Monday, June 3:
We revisit 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.
Tuesday, June 4:
Swedish multi-instrumentalist/vocalist, Gunhild Carling had a childhood filled with books, music, and magical adventures. I first met Gunhild in Brazil when we were both part of a music festival for which I served as Artistic Director. I still have the vision of Gunhild bounding off the airplane in a perfectly pressed polka dot dress, her baby in tow, looking well-rested and upbeat, with full makeup and perfect hair. She tells me she always looks this way, even on the band bus, which I find almost as impressive as the fact that she plays twelve instruments.
Wednesday, June 5:
Grammy-nominated jazz singer/songwriter Nicole Zuraitis refers to herself as a recovering opera singer, which her beautiful tone and effortless vocal style reflect. Unlike many of the younger vocalists today who jump out of music school right into a recording studio with little onstage experience to back it up, Nicole has put in the long hours performing, honing her craft and creating her own unique style.
Nicole celebrates her vision on her CD How Love Begins, co-produced with bassist Christian McBride. The CD explores the dark and light sides of love--romantic and otherwise--and the tug between those states that always exists.
Thursday, June 6:
New Orleans banjoist/vocalist Don Vappie resisted the banjo during his early years in music but is now considered a virtuoso on the instrument. He has worked with Peggy Lee, Eric Clapton, and countless others in various styles for records and concerts and soundtracks for film and television.
Friday, June 7:
British guitarist Sam Dunn spent his early years in the business traveling the world on a 200-passenger, luxury cruise ship where he played solo guitar sets and where I was lucky enough to corral him into playing with me when I was flown in for a concert. A friendship and musical partnership were born and since then Sam and I have toured widely around the world from Europe to Australia.
Listen each morning on WBGO from 6 to 8 am ET.
For an archive of episodes on WBGO, visit the show’s page here.
