Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton 7/26-8/1
Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton have individually and collectively won, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and on and on. Emma’s father, costume, set and production designer, Tony Walton (who passed away in 2022) won three Tonys, an Academy Award and an Emmy. Yes, it’s a talented family.
Emma and Julie have written thirty-five children’s books, many illustrated by Tony. Their latest, Waiting in the Wings, is based on a family of ducks who took up residence outside Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY, the theater Emma started with her husband Steven Hamilton and Cybil Christopher in 1991. Tony Walton generously agreed to be my first guest on Jazz Inspired, twenty-five years ago, so having Emma and Julie on now is a wonderful way for me to celebrate Waiting in the Wings, and 25 years--so far--of Jazz Inspired.
Frank Marshall 8/2-8/8
Jurassic World Rebirth producer, Frank Marshall, is an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar winning producer/director. But it’s not just about dinosaurs, as Frank is a life long jazz fan too!
Frank grew up on picturesque Lido Isle in Newport Beach, CA surrounded by the musical friends of his father, jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, Jack Marshall, whose arrangement of “Fever” for Peggy Lee was one of many celebrated albums he worked on for Capitol Records in the late ‘50s and 60s. Frank Marshall has produced and/or directed multiple stage shows and films, including the Jason Bourne, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future and Jurassic World franchises. Through it all, music has played a major role in Frank’s life and his memories of being surrounded by great musicians growing up is a vivid and joyous.
In the summer of 1972, Jack Marshall and trumpeter/vocalist, Jack Sheldon joined forces to entice trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker back into the studio after Chet had stopped recording, due to an injury to his mouth. The record was made but never released until Frank recently discovered the master and together with Zev Feldman, produced Chet Baker & Jack Sheldon, In Perfect Harmony: The Lost Album.
Larry Koonse Two 8/9-15
Guitarist Larry Koonse is a favorite musical collaborator with everyone from Billy Childs and Seth MacFarlane to Tierney Sutton and Luciana Souza. He’s as supportive, and musically flexible as he is virtuosic, which explains his popularity in the music world and why he’s been featured on more than 400 albums.
Larry and I recorded the our conversation and played together onstage in picturesque Dixon, Illinois, outside of Chicago, at The Next Picture Show art gallery as part of my Jazz Inspired Onstage series. This is Larry’s second appearance on Jazz Inspired.
Bevan Manson 8/16-22
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.
Bevan Manson Two 8/23-29
Second half of my conversation with Bevan Manson.