All That's Jazz

Vinyl jazz album covers are highly collectible, especially if they are from the iconic label of Prestige Records. These classic and cherished covers, especially from 1949 to 1960 are often even framed and displayed as stunning wall art. It was Prestige that ushered in a golden age of jazz through the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Billy Taylor and dozens of jazz legends. Their recordings were encased in extraordinary album jackets as part of a whole graphic universe of illustrations and photos. 

Prestige was founded by Bob Weinstock who gave designers and photographers a carte blanche freedom to create art that reflected the unbridled spirit of the music. Those designers and photographers included Don Schlitten, David Young, Don Martin, Bob Parent, Reid Miles, Tom Hannan, Esmond Evan’s and others. The amazing story behind the groundbreaking music and art of Prestige has now been chronicled in a new tabletop book published by RIT Press called “Wail: The Visual Language of Prestige Records.” 

This remarkable book is authored by Mark Havens and Chris Entwistle. Havens is an artist, photographer and educator whose work has been exhibited internationally and is held in both public and private collections. Entwistle is an artist and illustrator who has used his passion for both jazz and postwar graphic design in his illustration work. 

In my conversation with Mark and Chris, we explore the development of the book which took more than a decade of research to uncover hundreds of rare and meticulously photographed covers and never-before-seen sketches and outtakes from album shoots.

Releasing EPs for musicians and artists often serve as a primary release strategy for both emerging and established artists. Usually featuring three to six tracks, EPs allow musicians to maintain consistent content, experiment with new sounds, and keep fans engaged. 

Jazz singer, songwriter and arranger Alyssa Allgood feels that EPs allow her to release more content between costly major projects and stay relevant through her own social media efforts.  

Alyssa has recently released a six track EP titled “Leap” that she self-composed and arranged, which captures the spirit of taking risks in life and love. She says it’s both a reflection of the struggle, and a celebration of the triumph, to make a leap.  

This episode, take the plunge with me as I engage in a conversation with this  fascinating and accomplished artist.

‘Euphonic Gumbo’ is not exactly a “Nawlin’s” menu item but instead a tasty musical delight that’s the title of of a new album on Club 44 Records from vocalist and Broadway star Julie Benko, featuring a dazzling seven-piece band directed by her pianist-arranger husband, Jason Yeager.  

This recording is the result of the collaborating couple’s numerous trips to New Orleans where they developed a love for the Crescent City and its rich musical and cultural histories. The album’s title comes from Benko’s original play ‘Down the Line’ that is set in Storyville, New Orlean’s former red-light district, and features the legendary pianist Tony Jackson, a mentor to Jelly Roll Morton, as the central character. Eventually, Benko and Yeager were invited by Birdland mainstay Jim Caruso to bring their musical ensemble to the club where their Big Easy-inspired celebrations have become a beloved winter tradition.  

All of this led to the development of the recording ‘Euphonic Gumbo’, and the story unfolds in my conversation with Julie Benko and Jason Yeager.

Since 1934, DOWNBEAT magazine has been considered by many to be the Oracle when it comes to coverage of what’s going on in the world of music, especially jazz. Every January, DOWNBEAT publishes their list of the best albums from the previous year. On that coveted list for 2025 is an album from the Wild Iris Brass Band called, “Way Up,” which is the subject of this podcast episode.  

The Wild Iris Brass Band was co-founded by saxophonist Jeff Coffin and trombonist Ray Mason. Coffin has worked with Bela Fleck and currently with the Dave Matthews Band and is also the founder of Ear Up Records label.  Mason is known for his work with Lauren Daigle and Elvis Costello and is a musician in high demand in the jazz world, as well as other music genres. “Way Up” is the debut album for the Wild Iris Brass Band and features a star-studded roster and guest appearances from Béla Fleck, Steven Bernstein, and Bob Lanzetti and others.  

The story behind this recording is a fascinating one as you will learn from my conversation with Jeff Coffin and Ray Mason.

What do you get when you combine re-imagined classic rock and roll with jazz music delivered by a Grammy award winning Big Band orchestra and Grammy nominated vocalist? In this case, you get a newly-minted  Grammy nomination for ‘Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album’ from The Count Basie Orchestra, featuring Billboard’s #1 jazz artist - and our podcast guest - Deborah Silver, for “Basie Rocks!”

This 11 track project is packed with iconic hits from the likes of Elton John, Peter Frampton The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, the Steve Miller Band and more, delivered by The Count Basie Orchestra and Silver, in collaboration with Arturo Sandoval, Kurt Elling, Wycliffe Gordon, Trombone Shorty, Bill Frisell and others.   

Join me as our conversation with Deborah Silver discusses her fascinating story, and how her collaboration with The Count Basie Orchestra ultimately led to this extraordinary GRAMMY nominated album.