Best Jazz Journalists Association Podcasts (2025)

1
2025 JJA Awards Special Edition 25:55

1d ago25:55

25:55

The 2025 JJA Awards just dropped, and in this special episode The Buzz is breaking down the winners in some of the leading categories. Host Lawrence Peryer is joined by guests Neil Tesser and Mark Ruffin to discuss lifetime achievements, standout performers, and why some names keep winning year after year. Both guests bring unique perspectives - Ma…

1
Jazz in Print - Three Self-Publishing Success Stories 44:49

30d ago44:49

44:49

Three accomplished jazz authors share their journeys from traditional publishing to successful independent careers. Join host Lawrence Peryer as Debbie Burke, Steve Cerra, and Rick Mitchell reveal the tools, economics, and creative freedom they've found in self-publishing. Learn how these writers are reshaping the jazz book world by taking control …

1
Old Wine, New Glasses - Bob Blumenthal with authors and scholars Ricky Riccardi and Fumi Tomita 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

This conversation between JJA members Bob Blumenthal, Ricky Ricciardi, and Fumi Tomita explores how jazz research has evolved through digital transformation. Ricciardi describes his journey researching Louis Armstrong's career, moving from physical archives and interviews for his first book to primarily digital resources like newspaper databases, d…

1
Bilingual Jazz Journalism - Tomas Pena and Jose Masso, hosted by Michael Ambrosino 43:50

3M ago43:50

43:50

Tomas Peña, jazz journalist of breadth with unique ties to his Puerto Rican heritage, and José Massó, best known as a Boston broadcaster (and Jazz Hero) who takes a multi-media approach to full communication of the arts in life -- speak to JJA member Michael Ambrosino, producer of Los Olvidados, a radio documentary about Pan-Latin influences on jaz…

1
Will Friedwald, multi-media deep-dive jazz expert, with Neil Tesser, writer-broadcaster-JJA board member 30:32

4M ago30:32

30:32

Will Friedwald does it all -- books on Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole, jazz vocalists and the Great American Songbook; articles in publications including the Wall Street Journal; his own broadcasting platform and Substack, Slouching Towards Birdland. He speaks as winner of the 2024 JJA Jazz Award for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism to Chicago-bas…

1
Darius and Catherine Brubeck on South African jazz education 21:06

5M ago21:06

21:06

Playing The Changes: Jazz in An African University and On the Road is the account by Catherine and Darius Brubeck (daughter-in-law and son of Dave Brubeck) of their 25-year sojourn in South Africa, where they expanded the jazz landscape, establishing a music program at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Todd S. Jenkins interviews the couple in this lates…

1
Introducing The Jazz Omnibus: Lawrence Peryer interviews the JJA's editorial team 37:18

6M ago37:18

37:18

The Jazz Omnibus: 21st-Century Photos and Writings by Members of the Jazz Journalists Association is a 600-page anthology published in hardcover, paperback and ebook editions by Cymbal Press. In this edition of The Buzz, Lawrence Peryer interviews the team that put it together -- editor David Adler, copy chief Terri Hinte, editorial advisor and JJA…

1
Editors Rayna Mathis (Earshot) and Chrys Roney (Hot House) with JJA president Howard Mandel 32:56

10M ago32:56

32:56

Rayna Mathis has edited the monthly publication of Seattle's Earshot Jazz for four years; Chrys Roney became CEO and editor-in-chief of Hot House Jazz Guide, serving the New York metropolitan area, just five months ago -- and each of them enthuses about the community-serving aspects of their editorial project. Howard Mandel notes that its been rare…

1
The Buzz: Jazz from a Rural Place with Ann Tappan, Montana Jazz Hero and host Howard Mandel 26:12

10M ago26:12

26:12

Pianist, composer-improviser and educator Ann Tappan lives far from the madding crowd, outsize Bozeman, Montana, maintaining an active career including international forays. Having made the scene in NYC and San Francisco, she speaks with authority about the challenges and pleasures of making art and life outside the urban milieu commonly assumed fo…

1
Authors' Series: Farah Jasmine Griffin, JJA Book Award winner, speaks to Fiona Ross 18:48

11M ago18:48

18:48

Essayist Farah Jasmine Griffin, whose collection In Search of a Beautiful Freedom won the JJA's 2024 Jazz Book of the Year: History, Criticism and Culture, talks about her focus on jazz and its relevance across many realms of thought, with Fiona Ross, member of the JJA's book committee and founder of Women in Jazz Media. Don’t miss new episodes of …

1
Historical jazz releases and liner notes: historian/author Ashley Kahn and producer Zev Feldman, the Jazz Detective, with Rick Mitchell 36:09

11M ago36:09

36:09

Music historian and author Ashley Kahn and producer Zev Feldman, "the Jazz Detective," speak with host Rick Mitchell on the journalism and historical importance of albums of historical jazz (those recorded more than 10? 20? 30? years ago?) releases, and the particular value to them of liner notes. All pay homage to the legacy of Blue Note Records/M…

1
The Buzz Author's Interview: Walter van de Leur on Jazz and Death, with Fiona Ross 17:46

12M ago17:46

17:46

Dutch scholar Walter van de Leur is the author of Jazz and Death: Reception, Rituals, and Representations, a fascinating study that enlightens the music from a unique angle. Fiona Ross, member of the Jazz Journalists Association's Book Committee, interviews Walter, touching on New Orleans funerals, Chet Baker, and the rumor that jazz itself is dead…

1
The Buzz Author's Interview: Aaron Cohen, Ramsey Lewis' co-writer, speaks with Brad Stone 22:06

1y ago22:06

22:06

Aaron Cohen is co-author of Gentleman of Jazz, the autobiography of pianist Ramsey Lewis, nominated for a Book of the Year award in the 29th annual JJA Jazz Awards. He speaks with Brad Stone. Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from the Jazz Journalists Association, go to JJANews.or…

1
The Buzz Author's Interview: Philip Arneill, photographer-author of Book Award nominee Tokyo Jazz Joints, with Brad Stone 25:30

1y ago25:30

25:30

Philip Arneill is a Belfast-born photographer, long resident of Japan now living in Ireland. He discusses Tokyo Jazz Joints, his revealing photobook of a now-fading subculture, with Brad Stone, who himself visited some of these listening cafes. Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts. For more fr…

1
The Buzz Author's interviews: Carmen Fields of Goin' Back to T-Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band 24:30

1y ago24:30

24:30

Brad Stone speaks with Carmen Fields, Emmy Award-winning Boston television news anchor and author of a book about her father's long-touring jazz show, Going Back to T'Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from the Jazz Journalists Association,…

1
Authors' Series: Con Chapman of "Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good" 24:16

1y ago24:16

24:16

Con Chapman is author of "Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good," a nominee for Book of the Year in the 2024 Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards. He speaks with Bob Blumenthal, chair of the Book Awards committee and board member of the JJA. Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts.…

1
The Buzz Author's Interviews: Henry Threadgill's co-author Brent Hayes Edwards 33:02

1y ago33:02

33:02

Easily Slip Into Another World is Pulitzer Prize-winning composer/reeds and winds instrumentalist/bandleader Henry Threadgill's vivid autobiography, co-authored by Brent Hayes Edwards, a literary scholar teaching at Columbia University. Edwards is interviewed by JJA board member Bob Blumenthal, chair of the nominating committee for JJA Jazz Books o…

1
The Authors' Series: Stephanie Stein Crease, biographer of Chick Webb in Rhythm Man, interviewed by Bob Blumenthal 28:31

1y ago28:31

28:31

Rhythm Man: Chick Webb and the Beat That Changed America is an in-depth look at highly influential and popular, 'til now under-celebrated bandleader, by Ms. Crease, whose prior books are lively portraits of Duke Ellington and Gil Evans. Bob Blumenthal, critic, author (Saxophone Colossus: A Portrait of Sonny Rollins) chairs the Jazz Journalists Asso…

1
The Authors' Series: Steve Isoardi, of The Dark Tree, speaks of Horace Tapscott, with Bob Blumenthal 27:54

1y ago27:54

27:54

In an episode of The Buzz interviews with authors of 2024 nominees for Book of the Year Awards, Los Angeles-based Steve Isoardi, author of The Dark Tree about pianist Horace Tapscotts unique musicians/community organition UGMAA, speaks with Bob Blumenthal, JJA board member and chair of the Book Awards committee. Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz.…

1
Jazz Journalism and Jazz Education: Intersections and Tensions 26:17

1y ago26:17

26:17

The overlapping interests and gulf of approaches between jazz journalism and jazz education is the topic of this episode of The Buzz: The Jazz Journalists Association podcast, featuring Seattle-based writer Paul de Barros, educator-pianist-writer Monika Herzig (formerly of Indiana University, now an academia in Vienna) and professor emeritus/biogra…

1
How we compile Best of Year lists 33:18

1y ago33:18

33:18

Host Michael Ambrosino speaks with music journalists Jordannah Elizabeth, Gene Seymour and educator-pianist-blogger Mark Lomanno about how they conceive and compile end-of-the-year Best lists. Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from the Jazz Journalists Association, go to JJANews.o…

1
Jazz Radio Now! 32:55

1+ y ago32:55

32:55

Ed Trefizger of JazzWeek, radio maven Scott Handley formerly with NPR, and Kayonne Riley of WUCF in Orlando discuss the mission and current state of jazz radio with Rick Mitchell, JJA board member and host of the syndicated KBOO broadcast Jazz In the New Millennium Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to …

1
Three authors discuss their books on Gerry Mulligan 37:45

1+ y ago37:45

37:45

Alyn Shipton, Ken Poston and Steve Cerra -- authors, editors and publishers with recent books concerning the late, great baritone saxophonist/composer/arranger Gerry Mulligan -- speak with Rick Mitchell, JJA board member and radio program host, about their works on the complicated, compelling musician. Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure…

1
Trailer: Introducing Baby Carl's Happy Apocalypse Podcast 1:33

1+ y ago1:33

1:33

Meet Baby Carl and his friend, Bill! They'll tell you about their road trip to Vermont to interview Bill's friends about their happy apocalypses, and the fun they had along the way. It's 90 seconds. Give it a listen! Visit https://www.newperennials.org/ for more information.By Doyle Dean and Bill Vitek

1
Bill Milkowski interview part 2 -- with Rick Mitchell and Howard Mandel, reminiscing 26:40

1+ y ago26:40

26:40

Veteran jazz journalists Bill Milkowski, Rick Mitchell and Howard Mandel talk about the first records they bought with their own $ -- decades back -- and how rock played a part in their early listening. Memories! The Buzz editor the Wiz said, unsolicited, "This one was very fun to listen to." Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follo…

1
Jazz Journalism, Then and Now, with Veteran Writer Bill Milkowski and host Rick Mitchell 24:04

1+ y ago24:04

24:04

Bill Milkowski, author of books on Jaco Pastorius, Michael Brecker Keith Richards and jive as well as hundreds of articles for leading music magazines, discusses his career and how conditions facing freelancers have changed from the 1970s to today. Howard Mandel, president of the JJA, joins the episode towards its end. Rick Mitchell is host. Don’t …

1
#5 Education, Rumination, Meditation 42:56

1+ y ago42:56

42:56

Baby Carl and Bill visit Green Mountain Monastery in Greensboro, VT to speak with Sr. Gail Worcelo. Baby Carl learns the difference between sisters and brothers and Sisters and Brothers, and hears about Sr. Gail's happy revelation that led to her religious vocation. In 1999 she co-founded Green Mountain Monastery with the late Passionist priest and…

1
The Art of the Interview, with Ted Panken, Robin Lloyd and host Rick Mitchell, 22:01

1+ y ago22:01

22:01

How does an interviewer approach their task? Ted Panken, author and journalist with extensive experience from his decades at WKCR (NYC) and Robin Lloyd, radio host doing interviews more recently on KNKX (Seattle), share tips and stories of their encounters with musicians -- those eager to talk, and those who were reluctant. Host Rick Mitchell, too,…

1
Does the Mainstream Jazz Media Tokenize Latin Jazz? Part 2 28:16

1+ y ago28:16

28:16

How is the main stream media in Jazz keeping up with the innovations Latin Jazz brings to this unique musical art form? Master percussionist, educator and activist John Santos, along with trombonist Chris Washburne, author of the book Latin Jazz - The Other Jazz, join The Buzz to explore whether Latin Jazz is "tokenized" by the mainstream media cov…

1
Does the Mainstream Jazz Media Tokenize Latin Jazz? Part 1 22:30

1+ y ago22:30

22:30

Latin Jazz has always had a curious relationship with the mainstream Jazz media. Master percussionist, educator and activist John Santos, along with trombonist Chris Washburne, author of the book Latin Jazz - The Other Jazz, join The Buzz to explore whether Latin Jazz is "tokenized" by the mainstream media covering Jazz. Hosted by Michael Ambrosino…

1
#4 Cows, Worm Food, and Our Place in Nature 44:09

1+ y ago44:09

44:09

Baby Carl and Bill visit Bread and Butter Farm to ask big questions about what it means to live in connection with the planet. Joined by farmer and founder Corie Pierce, the farm team, and children from the village school, this episode is about how to let a cow be a cow, grass be grass, and kids be kids. Corie teaches Baby Carl how to hold the high…

1
#3 School Should be Fun! 37:04

1+ y ago37:04

37:04

"My like hope... It's the best!" Baby Carl chats with Matt Schlein about the outdoor education philosophy of the Walden Project and how some of that learning best happens in the cold, rain, snow, and sunshine. Matt believes that students deserve a variety of ways to engage with the important questions of learning, and he encourages his high school …

1
Andrew Gilbert discusses the changes at JazzTIMES with James Gavin & John Murph, part 2 25:52

2y ago25:52

25:52

After decades as one of the world's leading jazz magazines, JazzTimes was purchased last May by The BeBop Channel, which unceremoniously cancelled all assignments. Staff and writers owed for past work are still waiting to get paid, and the publication has devolved into something unrecognizable. Host Andrew Gilbert discussed the distressing situatio…

1
Host Andrew Gilbert discusses the changes at JazzTIMES with James Gavin & John Murph, part 1 21:47

2y ago21:47

21:47

After decades as one of the world's leading jazz magazines, JazzTimes was purchased last May by The BeBop Channel, which unceremoniously cancelled all assignments. Staff and writers owed for past work are still waiting to get paid, and the publication has devolved into something unrecognizable. I discussed the distressing situation and the larger l…

1
#2 Friends Have Outdoor Adventures in a School that's not a School 38:34

2y ago38:34

38:34

"My like your planet earth family" Bill and Baby Carl visit Meghan Rigali, one of the many passionate instructors of the New Roots Project. Founded by the Willowell Foundation, the New Roots Project runs an outdoor, interdisciplinary, multi-aged school program in Monkton, VT. Meghan shares with Baby Carl the importance of experiential education, he…

1
#1 Apocalypse Doesn’t Have to Mean What You Think It Means 15:21

2y ago15:21

15:21

Who is Baby Carl? Well, he's just a little guy. A toddler with a big vocabulary, a hearty appetite for information, and an even bigger love for humanity. His friend Bill is a teacher and philosopher. Bill stops by to visit Baby Carl, and they talk about this scary word “apocalypse,” and discover its original meaning is ‘to disclose’ or ‘reveal’. Bi…

1
Fiona Ross speaks with authors Willard Jenkins, Aidan Levy and Michael Wolff 21:56

2y ago21:56

21:56

From the JJA's March 26, 2023 online Book Bash, London-based media maven, impetus behind Women in Jazz Media and singer Fiona Ross, a member of the JJA's Book Committee, speaks with authors of two books nominated for 2023 Jazz Awards -- which later were announced winners in their categories! Willard Jenkins, editor of Ain't But a Few of Us: Black M…

1
Max Roach Interview, 1979 1:00:39

2y ago1:00:39

1:00:39

Tom Reney's very first interview was with famed jazz drummer, Max Roach.

1
Brad Stone speaks with authors Philip Watson and Kenny Werner 30:40

2y ago30:40

30:40

From the JJA's March 26, 2023 online Book Bash, Bay Area-based radio show host and educator Brad Stone, member of the JJA's Book Committee, speaks with authors of two books nominated for 2023 Jazz Awards -- Philip Watson of Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist who Changed the Sound of American Music Kenny Werner, pianist and author of Bec…

1
Host Bob Blumenthal with Richard Koloda, Monika Herzig & James Reddan, Michael Wolff 27:07

2y ago27:07

27:07

From the JJA's March 26 2023 online Book Bash, Bob Blumenthal, a dean of the field, board member and chair of the JJA's Book Committee, moderates a panel of authors of books nominated for 2023 JJA Jazz Awards: Richard Koloda, author of Holy Ghost: The Life and Death of Free Jazz Pioneer Albert Ayler; https://www.freejazzblog.org/2023/04/richard-kol…

1
About Jazz Polls 24:17

2y ago24:17

24:17

Host Rick Mitchell discusses Jazz Polls with journalists Geoffrey Himes and Tom Hull. Geoffrey Himes: https://codacollection.co/authors/geoffrey-himes Tom Hull: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hull_(critic) Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from the Jazz Journalists Association,…

1
Andrew Gilbert in conversation with Hannah Edgar 21:20

2y ago21:20

21:20

In the first of a series of conversations with journalists covering jazz, host Andrew Gilbert talks with Chicago writer Hannah Edgar, who contributes to the Chicago Tribune as part of a program funded by the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism. Edgar also writes for the Chicago Reader. Hannah Edgar: https://hannah-edgar.com/ Andrew Gilbert: https:/…

1
White Critics Writing About Black Music 26:39

2y ago26:39

26:39

Host Rick Mitchell talks with jazz journalists Eugene Holley Jr. and Aaron Cohen on the subject of white critics writing about black music, an issue that dates back to birth of jazz. Eugene Holley Jr.: https://muckrack.com/eugene-holley-jr/articles Aaron Cohen: https://muckrack.com/aaron-cohen-5 Don’t miss new episodes of The Buzz. Make sure you fo…

1
Free Jazz on Film part 2 28:57

2y ago28:57

28:57

"Free jazz" as presented in a dozen films collected and presented by the Criterion Channel incorporate unusual ways of telling unusual musical stories, including portraits of Alice Coltrane and Milford Graves; Cecil Taylor, Bill Dixon, Archie Shepp and Paul Bley in Imagine the Sound, and evocative experimental films such as Dream City and Promises:…

1
Free Jazz on Film part 1 26:04

2+ y ago26:04

26:04

Are films about "free jazz," featured in a collection on the Criterion Channel, a genre -- and if so, what are their common traits? Panelists Kevin Whitehead (author of Play The Way You Feel: The Essential Guide to Jazz Stories on Film, jazz critic on Fresh Air with Terry Gross), Gretchen Carlson (author of Improvising the Score: Rethinking Modern …

1
The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles : A musical biography 22:04

2+ y ago22:04

22:04

Jason Miles discusses his book The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles: A musical biography with host Susan Brink. Miles, a Grammy award winning producer, keyboardist, composer, arranger and synthesist has worked with the best: Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Marcus Miller (who wrote the introduction), Mike and Randy Brecker, the list goes on. https…

1
Aidan Levy, author "Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins" 18:51

2+ y ago18:51

18:51

Host Susan Brink speaks with Aidan Levy, author of the first comprehensive biography of the legendary musician and composer Sonny Rollins. "Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins" at 784 pages is comprehensive, but very readable. To learn more about Aidan Levy or purchase the book: https://aidan-levy.com/ https://www.hachettebookgr…

1
Rick Lopez, author of "The Sam Rivers Sessionography: A Work In Progress" 18:41

2+ y ago18:41

18:41

Host Susan Brink speaks with author Rick Lopez, who has just self published "The Sam Rivers Sessionography: A Work In Progress". With 768 pages and over 500 illustrations, this comprehensive and meticulously researched sessionography/biography was 25 years in the making. To purchase the book: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sam-rivers-sessionography Sam…

1
Jazz Critics & Radio Programmers: do industry professionals listen differently? 19:24

2+ y ago19:24

19:24

Host Rick Mitchell and Neil Tesser, discuss the differences between professional and casual listening. Rick Mitchell is a longtime music journalist and radio programmer living in Portland Oregon. Neil Tesser is a Grammy Award–winning American journalist, radio host, music critic, and author. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Tesser Don’t miss new …

1
Willard Jenkins on his new book, "Ain't But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story" 17:11

2+ y ago17:11

17:11

Willard Jenkins discussed his new book "Ain't But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story" with host Susan Brink. The title will be released on December 2, 2022 on Duke University Press. Willard Jenkins is an independent arts consultant, concerts and festivals artistic director/curator, producer, writer and editor under his Open Sky banne…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Jazz Journalists Association Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen