Episodes

  • 140: Building a Music Career Without Limits

    140: Building a Music Career Without Limits
    Jun 14 2026
    Most people associate the violin with classical music. Karen Briggs changed that perception one note at a time.

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with world-renowned violinist Karen Briggs to explore the extraordinary path that took her from a junior high school orchestra program in Virginia to stages across more than 50 countries around the world.

    Karen shares how an inspiring music teacher opened the door to the violin and why she quickly realized her musical voice lived beyond the traditional boundaries of classical performance. Growing up surrounded by jazz, R&B, fusion, and soul music, she developed a style that brought emotion, energy, and authenticity to an instrument many people only associated with orchestras and concert halls.

    We talk about her early experiences performing jazz, competing internationally, and discovering that music is ultimately a cultural expression. Karen reflects on the moment she decided to embrace her own artistic identity rather than trying to fit into someone else's definition of success.

    The conversation also explores her career-defining opportunities with Soul II Soul, Patrice Rushen, Yanni, Diana Ross, and countless other artists who recognized the unique voice she brought to the violin. Along the way, she shares stories of perseverance, unexpected opportunities, and why she continues to say yes whenever the music calls.

    We also discuss her powerful composition A Survivor's Theme, inspired by the global pandemic and the resilience of people around the world. The piece became one of her most impactful releases and serves as a reminder of music's ability to heal, inspire, and connect us during difficult times.
    This conversation is about more than music. It's about purpose, courage, cultural identity, and trusting the gifts you've been given.

    Connect with Karen: https://www.karenbriggsviolin.com/
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    46 mins
  • 139: Why Cleveland's Jazz Scene Is Thriving Again

    139: Why Cleveland's Jazz Scene Is Thriving Again
    Jun 7 2026
    What happens when a Cleveland native, poet, drummer, and arts leader is handed the keys to one of the most respected jazz festivals in the country?

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Orlando Watson, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, for a conversation about music, community, leadership, and coming home.

    Orlando shares his journey from growing up in Cleveland to working behind the scenes at the Youngstown Jazz Festival, helping lead the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, and ultimately returning to Northeast Ohio to take the helm of the Tri-C JazzFest.

    We talk about his vision for the festival, why it's important to spotlight artists with Ohio roots, and how Cleveland continues to produce world-class musicians who leave their mark around the globe.

    We also preview the 2026 Tri-C JazzFest lineup, including Sheila E., Spyro Gyra, Kurt Elling, Ron Carter, Ohio Players, Dominic Farinacci, John Thomas, Lauren Talese, Chris Dave and The Drumhedz, MonoNeon, and many more. Orlando explains how this year's programming celebrates jazz while embracing funk, soul, Latin influences, and the broader legacy of Black American music.

    Perhaps most importantly, Orlando discusses his commitment to making the festival more accessible to the community through free outdoor performances and creating opportunities for audiences to experience nationally recognized artists right here in Cleveland.

    If you love jazz, live music, Cleveland culture, or want a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a world-class festival, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

    Purchase Tickets to the Jazz Festival: https://www.tri-c.edu/jazzfest/
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    31 mins
  • 138: The Untold Story Behind “Pacific Coast Highway”

    138: The Untold Story Behind “Pacific Coast Highway”
    May 31 2026
    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Nils to talk about his journey from Germany to becoming one of the most recognizable names in contemporary jazz.

    Nils shares how growing up on rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple eventually led him toward funk, fusion, and artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Larry Carlton, and Steps Ahead.

    We talk about the success of “Pacific Coast Highway,” how his sound evolved over the years, and why understanding what audiences connect with changed the way he approaches writing and producing music.

    Nils also opens up about the realities of today’s music business, including touring, producing for other artists, teaching, streaming, social media, and why modern musicians must think like entrepreneurs.

    We also discuss his approach to covering classic songs like “That’s the Way of the World,” the challenge of honoring legendary music while still making it your own, and what continues to inspire him creatively after all these years.

    This conversation is honest, insightful, and a real look behind the curtain at what it takes to build longevity in contemporary jazz.

    Connect with Nils: https://www.nilsmusic.com/
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    35 mins
  • 137: Full Time Job, Full Time Musician

    137: Full Time Job, Full Time Musician
    May 24 2026
    Some musicians spend their entire lives chasing balance.

    Others somehow learn how to live inside the chaos and still create beautiful music.

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with George Franklin of GTF for a conversation about music, discipline, creativity, and what it really takes to sustain a lifelong passion while managing a completely different full time career.

    George shares the story behind GTF, the meaning behind the name, and how he and his wife Tracy built a collaborative musical project that stretches across the country with musicians recording remotely from different cities.

    We talk about how technology changed the recording process, the challenges of creating energy while recording remotely, and why nothing quite replaces the feeling of musicians feeding off each other in the same room.

    George also opens up about growing up in Los Angeles, being inspired by legendary musicians like Gerald Albright and Gary Bias, and how hearing live saxophone performances in church changed the direction of his life forever.

    We discuss balancing music with a demanding 37-year career at Kaiser Permanente while still performing over 100 live shows a year. George talks honestly about the pressure of juggling multiple careers, commuting for hours, performing at night, and somehow still finding the energy to create music that connects with people.

    This episode is about more than jazz.

    It is about commitment.

    It is about learning how to create space for your passion even when life feels overloaded.
    And it is about understanding that sometimes the people who inspire us the most are the ones quietly doing the work behind the scenes while never giving up on what they love.

    Connect with GTF: https://www.gtfjazz.com/index.html
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    32 mins
  • 136: Yellowjackets: The Real Reason They’ve Lasted 40 Years

    136: Yellowjackets: The Real Reason They’ve Lasted 40 Years
    May 17 2026
    What does it really take to build something that lasts?

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Bob Mintzer and Russ Ferrante of Yellowjackets, a band that has remained relevant, creative, and respected for over four decades.
    This is not just a conversation about music. This is a conversation about commitment.

    We talk about what it means to be part of a true collective, where there is no single leader, and every member contributes to the sound, the direction, and the identity of the band. They share how they’ve managed to evolve through different eras, different players, and different musical landscapes without ever losing who they are.

    Bob opens up about stepping into an already established group and learning what he calls the “secret code” of Yellowjackets, while Russ shares how trust, respect, and openness to each musician’s strengths has kept the band fresh and alive through every transition.

    We also talk about the real work behind the music. Letting go of ego. Allowing songs to transform once they become “band property.” Understanding that the whole is always more important than any individual part.

    There’s a deeper lesson here that goes beyond jazz.

    This is about relationships. About longevity. About knowing when to lead and when to listen.
    We get into how their sound has evolved over time, why they are not interested in chasing trends, and how their focus on discovery continues to drive their creativity forward.

    And if you’ve ever wondered what keeps a band together for over 40 years, this conversation gives you the answer.

    Connect with the Yellowjackets: https://www.yellowjackets.com/
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    34 mins
  • 135: From Rare Vinyl to Original Sound Reza Khan’s Story

    135: From Rare Vinyl to Original Sound Reza Khan’s Story
    May 10 2026
    Some artists find their sound early. Others spend a lifetime building it. This conversation is about the second path.

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Reza Khan, a guitarist whose journey spans continents, cultures, and decades of quiet dedication.

    We start at the beginning. Growing up in Bangladesh, surrounded by Indian classical discipline while being exposed to Western rock and roll in fragments. Jazz was not readily available. It had to be discovered. Found in rare records, shared quietly, and explored with curiosity.

    Then everything changed.

    A single moment listening to artists like Pat Metheny and Al Di Meola opened a new world. A realization that there was something deeper than covers. Something personal. Something worth chasing.

    We talk about what it means to leave that world behind and start over in the United States. Learning a new language. Navigating a new culture. Choosing stability through a career in technology while quietly building a second life in music.

    And that’s where this story becomes something special.

    Reza shares how he spent decades creating, recording, and storing hundreds of musical ideas in what he calls “the vault.” A living archive of creativity, waiting for the right moment to come to life.
    We talk about discipline, balancing a full-time career with artistic passion, working with world-class musicians, and building relationships one connection at a time.

    And most importantly, we talk about identity.

    What does it sound like when Eastern rhythm meets Western harmony? When tradition meets innovation? When a lifetime of experience finally finds its voice?

    This episode is about patience. It is about purpose. It is about understanding that your journey does not have to be loud to be powerful.

    Sometimes, the most meaningful music is the kind that takes years to find its way out.

    Connect with Reza: https://rezakhanmusic.com/
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    40 mins
  • 134: How Willie Bradley Raised the Bar After Hitting Rock Bottom

    134: How Willie Bradley Raised the Bar After Hitting Rock Bottom
    May 3 2026
    Some stories stay with you long after the conversation ends. This is one of them.

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Willie Bradley, a trumpeter whose journey is built on faith, perseverance, and second chances.

    We go all the way back to the beginning. A young kid in South Carolina surrounded by music, inspired by legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, discovering his love for the trumpet after missing out on the drums. From practicing in the backyard to eventually earning his way into the living room, his story starts with discipline and determination.

    But this conversation goes deeper than music. Willie opens up about a season in his life marked by struggle, addiction, and loss. A moment that could have ended everything instead became the turning point that changed his life forever.

    From there, we talk about rebuilding. Learning the music business from the ground up. Recording his first project later in life. Promoting his own shows. And stepping into rooms he once only dreamed about.

    We also talk about what it feels like to stand in front of thousands of people and perform the national anthem. The pressure. The nerves. The discipline it takes to deliver in a moment where you only get one shot to get it right.

    This episode is about purpose. It is about doing the work. It is about understanding that your timeline does not have to look like anyone else’s.

    And more than anything, it is about believing that no matter where you start, you can still raise the bar for your life.

    Connect with Willie: https://williebradley.net/
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    36 mins
  • 133: Why Spyro Gyra Never Sounded the Same Twice

    133: Why Spyro Gyra Never Sounded the Same Twice
    Apr 26 2026
    Fifty years. Let that sit for a moment.

    In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Jay Beckenstein, the leader of Spyro Gyra, a group that has shaped the sound of contemporary jazz for generations.

    We go back to the beginning. A name that came from a late-night moment and stuck. A band that was never supposed to last this long but did. And a journey that started with a dream of playing saxophone and turned into a global legacy.

    Jay breaks down what it really takes to sustain creativity over decades. How do you keep writing when you have hundreds of songs behind you? How do you evolve without losing your identity? And how do you manage a band where every member is not just a player, but a contributor with their own voice?

    We talk about the reality behind the music. The changes in technology. The shifts in the music business. The difference between surviving and thriving. And why respect and collaboration have been the foundation of Spyro Gyra’s success.

    This conversation is also about timing and gratitude. Being in the right place when music was exploding with possibility. Being open to influences from around the world. And understanding that longevity is not luck alone, it is discipline, adaptability, and vision.

    This is more than a conversation about jazz. It is about building something that lasts.

    Connect with Spyro Gyra: https://spyrogyra.com/

    Purchase Tickets to the Tri-C Jazz Festival: https://www.tri-c.edu/jazzfest/
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    36 mins