Jazz Flyte Podcast

Jazz Flyte Podcast

Welcome to “The Jazz Flyte Podcast, where we will dive into the lives and careers of the Jazz Legends who’ve left a rhythmic imprint on the world. Be prepared each week to reminisce on the highs and the lows of their musical journey, and the trials that sculpted their timeless musical gems. We’ll preserve the legacy of these extraordinary maestros and find inspiration in the melodies of their lives. Subscribe now and never miss a beat!

Episodes

EP 105: How Tim Heintz Creates Emotion Through Music

September 21, 2025 • 32 mins
Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast. I’m your host, Darrell Scott, and this week I’m joined by legendary composer, producer, and keyboardist Tim Heintz—a true behind-the-scenes force in the world of music and sound design.

Tim takes us on a journey that began with him playing organ as a child and blossomed into a career that’s spanned decades and genres. From the soulful stylings of Chaka Khan and Michael McDonald, to the intrica...
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EP 104: When the Music Calls: Rob Zinn’s Journey to Jazz Fame

September 14, 2025 • 40 mins
This week on The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with multi-instrumentalist and smooth jazz artist Rob Zinn, whose path to the stage wasn’t your typical tale of musical prodigy turned star. Born into a household of discipline—his father was in the FBI—Rob was urged to pursue a more "secure" path. But music kept calling.

After years of playing trumpet in big bands and keeping music on the back burner, Rob made a bold pivot nearly a de...
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EP 103: Finding Peace Within: Omar Sosa’s Inner Compass

September 5, 2025 • 28 mins
This week on The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Omar Sosa, whose piano playing and compositions transcend borders and awaken the spirit. Omar takes us deep into his musical philosophy—one rooted in ancestral voices, global rhythms, and spiritual expression.

We talk about his upcoming trio project “Outside the Box,” which features Jovani Terry and Julia Miltenberg, and will debut in New York and Cleveland. Omar refle...
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EP 102: Why Flute Samples Don’t Cut It: Ragan Breaks It Down

August 31, 2025 • 32 mins
Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast! This week, I’m excited to bring back one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary jazz—Ragan Whiteside.

Known for her powerful stage presence and mastery of the flute, Ragan is no stranger to innovation. In this episode, she shares her latest musical venture Chopped and Flutted and why she’s on a mission to bring real flute sounds back into jazz production. Ragan opens up about juggling life...
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EP 101: The Sunshine Effect: How Avery Finds Light in Every Note

August 20, 2025 • 23 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with the radiant force that is Avery Sunshine. If you’ve ever wondered what sunshine sounds like, tune in—because Avery brings it. We talk about everything from the origin of her stage name to her Grammy win, and how her journey from a musical household in Chester, PA shaped her unforgettable voice and message.

Avery shares how growing up with a litera...
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EP 100: The One Shift That Could Elevate Your Music Career

August 17, 2025 • 31 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I take a virtual flight to London to sit down with keyboardist, composer, and producer Oli Silk — one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary jazz and often dubbed the UK’s Smooth Jazz Ambassador.

Oli’s story starts with the jazz-funk duo Sugar & Silk, which led to a solo career packed with Billboard hits — including the iconic Chill or Be Chilled, which stayed on the Smooth Jazz...
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EP 99: The Audition That Changed Maysa’s Life Forever

August 10, 2025 • 41 mins
In this special episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with the iconic Maysa—a voice that has shaped the sound of contemporary soul and jazz for more than three decades. With her unmistakable honey-toned mezzo-soprano and magnetic presence, Maysa opens up about her unforgettable audition for Stevie Wonder, her time with Wonderlove, and the fateful moment she got the call to join Incognito: “You got the g...
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EP 98: The Saxophonist Who Learned to Play Before She Could Read

July 27, 2025 • 26 mins
In this week’s episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by the sensational Jessy J—one of the most sought-after saxophonists in contemporary jazz today. With eight Billboard-charting albums, 13 top singles, a global fanbase, and a performance history that spans over 17 years, Jessy J brings not just skill, but soul to every note.

Jessy started playing saxophone at nine, pivoting from piano and becoming the only saxophonist in h...
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EP 97: Why Sitting Still Is the Most Powerful Practice for Musicians

July 20, 2025 • 37 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with world-class drummer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Valentine—but this conversation goes far beyond the beats. Known for his work with artists like Richard Elliot, Peter White, Stephanie Mills, Lindsey Webster, and even rock icons like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, Eric steps out from behind the kit to talk about the heartbeat behind the groove: l...
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EP 96: He Was the Kid With a Guitar—Now He Teaches the Greats

July 13, 2025 • 36 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with master guitarist, composer, and educator Richard Smith—a man who’s been shaping smooth jazz from every angle for decades. Born in Detroit and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Richard’s musical journey began with a spark from a Chick Corea concert at just 14 years old. That one moment set the stage for a life of passion, discipline, and bold choices—including skipping school, landi...
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EP 95: The Secret to Lasting 30 Years in the Music Industry

July 6, 2025 • 37 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by internationally acclaimed guitarist JJ Sansaverino—a man whose career spans more than three decades, five albums, and over 50 tour dates a year. You might know him from his Billboard #1 hit or his fiery blend of smooth jazz, traditional jazz, reggae, blues, and R&B. But behind the strings is a story that started with a turntable, a Santana record, and a kid learning by ea...
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EP 94: Michael Broening on the Magic of “Swayed” and Writing Hits

June 29, 2025 • 38 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with producer, pianist, and songwriter Michael Broening—a man behind more than 65 contemporary jazz hits, including 25 number-one singles. You’ve probably heard his work even if you didn’t know his name. From George Benson and Al Jarreau’s Grammy-winning track “Mornin’” to chart-toppers with Marion Meadows, Lemek, and Althea René, Michael’s influence in smooth jazz runs deep.

Mic...
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EP 93: From Switzerland to Smooth Jazz: The Fabio Mignola Story

June 22, 2025 • 31 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I take a virtual trip to Switzerland with internationally acclaimed guitarist Fabio Mignola. From the accordion at age seven to classical guitar, and eventually to smooth jazz, Fabio's journey is as melodic and diverse as the music he creates. Trained in classical music but inspired by artists like Pat Metheny, Jimi Hendrix, and Carlos Santana, Fabio carved out his own space blending Latin...
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EP 92: The Slow Burn of Success: Inside Boney James’ Journey

June 15, 2025 • 15 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I welcome one of the most celebrated names in contemporary jazz—Boney James. With four GRAMMY nominations, multiple gold records, and the historic milestone of 20 number-one Billboard Smooth Jazz singles, Boney’s career is both legendary and evolving.

We revisit Boney’s first professional gig with Morris Day and how that experience shifted his understanding of music from passion to paycheck...
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EP 91: The One Rule PJ Spraggins Has for Every Drummer

June 8, 2025 • 40 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by PJ Spraggins, a self-taught drummer and producer whose journey is a masterclass in determination and purpose. PJ dreamed of touring the world, and in 2023, that dream became reality. Now he’s on the road with two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson, fresh off performances on the Soul Train Cruise and the Bahrain Jazz Festival with Jeff Bradshaw.

PJ takes us back to where it all be...
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EP 90: Why Marcus Miller’s Bass Speaks Louder Than Words

June 1, 2025 • 43 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Marcus Miller—a two-time Grammy Award winner, UNESCO Artist for Peace, and one of the most influential bassists in jazz, R&B, and fusion. You’ve heard his unmistakable groove on hits by Bill Withers, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, Miles Davis, and Aretha Franklin—but now you’ll hear the story behind the sound.

Marcus opens up about falling in love with the...
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EP 89: What Touring with Jazz Royalty Taught André Berry About Finding His Sound

May 25, 2025 • 36 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by one of the most respected names in smooth jazz bass, André Berry. You may know him from the stage alongside Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright, or Peter White—but behind the bass is a journey of reinvention, hustle, and heart.

André grew up in Cleveland, where the dream of starting a band began in his early teens. After switching from guitar to bass at 16, he found his gro...
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EP 88: How a Childhood Song Turned Into a Global Movement with Jonathan Butler

May 18, 2025 • 44 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Jonathan Butler—an artist whose music has not only transcended genres but also political boundaries. Born under the harsh reality of apartheid South Africa, Jonathan became the first non-white artist to be played on national radio and television. Nelson Mandela himself credited Jonathan’s music as a source of inspiration during his imprisonment, a testament to...
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EP 87: The Vocabulary of a Drummer with Gorden Campbell

May 4, 2025 • 41 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with the legendary Gorden Campbell, a drummer whose resume reads like a Hall of Fame roster. From growing up in a small suburb in New York and learning music in church, to playing alongside icons like Beyoncé, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Duke, and Whitney Houston, Gorden’s journey is a masterclass in dedication, adaptability, and passion for the craft.

Gord...
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EP 86: Letting the Trumpet Speak with Evan Taylor

April 27, 2025 • 38 mins
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with multi-instrumentalist and composer Evan Taylor—a gifted trumpet player whose journey began in a small Michigan town and has since taken him to stages and studios across the globe. From playing hymns in church to recording for BET, HGTV, and Warner/Chappell Music, Evan’s path is a masterclass in talent, humility, and creative evolution.

We dive into how a sec...
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