mark Murphy
Judy’s 2005 conversation with the late jazz vocalist Mark Murphy, who was known for his breathtaking technique and passionate performances. Mark worked with top musicians throughout his long career, but felt his collaboration with German trumpeter Til Brunner enabled him to express something much deeper in his music. This conversation was recorded shortly after that collaboration.
Matt Munisteri
Guitarist/vocalist Matt Munisteri talks about drawing on jazz and western swing for his unique approach to playing and composing.
Max Morath
Ragtime pianist and author discusses how popular music and jazz has influenced our history and culture.
Tony Monte
Jazz pianist Tony Monte died in November of this year. Tony was a personal friend and collaborator and one of the first people I met when I started my career in NYC, a tireless cheerleader to me and to those he loved in the music business. Tony composed for TV and radio, working with talents as diverse as Peggy Lee and Carly Simon. Here we revisit my 2005 conversation with Tony Monte recorded in NYC.