Tag: singer

After Hours featuring Andrea Miller, air date July 20, 2022

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for After Hours Alaska at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, on KRBD public radio in Ketchikan, Alaska, as I’m joined in conversation with award-winning jazz vocalist Andrea Miller.

Andrea Miller’s voice has been described as soulful, sensual, hypnotic and endearing. In 2021 and 2020 she became a Top 5 Finalist in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Influenced by Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Stevie Wonder, Andrea is currently heating up the international jazz scene.

Andrea opened for the legendary Al Jarreau at many concerts before he passed including the Newport Beach Jazz Festival. She received a standing ovation and gracious compliments from Jarreau and his band and was set to tour with and open for him on his European tour, just prior to his passing.

In 2022, Andrea headlined the Punta Mita Jazz Festival and will headline San Jose Jazz Weekend, The Texas Jazz Festival and Festival de Jazz de Polanco in Mexico City. In 2020 she headlined Bemol 5 Jazz club in Lyon, France. In 2021 and 2019 Andrea headlined Jazz De Polanco Festival in Mexico City and Jazz at LACMA in Los Angeles. In 2018 she headlined the Newport Beach Jazz Party Series, and in 2017 she headlined the Utah Arts Festival, the Salt Lake City Jazz Festival and the Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series with the Tom Kubis Big Band. 

“A brilliant young singer” – Al Jarreau

Click this link to go to Andrea’s personal website. Click here to listen to a recording of her interview.

After Hours featuring Molly Johnson, air date June 22, 2022

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Philanthropist, Songwriter, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for After Hours Alaska at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, on KRBD public radio in Ketchikan, Alaska, as I’m joined in conversation with award-winning vocalist Molly Johnson.

Molly is known as one of Canada’s greatest vocalists. She is a mother, singer-songwriter, artist and philanthropist, who has just released her highly anticipated new album, “Meaning To Tell Ya”. Produced by multiple GRAMMY Award winning producer, Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Norah Jones); it is more than a jazz record. It’s funk, it’s soul, it’s groove played by some of Canada’s best musicians.

Dedicated to supporting communities in need, Molly established the Kumbaya Foundation and Festival in 1992, raising awareness and funds for people living with HIV/AIDS, and continues to work with several other charitable organizations each year. Molly has been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee medal, and in 2008, was honored with becoming an Officer of The Order Of Canada (O.C.). This rare distinction was given to Molly to recognize her philanthropic work for a variety of causes and for her international contributions to the arts. In 2016, Molly launched the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which fills this colorful and vibrant area of Toronto with over 400 local Canadian musicians, performing 150-plus shows over one weekend in September to more than 5,000 enthusiastic music fans. 

Molly was the voice of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio 2 Weekend Morning program where she eased listeners into their weekend with great Canadian songs, and stories about musicians and the people of Canada, from coast to coast. The Canadian music icon’s latest release, the Juno-nominated, Because of Billie (2014) is a celebration of the music of Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday’s journey inspires Johnson not only as an artist, but as a model citizen. Paying homage to Holiday’s childhood struggles, Johnson donated a portion of album sales to the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Tune in and be inspired.

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

After Hours featuring Stacey Kent, air date Feb. 16, 2022

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for After Hours Alaska at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, on KRBD public radio in Ketchikan, Alaska, as I’m joined in conversation with vocalist Stacey Kent (this interview originally was scheduled to air on Dec. 8, 2021).

Stacey Kent is a jazz singer in the mould of the greats, with a legion of fans worldwide and a host of honors and awards, including a Grammy nomination, album sales in excess of 2 million, platinum, double-gold and gold-selling albums that have reached a series of No. 1 chart positions during the span of her career.

Her album, I Know I Dream: The Orchestral Sessions (Sony) has had more than 40 million streams, won ‘Album of the Year’ in the vocal category at the 2018 Jazz Japan Awards, and received glowing reviews, including a coveted five stars in Downbeat, and was described by All About Jazz as “intoxicating understatement at its finest…one more jewel in a discography with many, it’s one that deserves singling out for its luster.”

This comparative literature graduate with a passion for music travelled to Europe to further her studies, and after receiving her degree from Sarah Lawrence College in New York, through a series of twists of fate, she found herself in London where she enrolled in a graduate music program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and where she met her future husband and musical partner, Jim Tomlinson.

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

After Hours featuring Leslie Page, air date Feb. 9, 2022

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Songwriter, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for After Hours Alaska at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9, on KRBD public radio in Ketchikan, Alaska, as I’m joined in conversation with jazz vocalist Leslie Page.

Leslie is a singer/songwriter and resident of sunny Southern California. She is an incredible vocal force with unique life experiences that resonate in the timbre of her rich and sultry tone. Her career as a live performance vocalist, studio session singer and touring background vocalist spans with more than 20 years of experience.

Leslie has shared the stage with an ongoing list of world class musicians and entertainers including Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Billy Gibbons, Rick Springfield, Zack Brown Band, Gary Clark Jr, Hunter Hayes, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Peaches and Herb, Richard Marx and many more. Her vocals have been featured on numerous television/film/commercial recordings and album projects. In July 2019, Leslie released her first jazz album, Heart Songs, produced by Tony Guerrero, featuring some original music as well as covers of some of her favorite jazz tunes.

She has been described as a pro’s pro, having one of the finest and most adaptable voices you’ll ever hear and has been dubbed by producers as the “one take wonder”. Leslie is a woman who sings from the depths of her soul, with great tune and skill. She is truly a master of her instrument.

Click this link to go to Leslie’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 Pizzarelli, air date Aug. 17, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Guitar, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for the Aug. 17, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio as I’m joined in conversation with world-renowned guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli.

John has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” The Toronto Star pegged him as “the genial genius of the guitar.” And the Seattle Times saluted him as “a rare entertainer of the old school.”

Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim and the Beatles. His themed shows, often performed with his wife, Jessica Molaskey, suggest there is no limit to Pizzarelli’s imagination or talent.

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring John Pizzarelli, originally broadcast on Aug. 17, 2020. Click here to visit John’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Stephanie Nakasian (mother) and Veronica Swift (daughter), air date July 27, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Vocals1 Comment

Join me for the July 27, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio as I’m joined in conversation with jazz vocalist Stephanie Nakasian and her daughter, Veronica Swift, also a jazz vocalist.

Stephanie is an exciting, well-seasoned vocalist and master of innovative jazz improvisation, completely authentic with a fresh and vibrant sound of her own. She came to international attention in the mid-1980s, when she toured with the great Jon Hendricks.

At 26, her daughter, Veronica Swift, inow is being recognized around the country as one of the top young jazz singers on the scene today, touring with pianist Benny Green and trumpeter Chris Botti.

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Stephanie Nakasian and Veronica Swift, originally broadcast on July 27, 2020. Click here to visit Stephanie’s personal website, and click here to visit Veronica’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Eliane Elias, air date May 25, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Songwriter, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for the May 25, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio as I’m joined for an uplifting and stirring conversation with Eliane Elias.

Eliane has had a distinguished career spanning nearly 30 albums, and is a multi-GRAMMY winning pianist/singer/composer. Her distinctive and intoxicating musical style has emerged as one of the most unique and immediately recognizable sounds in jazz.

With more than 2.2 million albums sold to date, she blends her Brazilian roots and alluring voice with her virtuosic instrumental jazz, classical and compositional skills, while she consistently displays her pianistic mastery and ability to integrate the many artistic roles she takes on. Jazziz Magazine describes Eliane as “an artist beyond category.”

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Eliane Elias, originally broadcast on May 25, 2020. Click here to visit Eliane’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Benny Benack III, air date March 2, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Piano, Trumpet, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for the March 2, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio as I’m joined in conversation with with Benny Benack lll.

Benny has proven to be a rare talent: not only a fiery trumpet player with a stirring command of the post-bop trumpet vernacular in the vein of Kenny Dorham and Blue Mitchell, but also a singer with a sly, mature, naturally expressive delivery in the post-Sinatra mold, performing standards and his own astute songs with a thrilling sense of showmanship. His superb intonation and bracing virtuosity enable him to handle astounding feats of originally composed vocalese (complex solos with written lyrics). And he’s a highly capable pianist as well.

Benny performs widely as a frontman for Postmodern Jukebox, the vintage music collective famed for canny old-school covers of modern pop.

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Benny Benack III, originally broadcast on March 2, 2020. Click here to visit Benny’s personal website.

After Hours featuring Bria Skonberg, air date Feb. 10, 2020

On By Charles BinghamIn Featured guest, Songwriter, Trumpet, VocalsLeave a comment

Join me for the Feb. 10, 2020, edition of After Hours on KCAW Raven Radio as  I’m joined in conversation with New York City jazz trumpeter, singer and songwriter Bria Skonberg.

Originally from Canada, Bria is described as “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal). She recently sang the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the Apollo, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, and was a featured guest with Jon Batiste.

A bandleader since her teens, Bria has performed festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival, and more than a hundred more.

In 2016 Bria released her debut LP on Sony Masterworks which won a Canadian JUNO award and made the Top 5 on Billboard jazz charts. A six-time Downbeat Rising Star, further accolades include the jazz at Lincoln Center Swing Award, Best Vocal and Best Trumpet from Hot House Jazz Magazine and Outstanding Jazz Artist at the Bistro Awards.

Click this link to listen to the After Hours show featuring Bria Skonberg, originally broadcast on Feb. 10, 2020. Click here to visit Bria’s personal website.