The Joys of Jazz: Recent Episodes
Robert Hecht
The Joys of Jazz Podcast is created by award-winning jazz radio producer and host Bob Hecht who presents a variety of commentaries, interviews and personal stories focused on the ‘timeless’ jazz masters and composers of the past and present. Each episode examines particular artists and their work in the context of jazz history, exploring what makes their contributions so unique in the world of jazz.
In this concluding episode of the Joys of Jazz series, Bob shares several personal stories about such things as his first hearing and falling in … Continue reading "“45 Revelations Per Minute” & other stories"
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In this episode, the remarkable jazz violinist talks about her Detroit roots, her important mentors and her special love for playing ballads. In conversation with … Continue reading "REGINA CARTER, Versatile Virtuoso"
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As we all make our way through the coronavirus era, the traditional blues, “St. James Infirmary,” seems more apt than ever. A simple yet profound … Continue reading "St. James Infirmary Blues"
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Theodore “Fats” Navarro is considered by many to be the greatest of the bebop trumpeters, famous for his full sound, inventive ideas and remarkable execution. … Continue reading "The Fabulous FATS NAVARRO"
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The legendary cornet player Bix Beiderbecke is often considered to be the first great white jazz musician. But what is his legacy beyond that? And … Continue reading "Why BIX Matters"
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In 1959, Bill Evans and Miles Davis collaborated on the famed Kind of Blue album. Scholars have shown that Evans was responsible for composing some … Continue reading "Blue in Green"
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Improvisation is at the heart of jazz, and throughout its history there have been many great improvisers, but perhaps none has been truer to the … Continue reading "Lee Konitz, Improviser"
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Recognized as one of the foremost contemporary jazz trumpeters, Terell Stafford’s path has been marked by many twists, turns, ups and downs. At various times … Continue reading "Terell Stafford’s Circuitous Path to Jazz Stardom"
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In this episode Bob talks with the remarkable young singing sensation Veronica Swift, about her parents’ influence and legacy (she is the daughter of bebop … Continue reading "Veronica Swift—”Preserving the Legacy”"
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Stan Getz once commented on the genius of pianist Jimmy Rowles, describing him as “the best-kept secret to the public at large since the Mona … Continue reading "Rowles Rules: The Subtle Art of Jimmy Rowles, with Guest Mike Wofford"
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For over 40 years, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges was the primary solo voice of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. 2019 brought the first ever biography of … Continue reading "Rabbit’s Blues: The Story of Johnny Hodges"
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There is no question about it… Milt Jackson revolutionized the way the vibraphone was played in jazz, and continues, twenty years after his death to … Continue reading "Milt Jackson—Bags’ Groove"
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In this episode Bob Hecht and former Poet Laureate Billy Collins continue their conversation about jazz and poetry, and Billy reads poems about Art Blakey, … Continue reading "Poet Billy Collins on Jazz & Poetry—part 2"
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Billy Collins is a modern poetry phenomenon. The former U.S., and New York State, Poet Laureate, Collins is one of the most-read poets anywhere—and also … Continue reading "Poet Billy Collins on Jazz & Poetry—part 1"
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There was only one Jaki Byard—he was a jazz pianist without peer. No one else combined elements from so many different genres of jazz piano … Continue reading "The Many Worlds of Jaki Byard"
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Sean Jones is recognized as one of today’s top trumpeters, and in this conversation with Bob Hecht he talks about his formative roots in Ohio, … Continue reading "The Sean Jones Interview"
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Zoot Sims was one of the hardest-swinging jazz musicians, who had his own immediately identifiable sound… and that sound was one of the warmest and … Continue reading "Zoot Sims: Warm Tenor"
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Lester Young is recognized as one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists, and one of the all-around giants of jazz. But in this episode we … Continue reading "Genius on a Cheap Clarinet"
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Featuring an interview with jazz trumpeter Charlie Porter, this episode explores the living legacy of trumpet great Clifford Brown. Though gone for over sixty years, … Continue reading "Clifford Brown LIVES!"
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It’s rare to be able to hear about the Harlem Stride greats from someone who knew several of them personally, but that’s exactly what Stride … Continue reading "More Harlem Stride!"
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Harlem Stride was one of the most vibrant and sophisticated piano styles in the history of jazz—it was the greatest musical creation of the period … Continue reading "Harlem Stride!"
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This is the story of one of jazz’s most heart-wrenching compositions, written on his deathbed by one of jazz’s greatest composers. Billy Strayhorn wrote “Blood … Continue reading "Billy Strayhorn’s “Blood Count”"
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Lester Young was a true original, and his originality manifested not only in his innovative playing but also in his unique verbal play and wit. … Continue reading "“Lester-ese”"
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As a fledgling jazz disc jockey in Newark, New Jersey in the early sixties, the author had an unexpected encounter with a future jazz great. … Continue reading "Woody n’ Me"
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In this episode, Bob Hecht explores some of the things that Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Lester Young had in common with one another musically. … Continue reading "Frank & Billie & Lester’s Mutual Admiration Society"
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