With more than 3,000 career shows playing an average of 228 gigs a year, bass player and musical director to the stars Ivan "Funkboy" Bodley is one of the hardest working musicians in the business today.

In his debut book, Am I Famous Yet? Memoir of a Working-Class Rock Star, Ivan chronicles his life on the road performing with more than 50 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees - everyone from Sting and Elvis Costello to Bo Diddley and Wynonna Judd.

In this episode, Bodley talks about his first performance at his high school talent show and how that moment came full circle 28 years later when he performed on stage with iconic rocker Sting. Ivan also talks about the perils of being a substitute musician for a Broadway show, and how he and his bandmates witnessed the ancient practice of payola live-on-stage.

With a career that has taken him to more than 29 countries playing to audiences of up to 82,000 people, it is no wonder that Ivan “Funkboy” Bodley is truly a working-class rock star.

Part 2 of my conversation with Jeff Tyzik continues on this special 2-part edition of Life In The Grooves. The GRAMMY Award-winning conductor, composer, arranger, and trumpeter shares his philosophy on what he believes is key to making good music. Tyzik talks about his special relationship with fellow trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti and the concerto they created for legendary trumpeter and bandleader Doc Severinsen. He also talks about his time studying with the great American composer Samuel Adler. All this plus more great music from one of America’s most innovative and versatile artists.

On this 2-part special edition of Life in The Grooves, I talk with GRAMMY Award-winning conductor, composer, arranger and trumpeter, Jeff Tyzik. As one of America’s most innovative and sought-after pops orchestra conductors, Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages.

Jeff has led the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as its principal pops conductor for more than 27 years. He is also the principal pops conductor for the Dallas Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, and the Oregon Symphony. Tyzik studied both classical and jazz at the prestigious Eastman School of Music where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He has also produced and composed theme music for many of the major television networks and released six of his own albums on Capitol, Polygram, and Amherst Records.

In Part 1 of my conversation, Jeff talks about how he had to adapt and create new programming for orchestras during the Covid- 19 pandemic. Tyzik also looks back on some of his earliest musical experiences and the impact they had on his career. You’ll also learn about the years Jeff spent touring, recording, and producing with GRAMMY Award-winning jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist, Chuck Mangione.

Committed to performing music of all genres, Jeff Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Megan Hilty, Chris Botti, Matthew Morrison, Wynonna Judd, Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Marilyn Horne, and the great Doc Severinsen.