Ben Sidran

Long before 4/20 became a global code, marijuana already had a place in jazz culture — and few figures embodied that connection more than Mezz Mezzrow. The Chicago-born clarinetist became a legendary supplier in Harlem, so closely associated with cannabis that for a time, marijuana itself was nicknamed “Mezz.”

A birthday tribute to drummer Steve Gadd - whose feel, restraint, and imagination helped define the sound of modern recording - from a rare 1980s conversation with Ben Sidran.

Freddie Hubbard would have turned 88 this week. Leo Sidran pays tribute to the late trumpet master, and revisits his father Ben Sidran’s interview with Hubbard from the 1980s.

Leo Sidran goes behind the scenes with his father, Ben at the Palm Springs Jazz Festival. Part personal narrative, part exploration of how natural phenomena like overtones, particles, and waves shape our ideas of beauty — and part look at how creative work actually gets made.

Celebrating Bobby McFerrin on his birthday

On this episode of The Art of the Story, Leo and Ben Sidran pay tribute to the late guitarist Phil Upchurch

The Third Story host Leo Sidran remembers Phil Upchurch

Ben Sidran is the latest guest on The Third Story podcast with Leo Sidran

WBGO's Pat Prescott in conversation with Ben and Leo Sidran.

Host Leo Sidran talks with his father, Ben Sidran, about his latest album ‘Rainmaker’ and his belief in the power of humor.