Jazz Inspired

British jazz vocalist Jacqui Dankworth came to jazz after pursuing a theatre career, performing everywhere from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the West End. Jacqui talks about the advantages and challenges of having two well-known parents, Dame Cleo Lane and Sir John Dankworth.

New Orleans drummer Gerald French joins Judy onstage at the 2013 Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland to discuss his passion for the music of his hometown and desire to carry on the NOLA tradition in playing the music and having respect for its history.

Education activist and Professor of History and African American Studies at Fordham University, Mark Naison, discusses the history and cultural significance of jazz.

Director Tim Johnson, of DreamWorks Animation, talks about his feature film, "Over the Hedge" and the importance of music in animation.

Saxophonist Eric Schneider talks about working with Count Basie and Earl Hines and performs with Judy onstage for â??Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island."

New Orleans singer/composer John Boutté discussing the influence New Orleans has had on his music and his work on the series â??Treme."

Judy Carmichael interviews Connie Evingson

In celebration of the last season of â??Mad Men," we revisit Judyâ??s conversation with Bryan Batt who played the character of Sal Ramano, the closeted gay art director for the Sterling Cooper Agency on that great series.

Canadian saxophonist Grant Stewart discusses his new CD â??Trioâ?? and his using the unusual instrumentation of sax, bass and drums.

Music writer/biographer James Gavin discusses his passion for jazz and his bios on Chet Baker, Lena Horne and the recently released Peggy Lee bio â??Is That All There Is?â??

Pianist Dick Hyman has enjoyed a long career playing concerts and composing for movies and television. He now refers to himself as "Mr. Eighty Eight," since he's reached that age milestone, which, of course, has particular significance for a pianist. Dick is Judy's first guest recorded onstage from Kiawah Island, SC during what will continue as a three day "Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island" festival, where Judy will interview and perform with her guests, as she does with Dick Hyman.

Saxophonist Harry Allen discusses growing up playing accordian and how that much-ridiculed instrument helped him learn jazz.

Pianist Ehud Asherie was born in Isreal, spent his early years in Italy and now lives in the States. He brings an international perspective as well as wide musical knowledge to his jazz playing. Judy and Ehud discuss his broad range of influences including Orson Welles whom he considers a major source of inspiration.

Pianist/composer/activist Fred Hersch is one of the few musicians who feels equally comfortable with classical music and jazz, and discussed how he negotiates his way between these two worlds and uses each to inspire the other. Fred has also been living with HIV/AIDS for more than 25 years and talked about his work in raising awareness and funds throughout his own struggle with the virus.

New Orleans bassist Roland Guerin and Judy met and recorded their conversation and played on stage at the 2013 Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where they discussed Rolandâ??s New Orleans roots and favorite jazz.

Bassist Jay Leonhart starting playing multiple instruments as a child and by his early teens had his own TV show with his banjo-playing brother Bill. Leonhart eventually found his home on the bass, but kept the variety going with collaborations with everyone from Judy Garland and Carly Simon to Sinatra and Sting.

Pianist/singer Champian Fulton talks about the advantages of starting a music career outside of L.A. or NY and how her fatherâ??s taste in music has influenced her since before her birth. Hint: He held headphones up to her mamaâ??s baby bump. Baby Bud Powell, anyone?

Jazz pianist/vocalist Larry King discusses his many musical influences from Bill Evans to Ella Fitzgerald and how living and working in Paris has enhanced his creativity.

Judy talks with vocalist Maud Hixson about her new CD â??Donâ??t Let A Good Thing Get Awayâ?? and its focus on the compositions on Mickey Leonard.

Multi-Emmy and Grammy winner, composer/pianist Mike Renzi discusses his work as Music Director for Sesame Street, Mel Torm�©, Peggy Lee, Liza and numerous others and reveals what continues to thrill and inspire him about jazz.