Season 4
The eight episodes of Season 4 will be released weekly, starting on August 13, 2024, and concluding on October 1, 2024.
Season 4
Episode 25: “Duke Ellington”
Episode Synopsis
Our first four episodes look at iconic big band leaders, beginning with Edward “Duke” Ellington. Former sidemen and associates including Clark Terry, Phoebe Jacobs, Bill Berry, Buster Cooper, Grover Mitchell, Louis Bellson and John Lamb offer inside stories that illuminate the Duke’s unique talent and personality.
Episode 26: “Count Basie”
Episode Synopsis
For pure swing, the bands lead by William “Count” Basie will never be equaled. Harry “Sweets” Edison, Ed Shaughnessey, Snooky Young, Gerald Wilson and Joe Williams offer personal anecdotes and insights that help us understand the man who personified big band swing.
Episode 27: “Benny Goodman”
Episode Synopsis
Benny Goodman played a marvelous clarinet and his bands sold a ton of records while packing audiences into dance halls and Carnegie style halls. He was also enigmatic and frequently oblivious of his surroundings. Jerry Jerome, Sonny Igoe, Bucky Pizzarelli, Flip Phillips and Skitch Henderson share their memories of working with The King of Swing.
Episode 28: “Scrolling Down the Leader Board”
Episode Synopsis
A band leader sampler. Veteran sidemen Eddie Bert, Peter Erskine, Don Menza and Marshall Allen provide inside stories about Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Sun Ra and Joe Zawinul. Maria Schneider weighs in on the role and responsibility of a leader.
Episode 29: “Military Music ” - pt. 1
Episode Synopsis
Jazz musicians were not exempt from service in the U.S. military. Jay McShann, John Bunch, Louis Bellson, Terry Gibbs, Clark Terry, Orrin Keepnews, George Wein, Joe Bushkin and Bobby Johnson speak about their experiences during WWII.
Episode 30: “Military Music ” - pt. 2
Episode Synopsis
Music played a positive, even lifesaving role for soldiers during the Korean and Vietnam War years. In this episode, we hear from Jake Hanna, Frank Foster, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Junior Mance and Hal Espinosa.
Episode 31: “Jazz Advice: The Practical and the Profound ” - pt. 1
Episode Synopsis
Veteran jazz musicians share their wisdom in the form of advice to those who wish to follow in their footsteps. Phil Woods, Jerry Bergonzi, Dan Barrett, Wayne Bergeron, Tom “Bones” Malone, Teri Lynne Carrington and Rick Montalbano offer practical guidance, gained from decades of gigs.
Episode 32: “Jazz Advice: The Practical and the Profound” - pt. 2
Episode Synopsis
The jazz life is not an easy one and the life skills learned along the path can be relevant to anyone, in any field of endeavor. Season 4 ends with profound statements from Charles McPherson, Stefon Harris, Karolina Strassmayer, Maria Schneider, Denis DiBlasio, Joe Williams, Harold Ousley and Gregory Caputo.
Now on YouTube
The Fillius Jazz Archive has begun to add its more than 500 interviews with jazz greats onto its YouTube channel.
Contact
Monk Rowe
The Joe Williams Director of the Fillius Jazz Archive
