The Jazz Pianist's Perspective, with Peter Martin

Kirk sits down with jazz piano legend Peter Martin to talk about Peter's musical background, his momentous early encounters with Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, the jazz scene of the 1990s, how the Suzuki method works, and why jazz students today should be less shy about talking to their heroes. Check out Peter's online jazz education program Open Studio, as well as You'll Hear It, the music podcast he co-hosts with Adam Maness. DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:“Variations Sur ‘Le Carnaval de Venise” feat. Wynton Marsalis and the Eastman Wind Ensemble from Carnival, 1987“Path Adjacent” Peter Martin w/ Gregory Hutchinson, Sarah Hanahan & Reuben Rogers from Generation S, 2023“Bag’s Groove” by Milt Jackson from Miles Davis, Bag’s Groove, 1967“Tea For Two” by Youmans/Ceasar, played by Art Tatum from Piano Starts Here, 1968“Broad Way Blues” by Ornette Coleman from New York Is Now, 1968“Swingin’ at the Haven” by Branford Marsalis from Royal Garden Blues, 1986“Now’s The Time/Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker from Jamey Aebersold Vol. 6: All Bird“Naima’s Love Song” by Betty Carter from I_t’s Not About The Melody_, 1992“Mental Phrasing” by Roy Hargrove live w/ Joshua Redman, Ron Blake, Peter Martin, Rodney Whitaker, Greg Hutchinson“Turnaround” by Joshua Redman w/ Pat Metheny from Wish, 1993“Jig-A-Jug” by Joshua Redman and “St. Thomas” by Sonny Rollins” from Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard, 1995“Cat Battles” and “One Shining Soul” by Joshua Redman from Freedom in the Groove, 1996“The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner” intro and “Mind and Body” from Solo, Live in New York, 2015“Why Approach Chords Matter” - Adam Maness for Open Studio on YouTube, 2025“2 Down & 2 Across,” “Sing a Song of Song,” “Before It’s Time to Say Goodbye” by Kenny Garrett feat. Kenny Kirkland from Songbook, 1997“Phyrzzinian Man” by Wynton Marsalis from Black Codes from the Underground, 1985“Necessary Evil” by Elvin Jones and “Whatever Possessed Me” by Chet Baker feat. Pat LaBarbera (Tenor) and Kenny Kirkland from Brother John, 1982“Stella by Starlight” by Hoagy Carmichael, performed by the Miles Davis Quintet on My Funny Valentine: In Concert, 1965--------------------NOVEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSAccessViolation – Andy – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Cesar – Christopher McConnell – Christopher Miller – Corpus Frisky – Damon White – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Dave Florey – David Mascetti – Elizabeth Culver – Greg – Jamie White – Jay Swartz – Jenness Gardner – Jeremy Dawson – Joe Laska – Julie Rowe – Ken Hirsh – Lisa Crotty – Melanie Andrich – Melissa Lucas – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Rich Fish – Rick Keeler – Robyn Metcalfe – Rush – Sami Samhuri – Thomas McIlheranNOVEMBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONSAaron Cain – Aaron Wade – Abbie Berg – Abraham Benrubi – Achint Srivastava – Adam Clark – Adam Stofsky – Adam W – Ailie Fraser – AJ Schuster – Alan Kress – Alan Maass – Alex – Alex Miller – Alexander – Alexander Polson – Alison Dugan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Andrew Hofer – Andrew Knutson – Angela Livingstone – Anthony Mentz – Arjun Sharma – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ashley – Bea – Ben Stein – Bernard Khoo – Betsy Barre – Bill Thornton – Bonnie Prinsen – Brad Callahan – Brendan McLeod – Brett Douville – Brian Amoebas – Brian Rinckenberger – Brian John Peter – Bruno Gaeta – Carlos Lerner – Caro Field – Catherine Clause – Cbalmain – Charles McGee – Cheryl Wilke – Chris K – Christian Hessmann – Christopher Selby Spink – Clare Holberton – Claudia Carty – Clint McElroy – Colin Hodo – Dallas Hockley – Dan Cutter – Dani – Daniel Kaberon – Daniel Markoff – Daniel Nervo – Dave Douglass – Dave Kolas – Dave Malloy – Dave Sharpe – David – David Futter – David Joske – David Noah – Deebs – Dent Earl – Dermot Crowley – Dhu Wik – Diane Hughes – Diane Turner – Dick Morgan – Donald Mackie – Doreen Carlson – Doug Belew – Douglas H. 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