Raising the Standards

69th annual Monterey Jazz Festival is just around the corner. We chat with managing director Bobbie Young about plans for this year's extravaganza, which includes Winton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock and a staggering array of marvelous jazz players. Weekend liner notes gives a nod to Rogers and Hart with the vocalese of Giacamo Gates.

Fascinating interview with Joe Farnsworth, jazz drummer extraordinaire. Joe shares some great stories about growing up in a remarkably musical family. Judy Wexler joins us for liner notes.

A visit with our friends from the Raven Drum Foundation, Lauren Monroe and Rick Allen, to talk about what this wonderful organization does for first-responders and veterans, along with filling you in on a marvelous upcoming evening of entertainment, sharing and learning, Saturday August 22nd at Kuumbwa. Get tickets here. Liner notes features the extraordinary Paula West, and the elegant Jimmy Webb.

Wonderful vocalist Mark Winkler joins us to preview his new project Love Comes First.

Great show with our friend John Fitzpatrick from the Eliza Jane Hotel in New Orleans, and a visit from the newly-elected Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. Well worth a listen.

A fascinating discussion of the state of medicine with Dr. John Clark of Primecare, and a visit with Michael Dooda, general manager of TPC Monterey at Pasadera.

Jazz flautist Ali Ryerson shares background on her family and her new CD, The Aly Ryerson Quartet. We also check in with our friend the College Boy, to check on his progress.

Good show with Jaana Narsipur talking about her new CD, The Re-Collections. Tiffany Harbrecht from Rancho Cielo fills us in on a wonderful annual promotion called Veggieboxes, Pat Sign reminisces about when the world came to Los Gatos in 1994 and we give an emotional Liner Notes goodbye to Stephen Colbert.

A fun show on upcoming Jazz and Classic standards.

An intriguing chat with jazz author James Gavin about his new book Cool Heat: Anita O'Day And Her Dangerous Jazz Life. James shares some terrific insights about a jazz legend. Liner notes features Billy Eckstein and Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Saxaphone player Jeff Lederer talks about his new release, There's a Yearnin' and Manny Freitas from San Juan Oaks Golf Club talks about U.S. Amateur qualifying. Also a bit of Nat Cole with Oscar Peterson.

Fascinating interview with the directors of Peter Asher Everywhere Man. Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller talk about their remarkable new documentary on Peter Asher. Weekend liner notes gives Peter a nod with his and Gordon's biggest hits.

Wonderful chat with Judy Wexler about her recent appearance at 54 Below in New York, her memories of all the wonderful artists she has seen and her future plans. Liner notes featured the great Janis Joplin.

We chat with Todd Lefkovic, owner of Foods of NY about his terrific tour business, along with the effects of tourism. Also, we heard a wonderful version of Stand By Me by Ben E. King.

We talked to Chef Hasham from El Halal Amigos which was recently featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. He shares how his appearance came together and why Guy Fieri was so impressed with his restaurant. Also our underachieving friend College Boy joined us.

Jeff Idelson joined Michael Jacobi and Bill Wolverton. We heard about the Willie Mays Foundation. Say Hey! Jeff and Willie became friends when Jeff was the president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. These days Jeff is busy with Grassroots Baseball.

We hear of the National World War Two museum in New Orleans, from the curator, Erin Clancy Curator, as well as of the Eliza Jane Hotel there, from the concierge John Fitzpatrick

Jacobi had to settle for looking across the studio at Bill Wolverton instead of Rachael Shelton. Everything else was really good. Mark Winkler schooled us on song writing, and talked about the creation of a music video. Hilary Gardner shared stories of her new album, and more. Herb Alpert appeared in the Liner Notes.

Jacobi and Bill Wolverton were in the studio to pay tribute to Frank Sinatra, shortly after the 110th anniversary of his birth. They were joined in the effort by Chuck Granata, of San Diego's Jazz 88.3 FM - KSDS. His show Sinatra Standard Time is live there every Sunday. Then several stories of life with Sinatra were told by The Man Who Made Sinatra Laugh, Tom Dreesen. Liner notes featured the song The Lady is a Tramp, from the 1957 film, Pal Joey.

Bill Wolverton joins me in studio as we welcome a couple of old buddies. The irrepressible John Fitzpatrick from The Eliza Jane Hotel in New Orleans.   John has been a mainstay on the program for a number of years. Concierge extraordinaire and treasure trove of knowledge about. “The Big Easy.”   Author and raconteur Andy Nottenkamper will talk about his new book, “Killshot” an exciting new work from the man who introduced us to Harrison Pius, know as “The Pope” in “Rule Number One.”   Plus we’ll chat with Bruce Labadie about next week’s Monterey Jazz Festival. Busy day. Finally, Weekend Liner Notes will feature Spike Lee and Aaron Copeland. Now there’s a pair to draw to.

The Rythms of Hope: An Interview with Lauren Monroe, Founder of the Raven Drum Foundation

Monterey Jazz Festival with guest Managing Director Bobbie Young We heard some music from Gregory Porter. We relived an iconic scene with a young Tom Cruise. Gene Autry fans may or may not want to listen.  

Bill Wolverton filled in for Rachael co-hosting and putting up this podcast. Noah Lucé of New Canon Theatre was with us to talk about the upcoming play he will direct, Life Sucks. It opens August first, in Moss Landing. Then we chatted with Michael Henderson of TPC Monterey at Pasadera. It's a new name, but the same great facilities and service. Finally, we were treated to a performance by Julie London of her first hit, which remains her signature song, Cry Me a River.

We heard from Colleen about what has been happening and what is coming up in Salinas Valley businesses. You'll have to listen to the end to hear the list of the five cities in the commerce. There was a great bit of film trivia in weekend liner notes.

Old pal Tony Baker of Bakers Bacon pays a visit to our stuio to tell us about his marvelous product.

The Papacy and the Stuff that Dreams are Made of

I had the good fortune recently of interviewing San Jose State Head Coach, Ken Niuatalolo. Marvelous man and a terrific coach. We talked about everything from portals and off-season training to his time at Navy. He led The Spartans in his first year last season to a bowl game and as they say, “The best is yet to come.”   Speaking of the best, our pal Judy Wexler will join us. One of my favorite vocalist and a dear friend. We’ll chat, play some of her music and share some memories.   Weekend Liner Notes is simply, out of this world. Tune in, I bet that you haven’t heard this song in years.   Join my buddy Bill Wolverton, Brando and myself for “Raising The Standards.” The Internet’s finest hour…anywhere.