Easy Jazz Spotlight

Easy Jazz Spotlight

Easy Jazz Spotlight is produced by the popular soft jazz Internet radio station, Easy Jazz FM, featuring conversations with today's jazz music creators. We talk with jazz musicians, composers and historians about jazz music and its role in this chaotic world. Listeners will gain an appreciation for the genre and how it can contribute to their sense of well-being.

Episodes

June 26, 2025 65 mins

AFJP stands for "Annam's Family Jazz Project" - a Quebec-based jazz band created in 2014 when four passionate musicians met at University. Led by composer Annam Nguyen, the band set out to express jazz using different styles to reach a larger audience. Annam sat down to speak with our host Stefan Zaichkowski. Be sure to hear the band at 59:47 in the interview.

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Danish jazz pianist Søren Bebe started playing the piano at age 9 but stopped shortly thereafter because he says “I found it boring.” Thankfully for us, Soren went back to the piano and today is a leading pianist on the European jazz and contemporary music scene. He talks about his life and music with host Stefan Zaichkowski. Be sure to see Soren’s “Evening Song” composition at the end of the video.

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Years ago, BC jazz singer and composer Angela Verbrugge moved west from Ontario to pursue an acting career in Vancouver. She would then end up in a car accident, get lost in a remote area of Belize, and survive cancer. Despite those challenges, Angela pursued jazz with a passion. This is her story - one of hope and inspiration as uncovered by host Ken Boyd.

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May 22, 2025 29 mins

In this edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight, host Britney Dea speaks with California award winning vocalist and song writer Castella. The jazz, soul and R&B performer talks about: her transition from being an executive in the corporate world to an international recording artist; the importance of having mentors; and how she got her stage named "Castella". Following the interview, we play Castella's latest release "Hurt So Bad" with ...

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December 13, 2024 89 mins

He describes himself as a soul singer who can't sing. But "Fluteman" Darryl Evan Jones of Memphis, Tennessee is one incredible jazz artist who plays the flute in a style that combines the classic sound of artists who came before him with his own rich, modern melodic style. In this interview with our host Stefan Zaichkowski, Darryl says he studied the playing of French classical flautist Jean-Pierre Louis Rampal. Jean-Pierre, who di...

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October 27, 2024 63 mins

He desperately wanted to be a jazz artist, moving to New York City. But bass guitarist Yosef Gutman Levitt (originally from South Africa) found that success doesn't come easily. To support himself, Yosef had to work in restaurants. He did other odd jobs as well - all the while, performing in local venues. Still, real success eluded him. He took a break to reflect on his approach to music, then landed a job as a producer on the Opra...

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May 9, 2024 34 mins

The legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter, who performed with Miles Davis and many other great jazz artists for decades, turned 87 years old on May 4, 2024. To help celebrate Maestro's birthday, our jazz radio host Ross Morgan (who is also a jazz guitarist) spoke with Ron about his approach to music and working with other artists. Towards the end of the interview, Ross asks Ron if he'd mind doing a liner for Ross's radio show. Ron agre...

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January 25, 2024 25 mins

In this episode of Easy Jazz Spotlight, host Ken Boyd talks with jazz songwriter and singer John Korbel. John's song "Bourbon Street Taps" which is featured in this interview at 13:38, hit number one on iTunes. The video was filmed during the Covid crisis in New Orleans - a big advantage for filming says John, because: "There weren't too many people around." John is a former rock and roller who tells Ken that he writes all of his ...

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January 17, 2024 70 mins

In this edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight, host Stefan Zaichkowski talks with veteran Toronto jazz guitarist Rob Tardik. Rob tells Stefan that in his early days, he played in a rock band, but also played classical guitar and jazz on the side. Today, Rob's music has made it to the top of the Billboard smooth jazz charts. During the interview at 36:30, Rob decides to grab his guitar and start playing! Be sure to also check out Rob's mus...

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November 28, 2023 77 mins

In this episode of Easy Jazz Spotlight, host Stefan Zaichkowski talks with Virginia trumpeter and educator Bill McGee. Bill talks about his long and varied career, and takes a historical look at the changes in the music industry over the years. Bill tells Stefan that he could see the rise of digital music as far back as the early 1990s - and, he reveals why he stepped away from producing albums for a long stretch of time.

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November 14, 2023 52 mins

On this episode of Easy Jazz Spotlight, we feature jazz fusion artist Deepspawn Logic. Deepspawn, who is from Brooklyn, New York - tells host Stefan Zaichkowski that she underwent a period of depression during the pandemic. But her music helped her get through it. In her words: "My brain just exploded." Deepspawn talks about her unusual style of music, and says there is an audience for every song she produces. Hear a sample of her ...

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November 8, 2023 49 mins

In this episode of Easy Jazz Spotlight, California musician and host John Armato talks with Los Angeles vocalist, songwriter and producer Staci Griesbach who combines her passion for country music with jazz. Staci talks about overcoming the challenges of recent years. John also asks Staci: how she got started; how she plans her albums; the differences between working in the corporate world and being an independent artist; and what ...

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October 27, 2023 48 mins
In the Easy Jazz Spotlight today is contemporary jazz bassist, recording artist and producer Bryan Anderson from Baltimore. Bryan has 11 albums to his credit, but he's not done yet with other projects in the works. Our host Stefan Zaichkowski learns why Bryan prefers smaller, intimate venues for his live shows; how Bryan creates his music; and what his strategies are for success.
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October 10, 2023 58 mins
He's performed with some of the greats, including Ike Turner, Sade and Chicago. Clarence T Kyle, known simply as CTK, is a trumpeter, keyboardist and composer whose album "The 2ND Coming" is a mix of smooth jazz, R&B, Hip Hop and Funk. And as our Easy Jazz Spotlight host Stefan Zaichkowski discovered, CTK believes you've got to have funk!
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October 8, 2023 49 mins

In this edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight, jazz artist Craig Thumper Samuels from Omaha, Nebraska speaks with host Stefan Zaichkowski about how he got started playing music, his amazing efforts with philanthropy - helping people with his music - and, how he managed to get the name "Thumper."

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October 7, 2023 21 mins

In this Easy Jazz Spotlight, host Ken Boyd speaks to well known smooth jazz pianist and composer Carol Albert who has a string of hits to her credit. Carol tells Ken how she comes up with ideas for writing music, the time she got “freaked out” when asked to play piano professionally, her career as a music teacher, and her new album entitled “Magic Mirror”.

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In this edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight, host Stefan Zaichkowski talks with award-winning Toronto pianist Nick Maclean whose Quartet features another award-winning jazz artist: trumpeter Brownman Ali. Nick talks to Stefan about the talented members of his band, his musical compositions, the challenges of working in a recording studio, communicating with audiences and the band's new album "Convergence".
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September 20, 2023 58 mins
In this edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight, host John Armato speaks with jazz vocalist, ambassador and educator Lisa Henry who began singing at age six, and turned professional at age 17 in the nightclubs of Kansas City. Lisa has been on tour with the great Herbie Hancock and has also performed with the likes of Anita Baker, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Hargrove, Wayne Shorter, Lou Rawls and many others. The legendary jazz guitarist Kenny Bur...
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August 21, 2023 32 mins
In the Easy Jazz Spotlight today is Calgary bassist, composer and producer Brendan Rothwell. Brendan's career is taking off with millions of streams across all major digital platforms. Host Ken Boyd learns why Brendan chose the bass as his musical instrument of choice, the great artists he's now working with, and about his latest album "Destiny".
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In this edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight is Mississauga award-winning jazz vocalist, producer and composer Heather Christine. Heather, who originally didn't appreciate her own talent, talks to host Ken Boyd about playing the roles of Karen Carpenter and Patsy Kline in musical theatre, learning to play the drums, and becoming a virtual music coach and teacher during the pandemic. Heather believes that singing can be good for our healt...
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