Most Recent Episodes
Herbie Hancock's Greatest Era Is Not Even Jazz?
Apr 14 2025 • 56 mins
Does it get any better than that ARP bass line on “Chameleon”? That’s right, it’s Herbie time! Join Peter and Adam as we explore Herbie Hancock’s explosive breakout from Blue Note jazz man to platinum-selling Headhunter. Transport your ears to an afro-futuristic daydream as we dissect Herbie’s funk-jazz era – and the cast of characters that helped push jazz records back onto the Pop charts. You’ll hear stem breakdowns of Paul Jackson’s brilliant bass grooves, the magic of Mike Clark’s “Oakland sound” drums, and, of course, much geeking out over Herbie’s mind-bending synth and electric keyboard experiments (excuse our stank-faces). From Fat Albert Rotunda (1969) through the slept-on Sunlight (1978), we ask: is this Herbie at his greatest?
🟠 Open Studio Members → Nerd nook
ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.
Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.
Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about
The Ten Most Important Years In Jazz
Apr 07 2025 • 83 mins
Take a trip with us to the most revolutionary decade in jazz (1923-1933), when a young Louis Armstrong was creating a new improvisational vocabulary in real-time. This isn’t the “Wonderful World” Satchmo most know, but the young gunner whose genius trumpet solos on “West End Blues” and “Tight Like This” were toppling trumpet kings. We break down Pops’ evolution from King Oliver’s second to pioneering frontman, explore his inventive scat singing (supposedly born when he dropped his lyric sheet), and trace how his massive popularity caught the attention of Chicago gangsters – careful now! From his recordings with Earl “Fatha” Hines to “Black and Blue” – the first jazz song addressing racism – hear exactly why we say there would be no jazz without Louis Armstrong.
Link to Spotify Playlist
ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.
Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.
Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about
Why Do Jazz Pianists LOVE Roberta Flack?
Mar 31 2025 • 65 mins
Tune in as we pay tribute to the incomparable Roberta Flack, who we sadly lost last month. From her 1969 debut album First Take (featuring Open Studio artist Ron Carter on bass) to her iconic collaborations with Donny Hathaway – we dissect why what Flack didn’t play was just as important as what she did. We’ll explore how this classical piano prodigy, who entered Howard at 15 and didn’t write her own songs, became the Quiet Storm Queen that influenced every soul, R&B, and jazz singer since. You’ll hear why her understated yet commanding vocals and that classic 70s kick drum made “Killing Me Softly” a hit, grooving duets like “You’ve Got A Friend,” and deep cuts that redefined ballads. Join us to uncover the genius of Roberta Flack.
🟠 Open Studio Members → Nerd Nook
OG YHI episode on Donny and Roberta https://youtu.be/78mMufAqZSc
ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.
Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.
Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about
All about YHIhttps://lnk.to/youllhearitYB