This is the 1st post on our Jazz Talk blog. I will start with informing our Princeton TV viewers and people thought out the world on https://vimeo.com/channels/jazztalk of all pass guests, and the pleasure I have been having interviewing our guests on Jazz Talk. Here’s a summary of who I have interviewed on Jazz Talk so far:
Andrea Brachfeld is not only a great flutist, but also an arranger, producer, educator and business owner. And she is a graduate of the High School of Music and Art and the Manhattan School of Music. She studied with Hubert Laws, Jimmy Heath and George Coleman. And Mike Longoria helped her develop her own improvisational style. She begin her professional career as a musician at age 16 and has recorded and played many different genres of music including funk, Country Western Salsa artist, Latin Jazz.
Vimeo tape
Dr. Ralph "Hassan" Williams is a composer, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, educator, and talented multi-instrumentalist. He received his music education from Tennessee State University, the Armed Forces School of Music, Fayetteville State University, and Campbell College California. He served as a United State Airborne Army Officer for 21 years and commanded and directed Army Bands all over the world. Dr. Williams received the National Federation of Music Club Award of Merit, and these Forscom awardw of excellences: Best Show Band, Best Arranger, Best Conductor as well as one of the top five highest audition scores for saxophone.
Vimeo tape
Madame Pat Tandy is an international jazz, blues and R&B recording artist. Influenced by the music of the Baptist Church, Pat began singing in gospel groups and school choirs. She studied jazz with Ellington Bassist Aaron Bell at Essex County College in Newark where she earned an associate in Arts & Science degree in music Education. Pat is a native of Newark, NJ, and has been singing professionally since the 1970s including a long stint with the popular R&B recording group "The Pretender" who had several minor hits on Carnival Records. See
Part 1 & Part 2.
Barbara J. Kukla, is the author of five books about the people of Newark including the recently released America’s Music: Jazz in Newark. The others are Swing City: Newark Nightlife, 1925-50, with traces Newark’s jazz history: Defying the Odds: Triumphant Black Women Newark, which documents the lives of great achievers, Sound of Music: The Dolores Collins Benjamin Story, a biography of the founder of the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club, our nation’s oldest all-male African-American choral group, and Newark Inside My Soul: A 50-year Memoir. In 2005, Defying the odds was cited by the New Jersey Council on the Arts as one New Jersey’s best non-fiction works. A must see interview, Part 1 & Part 2.
Thomas (Tommy) Grice, Saxophonist, Arranger, Composer and Teacher. This is a must see interview. Tommy’s history is so vast that saying it in writing about his life will not do it any justice. But I must say this. He is so well liked and known for his work as a educator, that the men and women that came thought his class at Central High Trenton NJ open a school in his name called The Tommy Grice Academy of Music. Enjoy Part 1 & Part 2.
One student of Mr. Grice was and still is Wenonah Brooks. Tradition is a key word describing the music of Wenonah Brooks. Her words: In recent years modern jazz has taken on a chaotic element, breaking with it’s past and leaving many conservative jazz audiences wanted for the music they had grown to appreciate. Listen in and hear what this great vocalist has to say.
William W. May Formally trained as a musician, Bill May has performed regularly as a freelance musician nationally and internationally as a double bassist of orchestral music, operas and musicals. As an educator, Bill served the Newark Public School as a teacher and administrator.
And I must say, it was a great interview and I had a wonderful time with Bill May. Check out Part 1 and Part 2.
Joy Bechtler is a lyric Soprano. To me, her voice is rich and distinctive. She is known as the “Little Jazz Bird”. And when you tune in to hear her sing on the show, you will see why. She is not only known as a great singer, but what she doing in the Congo of Africa. Please check us out.
Radam Schwartz, Organist, educator, and one great man. Radam has built his reputation over the last 25 years playing with a host of jazz great. Mr. Schwartz has worked consistently to maintain the strong live traditions of the music as well as bridge the gap between the generations. Since 1986 he has been hosting the Tuesday Night Jazz Jim, beginning at the famous Peppermint Lounge in Orange to the Crossroads in Garwood. This interview was Jazz Talk’s 1st off sight interview. And what a great time we had at Crossroads. Check out Part 1 and Part 2.
Our second off sight interview was at a great place in Trenton call Amici Milano. There, Bob Smith and Tom Pass perform every other Tuesday. And what a great time we had interviewing these longtime friends. Bob and Tom have been working together for over 25 years. When you see this interview you will think they where married. Not only is the interview good, but the music is great. Check it out.
