Latest Classicartists Podcast Episodes

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Coool CAT Episode 145 - Najee

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - February 18, 2023 15:31 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Najee, a chart topping saxophonist and flutist, is a contemporary jazz pioneer.  The Grammy and NAACP award-winning musician has been one of the brightest starts in the genre for nearly four decades.  Coool CAT's producer, Ray White, sat down with Najee in November of 2022 who talked about his l...

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CAT Episode 145 - Jim Babjak (The Smithereens)

Sittin' in with the CAT - February 06, 2023 19:38 - 29 minutes
Jim Babjak, guitarist/vocalist, co-founded The Smithereens in 1980.  The band was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2018.  Throughout the years, the band has released over a dozen studio albums.  After lead singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio passed away in 2017, the other original members o...

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Coool CAT Episode 144 - Keiko Matsui

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - January 31, 2023 13:10 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Keiko Matsui is an internationally acclaimed pianist and composer whose sonic cultural exchange has reached the hearts and minds of fans throughout the world.  She's released over two dozen solo albums and many more in collaboration with other musicians, who are a "who's who" in the music indust...

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CAT Episode 144 - Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown)

Sittin' in with the CAT - January 22, 2023 18:04 - 33 minutes
Kim Simmonds formed Savoy Brown in 1965 and was one of the pioneers in the Blues Rock genre.  The bands' heyday was in the early 1970's.  Considered one of the premier guitarists, Kim and Savoy Brown have released nearly 50 albums throughout his career.  In this tribute to Kim, who passed away o...

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Coool CAT Episode 143 - Jeff Berlin

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - January 12, 2023 16:05 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Jeff Berlin is one of the most innovative electric bassists of the 20th and current centuries.  Known for his unique tone, jaw dropping technique and dynamic approaches to the bass, he's helped establish the electric bass as a solo instrument well deserving of its place in modern music.  He's re...

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CAT Episode 143 - Waddy Wachtel (The Immediate Family)

Sittin' in with the CAT - January 05, 2023 17:03 - 33 minutes
Waddy Wachtel is recognized as one of the "go-to" guitarists in the rock world.  He's also an elite composer and record producer.  You'll find his work showcased on many albums by Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon - just to name a few.  In 2020, he co-fo...

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Coool CAT Episode 142 - Keith Killgo (The Blackbyrds)

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - December 31, 2022 12:52 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Keith Killgo co-founded The Blackbyrds in 1973.  The group featured some of the legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd's students.  This R&B and Jazz/Funk band received a Grammy nomination for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm" that has sold over a million copies.  The band still tours today and their ...

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CAT Episode 142 - Holiday Special 2022

Sittin' in with the CAT - December 17, 2022 17:40 - 29 minutes
Jim Babjak co-founded The Smithereens in 1980, and joins us on our Holiday Special!  Jim just released the 45 single (and streaming of course) of his "It's Love on Christmas Day" tune.  The Smithereens released their Christmas with the Smithereens album in 2007.  Peter Mayer, lead guitarist and ...

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Coool CAT Episode 141 - Holiday Special 2022

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - December 13, 2022 15:37 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Contemporary Jazz stalwarts Dave Koz and Rick Braun join us on this holiday special!  Dave Koz and Friends (David Benoit, Rick Braun, Peter White and Rebecca Jade) have recently released Christmas Ballads - 25th Anniversary Collection.  Dave and Rick share their insights on the Christmas tours a...

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CAT Episode 141 - Billy Sherwood (Yes/Arc of Life)

Sittin' in with the CAT - December 04, 2022 15:06 - 35 minutes
Billy Sherwood first started performing with YES back in 1994, becoming a full-time member in 2015.  Billy's been involved with all aspects of the music business during his career and launched several other bands including Arc of Life, Circa, Lodgic, World Trade and The Prog Collective - just to...

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Coool CAT Episode 140 - Pieces of a Dream

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - November 29, 2022 14:47 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Curtis Harmon and James Lloyd co-founded Pieces of a Dream in 1976.  At the forefront of the contemporary jazz genre, they sat down and talked with our multi-award winning program director Ray White.  The guys shared their insights into their new album Fired Up!, life during the COVID pandemic  ...

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CAT Episode 140 - Deborah Holland (Animal Logic)

Sittin' in with the CAT - November 21, 2022 14:58 - 29 minutes
Deborah Holland along with music icons Stewart Copeland (Police) and Stanley Clarke formed Animal Logic back in 1987 and went on to record two albums over the next several years.  After 30+ years...they're back!  Singer/Songwriter Holland joins multi-award winning program director Ray White to s...

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Coool CAT Episode 139 - Jackiem Joyner

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - November 14, 2022 19:54 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Jackiem Joyner is a dynamic saxophonist who has released 8 solo projects during his career.  Since hitting the road, he's toured or recorded with Keiko Matsui, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, and Jonathan Butler - just to name a few.  Jackiem has had several songs reach the top of the contemporary jazz...

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CAT Episode 139 - John Wetton (Asia/King Crimson)

Sittin' in with the CAT - November 05, 2022 14:40 - 31 minutes
John Wetton left his footprint on many of progressive rock's greatest bands: Asia, King Crimson, U.K., Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash, just to name a few.  A singer, songwriter and bassist, his greatest fame came as frontman of the 1980's supergroup Asia.  John passed away, much too you...

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Coool CAT Episode 138 - Will Downing

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - October 27, 2022 15:27 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Will Downing is Mr. Sophisticated Soul, having recorded 25 albums over the past 35 years.  His distinctive baritone voice has attracted fans worldwide and carved a unique niche in Soul and R&B music.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with Will after his soundcheck to talk ...

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CAT Episode 138 - Robin Lane (and the Chartbusters)

Sittin' in with the CAT - October 15, 2022 18:43 - 31 minutes
Robin Lane launched her career in the late 1970's fronting her band, The Chartbusters.  Iconic music producer Jerry Wexler (Aretha Franklin, Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits), signed the band to Warner Brothers Records.  Throughout the years Robin has released 13 albums - 5 with The C...

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Coool CAT Episode 137 - Adam Hawley

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - October 08, 2022 13:55 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Adam Hawley is an awesome guitarist, composer and producer.  During his emerging career, this "rising-star" musician has already had eleven #1 hits!  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Adam after soundcheck in June of 2022 to talk about the beginning of his career, sup...

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CAT Episode 137 - Brett Scallions (Fuel)

Sittin' in with the CAT - October 02, 2022 21:01 - 28 minutes
Brett Scallions was the original lead singer and guitarist for Fuel, who produced multi-platinum albums in the late 1990's and early 2000's.  He was with the band for 23 years, until 2020.  His latest band, Melody Brothers, are planning on releasing an album during the late Fall of 2022.  Multi-...

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Coool CAT Episode 136 - Rick Braun

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - September 25, 2022 11:49 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Rick Braun is one of the world's premier trumpet players.  He also plays flugelhorn and other instruments too and has released 19 albums since 1992.  His collaborations, R&R and BWB, has broadened his appeal among contemporary jazz fans.  Also a composer and producer, Rick has over 20 #1 smooth ...

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CAT Episode 136 - David Freiberg (Jefferson Starship/Quicksilver)

Sittin' in with the CAT - September 18, 2022 21:39 - 27 minutes
David Freiberg took his music career to a higher level in San Francisco as a founding member of Quicksilver Messenger Service in 1965.  A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, David went on to spend a little time with Jefferson Airplane and ultimately co-founded Jefferson Starship in 1974.  Multi-...

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Coool CAT Episode 135 - Eric Gales

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - September 11, 2022 13:31 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Eric Gales started playing guitar in blues competitions when he was 11 years old.  By the time he was 16, he secured a major recording contract.  Guitar World named Eric the "Best New Talent" in 1991.  He also performed with Carlos Santana at Woodstock '94.  Over the years Eric released 19 album...

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CAT Episode 135 - Todd Park Mohr (Big Head Todd & the Monsters)

Sittin' in with the CAT - September 04, 2022 18:35 - 28 minutes
Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd and the Monsters launched the band back in 1984.  After releasing several albums the band hit it big with the Platinum selling release Sister Sweetly in 1993.  Today, after producing over a dozen albums, the band is still playing dozens of shows each year and drop...

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Coool CAT Episode 134 - Paul Taylor

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - August 31, 2022 20:52 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Paul Taylor has developed a stellar career of over 25 years blowing smooth jazz sounds on his alto and soprano saxophones.  All 12 albums he's released has landed on Billboards's Top Jazz Charts.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White hung out with Paul in June of 2022 to talk about his...

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CAT Episode 134 - Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge/Cactus)

Sittin' in with the CAT - August 22, 2022 23:03 - 33 minutes
Carmine Appice is a legendary drummer that's influenced many of rocks' most famous drummers.  He launched on the music scene back in 1967 as a founding member of the ground breaking band, Vanilla Fudge.  His storied career included launching Cactus, Beck/Bogert/Appice and playing with Rod Stewar...

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Coool CAT Epsiode 133 - Tab Benoit

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - August 13, 2022 14:08 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Tab Benoit is a master of the delta blues.  An amazing guitarist, you'll find him on many of the "best of" lists as one of the top guitarists living today.  Since the early 1990's he's released over a dozen albums and, along with a Grammy nomination, Tab has won several Blues Music Awards.  Tab'...

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CAT Episode 133 - Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield/Poco)

Sittin' in with the CAT - August 06, 2022 16:50 - 31 minutes
Richie Furay, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Buffalo Springfield, launched his music career with the Au Go-Go Singers in the early 1960's.  One of rock's premier singer/songwriters, Richie's career continued to prosper with country rock legends Poco and also the Souther-Hillman-...

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Coool CAT Episode 132 - Nelson Rangell

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - July 30, 2022 18:13 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Nelson Rangell is a superb saxophonist and also outstanding playing the piccolo.  As a student he won Best Jazz and Best Pop/Rock instrumental soloist in Down Beat magazine's National Student Recording Awards.  Nelson's career took off in the late 1980's when he signed with GRP record company.  ...

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CAT Episode 132 - Audie Desbrow (Great White)

Sittin' in with the CAT - July 24, 2022 20:50 - 29 minutes
Audie Desbrow has been a steady force, as drummer in Great White since 1985.  In the bands' early days you'd find them on tour with Kiss, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper and many other mainstream rock bands of that time.  After several vocalist changes and 13 albums,  Great White is still roc...

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Coool CAT Episode 131 - Chieli Minucci (Special EFX)

Sittin' In With The Coool CAT - July 16, 2022 16:45 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Chieli Minucci co-founded Special EFX in the early 1980's, producing excellent compositions that blended Latin Rhythm and Contemporary Jazz music.  Solo or with Special EFX, Chieli has released nearly three dozen albums throughout his career.  You'll also find his guitar work on songs by Lionel ...

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CAT Episode 131 - Tab Benoit

Sittin' in with the CAT - July 11, 2022 14:37 - 28 minutes
Tab Benoit has a heritage from the deep south in Louisiana.  He's an amazing guitarist, vocalist and songwriter who parlays his roots into an awesome sound of blues and blues rock music.  A Grammy nominee, Tab's also garnered numerous other accolades including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year a...

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