The Stereo Image

This week we explore the journey of Rob Zabrecky. From indie music and the 90's LA scene to magic to his unique performance style. Mike and Rob discuss his latest project, the Zabrecky Hour, and the thought and creativity that went into it. Check out his special, The Zabrecky Hour, on Amazon.

This episode of The Stereo Image features world-renowned pianist Olga Kern discussing her musical upbringing, life on tour, and teaching at the Manhattan School of Music.Olga shares stories about winning major competitions, her family’s musical lineage, a vivid dream of Rachmaninoff, and why studying a composer’s life matters. She also talks about the power of live performance and her upcoming concert schedule.

This week we are so excited to have the phenomenal conductor, Leonard Slatkin! Leonard is an icon of the classical music world but he grew up surrounded by jazz giants and Hollywood legends. Not many people can say that Frank Sinatra tucked him in as a child! This episode marks 1 year of The Stereo Image! To celebrate, we recorded this in person at Mike's Las Vegas home. Learn more about Leonard: Leonard Slatkin.com Las Vegas Philharmonic Nashville Symphony Leonard Slatkin on YouTube

“They didn’t let anyone sit in at Bradley’s unless you were Bill Evans!” This week we continue our conversation with Judy Carmichael as she recalls leaving Disneyland, moving to New York, and breaking into the jazz world. She shares encounters with legends like Roy Eldridge and Tommy Flanagan, the pivotal "Handful of Keys" moment, and how determination and talent won her respect. Judy also reflects on career choices—staying true to jazz instead of commercial work—her friendships and supporters, and how a New York Times feature helped launch her wider recognition. More info on Judy: Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired Judy on YouTube

Our latest guest is Céline Peterson, daughter of legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Céline and Mike talk about the importance of fair treatment and appreciation for artists. Céline shares her experiences managing artists and the impact of social media on music careers, while also reflecting on her upbringing in a musical family. More info for this episode: Oscar Peterson's 100th Birthday Celebraion Year Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra Oscar Peterson's Africa Suite Oscar, With Love Bassist Dave Young Drummer Mark McLean Britney Spears (YouTube) Sarah Vaughan (YouTube) John Mayer (YouTube) Céline Peterson Artist Representation Vocalist Caity Gyorgy Capri Records

We are so excited to have Eric Mingus on this week’s episode! In fact, that Mike stammers through the first part of the episode because he’s so excited! Luckily he gets past that and he and Eric have a wonderful discussion about his own recent projects and a little about growing up as a member of jazz royalty with his dad Charles Mingus. Note: Occasionally you hear some dogs in the background. Eric was fostering a bunch of dogs when we talked. Mike's cat, Ella, gave her meow of approval. Eric talks about his heritage and his experiences with music growing up. He shares his feelings on the experience of live acoustic instruments. He talks about his collaboration with Yoyo Ma. Through it all he’s a lovely guy! More info for this episode: The Mill - collaboration between Yoyo Ma and Eric Mingus Hal Willner Weird Nightmare (plays in YouTube) Mingus Mill in North Carolina Harry Smith Collection of folk music Illinois Jacquet - Jumpin At Apollo bassist Red Callender Dimitri Toimkin well-known phot with Monk, Charlie Parker, Roy Haines, Charles Mingus Charles Mingus in the Library of Congress Beneath the Underdog (Charles Mingus autobiography) The Ertegun Brothers bassist Gary Karr guitarist Hubert Sumlin pianist Don Pullen Billy Gibbons guitarist in ZZ Top Karen Mantler and My Cat Arnold David Sandborn’s Night Music TV show (YouTube clips) Michael Brecker Jeff Friedman - Ellington Effect Berklee College of Music Susan Berk

In this episode, Mike chats with former Chicago Tribune music critic, Howard Reich. Howard shares his journey from being a jazz critic to becoming an accidental filmmaker and opera writer. He emphasizes the role of music in storytelling and the importance of critics in promoting lesser-known artists. He also reflects on his transition to new artistic mediums like opera and ballet, celebrating the legacy of musicians and the power of music to shape identity and experience. More Info for this episode: Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F (YouTube) An American in Paris trailer (YouTube) Makoto Ozone - pianist (YouTube) Patricia Barber - pianist (YouTube) Kurt Elling (YouTube) Mike Jones - Duke Ellington Medley (YouTube) Prisoner of Her Past - Book by Howard Reich The Art of Inventing Hope - Book by Howard Reich Kimikos Pearl - Ballet inspired by Howard Reich For the Left Hand - Documentary by Howard Reich From Howard’s website: Howard was born in Chicago and at age 10 moved with his family to Skokie, a northern suburb that was a nexus of Holocaust survivors, like his parents. At age 16, Howard happened on the film “An American in Paris” and instantly became obsessed with music. By 18 he was a piano performance major at Northwestern, and at 22 he began freelancing articles on music for the Chicago Daily News. The next year he started contributing arts coverage to the Chicago Tribune, where he was hired full time in 1983 and spent his entire newspaper career. Howard’s stories took him to London, Paris, Warsaw, Vienna, Moscow, Munich, Prague, Havana, Panama and other locales, as well as deep into one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the world: Chicago. Howard served for 32 years as the Tribune’s jazz critic, the last three years doubling as classical/opera critic. He retired from the newspaper in 2021, continues writing for the stage and page, and lives in a Chicago suburb with Pam Becker, his wife, a retired Tribune editor. Mike Jones bio: Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jones attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and after college he remained in the city, working with such eminent local players as Herb Pomeroy and Gray Sargent. After significant East Coast performances, appearances at the Floating Jazz Festival on the S.S. Norway and the Queen Elizabeth ll, and a series of recordings that established him as a world-class pianist steeped in the pre-bop jazz tradition, Jones relocated to Las Vegas. There he caught the ear of Penn Jillette who, in 2002, brought Jones onboard for the nightly Penn and Teller show at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

This week’s episode features Marc Myers. If you are a lover of all things music, Marc is the man for you. If you appreciate music's history and evolution, Marc is the man for you. If you have always wanted to get into jazz music but just didn’t know where to begin or what to listen for, Marc is the man for you! Marc is the creator of JazzWax which hosts a wealth of history, stories, opinions, and more about jazz and other forms of music. We talk a little about the musicians Marc has known over the years and what it’s like to meet them. Marc and Mike share their opinions of rock and jazz and the musical process. Marc is fascinating to talk to. Marc Myers is a frequent music and arts contributor to The Wall Street Journal. He writes two regular columns—“House Call,” in which he interviews Hollywood actors on their childhood years, and “Album@50,” on pop albums celebrating a 50th anniversary and how they changed music history. He is the author of “Why Jazz Happened,” two volumes of “Anatomy of a Song” and “Rock Concert: An Oral History.” He posts five days a week at his award-winning JazzWax.com blog, launched in 2007.

In a first for this podcast (and probably many others) our guest is a magic dragon! Of course his lovely and talented sidekick, Jade Simone, is here too! In fact, while Piff has many musical opinions, Jade is the one with the extensive musical background. This episode is kind of a free-for-all. It’s what you would expect from a dragon. Among the fray, many musical opinions are expressed. In the end, we learn that AI is coming for us all, including dragons! Because this was recorded at Piff & Jade’s recording lair, who is hosting the show is a little uncertain at times. Luckily Jade is there to anchor the chaos. It was so much fun talking with Piff & Jade. We hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as we did recording it. More info for this episode: Animal Planet: The Haunted (Wikipedia link) David Byrne (YouTube link) Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (YouTube link) Norah Jones (YouTube link) Mike Jones Trio - Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You're Doing? Piff's first appearance on Fool Us (YouTube link) Piff & Pop's UK Tour Andy Paley (Wikipedia link) Suno AI Music Piff & Jade bio: Piff is a British magician who came to fame on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us. He moved to the US where he began performing in Las Vegas and appearing on America’s Got Talent along with his partner, Jade Simone. Jade grew up in Dallas, Texas and performed as an emcee and showgirl for several years before teaming up with Piff. You can see them nightly at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas or on tour around the world. Mike Jones bio: Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jones attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and after college he remained in the city, working with such eminent local players as Herb Pomeroy and Gray Sargent. After significant East Coast performances, appearances at the Floating Jazz Festival on the S.S. Norway and the Queen Elizabeth ll, and a series of recordings that established him as a world-class pianist steeped in the pre-bop jazz tradition, Jones relocated to Las Vegas. There he caught the ear of Penn Jillette who, in 2002, brought Jones onboard for the nightly Penn and Teller show at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Today Mike talks with Katrine Spang-Hanssen. She is a great juggler and drummer, a funny conversationalist, a lovely person, and one half of Comedy Industries. Mike and Katrine discuss their love of jazz music, their experiences with other music growing up, and what it’s like to work in a performing duo. Of course the ultimate performing duo, Penn & Teller, come up numerous times. Katrine is from Denmark! We’ll get that out of the way now because Mike continues a long running joke of confusing where she is from. But! She has lived in San Francisco for many years and tells about experiencing juggling and music in the bay area from the 1990’s to today. For the month of September, Mike is talking to 2 of his good friends. He talks to them separately but they make up a comedy-juggling duo who have performed together for many years. Because of that, the humor gets a little… sarcastic, biting, and even sometimes harsh. With that disclaimer out of the way… More Info for this episode: Nat Cole Trio - Bring Another Drink (YouTube) Styx playlist on YouTube Abba Greatist Hits playlist on YouTube Jesus Christ Superstar playlist on YouTube Penn & Teller's Secret to a 50 Year Partnership - article in New York Times From Katrine’s website bio: Katrine Spang-Hanssen is one the world’s premiere female jugglers. She has toured the world opening for stars such as Kenny Rodgers, Willie Nelson, and Natalie Cole. She’s performed at hundreds of comedy clubs, fairs, festivals, colleges, and theater productions. Together with Scott Meltzer and the rest of the CI group, she has performed an infinite number of trade show presentations and sales meetings, presenting for corporate clients ranging from startups in 10×10 booths along the back wall to Fortune 100 diamond sponsors. Katrine & Scotty's juggling duo: Comedy Industries Katrine's band: Shake It Booty Band Mike Jones bio: Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jones attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and after college he remained in the city, working with such eminent local players as Herb Pomeroy and Gray Sargent. After significant East Coast performances, appearances at the Floating Jazz Festival on the S.S. Norway and the Queen Elizabeth ll, and a series of recordings that established him as a world-class pianist steeped in the pre-bop jazz tradition, Jones relocated to Las Vegas. There he caught the ear of Penn Jillette who, in 2002, brought Jones onboard for the nightly Penn and Teller show at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Our guest this week is the indomitable actor, Dean Cameron! You may have seen him in Summer School, Ski School, or the TV show for Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Or you've seen him in one of his numerous other acting gigs that don't involve school. In addition to acting, he plays in a fun band called Low Speed Chase and he wrote (with the help of his Nigerian friend) and acted in a hilarious play called Nigerian Spam Scam Scam. We talk about all that and his experiences growing up and getting into music as well. Check him out! More information from this show: Coreyoke (on YouTube) Led Zeppelin 77 Tour at the Forum in LA (on YouTube) Nigeriam Spam Scam Scam (on YouTube) More about Dean Cameron and Low Speed Chase Dean Cameron's Website Dean Cameron on IMDB Low Speed Chase Music Low Speed Chase on Instagram

This week we present part 1 of Mike's chat with Hank O'Neal. In this first part, Hank shares his journey through the world of jazz music, detailing the founding and evolution of Chiaroscuro Records, his early musical influences, and the innovative concept of jazz cruises. With anecdotes about legendary musicians and insights into the music industry, Hank provides a rich tapestry of experiences that highlight the importance of creativity and passion in music. Jonesy and Hank discuss the evolving landscape of jazz music, the significance of jazz cruises, and the memorable experiences shared with legendary musicians. They delve into the journey of building a recording studio and the evolution of Chiaroscuro in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Learn more about some of the topics discussed: Chiaroscuro Records Hank O'Neal on Wikipedia Sherman Fairchild on Wikipedia Indian Love Call from Rose Marie vs. Indian Love Call by Artie Shaw

In this conversation, Eric Montzka shares his journey as a drummer in the Chicago music scene, discussing his early influences, professional experiences, and the evolution of live music. He reflects on the importance of wedding bands, the impact of technology on music, and the future of jazz performance. The discussion highlights the challenges and joys of being a musician in today's world, emphasizing the enduring love for music despite industry changes. More information on topics from this episode: Eric Montzka Discography The Green Mill in Chicago Patricia Barber Pink Floyd's Breathe - open in YouTube