Geoff Gascoyne chats to big-name (and upcoming) jazz soloists as they pick and play their favourite jazz standards and talk about their jazz lives. A mix of candid discussion, technical insights and spontaneous improvisation, this weekly podcast is a must-listen for everyone that loves jazz. Geoff is a renowned jazz bass player and prolific composer and producer with credits on over 100 albums and a book of contacts to die for! He is also executive producer of the best-selling Quartet jazz s ...
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Episode 25. Mark Lockheart (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'
38:48
38:48
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38:48Geoff is in Greenwich, London to meet with the renowned saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart. Mark's story begins with the heartwarming image of waking up to his father's jazz records and following his dad into saxophone playing at age eleven. What follows is a rich narrative of musical discovery that spans decades. Mark vividly recalls the Amer…
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Episode 24. Simon Wallace (Piano) - 'Autumn Leaves'
36:52
36:52
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36:52Geoff travels to Honor Oak Park in South London to meet with an old friend – the British composer and pianist Simon Wallace. Simon opens a portal into jazz's rich tapestry through personal stories that span from his childhood in South Wales to the vibrant scenes of New York City and London. This conversation reveals how a secondary school music tea…
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Episode 23. Andrea Vicari (Piano) - 'On Green Dolphin Street'
29:19
29:19
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29:19Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voic…
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Episode 22. Sebastiaan de Krom (Drums) - 'I Got Rhythm'
42:14
42:14
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42:14Geoff is at the Troubadour club in London with the highly acclaimed jazz drummer Sebastiaan de Krom. When a jazz bassist and drummer have played together for 25 years, there's a musical telepathy that can't be taught—it can only be earned through countless gigs, recording sessions, and miles on the road. In this revealing conversation, Sebastiaan o…
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Episode 21. Anita Wardell (Vocals) - 'Autumn Leaves'
28:23
28:23
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28:23Geoff sits down with the award-winning jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. In this intimate conversation, Anita shares how music became her sanctuary during a difficult childhood and continues to be her healing force while recovering from a stroke suffered 16 months prior. "Music was where I kind of got myself together," she reflects, describing how disco…
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Episode 20. Stan Sulzmann (Saxophone) - 'Gentle Piece'
52:36
52:36
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52:36Geoff is in Box Hill, Surrey to meet with the legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Stan Sulzmann. Stan takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career as one of Britain's most respected jazz saxophonists. From his unexpected start with a secondhand Selmer tenor saxophone to playing alongside jazz royalty, the interview …
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Episode 19. Derek Nash (Saxophone) - 'Walkin' Shoes'
24:00
24:00
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24:00Geoff heads east to Essex to catch up with an old friend — the award-winning jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and recording engineer Derek Nash. What happens when a lifelong love of saxophone meets decades of sound engineering expertise? Derek Nash's musical journey provides the perfect answer. From the moment 12-year-old Derek heard the Pin…
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Episode 18. Alan Skidmore (Saxophone) - 'Blues in E Flat'
26:04
26:04
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26:04In the tranquil setting of Hertfordshire, England, Geoff sits down with the legendary tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore, a musical force whose extraordinary career spans nearly seven decades. At 83, Alan's recollections are sharp, his stories captivating, and his legacy in jazz undeniable. The conversation begins with Alan's reluctant entry into musi…
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Episode 17. Martin Hathaway (Saxophone) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'
42:40
42:40
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42:40Geoff has a visit from an old friend – the wonderful jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Martin Hathaway. What does it take to forge a path in jazz that spans performing, teaching, and leading one of the UK's most prestigious jazz education programs? In this captivating conversation, Martin opens up about his musical journey from curious child …
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Episode 16. Nigel Price (Guitar) - 'All The Things You Are'
38:03
38:03
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38:03In this episode Geoff catches up with the award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price. Nigel’s remarkable journey from infantry service to jazz mastery provides a fascinating window into the development of a truly unique musical voice. Nigel reveals how his three years in the army unexpectedly prepared him for life as a bandleader—discovering parallel…
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Episode 15. Steve Fishwick (Trumpet) - 'Stella By Starlight'
32:13
32:13
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32:13Geoff is on tour in Holland with the internationally renowned trumpet player Steve Fishwick. In a dressing room before the gig, they catch up on all things jazz improvisation. Growing up in Manchester during the UK's jazz boom of the late 1980s, Steve recalls his first encounters with jazz through television documentaries and live performances, inc…
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Episode 14. Ian Shaw (Vocals) - Ain't Misbehavin'
29:36
29:36
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29:36Geoff is in London’s Waterloo district to meet with the multi award-winning jazz singer, broadcaster, producer, actor and comedian Ian Shaw. What does it take to build a career spanning jazz vocals, comedy, acting, and broadcasting? In this intimate conversation, Ian invites us into his creative world, tracing a fascinating journey from Welsh choir…
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Episode 13. Luiz Morais (Guitar) - 'Wave'
34:54
34:54
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34:54Geoff steps into the rich musical world of Brazilian guitarist Luiz Morais as he shares his fascinating journey from the vibrant northeast of Brazil to becoming an accomplished performer, composer, and bandleader in London. The conversation delves into the intricate world of Choro music - Brazil's first truly urban musical style that blends Europea…
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Episode 12. Camilla George (Saxophone) - 'Peace'
36:16
36:16
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36:16Geoff travels to Acton in West London to meet the visionary alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer Camilla George. Born in Nigeria before moving to the UK, Camilla's musical foundation was built on Sunday afternoons spent with her jazz-enthusiast father, listening to his extensive vinyl collection featuring legends like Sonny Rollins and Sonny S…
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Episode 11. Pete Churchill (Vocals) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'
52:57
52:57
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52:57In this episode, Geoff invites the enigmatic jazz pianist, vocalist, composer and legendary educator Pete Churchill round to his pad in Bromley, Kent. After almost twenty years teaching at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Pete is now Professor of Jazz Composition at the Royal Academy of Music as well as Head of Jazz Voice at the Royal Conservato…
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Episode 10. Janek Gwizdala (Bass) - 'Moment's Notice'
55:34
55:34
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55:34Geoff catches up with the internationally respected bass player and record producer Janek Gwizdala who is fresh off a flight from his home in LA for a series of London gigs. What does it take to transform from a wide-eyed teenager in South London to a sought-after bass virtuoso commanding respect around the globe? This episode captures a deeply per…
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Episode 9. Tom Ollendorff (Guitar) - 'Cotton Tail'
42:47
42:47
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42:47This week Geoff is in West London to meet one of the best-known young guitarists to emerge onto the international jazz scene – Tom Ollendorff. What makes a great guitarist instantly recognisable? How do you develop a personal musical language that transcends technical proficiency? These questions lie at the heart of Geoff’s conversation with the vi…
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Episode 8. Dave O'Higgins (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'
38:53
38:53
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38:53Geoff travels to Brixton in South London to catch up with the fabulous saxophonist, band leader and composer Dave O’Higgins. This is an intimate conversation about Dave’s remarkable journey from progressive rock drummer to acclaimed jazz musician. With disarming honesty, he traces his unlikely path through music, describing how transcribing Charlie…
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Episode 7. Gabriella Swallow (Cello) - 'Smile'
53:54
53:54
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53:54Geoff is in the leafy North London suburb of Muswell Hill to meet the wonderful Gabriella Swallow – one of the most versatile and exciting cellists of her generation. When Gabriella declares "I just want the biggest one" as her instrument selection as a child, it perfectly captures her fearless approach to musical exploration. Born in Belfast durin…
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Episode 6. Mark Armstrong (Trumpet) - 'Cherokee'
46:56
46:56
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46:56Geoff is in Blackheath in South London to meet the greatly respected trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator Mark Armstrong. Mark opens up about the electrifying moment jazz first captivated him as a schoolboy—a "kinesthetic experience" of colours and sounds that sparked a lifelong pursuit. Now an accomplished trumpet player with Ronnie Sco…
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Episode 5. Phil Merriman (Piano) - 'Everybody's Song But My Own'
46:12
46:12
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46:12Geoff travels to Wallington in South London to meet the incredibly talented jazz pianist, composer and arranger Phil Merriman. Phil isn't your typical jazz pianist. You immediately sense you're with a musician who refuses to be confined by traditional genre boundaries. "For me, it's not about two camps at all," he explains, discussing the artificia…
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Episode 4. Freddie Benedict (Vocals) - ‘One Note Samba’
38:51
38:51
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38:51Geoff doorsteps the 29-year old vocal genius Freddie Benedict and discovers that his talents go far beyond just trumpet and vocals. Could Britain’s answer to Michael Bublé be any more talented? With an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Portuguese before formally studying jazz at Guildhall, Freddie brings linguistic depth to his performances, part…
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Episode 3. Chris Standring (Guitar) - ‘Stella By Starlight’
43:13
43:13
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43:13In a rather noisy back room at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club, Geoff chews the fat with ‘soul’ jazz guitarist Chris Standring before a gig. Native Brit Chris has just flown in from LA for a series of concerts in London and reminisces about his dilemmas as a frustrated young jazz guitarist looking to make it as a solo artist. Chris reveals the piv…
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Episode 2. Alan Barnes (Saxophone) - ‘You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To’
45:27
45:27
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45:27Geoff gets the train to Leighton Buzzard to meet the legendary jazz saxophonist Alan Barnes. This intimate conversation reveals the musical journey of one of Britain's most respected reed players, from his first enchantment with Acker Bilk's clarinet to his evolution as a multi-award-winning bandleader, composer, and record label owner. Alan shares…
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Episode 1. Emma Smith (Vocals) - ‘No Moon At All’
43:42
43:42
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43:42Geoff tracks down the wonderful jazz singer Emma Smith just a few weeks after she lands a major record deal. She opens up about her remarkable journey from rebelling against her jazz musician parents to becoming one of the UK’s most captivating jazz performers. They discuss everything from improvisation technique to social media and the challenges …
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Trailer - The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast
5:01
5:01
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5:01Step into the vibrant world of jazz through intimate conversations with the artists who live it every day. The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast, hosted by renowned bassist, composer and producer Geoff Gascoyne, strips away the mystique surrounding jazz musicians to reveal the human stories behind the solos. Each week, we sit down with both legendary …
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