Jazz Inspired

Astro-physiciist and head of the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the Hayden Planetarium in NYC, discusses his passion for the blues and the connection between music, math and science.

Judy Carmichael interviews Larry Coryell.

British singer/pianist finds the jazz feel in the music of Cole Porter and Noel Coward and especially sees a jazz-like timing in the humor of both.

Producer Alan Sviridoff discusses his long creer combining music film and theater with such greats aas Ginger Rogers, Rosemary Clooney and the new George Clooney film â??Good Night and Good Luckâ??.

Ava Astaire McKenzie grew up surrounded by creativity. She draws on this experience lecturing around the world about her father Fred, and has expressed her own creativity in her book â??At Home In Irelandâ?? Cooking and Entertaining with Ava Astaire McKenzie. Ava talked with Judy about her life-long love of jazz and the influence jazz had on her father.

Pianist Conal Fowkes discusses his long association playing in Woody Allen's jazz band and his recent part doing the vocals and piano work of the Cole Porter character in Woody's film Midnight in Paris.

German boogie-woogie pianist Axel Zwingenberger and American vocalist Lila Ammons, (opera singer and granddaughter of pianist Albert and niece of saxophonist Gene), talk about their joining forces, in spite of their very different cultural and musical backgrounds.

The late Blossom Dearie delighted audiences with her tasty piano playing, hip vocal interpretations and sly humor. Blossom talks about her inspirations and favorite younger musicians.

Peter Mintun, doesn't consider himself a jazz pianist, but rather a pianist specializing in jazz age tunes. Peter was smitten with 20's and 30's music from a young age, and now, after years of playing it, and befriending many of the composers and performers from this period, he's become an authority and archivist of this musical period and shared with me his thoughts on what makes this music so special and enduring.

Judy Carmichael interviews Pat O'Leary

Frank Gehry explores how architecture, like jazz, is a dynamic art that absorbs the times and culture it inhabits constantly reinventing itself while retaining its historic connection. In the second half of the show, Oscar winning actor (Best Actor, Amadeus) F. Murray Abraham discusses improvisation, spontaneity and jazz as great theater.

Guitarist/vocalist Matt Munisteri talks about drawing on jazz and western swing for his unique approach to playing and composing.

Guitarist Howard Alden has been hailed as one of the greatest of his generation. Howard and Judy worked together in the early years of their careers and this conversation, their first in a series recorded on stage at the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland, gave them a chance to play together again, and talk about Howard's experience teaching Sean Penn to play the guitar for Woody Allen's film Sweet and Lowdown.

Seth MacFarlane, "Family Guy" creator, met with Judy in Hollywood (well, not really, but close by) to talk about his new CD and his favorite jazz recordings. Stewie and Peter dropped by to add their thoughts as well. Brian brought the martinis.

Tony Award winning actress Blythe Danner joins Judy on stage at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival and connects with her early jazz roots. Blythe was a jazz singer in college and discusses with Judy how jazz has continued to influence her acting career.