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. 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

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  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

Could Miles Davis’ peak performance come alongside a bunch of kids who weren’t even getting paid? In this episode, Peter and Adam dive into one of the greatest live albums ever captured, My Funny Valentine: Live at the Philharmonic (1964). We explore how Miles Davis, sideman George Coleman, and a young rhythm section (Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and teenage Tony Williams) made jazz history in real time with their one-of-a-kind (unpaid) voter registration benefit concert. Learn how the quintet remade Miles’ go-to standards (“All of You”, “Stella”, “All Blues”...) with their conversational, free-flowing, spacious playing – and hear the evolution across Davis’ career. Join us as we break down these incredible performances and prove why this underappreciated live album captures Miles’ greatest playing ever (at least for Peter’s ears). 🟠 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 All about YHIhttps://lnk.to/youllhearitYB