8:30 A Jazz Podcast.

On this special jazz episode we look at the legendary music career of Mr. George Benson! an american guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for blending jazz with pop, R&B and soul. He gained widespread recognition with his album Breezin' in 1976, which featured the Grammy-winning hit "This Masquerade". With a smooth voice and virtuosic guitar style. Benson remains a celebrated figure in contemporary jazz and cro...

Clare Fischer (1928–2012) was a versatile American composer, arranger, and pianist whose career spanned jazz, classical, and pop music. He began his professional journey as a pianist and conductor for The Hi-Lo's, a vocal group, and gained early acclaim for his arrangements for Dizzy Gillespie's A Portrait of Duke Ellington. Over the decades, Fischer became a sought-after arranger for artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson...

Carlos Santana is a legendary Mexican-American guitarist known for blending rock, Latin music, blues, and jazz into a unique and influential sound. He founded the Santana band in the late 1960s, gaining fame with their electrifying performance at Woodstock and hits like “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va.” The band has seen various lineups over the decades, but Santana’s signature guitar style remains at its heart, earning numero...

Jimmy Smith was a pioneering American jazz organist, widely regarded for his mastery of the Hammond B-3 organ. He played a crucial role in popularizing the instrument in jazz, blending elements of blues, bebop, and gospel into a unique and soulful sound. With an innovative approach to rhythm and improvisation, Smith's influential recordings from the late 1950s and 1960s, such as Back at the Chicken Shack, left a lasting legacy on b...

In this episode your 8:30 Crew Herman Hollywood Dawkins and Ray The Jazzman explore the R&B side of Jazz with songs that are typically known as associated with R&B groups or acts. You will be able to hear how the music genres of Gospel, the Blues, and Rhythm and Blues all share something in common.

Songs include :

1. The Sound Table - Cameo
2. Valdez In The Country - Donny Hathaway
3. Fight Me, Chase Me - Ohio Players
4. Everybody Loves...

On the next jazz podcast, the 8:30 crew will dive into the music of smooth jazz artists who created the sounds that are played on radio stations throughout the country. Smooth jazz is a mellow, melodic genre that blends elements of jazz, R&B, and pop music. Known for its soothing rhythms and polished instrumentation, it often features saxophones, keyboards, and guitars. Musicians like David Sanborn, Bob James and Earl Klugh wil...

Legendary Jean-Luc Ponty is a French jazz violinist and composer, renowned for his pioneering work in blending jazz improvisation with electronic music. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a wide range of influential artists, including Frank Zappa, and has released numerous albums as a bandleader, pushing the boundaries of the violin in jazz and fusion. Ponty’s unique fusion of genres, innovative use of the electric vio...

The Yellowjackets and Spyro Gyra are both iconic jazz fusion bands that emerged in the late 1970s, but they represent distinct approaches to the genre. The Yellowjackets tend to blend complex harmonies and intricate rhythms with a more contemporary, experimental sound, often incorporating elements of funk and R&B into their music. In contrast, Spyro Gyra is known for its smoother, more accessible style, mixing jazz with element...

In this Amazing 8:30 Episode, The 8:30 crew are literally going right off the cuff, picking songs to play and listen to as we are recording the episode.This would have been 8:30 episode # 5, but we never released it, so weare calling this one…"THE LOST EPISODE”.It features Dexter Gordon, John Serry, Quincy Jones, Jacob Collier,  Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, AND George Duke.Check out this incredible episode and enjoy ...

In this episode of our jazz podcast, we dive deep into the genius of Thelonious Monk, one of the most innovative and influential pianists in jazz history. We explore Monk's unique approach to rhythm, melody, and improvisation, highlighting his groundbreaking compositions and the lasting impact they've had on the genre. Through engaging analysis and rare insights, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for Monk's distinctive voi...

George Duke was a pioneering keyboardist, composer, and producer whose career spanned jazz, funk, and fusion, blending complex improvisation with accessible melodies. Known for his virtuosic skill on both electric and acoustic keyboards, Duke played with notable artists like Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, and Stanley Clarke, shaping the sound of the 1970s and beyond. His ability to seamlessly merge genres, along with his distinctive st...

Quincy Jones was a legendary American music producer, conductor, and composer, whose career spans over seven decades and has left an indelible mark on jazz, pop, and film music. He is perhaps best known for producing Michael Jackson's iconic albums Thriller and Bad, as well as his innovative work on the soundtrack for the film The Color Purple. With a Grammy Award-winning career that encompasses a wide range of genres, Jones is ce...

Cannonball Adderley was a celebrated American alto saxophonist known for his vibrant sound and engaging improvisational style. Rising to prominence in the late 1950s, he became a key figure in the hard bop jazz movement, collaborating with legends like Miles Davis and his brother Nat Adderley. His influential recordings, including "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," showcased his ability to blend soulful melodies with intricate rhythms, leavin...

Lenny White is a celebrated American drummer and composer known for his innovative contributions to jazz fusion and progressive rock. Rising to fame in the 1970s, he played with prominent artists like Chick Corea's Return to Forever and has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians throughout his career. With his dynamic playing style and mastery of rhythm, White continues to influence drummers and music lovers around the wor...

Lee Morgan, a formidable talent in the world of jazz, is best remembered for his groundbreaking work as a trumpet player on the Blue Note label. Born in Philadelphia in 1938, Morgan emerged as a prodigy in the jazz scene, joining Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers at a young age. His distinctive, fiery tone and sophisticated improvisational style quickly set him apart from his peers. Morgan's 1963 album, "The Sidewinder," became a landma...

Stanley Clarke is a towering figure in the world of jazz bass, renowned for his virtuosity and innovative techniques. Emerging in the early 1970s, Clarke gained prominence as a member of Chick Corea's Return to Forever, where his dynamic performances showcased his exceptional skill and creativity. His signature approach involves a blend of complex fingerstyle playing and intricate slap bass techniques, which have become hallmar...

Josef Erich Zawinul (July 7 1932 - September 11 2007) was an Austrian Jazz and Jazz Fusion keyboardist and Composer. First coming to prominence with saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, Zawinul went on to play with Miles Davis and to become one of the creators of Jazz Fusion, a musical genre that combined Jazz with Jazz Rock. He co-founded the group Weather Report. He pioneered the use of Electric Piano and Synthesizer and was named “B...

Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over the course of two decades, starting from the release of its first recordings in January 1948, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most important American labels, specializing in jazz, R&B, and soul by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, Ruth...

Head Hunters is the twelfth studio album by American pianist, keyboardist and composer Herbie Hancock, released October 26, 1973, on Columbia Records. The album was a commercial and artistic breakthrough for Hancock, crossing over to funk and rock audiences and bringing jazz-funk fusion to mainstream attention, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard 200. Hancock is featured with woodwind player Bennie Maupin from his previous sextet...