Improv Exchange Podcast

Episode #115: Andrey Chmut

Andrey Chmut is a Ukrainian saxophonist, composer, and producer. Andrey works with Bob James, Jamala, Candy Dulfer,  Dave Koz, Julio Iglesias Jr, Andrius Mamontovas, Igor Zakus, Tina Karol, Valery Stepanov, Eric Moore, and many other artists.  The song Moving Forward from the album "Smoothability", which was recorded with American jazz pianist and producer Grammy Winner Bob James, became a top song on the American radio giant Sirius XM and lasted more than a year in rotation.  Andrey Chmut debut album "Smoothability", which was also released on Skytown Records (LA) was included in the top 10 Ukrainian albums of the year according to the Aprize 2019 award from Radio Aristocrats and 4 position for top 100 Best Smooth Jazz Albums (Amazon).

During 2022 Andrey travel around the world with support concerts in Ukraine At the beginning of 2023, Andrey was invited to the Bob James Quartet and went on a US tour.  James and Chmut are working on a joint album that will be presented to the general public in 2024. In this episode, Andrey shares his background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #114: Dominic Miller

Guitarist Dominic Miller is a highly regarded pop, classical, and jazz-influenced player, best known for his long association with Sting. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1960, Miller spent his first ten years living in South America, where his father worked for Johnson Wax. Around age ten, he moved back to the United States with his family, settling in Racine, Wisconsin. By age 15 he had picked up the guitar and played in various bands during high school. Later, he studied at London's Guildhall School of Music, where he made his first forays into the U.K. music scene and befriended artists like violinist Nigel Kennedy and Level 42 keyboardist Mike Lindup. From the late '80s onward, Miller was an in-demand performer, touring and/or recording with such acts as Level 42, World Party, King Swamp, the Pretenders, Phil Collins, Branford Marsalis, and many others.

Beginning with 1991's The Soul Cages, Miller began a fruitful working relationship with Sting. He has appeared on almost all of Sting's albums since the '90s, including Ten Summoner's Tales, Mercury Falling, Brand New Day, All This Time, Sacred Love, If on a Winter's Night, and more. He has also made significant contributions to albums by Chris Botti, Vinnie Colaiuta, Kim Richey, Ronan Keating, LeAnn Rimes, and many others.

As a solo artist, Miller debuted with First Touch in 1995, followed by Second Nature in 1999. These albums showcased his adept technique and inclination toward evocative instrumentals. He has delivered a steady stream of solo efforts since then, including 2002's New Dawn with Neil Stacey, 2004's classical-themed Shapes, and 2008's In a Dream with Peter Kater. He has also delivered a handful of eclectic efforts for the Q-Rious label, including 2010's November; 2014's Ad Hoc; and 2016's collaboration with Manolito Simonet, Hecho en Cuba. In 2017, Miller made his ECM debut with the atmospheric Silent Light. A second ECM release, Absinthe, followed by 2019 and 2023 a third ECM release, Vagabond. In this episode, Dominic shares his background, education, and musical journey. 

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Episode #113: Cheryl Ann Spencer

Cheryl Ann Spencer is a Singaporean jazz pianist specializing in classical and modern jazz.  Aside from a banking and finance degree, she has a second degree in Jazz Music from the LaSalle College of Arts. She is pursuing classical composition and piano pedagogy at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore. She majored in jazz piano under her principal study teacher Mr. Kerong Chok at La Salle,. Cheryl reconnects with her first love in music and draws inspiration from the vibrant jazz community around the world including Kenny Barron, Mc Coy Tyner, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Chok Kerong.

Cheryl grew up in a music-centered family. Her late father, Mr. Teo Chin Huat, was a pianist/ music educator previously from the Vienna Conservatory. Cheryl's natural love and inclination towards music was evident at a young age as she developed a great ear and could play the right notes on any musical instrument despite not having formal training. Since she was young, she has played in numerous school events and chapel services as teachers appreciate her ease and confidence in playing the piano.

A mother of two children, Cheryl took a break from work when her children were born in the last decade. Motherhood gives her great joy and inspiration to create music. Since then, she took up her second degree in Jazz Music and formed the 'Evolution Quartet band with Tamagoh (drums), Fabian Lee (Double Bass) and Cheryl Ann Spencer (piano), and Rit Xu ( Flute).

Cheryl has performed at Esplanade Recital Studio, Maduro, Blu Jazz, Harry's Bar at Boat Quay, and British High Commissioner's Fundraising Dinner at Nassim Road. She recently held her personal recital concert at the LaSalle College of Arts. In this episode, Cheryl shares her background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #112: Clarie Victoria Roberts

Claire Victoria Roberts is a composer, vocalist, and violinist, who blurs the boundaries of jazz, contemporary, and singer-songwriter genres. She collaborates, as an artist, with musicians from classical, jazz, and folk spheres, drawing upon her diverse influences and melding styles together: through improvised vocals, contemporary classical timbres, and melody-driven compositions.

Her work has been performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Psappha Ensemble, cellist Oliver Coates, Opra Cymru, Uproar Ensemble, Solem Quartet, and The Carice Singers. She has collaborated as a violinist and improvising vocalist with Camden Symphony Orchestra, Sherman Theatre, New Voices Choir, Morley Arts Festival, Aberystwyth Arts Festival, and Sherman Theatre. As a composer, she has been commissioned by Cheltenham Festival, Presteigne Festival, MusicFest, and the Wigmore Hall.

As a jazz vocalist, Claire has performed at festivals across the UK and abroad including Brecon jazz, Marsden jazz, and Begues jazz (Cataluna). 2021 saw the release of her E.P. 'NOIR', alongside the Treske Quartet, interpreting the melancholy, cynical lyrics of her chosen jazz and chanson material.

Claire won the Welsh Music Guild's Young Composer award in 2022, was awarded a Jerwood Arts composer award in 2021, is the Winner of a Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize 2019-2020, as well as 2017 winner of the Mathias Composition prize, and 2019 winner of a Francis Chagrin award. She has been broadcast on Radio 3, Radio Wales, and Radio Cymru. In this episode, Claire shares her background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #111: Branford Marsalis

After four decades in the international spotlight, the achievements of saxophonist Branford Marsalis continue to grow. From his initial recognition as a young jazz lion, he has expanded his vision as an instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, and educator, crossing stylistic boundaries while maintaining unwavering creative integrity. In the process, he has become a multi-award-winning artist with three Grammys, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master, and an avatar of contemporary artistic excellence.

Growing up in the rich environment of New Orleans as the oldest son of pianist and educator, the late Ellis Marsalis, Branford was drawn to music along with siblings Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason. The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, remains his primary means of expression. In its virtually uninterrupted three-plus decades of existence, the Quartet has established a rare breadth of stylistic range as demonstrated on the band’s latest release: The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul. 

Branford has not confined his music to the jazz quartet context. A frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with acclaimed orchestras worldwide, performing works by composers such as Copeland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem, Vaughan Williams and Villa-Lobos. And his legendary guest performances with the Grateful Dead and collaborations with Sting have made him a fan favorite in the pop arena.

His work on Broadway has garnered a Drama Desk Award and Tony nominations for the acclaimed revivals of Children of a Lesser God, Fences, and A Raisin in the Sun. His screen credits include original music composed for: Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks starring Oprah Winfrey and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. Ma Rainey is the Netflix film adaptation of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s play, produced by Denzel Washington and released in December 2020.

Branford has also shared his knowledge as an educator, forming extended teaching relationships at Michigan State, San Francisco State, and North Carolina Central Universities and conducting workshops at sites throughout the United States and the world.

After the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, Branford and friend Harry Connick, Jr. conceived of “Musicians’ Village,” a residential community in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans. The centerpiece of the Village is the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, honoring Branford’s father. The Center uses music as the focal point of a holistic strategy to build a healthy community and to deliver a broad range of services to underserved children, youth, and musicians from neighborhoods battling poverty and social injustice. In this episode, Branford shares his background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #110: Josh Feldstein

Josh Feldstein founded The Verve Jazz Ensemble in 2006 as a band that paid homage to the past while vehemently establishing newer, younger audiences for the vintage sound of Hard Bop-inspired jazz.  Josh has studied extensively with drumming legend John Riley and the amazing Joe Morello, Josh’s additional drumming influences include Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Buddy Rich, and Peter Erskine.

Josh has recorded 8 records with the VJE, including the band’s #1 JazzWeek radio chart album, “Connect The Dots.”  His newest VJE album, “All In,” is now being played on US and global internet radio, and will be released commercially on Spotify and all streaming platforms on May 26th.

Josh Feldstein was born in Manhattan and received his degree from Queens College, City University of New York.  As a child, Josh began studying drums at age 11. After a drum instructor one day told him that his drumming style “reminded him of Gene Krupa” (whom Josh had never heard of at the time), Josh immersed himself in the recordings of the legendary "Sing, Sing, Sing" soloist. "I listened to all the big bands, from Benny Goodman to Count Basie to Duke Ellington and everything in between,” Josh said.  "I knew immediately it was jazz drumming for me!” In this episode, Josh shares his background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #109: Brent Vaartstra

Brent Vaartstra is a professional jazz musician, author, podcaster, and jazz coach living in New York City. He is the director of the internationally renowned jazz education company Learn Jazz Standards, which helps musicians of all instruments level up their jazz playing without the overwhelm.

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Episode #108: Jason Marshall

Jason Marshall’s 2003 arrival in New York City signified the continuation of hard-swinging, forward-thinking baritone saxophone playing. With early encouragement to appreciate all types of music, Jason has developed a style that encompasses the whole of African-American music. A special interest is given to the amalgamation of soul, R and B, and funk with straight-ahead jazz. Years of dedication and perseverance have resulted in a giant, soulful sound and instantly appealing concept. Influences such as Leo Parker, Nick Brignola and Bruce Johnstone have coalesced to ensure an open perception of the baritone sax and a “take-no-prisoners” approach to playing jazz music.

Jason has studied with no less than the elite baritone saxophone specialists of the 20th century including Hamiett Bluiett, Ronnie Cuber, and Gary Smulyan. These Three masters of the instrument have contributed invaluably to Jason Marshall’s ability, each one pouring their own personal wealth of knowledge into him. Other teachers include altoists Bruce Williams, Mark Gross, Steve Wilson, and Vincent Herring and tenor players Greg Tardy, Wayne Escoffrey, and Paul Carr. Mr. Lorenz Wheatley garners special distinction as being Jason’s first saxophone teacher and earliest source of musical direction.

Jason’s formative musical experiences include stints with the Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra and Bluesman Roy Gaines. He is currently playing and touring with Roy Hargrove’s band RH Factor and the Roy Hargrove Big Band. Jason’s band “Overt Negritude” has Released its debut, self-titled album. Jason has also conducted numerous demonstrations, clinics, and workshops at every level of education throughout the world. In this episode, Jason shares his background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #107: Nicole Henry

Growing up in a musical family in Bucks County, PA, Ms. Henry immersed herself in the arts early on, singing in school and church, and studying cello and ballet. After graduating from the University of Miami with a degree in Communications and Theatre, she launched a successful acting career, appearing in national commercial roles and a series of voiceover assignments. However, she directed her strongest passion toward the development of her full-time singing career which was quickly rewarded when the Miami New Times named Nicole “Best Solo Musician.”

Since then, based on her various career accomplishments and active commitment to supporting non-profits such as Miami Music Project (Board Member), YoungArts, and Miami Children’s Initiative (past Board Member), proclamations from the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County have named “Nicole Henry Days” in 2011, 2016 and 2017. Ms. Henry has also served two terms on the Board of the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs). In this episode, Nicole shares her background, education, and musical journey.

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Episode #106: Sharon Marie Cline

With a voice that can make you cry, laugh, or fall in love with her all over again, Sharon Marie and her band have quickly become a favorite in the realm of Los Angeles jazz musicians and performed in beautiful rooms around the country. She's performed on the same stage as jazz greats Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, and Chris Botti!

If you're looking for a soulful jazz vocalist who harkens back to the Golden Age of jazz while also bringing a distinctive, soulful, heartfelt flare to the music she sings, look no further than Sharon Marie. She is the cream of the crop of female jazz singers. This exceptional vocalist hails from Jacksonville, Florida and brings a unique sense of jazz history to her song stylings. With her charming and refreshing approach, she often employs rhythmic and tempo variations that leave listeners with a lasting impression that is truly unforgettable!

Sharon dubs her band "The Bad Boyz of Jazz" because of its exceptional musicians. She often jokes, “They are so good that they are baaad!” Their innovative rhythmic sense, lush arrangements, and musical skills have made them a household name. Whether you're a fan of Sharon Marie Cline's sultry, soulful sounds or want to hang out with some cool cats, you can't go wrong with The Bad Boyz of Jazz. Sit back and enjoy the romantic swingin' melodies of Sharon Marie Cline and The Bad Boyz of Jazz. In this episode, Sharon shares her background, education, and musical journey.

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