Category: Arranger

After Hours featuring Riley Mulherkar, air date Nov. 20, 2024

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, Band leader, composer, educator, Featured guest, TrumpetLeave a comment

Join me at 9 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024, for the next edition of After Hours on KRBD Rainbird Radio as I’m joined in conversation with jazz trumpet player Riley Mulherkar.

Riley has been recognized as a “smart young trumpet player” by The New York Times, praised by The Wall Street Journal as a “youngster to keep an eye on,” and is a 2020 recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award for his work as “an original bandleader, composer, arranger, educator, community activist and advocate for jazz and the arts.”

Riley is best known as a founding member of The Westerlies, a New York-based brass quartet of (as the name implies) West Coast expats who play a mix of jazz, modern classical and folk compositions, high on tunefulness. This deep admiration for the American songbook can also be heard all over Riley, the solo debut by the 32 year-old Mulherkar.

But love of song is only half of the album’s primary pull. The other is the sonically modern setting for Mulherkar’s vulnerable, melodious interpretation of this rich tradition, a sound design shaped by producers Rafiq Bhatia and Chris Pattishall. Enveloping Mulherkar within a series of textured, intricately-crafted spaces, Bhatia and Pattishall train a cinematographer’s lens on the continuum of great old songs, as well as new Mulherkar pieces which fit right in. It’s a radically bold audio framework for the emotional pronouncements of Riley’s horn.

Click this link to go to Riley’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Eugene Maslov, air date Feb. 1, 2023

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, Band leader, composer, PianoLeave a comment

Join me for the Feb. 1, 2023, edition of After Hours on KRBD Rainbird Radio as I’m joined in conversation with jazz pianist Eugene Maslov.

A piano prodigy from St. Petersburg, Russia, now residing in the USA, Eugene is a critically acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger deeply rooted in contemporary post-bop jazz. Whether performing as leader or sideman, Eugene is a first-rate artist and his passion for music continues to inspire legions of jazz fans from around the globe. He has recorded and performed with Shirley Horn; Toots Thielemans; Gary Burton; Hubert Laws; Omar Hakim; Eddie Gomez; Vinnie Colaiuta and Bob Sheppard to name a few.

Eugene’s continued development of classical and jazz techniques have resulted in a series of ground-breaking CD releases as leader. Where the Light Comes From“, brings his prolific experience and encyclopedic knowledge of jazz form and improvisation to a format with a balanced concept, astutely and poetically rendered within the tight chemistry of his backup musicians, which include Laws and Colaiuta.

His latest CD titled, “Holiday Classics” is a masterpiece in solo jazz and classical crossover piano. Eugene’s latest album is beautiful collection of timeless classic Holiday and Christmas songs.

Click this link to go to Eugene’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Christian Jacob, air date Feb. 23, 2022

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, educator, Featured guest, Keyboards, PianoLeave a comment

Join me for After Hours Alaska at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, on KRBD public radio in Ketchikan, Alaska, as I’m joined in conversation with jazz pianist Christian Jacob.

Christian is a multi-Grammy-nominated pianist and arranger and first gained widespread exposure as music director for Maynard Ferguson and later as leader of the Christian Jacob Trio and co-leader of the Tierney Sutton Band.

“A post-bop modernist touched by the souls of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. … Pianist Christian Jacob is a wonderful player whose crystalline melodies and expansive harmonies mark him as someone to keep an ear on.” ~ JAZZ TIMES

Born in Lorraine, France, Christian fell in love with classical music at age 4 and discovered jazz at age 9. After graduating with “First Prize” from the Paris Conservatory, Jacob came to America to focus on improvisation at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.  While attending Berklee, Christian won a number of awards, including the Oscar Peterson Jazz Masters Award, the Great American Jazz Piano Competition and “Downbeat” magazine’s distinction as Top Collegiate Jazz Soloist. He went on to teach at Berklee, tour with Maynard Ferguson, perform and record with a number of jazz legends and was listed by The Japan Times as one of the best-selling foreign jazz pianists in Japan. His extensive discography includes five critically acclaimed trio recordings and seven Grammy nominations from his alliance with vocalist Tierney Sutton, drummer Ray Brinker and bassists Trey Henry and Kevin Axt. Christian also received a Grammy Nomination as an arranger with The Phil Norman Tentet.

While Christian performs year round, his arranging skills are also highly sought after. He has been arranging for the Swiss Youth Jazz Orchestra since 1990 and The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra since 2005, featuring such talented artists as John Scofield, Billy Cobham, Charlie Haden, Phil Woods, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter and Gary Burton. Christian’s latest collaboration has been with renowned Japanese composer Kunihiko Murai and Maestro Jorge Calandrelli.

In 2014, Christian released his first solo piano recording, Beautiful Jazz: a private concert, aptly titled as this intimate solo recording is a dedication to the music that drew him away from the classical world and introduced him to the beautiful world of jazz. Recorded in pure analog and available as a limited edition vinyl LP.

In 2016, the original score to director Clint Eastwood’s box-office smash “Sully”, was created by Christian, The Tierney Sutton Band and Clint Eastwood. It was a fulfilling moment, to orchestrate his and the band’s music for a 70-piece orchestra and hear it live with the brilliant Conrad Pope conducting. The following year Eastwood asked Christian to compose the music for his next film, “The 15:17 to Paris.”

Click this link to go to Christian’s personal website.

After Hours Special featuring Austin Hays, air date July 28, 2021

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, composer, Drums, Featured guest, Keyboards, Piano, Producer, VocalsLeave a comment
PHOTO BY JEFF FITZWATER

Please accompany me for a very special edition of After Hours as I’m joined in musical conversation with Ketchikan’s own drummer, composer, arranger, producer, pianist and singer Austin Hays as we explore making music for video games, the connection between music and math, and exploring bipolar through music.

Tune into this exclusive interview at 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, July 28, on KRBD Rainbird Radio in Ketchikan.

Born and raised in Ketchikan, Austin has been playing drums since age 5, and also has taken up piano, composing/arranging, and singing. Austin attended Cornish College of the Arts from 2008-13. He enjoys producing his own shows, and currently resides in his hometown as a private music teacher and working musician.

Missed the show? Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Austin Hays, originally broadcast on July 28, 2021. Click here to visit Austin’s Facebook page for his Austinato music studio, and click here for his SoundCloud music page.

After Hours featuring John Beasley, air date March 1, 2021

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, Band leader, composer, Featured guest, Keyboards, Music director, Piano, ProducerLeave a comment

Join me for the March 1, 2021, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio (and later broadcast on KRBD Rainbird Radio and KSTK) as I’m joined with multi-Grammy-nominated and Emmy-nominated pianist, composer, arranger, music director and producer John Beasley.

John was born in Shreveport, La., and grew up in Texas. His parents and grandfather taught music, and in his teens he played guitar, saxophone, drums, oboe, and piano.

John played keyboard for Freddy Hubbard and Miles Davis and has performed with a wide variety of artists like Dianne Reeves, Sergio Mendes, Ivan Lins, Christian McBride and so many more. He was the lead arranger for 10 years on American Idol. When not involved in his projects or others, John conducts master classes and clinics around the globe.

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring John Beasley, originally broadcast on March 1, 2021. Click here to visit John’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Matt King, air date Feb. 24, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, Featured guest, Organ, Piano, Producer, Songwriter, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for the Feb. 24, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio as I’m joined for an uplifting and stirring conversation with pianist, organist, vocalist, composer, arranger and producer based in the NYC area Matt King.

His latest recording as a leader, “Monk In Brazil,” features the iconic compositions of jazz legend Thelonious Monk, arranged by King in various Brazilian genres. This trailblazing music is earning rave reviews from notable artists in both the American and Brazilian jazz worlds:


“A brilliant triumph, melding the wittiness of Monk’s melodies and the infectiousness of Brazilian rhythms. Matt King’s piano playing is always stellar; his solos sparkle with such clarity and solid creative ideas. If you love Monk and Brazilian music, get ready to party! BRAVO!” (Rufus Reid)

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Matt King, originally broadcast on Feb. 24, 2020. Click here to visit Matt’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Anne Phillips, air date Jan. 20, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, composer, Featured guest, Piano, Producer, Songwriter, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for the Jan. 20, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio (and later broadcast on KRBD Rainbird Radio and KSTK) as I’m joined in conversation with American singer, songwriter, pianist and producer Anne Phillips.

Anne’s career has covered almost every area of the music business. In addition to recording several solo albums, from the classic Born To Be Blue, to her most recent release, Ballet Time on which she sings with such old friends as Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland, she  has worked  as a singer, choral arranger and conductor with many of the music world’s leading artists and is  widely known in the industry as the writer-arranger-producer of many national commercials.

Anne has worked with Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Mahalia Jackson and has arranged and produced jingles for the Four Tops and Martha and the Vandellas. She started working in demo recordings for songwriters in the 1950s. She was also a member of the Ray Charles Singers on the Perry Como Show.

Join me on this odyssey into the musical heart and soul into this fabulous artist.

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Anne Phillips, originally broadcast on Jan. 20, 2020. Click here to visit Anne’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Peter Eldridge, air date Sept. 30, 2019

On By Charles BinghamIn Arranger, Featured guest, Piano, SongwriterLeave a comment

Join me for the Sept. 30, 2019, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska, when I was joined in conversation with Peter Eldridge.

Peter has remained at the forefront of both the singer-songwriter and jazz realms as a vocalist, pianist, composer and arranger. He has five critically acclaimed albums: “Fool No More,” “Stranger in Town,” “Decorum,” “Mad Heaven” and “Disappearing Day” which was released in July 2016 on Sunnyside Records and called “an out and out masterpiece” by allaboutjazz. “Disappearing Day” made many ‘best of the year’ lists, including Downbeat, Jazziz and NPR.

Most recently, Peter and iconic jazz pianist and composer Kenny Werner joined forces on 2019 “Somewhere,” a collection of lush ballads for voice, string orchestra and jazz trio. Peter is also a founding member of internationally acclaimed vocal group, “New York Voices.”

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Peter Eldridge, originally broadcast on Sept. 30, 2019. Click here to visit Peter’s personal website.