Liz Magnes lived in Israel where she played with both Israeli and Arab musicians. She fuses Arabic modal scales with American jazz standards to produce a fascinating and unique sound. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective prepared by Reese Erlich, Magnes talks about her music and her efforts to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians. For more information visit www.lizmagnes.com

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More than seven decades after the innovations of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, and guitar virtuoso Django Reinhardt, groups called Hot Clubs carry on the gypsy jazz tradition around the world. None, however, offers a fresher take than the Hot Club of Detroit. Producer Lois Gilbert spoke with the group about their distinctive sound. Music comes from their second release, "Night Town" on Mack Ave Records. They are making their New York debut during the Django Reinhardt NY Festival November 4-9, 2008. For more information visit www.djangobirdland.com

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Bassist and composer Dave Holland has a long and illustrious career. He became well known playing with Miles Davis in the 1960s. These days he plays with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, as well as leading his own groups. Producer Reese Erlich interviews Holland in this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective that includes music from his brand new CD "Pass It On."

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Jeff 'Tain' Watts shows up almost everywhere. He's won Grammies with both Branford and Wynton Marsalis. As Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich found out, Watts originally studied classical European percussion and planned to be a studio musician. But he's had a successful career as a sideman and now as a group leader of Ebonix. Sit back and enjoy the drum beats.

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Drummer Cindy Blackman took a hiatus from jazz for 15 years to play with rock icon Lenny Kravitz. Now she's back in rare form with a new CD "Music for the New Millennium." Blackman talks about her music and what it's like to be a woman drummer in the male-dominated world of jazz. She speaks with jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich.

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jazzcorner.com is very honored and proud to present to you our InnerView with the first lady of jazz , Marian McPartland. Producer Lois Gilbert spoke with Marian at her home in Long Island. 2008 marks Marian's McPartland 90th birthday and her 30th anniversary of hosting "Piano Jazz." Marian will present Piano Jazz live on NPR affiliates on August 30th from the Tanglewood Jazz Festival with specials guests, Nneena Freelon, Mulgrew Miller and Spencer Day. For more information please visit www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

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It hard to categorize bassist Christian McBride. At only 36 years old he's as adept on acoustic bass as well as electric and transitions easily from mainstream jazz to downright funk, always with rhythm, swing and poise. In this special jazzcorner.com InnerView with producer Lois Gilbert, Christian takes us on his journey from his roots in Philadelphia to be one of the leading bassists of our time. Christian is the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival's Artist-In-Residence. For more information, visit: www.detroitjazzfest.com

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Award winning pianist, composer and arranger Donal Fox has long been entrenched in the jazz and classical worlds. He has won numerous awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and most recently, the prestigious Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music. The annual prize is awarded to composers of exceptional accomplishment. Donal Fox will be performing his Scarlatti Suite at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on August 30. For more information, please visit www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

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Pat Martino is a jazz guitar legend. At age 15 he moved from his native Philadelphia to Harlem, quite a jump for a white teenager in 1959. He honed his skills playing with the likes of Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff. Wes Montgomery was one of his mentors. In 1979, Martino was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and almost died. He had total amnesia and had to stop playing. But since 1995, he's been back full force. Reese Erlich met Martino at the Montreal Jazz Festival and this Jazz Perspective consists of their conversation. Music for this Jazz Perspective comes from the CD "Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery" on Blue Note records. This Jazz Perspective is brought to you in part by the Detroit Jazz Festival. Please visit www.detroitjazzfest.com

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jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich asked Spencer Day if his unusual fusion of jazz, cabaret and pop made it difficult to find bookings. Day said "sometimes." But that's precisely what makes the singer, songwriter and pianist so talented. He can belt out a tune like Judy Garland or write a lyric like Cole Porter. OK, maybe not yet, but he is a musician to watch out for. Spencer Day will be making his East Coast debut at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, performing with his own group as well as one of Marian McPartland's special guests for her NPR show, "Piano Jazz". For more information visit: www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

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Giacomo Gates in an American jazz vocalist who honors the tradition of vocalese, putting his own mark on each tune he interprets, and adding a new twist on jazz standards with a repertoire that ranges from improvising on a Illinois Jacquet solo to Jimi Hendrix.

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In this special jazzcorner.com Innerview with producer Lois Gilbert, baritone saxophonist, flutist and educator Claire Daly makes bright moments as she takes us on her journey with her Rah Rah band (an homage to Rahsaan Roland Kirk), teaching, and performing in various unusual groups. Claire Daly and the Rah Rah band will be performing at the Litchfield Jazz Festival on August 3, 2008. For more information visit: www.litchfieldjazzfest.com

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Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli owes a lot to the influence of his legendary father, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective producer Reese Erlich talks to Pizzarelli about what it was like growing up surrounded by jazz. Pizzarelli puts a new twist on the music of Frank Sinatra in his CD "Dear Mr. Sinatra." John Pizzarelli will be performing at the Litchfield Jazz Festival on August 3, 2008. For more information visit: www.litchfieldjazzfest.com

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Pianist Marilyn Crispell was on her way to a successful career as a classical musician when she listened to John Coltrane. She switched to jazz, becoming well known as a free jazz artist. Since the early 90s she's emphasized a more straight ahead style. In this Jazz Corner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich talks with Crispell about her passion for jazz.

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jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich sat down for an intimate conversation with saxophonist Wayne Shorter. In this special podcast, Shorter talks about his early years with Art Blakey and Miles Davis. He also reveals what inspired him to write his original compositions, including "ESP" and "Nefertiti." Wayne Shorter will be adjudicating and performing at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz 2008 International Saxophone Competition and Gala on October 25 and 26 in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.monkinstitute.org

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Saxophonist JD Allen plays to the outer limits of modern jazz, often using dissonance and unusual rhythms. But he has a strong sense of melody that makes him a popular jazz artist of the younger generation. jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspectives' producer Reese Erlich met with Allen to discuss how he got started playing for Betty Carter and his latest CD "I Am, I Am."

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Guitarist Lionel Loueke has established himself as a world-class sideman playing for both Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock. Now as a group leader, Loueke demonstrates his prodigious talents by playing guitar, singing and adding percussive clicks to his singing. jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich discovered that Loueke borrowed the rhythmic clicks from a language in South Africa, but has made them all his own.

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You probably haven't heard of Ezra Weiss - yet. The 20-something pianist plays New York and keeps busy in his home base of Portland, Oregon. Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich talks with Weiss about his CD "Get Happy," which will actually get you happy. Please visit www.ezraweiss.com and his CD is available through JazzCares.com

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Brazilian born Eliane Elias is a talented pianist, vocalist and song writer. She's currently on a national tour playing songs from her CD "Something for You," a tribute to Bill Evans. jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich finds out how she got inspired to perform Bill Evans' songs, and even why she kicks off her high heels during live performances. To see Eliane Elias videos, please visit http://www.jazzvideos.net

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Pianist and composer Jason Lindner started getting jazz gigs at age 15 by barging into restaurants and offering to play for free. Today, he heads a successful trio and big band. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich features an interview with Lindner and music from his CD "Live at the Jazz Gallery."

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Bassist and band leader Avishai Cohen doesn't know what to call his music. He mixes Middle Eastern influences from his native Israel with European classical, Latin and other styles to create an innovative form of jazz. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich talks with Cohen about his history in music, his International Vamp band and his latest CD: "As Is: Live at the Blue Note."

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For those who know the incredible playing of pianist Cyrus Chestnut, it should come as no surprise that he produced a swinging and original version of tunes made popular by Elvis Presley. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, you can hear his jazz version of Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel. Chestnut talks about his early musical influences and how he developed his swinging style. Music for this perspective comes from "Cyrus Plays Elvis" on Koch Records.

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Filmmaker and jazz musician Raymond De Felitta discovered the voice of Jackie Paris while listening to the radio. He became somewhat obsessed and his mission was to find out more about this elusive vocalist who sang with Bird, Mingus and Monk. His journey was transformed into making the documentary: 'Tis Autumn: The Search For Jackie Paris which opened in New York on December 7, 2007. jazzcorner.com's Lois Gilbert sat with De Felitta to talk about the film, Jackie Paris and how talent and commercial success are often not synonomous. For information on 'Tis Autumn: The Search For Jackie Paris, please visit: www.tisautumnthemovie.com

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Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator Robin Eubanks has been using electronics to augment the sonic palette of his trombone for more than 15 years. His latest project, EB3 was created for the expressed purpose of exploring modern technology in the context of his live performances, while also advancing the art of trombone in general. One of the first jazz musicians to create his own podcasts, jazzcorner.com turns the mic on Robin in this special extended jazzcorner.com InnerView.

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Pianist Herbie Hancock spoke with jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspectives host Reese Erlich to talk about his new CD River. It's based on compositions by Joni Mitchell. Hancock talks about how Mitchell's music is particularly well suited for jazz and how he struggled to understand her lyrics. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock will be held at the Kodak Theater on Oct 28. Please visit www.monkinstitute.org.

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Joni Mitchell is a favorite singer-songwriter for many jazz musicians because of her insightful poetry and story telling ability. After nearly 10 years of not producing original recordings, in September 2007, Joni Mitchell issued a new CD, Shine. In this exclusive interview with jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspective host Reese Erlich, Mitchell talks about the strong influence jazz and blues have had on her work. Joni Mitchell will be appearing at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock at the Kodak Theater on Oct 28. Please visit www.monkinstitute.org.

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George Duke got his start playing piano in church. He went on to fame playing with both rock and jazz stars. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich looks at Duke's career spanning nearly 40 years. Music for the perspective comes from "Face the Music" and "The Ultimate George Duke." George Duke will be appearing at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock at the Kodak Theater on Oct 28. Please visit www.monkinstitute.org.

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Pianist Kenny Werner is not only a fine musician but an insightful observer of the jazz scene. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, Werner talks about his life growing up in Long Island, NY, and about the importance of maintaining improvisation and individualism in jazz. Werner plays the Beantown Jazz Festival on September 28. Please visit www.beantownjazz.org for more information.

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Vocalist Claudia Acuna grew up in a working class district of Santiago, Chile. She became a jazz singer there and eventually moved to New York, where she had to start all over again. In this jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, Acuna tells of her big break at the Blue Note and how she composes some of her fine tunes. Acuna is one of the headliners at the 2007 Beantown Jazz Festival on September 28 and 29, 2007 in Boston. Please visit www.beantownjazz.org for more information.

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Legendary pianist Joe Zawinul passed away Sept. 11 in Vienna at the age of 75. As a young man he came to New York and quickly became known for an innovative style and fusing jazz with other forms of popular music. He played with Miles Davis on Bitch's Brew and went on to found the fusion band Weather Report with Wayne Shorter. In memory of Zawinul, jazzcorner.com presents this Jazz Perspective produced by Reese Erlich.

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Considered one of the foremost contemporary voices and vocal interpreters in jazz; in this extended jazzcorner.com Innerview, Kurt Elling discusses everything from his latest recording, "Nightmoves", his eclectic choices of music, writing, family, philosophy, spirituality and so much more. Kurt is appearing at both the Tanglewood and the Detroit Jazz Festivals during Labor Day Weekend 2007.

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Detroit born and raised, violinist Regina Carter is the first Artist-In-Residence in the 28 year history of the Detroit Jazz Festival. In this Jazz Perspective produced by Reese Erlich, Carter discusses her early ability to play by ear and also the difficulties facing women jazz performers.

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On Maria Schneider's latest CD, Sky Blue, Schneider weaves melodic and lush stories, childhood memories, bird watching in Central Park and a visit to South America. In this the extended length jazzcorner.com InnerView with producer Lois Gilbert, Maria explains how she composes, displays her talent on various bird whistles and speaks eloquently on her latest ArtistShare project, Sky Blue. The Maria Schneider Orchestra will be appearing at the Tangelwood Jazz Festival on September 2, 2007.

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Pianist Brubeck helped define the "cool jazz" sound during the 1950s. Brubeck and his quartet showed that you could swing with a more mellow, cooler sound in California. Brubeck is best known for his hits "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk," innovative tunes that were both melodically pleasing and very hard to play because of their unusual meters. In this Jazz Perspective by host Reese Erlich, we hear Brubeck talk about those early years and about his formative days as an Army musician during World War II.

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Pianist Joe Sample is best known for his years with the seminal group the Jazz Crusaders. He wrote and performed a number of pop mega-hits as well, such as "Street Life." In this Jazz Perspective, Sample talks about some of the history behind the Jazz Crusaders as well as his latest CD, "Feeling Good," reuniting him with vocalist Randy Crawford. See Joe Sample with Randy Crawford at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on September 1, 2007.

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Oscar Hernandez' Spanish Harlem Orchestra as had a string of successful CDs playing the brassy, urban salsa of the 1950s and 60s. In this Jazz Perspective produced by Reese Erlich, Hernandez explains the important cultural role played by Spanish Harlem over the years. He also talks about how he got Paul Simon to make a guest vocal appearance on his 2007 CD United We Swing. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra will be performing at the Detroit Jazz Festial.

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Sachal Vasandani's MACK AVENUE debut release, Eyes Wide Open, showcases this uniquely gifted vocalist and songwriter who combines skillful, diverse writing with a flair for infusing the familiar with the fresh. Critics describe him as "the finest young talent on the scene" possessing a stunning and moving voice. In addition, Vasandani's live performances have generated appreciation and praise from peers worldwide. In this special long length jazzcorner.com InnerView, Sachal talks about everything from politics to lost love with producer Lois Gilbert. Sachal will be appearing at both the www.tanglewoodjazzfest.com and www.detroitjazzfest.com

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Percussionist, composer and bandleader Bobby Sanabria has a mission. He keeps alive the tradition of Latin big bands and updates the music to the 21st century. In his new CD "Big Band Urban Folktales," Sanabria brings us mambos, boleros, and even some Frank Zappa with that unmistakable Latin big band sound.

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Mark Weinstein was an early pioneer in fusing avant garde jazz with Latin music. He took some time off from playing music professionally to become a philosophy professor. But since the mid 1990s, he's recorded some dynamite Latin and jazz and world music.

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George Wein is a talented musician who became even better known as a jazz impresario. Wein founded the Newport, Playboy, JVC and New Orleans Jazz Festivals, among others. Reese Erlich caught up with Wein during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to ask him about the changing world of jazz.

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As a young pianist, Mark Levine got his start playing strip joints in Boston, adding that special bada bing to his jazz and blues repertoire. These days he focuses on Latin music, having produced five successful CDs with his group the Latin Tinge.

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When you hear the words avant garde jazz, you think of discordant notes and strange harmonies. But bass player Ben Allison has managed to create a style of jazz that combines accessible rhythms and melodies, with the "outside" sounds associated with the avant garde. Allison is one of New York's outstanding younger generation of jazz artists not content to play grandpa's jazz.

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Frank Wess became famous playing with the Count Basie Band in the 1950s. His incredible career spans both the big band and bebop eras. In this Jazz Perspective, Wess tells Reese Erlich that he really didn't have any problems playing bebop - except the drumming was so different. "Art Blakey was dropping those bombs," he said with a laugh. This Jazz Perspective includes Wess' playing from the Count Basie days as well as his CD Hank and Frank.

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Big band leader, trumpeter and composer Gerald Wilson has been a jazz treasure for more than 6 decades, and maintains a busy schedule to this day. jazzcorner.com's Lois Gilbert spent several hours with Gerald on his 89th birthday during the Detroit Jazz Festival. This very special jazzcorner.com InnerView is brought to you by Mack Avenue Records. www.mackavenue.com

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As a teenager, Trumpeter Jon Faddis impressed his friends by playing the Star Spangled Banner one octave higher than usual. He brought that talent to the world of jazz and is still hitting those incredible high notes 40 years later. In this Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich talks with Faddis about his CD "Teranga." It includes original jazz compositions that combine the talents of American and Senegalese musicians.

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Saxophonist, flutist and composer Tia Fuller truly believes that music can serve as the perfect elixir, hence the title of her Mack Avenue debut, "Healing Space," which includes her longtime friend and musical collaborator Sean Jones and labelmate, Ron Blake. Conceived during a time of personal turmoil and transition, Tia elaborates on purpose, gratitude, transgression, reflection, wholeness and restoration. For more information on Tia, please visit www.mackavenue.com

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Pianist Jason Moran, in his early 30s, has already made his mark in the jazz world. As you can hear in this jazzcorner.com InnerView by Reese Erlich, Moran can play a downhome, funky blues or create avant garde new music. His CD "Artist in Residence" consists of various commissioned works he has performed over the past few years. It includes jazz fused with hip-hop and an original composition that's part jazz and part classical. Quite a mix.

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Back in 1930s Paris, the Hot Club de France kept music fans jumping and dance floors filled to their intricate and lively brand of gypsy jazz.In 21st century Detroit, the fans are jumpin' and the dance floors are filled, too, but this time to the sound of the Hot Club of Detroit, an electrifying and visionary ensemble that takes the traditions pioneered by Django Reinhardt and company and spins them in a way that's both reverent and refreshingly contemporary. For more info visit: www.mackave.com

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