Check out the video of the episode HERE.

Kenny Rittenhouse is a major contributor to the Washington, DC jazz scene. He's a gifted trumpet player, bandleader, fantastic composer and arranger, as well as a well-respected educator.

In this episode, we dig into my tune "Kenny's Groove," which I wrote for him, as well as Kenny's compositional offering "Waltz For a New Day." We finish off the music with Dave Brubeck's classic "In Your Own Sweet Way."

In conversation, we also talk about Kenny's process for composing, and how trumpet master Clifford Brown turned him from a casual listener into a deep practitioner of this music.

EPISODE INDEX

Intro [0:00]
Conversation - Tim talks about composing "Kenny's Groove" [1:30]
Song 1 - "Kenny's Groove" [2:40]
Conversation - Finding the trumpet & jazz [9:35]
Conversation - Clifford Brown changed everything [13:10]
Conversation - Kenny's composing process [14:48]
Song 2 - "Waltz for a Lovely Day" [19:41]
Conversation - Kenny's website, recordings & gigs [26:23]
Song 3 - "In Your Own Sweet Way" [29:18]
Outro - "What Does Music Mean to Me?" [34:57]

Check out the video of the episode HERE.

Amy Shook is one of the most in-demand bassists in Washington, DC area. She plays with everyone, and is a wonderful presence on the bandstand. When I play with her,  I’m reminded of the great drummer Billy Higgins. Billy radiated pure joy when he played, and I get that same vibe from Amy. Her wonderful spirit lifts any musical or hang situation. Combine that with a deep pocket and endlessly creative ideas, and you have a recipe for lots of fun.

In this episode, she tells us about how she found the bass and jazz growing up in Idaho. She also talks about her incredible 3D Jazz Trio, featuring Amy along with pianist Jackie Warren and drummer Sherrie Maricle.

And OF COURSE, we play some music! I wrote something called "Lilt," and Amy brought in a very fun tune called "Gate Check."

EPISODE INDEX

Intro [0:00]
Song 1 - "Lilt" (comp Tim Whalen) [1:23]
Conversation - Amy's Background [7:32]
Conversation - The 3 Divas [15:50]
Song 2 - “Gate Check” (comp Amy Shook) [25:10]
Outro [30:10]

Check out the video of the episode HERE.

Michael Kramer is a Washington, DC based guitarist, composer, arranger and bandleader. His trio "Superstring and the Cosmic Vibrations" released it's debut album (featuring Nathan Kawaller on bass and Steve Fidyk on drums) in December of 2018. Michael is the co-leader of the KW Big Band, along with pianist and composer Tim Whalen.  Michael began his career with a weekly solo guitar gig at a local Italian Restaurant walking distance from his childhood home in Germantown, MD which began at age 16 and ran until he began his studies at The University of Maryland, College Park. He has remained busy ever since as a performer in Washington DC and all over the East Coast. Michael has performed professionally with Joe Chambers, Lee Konitz, Wycliffe Gordon, Sean Jones, Ignacio Berroa, Bobby Shew, Steve Davis, Carmen Bradford and many more.   Education has been fundamentally important in Michael's career. He is currently adjunct faculty at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA.

In Episode 5, we talk about how he discovered the guitar and jazz. 

We also dive into talking about his upcoming new album, which was recorded in my home studio, AceTone Studios. As for music, we play a piece of his called "Dysphunktional," one of mine called "All For Naught," and we also explore the chord changes to an old standard...you'll have to guess which one it is.

EPISODE INDEX

Intro [0:00]
Song 1 - "Dream Changes" [1:26]
Conversation - Growing Up [5:17]
Conversation - Finding Music [5:55]
Conversation - Michael talks about "Dysphunktional" [11:18]
Song 2 - "Dysphunktional" [14:36]
Conversation - Michael's New Album [23:13]
Conversation - Tim talks about "All for Naught" [27:44]
Song 3 - "All For Naught" [30:55]
Outro [39:19]