On this episode we feature a rising star in the trombone firmament, Melissa Gardiner! A truly soulful and exciting trombonist, composer, bandleader, and educator who the great Curtis Fuller describes in this way: "technically creative and emotionally powerful. Her improvisation is inspiring and motivating for the listener, and she draws you in with a raw expression that directly relates to life experience." I think that sums it up quite well!

In jazz, we all search for a recognizable persona that is all our own, that is the mission. Melissa has done that already and has a limitless future ahead of her. Join me as we hang out and discuss all aspects of her development, influences, lead playing concepts and lots more!

Here's Melissa's website: https://www.melissamaymusic.com/ And here is a couple of the videos we discuss:

Melissa Gardiner In Her Own Words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIy-qJpKN0o

"Bump" from "Empowered"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1RiO5VTrwQ

Vulfpeck, Live at Madison Square Garden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv4wf7bzfFE&t=3072s

The Bones Malone show! Tom is one of the legends in our business, having played with EVERYONE out there, appeared on THOUSANDS of TV and Radio broadcasts, films, etc as a performer, multi instrumentalist, composer-arranger, Bones has enjoyed one of the most AMAZING careers in music EVER...and he is still going strong. Join us as we go deep into his development, his approach to the horn and his STELLAR career. This one is HUGE fun folks!

It's Mr. Lead Trombone himself folks! Andy Martin! One of the most accomplished lead, solo, studio, and film musicians on the planet. And he is with US today on the Leadology Podcast! We got into all kinds of fun stuff on this one including Andy's background, lead concept, how he developed, who his influences are, and of course: BASEBALL! It is a wide-ranging tour de force that you do NOT want to miss! So...DON'T! Check it out right here...

The great Vincent Gardner is here! 2014 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll WINNER for rising star (turns out they were CORRECT!) lead trombonist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis, director of the JALC Youth Orchestra, five records as a leader with Steeplechase Records, recording artist in many other projects as well as with his brother Derrick Gardner's group The Jazz Prophets, and since 2017: Artistic Director at Jazz Houston! Yep. Vince is BUSY! But he found time to come hang with us today on the podcast and we covered LOTS of ground! Vince's background, development, career, and his music. So dive on in and ENJOY!

It's Paul McKee Day! Man-Oh-MAN, I've been lookin' forward to THIS one! Paul and I have known each other since we were on the road back in the '80s. He is one of my all-time favorite jazz trombonists, composers, arrangers, educators, and he's just a great guy! In a review for the Jeff Benedict Big Band Album "Holmes" where Paul contributed some charts and trombone playing,"The Jazz Reader" website described Paul's playing like this:

"McKee is a born lyricist on the trombone, that dazzles with "slide of hand" and is the heir apparent to former slide masters like Carl Fontana and Frank Rosolino."

I couldn't agree more folks! So, dig in and enjoy my conversation with my blood-brother Paul McKee as we discuss trombone, his influences, and background, his writing, and go deliciously "off the rails" LOTS!

It's Mike Dease Day! Woo Hoo! This episode is all about the swingin' tour de force that is trombonist Michael Dease. Winner of the 2023 Downbeat Critic's Poll (#1 Trombonist) virtuoso, composer, orchestrator, educator, superlative speaker, and nice guy! MAN! We talked about SO much that I've divided this one up into Chapters so you can dance back-and-forth and go wherever you'd like in our in-depth conversation. Enjoy!

The amazing and inspirational Carol Jarvis joins us for a fabulous discussion of her polymath world. Carol is a stellar trombonist, keyboard player and programmer, arranger, composer, voice-over artist, pod-cast host ("In My Veins") and current president of the International Trombone Association. She's performed with hundreds of great artists and organizations such as Sting, Michael Bolton, Seal, Taylor Swift, The London Symphony and BBC Orchestra, as well as West End shows. We also get into the incredible story of her epic battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer ...and THAT is a tale that simply must be heard.

Join us for a delightful soirée with examples of her diverse body of wonderful musical work!

Carol Jarvis Links:

Carol's Website:

https://caroljarvis.com/

Carol's Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1TbvYjSBvPm8PPihpMoOwT

We rejoin the discussion with the great Marshall Gilkes, only this time–presented with a bit more Podcast time–I include FULL TRACKS of some of the pieces in The Lightning Round! Come check out the fun folks...and while you're at it, pick up Marshall's NEWEST project that just dropped:

"Life Songs"

https://www.marshallgilkes.com/category/all-products