When does Afro Blue and Smells Like Teen Spirit belong on the same record? When it's a Robert Glasper album! In 2012, Glasper's Black Radio brought together artists like Erica Badu to bring a jazz standard, Afro Blue, back into the popular music canon. Black Radio hit #1 on the jazz charts, while simultaneously reaching #4 on the hip-hop R&B charts…

Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is undoubtedly one of the best pop rock albums ever. But the story behind its creation reads like a soap opera. Everyone -- Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mic Fleetwood -- were enduring heartbreak during its recording. Stevie and Lindsey were breaking up. The McVies had already split, but …

Today we're going on an aquatic journey with Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage. Herbie calls the title track the best tune he's ever written. We dive deep into the music to explore what makes this tune, and this album, great. The roots of Maiden Voyage date back in 1963, when Herbie began hearing rumors that Miles Davis wanted to hear him play. He did…

Broken Record's Justin Richmond joins us to talk Still Crazy After All These Years. Paul Simon's Grammy-winning album was born out of divorce, and produced some of his greatest songs of all time, like 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, My Little Town and I Do It For Your Love. We dive into the story behind this remarkable album, including Steve Gadd's fa…

We turn our own categories back on ourselves! We're looking back on the past 20 epiosdes, which we're calling You'll Hear It Season 12, and ask: - What are our apex moments? - What are our desert island tracks? - Is season 12 better than Kind of Blue?! And - we hear from you, dear listeners. You sent in your questions on Speakpipe, and we answer th…

The ultimate musical showdown: jazz vs classical. We bring in conductor Josh Weilerstein from the Sticky Notes podcast to compare, contrast and find the common ground among these two very different schools of music. From Duke Ellington's swinin' take on Peer Gynt to George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, we explore the tunes and the musicians blurring…

John Coltrane’s Giant Steps isn’t just a jazz classic — it’s a rite of passage. Peter Martin and Adam Maness dig into what makes the album so technically punishing and emotionally electrifying. From the iconic solo on the title track to the symmetrical harmonies, the lightning-fast chord changes, the fiery swing of Cousin Mary, and the full-throttl…

We’re sitting down with one of the greats! Organist Larry Goldings is in the house to spin the B3 tracks that shaped him – from Jimmy Smith’s revolutionary runs to Billy Preston’s blending brilliance behind Aretha Franklin. Along the way, Larry breaks down the nuts and bolts (err… drawbars and percs) behind his favorite players, offering expert ins…

We’re finally digging into “Voodoo” - D’Angelo’s Grammy-winning album that changed the sound of R&B, soul, and hip-hop forever. And the album a young Adam Maness had on repeat, seriously influencing his playing as well as countless musicians since. With Questlove’s “Dilla-drag” drumming, Pino Palladino’s funky bass lines, Roy Hargrove’s jazzy horn …

You can’t deliver a performance like Shirley Horn’s “Here’s to Life” unless you’ve lived a little – or a lot. It’s an album only an artist with decades of love, loss, and resilience could create. In this episode, we break down Horn’s unmatched ability to accompany herself, the elegance of Johnny Mandel’s string arrangements, and the quiet confidenc…

For the first time ever, we’re digging into an album Peter actually played on. In this episode, we go deep on Spirit of the Moment, saxophonist Joshua Redman’s 1995 double-CD live album, recorded at the legendary Village Vanguard, with Peter on piano, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist Chris Thomas. We explore how Redman rose to stardom in the ’90s, …

Before Kind of Blue, a 21-year-old Miles Davis was already reshaping jazz with Birth of the Cool. In this episode, we explore how Miles teamed up with arranger Gil Evans and a chamber-like nonet to craft a sound full of singable melodies, tightly arranged horns, and forward-thinking restraint. With French horn in the mix, Gerry Mulligan and John Le…

Learn what makes Marvin Gaye’s protest album a timeless masterpiece. Adam and Peter go deeper than deep—layer by layer—using stems to find out. Listen to the full arrangement in a way you’ve probably never experienced, even if you’ve heard it a thousand times. Strings, bass, background vocals, Marvin’s multi-tracked leads, percussion, vibes—it’s al…

We hand the mic to Kirk Hamilton from the Strong Songs podcast to help us break down the groovy 1973 self-titled release: Tower of Power. We unpack what makes this Oakland funk outfit a generational institution – from David Garibaldi’s precision drum fills and Rocco Prestia’s machine-gun bass lines to what may be the tightest horn section of all ti…

Stack a DX7, a keytar, and enough rack-mount synths to power a small city, and you get one of the most iconic – and polarizing – jazz fusion albums of the ’80s. This week, we dive into The Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986), the record that inspired a thousand copycats and split the jazz world. From the jaw-dropping virtuosity of “Got a Match?” to th…

Who swings harder: Oscar Peterson with guitar or drums? In this jazz piano trio showdown, Adam and Peter go head-to-head with seven scorching tracks spanning OP’s career. Team Guitar brings Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, and Joe Pass, while Team Drums is anchored by the ever-swinging Ed Thigpen. We break down comping chemistry, shifting textures, virtu…

What happens when a 21-year-old Stevie Wonder gets the keys to the Motown kingdom? You get Talking Book, a no-filler masterpiece. Adam and Peter go track-by-track through Stevie’s first fully self-driven album, where he played nearly everything himself. From the sticky funk of “Superstition” to the guitar-like tones of “Big Brother,” we break down …

One afternoon in Oslo changed the course of jazz piano history! In this episode, Adam and Peter dive into Facing You, the hit 1971 ECM release where a 26-year-old Keith Jarrett – torn between Miles Davis’ electric band and his own acoustic instincts – walked alone into a studio and recorded eight completely improvised masterpieces. From the gospel-…

Does it get any better than that ARP bass line on “Chameleon”? That’s right, it’s Herbie time! Join Peter and Adam as we explore Herbie Hancock’s explosive breakout from Blue Note jazz man to platinum-selling Headhunter. Transport your ears to an afro-futuristic daydream as we dissect Herbie’s funk-jazz era – and the cast of characters that helped …

Take a trip with us to the most revolutionary decade in jazz (1923-1933), when a young Louis Armstrong was creating a new improvisational vocabulary in real-time. This isn’t the “Wonderful World” Satchmo most know, but the young gunner whose genius trumpet solos on “West End Blues” and “Tight Like This” were toppling trumpet kings. We break down Po…

Tune in as we pay tribute to the incomparable Roberta Flack, who we sadly lost last month. From her 1969 debut album First Take (featuring Open Studio artist Ron Carter on bass) to her iconic collaborations with Donny Hathaway – we dissect why what Flack didn’t play was just as important as what she did. We’ll explore how this classical piano prodi…

Could Miles Davis’ peak performance come alongside a bunch of kids who weren’t even getting paid? In this episode, Peter and Adam dive into one of the greatest live albums ever captured, My Funny Valentine: Live at the Philharmonic (1964). We explore how Miles Davis, sideman George Coleman, and a young rhythm section (Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, an…

When Epic Records told Michael Jackson “no” to Quincy Jones, he fought back and changed music forever. Join Adam Maness and Peter Martin as they dive into Jackson’s 1979 masterpiece Off The Wall – the album that planted MJ’s flag as a solo artist. We explore how a young Michael partnered with Quincy Jones, created magic with studio legends Louis Jo…

Can you believe the most celebrated Bill Evans Trio was only together for 18 months? In this episode, we’re looking at early 60's Bill alongside Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and the four albums they recorded together before LaFaro’s tragic death at just 25 years old. From Portrait in Jazz and its cross-over with Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue through S…

What makes New Orleans funk hit so different? In this episode, we dive into the swampy funk of The Meters, the iconic quartet that’s left its mark on everything from Wu-Tang to Whitney Houston and beyond. We break down Leo Nocentelli’s chicken-scratch guitar, Art Neville’s genius riff comping, Zigaboo’s “direct assault” on the high hat, and the thu…

Have Giant Steps and Meditations scared you away from John Coltrane? Join us on the other side of the Trane tracks with what might be the best trio of albums ever dropped in the same year. We’re talking 1963 Coltrane—at his most accessible (dare we say smooth?) yet still cutting straight to the truth. From the GRAMMY hall-of-famer Ballads to his le…

Has Brad Mehldau always been one step ahead of jazz? In this episode, Peter and Adam trace his evolution from the straight-ahead Art of the Trio series to the produced, cinematic experiments of his 2002 opus Largo. We look at how Brad’s late nights in LA, love of Radiohead, and partnership with producer Jon Brion blurred the lines between indie pop…

From the hypnotic grooves of “Black Cow” to contributions from jazz legends Wayne Shorter, Steve Gadd, and Victor Feldman, Steely Dan’s 1977 masterpiece Aja reigns amongst the best—and best-produced—albums of all time. In this episode, Peter and Adam break down Fagen and Becker’s jazz-infused harmonies, their precision recording process, and the al…

In this very special cross-over episode, Adam Maness and Bob DeBoo from Upright Citizens check out 12 of their favorite live albums recorded at the famous Village Vanguard. What's your favorite live album? link to our spotify playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5fzI04bkuBXe0YQcfqJmkt?si=0dk9OWMZTVS6G7wdH93X-w Wanna check out some Upright Cit…

In this solo episode, Peter Martin gives advice on how to live a musical life in the coming year and what to do to set yourself up for success. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio 🎹…

Adam and Peter list their favorite tunes that actually teach ya something! Learning these tunes will give you a better grasp on your playing in these contexts. Check out our playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69uTCFvMKo8CEBLfWrGiL6?si=ZPCpzVnQThq6Wy87bhAEjA Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no furt…

Ever get overwhelmed with emotion from a tune? In this episode, Adam and Peter talk about what about music can evoke such emotion. Link to our Spotify Playlist Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more …

Join us as we dive into the life and legacy of Art Tatum, the jazz piano virtuoso who took entertainment on the instrument to a new level. YT playlist • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kn6Z2anqCFpTOc4H957o0Oktgr_C9gl7Q Oscar Peterson and Count Basie on Art Tatum • https://youtu.be/YAeT3Dr74Ys Art Tatum performances • https://youtu.be/…

Do you ever find yourself lacking on a little holiday cheer? Do the holiday classics seem a little drab and dull lately? Well you may not be alone - Check out Peter and Adam's list of holiday classics that just aren't giving the same cheer they used to. Which holiday songs are you tired of hearing? Link to our Spotify playlist Looking to drop a que…

Peter and Adam both name their 7 favorite GAS standards from best to worst. What's your favorite GAS standard? Link to our bespoke Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2g0agwmyxmyLTXEYKSpfwC?si=sNBsRlrsSyuAR1x8FNy85g Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question …

Black Friday is upon us! Go to https://openstudiojazz.com/blackfriday for our biggest savings of the year. Think you can teach somebody a lesson in 60 seconds? Join Adam and Peter as they reminisce about their journey teaching in a short format. Check out all our shorts at our Open Studio channel Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the au…

What's on your playlist? Join Adam and Peter as they hang and share some music they've been inspired by lately. Our Spotify Playlist Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Ch…

Roy Haynes! The greatest to ever do it - join us as we remember the life and legacy of one of the true legends of Jazz history. Reaching Fourth - McCoy Tyner Coltrane Quartet 1963 Newport Matrix - Chick Corea David Letterman feat. The Fountain Of Youth Band Freedom Band - Chick Corea Quartet 2010 Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a bette…

Adam and Peter reluctantly wade into the tired old 'Who Killed Jazz?' debate... Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Stud…

Lou Donaldson, November 1, 1926 – November 9, 2024 We honor the late, great Lou Donaldson who created new pathways for generations of Jazz musicians to come. Everything I Play Gonna Be Funky (From Now On) Christian McBride/NPR's Jazz Night in America “Let’s Cool One” from Thelonius Monk’s "Genius of Modern Music, vol. 2" “A Night at Birdland” (Blue…

Adam and Peter dive into some of the greatest tracks by the incredible Charlie Haden. Our Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0j2izk6G8ZzBhEK7yf2W2r?si=olxr53YgQUSpiZw6NvpiIA Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhe…

Peter and Adam check out Night Train by Oscar Peterson. This legendary trio shaped musicians for years to come. How did this album effect you? Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. OP LIVE at Denmark Check out Night Train Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.c…

Adam and Peter talk about what it takes to communicate on the bandstand non-verbally and how to best approach situations when you don't know your bandmates very well. Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a questi…

In this episode of the "Blue Collar Bassist Podcast," host Ted welcomes his guest Cam Periddge, a seasoned guitarist, mixing engineer, and producer, to discuss the essential qualities guitarists and producers seek in bass players. Cam shares his insights into the dynamics of a successful rhythm section, emphasizing the need for bass players to be a…

It's time to line em up and rank what we think are the 7 Greatest standards. What standards do you think deserve to be on the list? Check out our bespoke playlist Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.com/ Have a question f…

Dave Avenius, Dale Titus, and Jonathan Moody (DR Strings, Aguilar Amp, and GHS Strings, respectively) talk with Ted about what it really takes to build relationships that lead to endorsement deals and how to maintain that relationship so that it is a win for both the artist and the company.By Ted Talks Bass

The chemistry between Ella and Louis on their iconic duo album is palpable but what made that band so swinging? In this episode, we dive into this historic recording. What's Oscar Not Playing? Live at the Hollywood Bowl Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? L…

When will it be over... well in this episode Adam and Peter share their thoughts on when it's time to stop practicing something and move on to the next thing! As well as a few other topics that come into play. Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no fur…

In this episode, Ian and I talk about the discipline of creating a two-bar groove every day, learning music for gigs, and more! Sponsored by Tomplay.By Ted

Sonny Rollins might be the most influential saxophone player in jazz. This album is one of the reasons why - join Adam and Peter as they breakdown just what makes this album so great. Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further https://youllhearit.c…