May 09, 2016

The sideman, the session guitarist, most people have heard their work but few know who they are. But these session musicians have made an impact on today's music just as much as the artists they have worked for. Two examples of great session/side musicians are Steve Postell and Danny Kortchmar. Steve was a member of the group Pure Prairie League and went on to work on Broadway on such shows as "Evita" and "The Man From La Mancha." He has composed for TV and film, was the music director for Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Princes Lea in "Aladdin"), has developed music education apps (On The Path) and fronts the "Night Train Music Club" featuring some of the finest musicians in the country. Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar has toured and recorded with such artists as James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, and Carole King. He was a member of the Fugs back in the 1960's and is one of LA top session guitarists. We talk to these great musicians about their work, both past and present, and where it has led them and where they think it is going.