There are singers who can perform a great song. Then there are interpreters who can make us hear something in it differently. Morgan James has built a remarkable career doing just that. Her most recent studio project, Soul Remains the Same, takes heavy rock songs from the ’80s and ’90s and reimagines them through a…
For Jeff Franzel, music began not as an obligation, but as discovery. He was eight years old when the piano in his family’s home became what he describes as a playground. His sister had been taking lessons, but Franzel found himself drawn to the instrument independently making up melodies, improvising and spending so much time…
Guitarist and composer Patrick Yandall reflects on a life built around music, the artists who shaped him, the injury that nearly took the guitar away, and why connection still matters more than category. There is a revealing moment early in Paula Atherton’s conversation with Patrick Yandall when the discussion turns to people who insist they…
There is already plenty written about Mariea Antoinette. Read her biography and the accomplishments establish themselves quickly. The classically trained San Diego musician studied at the University of California, San Diego before pursuing advanced harp studies at the University of Arizona. She has performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Playboy Jazz Festival at the…
Guitarist, producer, arranger and musical director Terry Wollman has spent decades working alongside some of music’s most recognizable artists. In his conversation with Paula Atherton on The Paula Atherton Show, Wollman tells that story personally—not simply through accomplishments, but through the experiences, relationships and lessons that have shaped the way he approaches music and life….
The world turns. The days go. And in those days, art is made. Music is made. Legends are born. Legends rise. And eventually, they go. It is a natural progression in music, as natural as time moving itself. Every generation has its voices, its musicians and its moments. But rarely does greatness simply arrive. More…
There is the song we hear, and then there is everything required to make that song exist. With the release of “Coffee on Your Sleeves,” from her upcoming album Silk n Soul, what stands out about Heidi Tann is not simply the finished recording. It is the attention, persistence and intention behind it. Independent artistry…
With “Toast of the Town,” Spontaneous Groovin’ Combustion (SGC) delivers a recording that invites quiet reflection while encouraging movement at the same time. Led by woodwindist and composer Warren Keller, SGC has steadily built a reputation for creating music that combines polished musicianship with memorable melodies and infectious grooves. Since debuting in 2019, the group…
The Grammy-nominated trumpeter joins The Paula Atherton Show for a conversation about music, longevity, purpose, and a career that continues to move forward. There is a particular kind of confidence that comes from longevity. Willie Bradley is not simply remaining present, but he is continuing to evolve. For contemporary jazz trumpeter Willie Bradley, the story…
Jay Wuji Releases No Return: An Invitation to Stop and Listen Someone recently forwarded us No Return, the new album from an artist we had not heard before: Jay Wuji. So, we listened. What caught our attention was not simply the sound, but the creativity behind how the music was being used. Original saxophone music,…
