In this episode, I interview the incredible saxophonist and arranger Rick Bell. Bell has been active on the Atlanta jazz scene for decades and is a true renaissance man. While working as a musician, he also worked as an artist and film animator for the CDC in Atlanta.

A native of Alabama - and an inductee in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame - Bell and his wife (also a talented musician) moved to Atlanta to pursue careers and raise a family after meeting at Auburn University, where they performed with the Auburn Knights Orchestra.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Bell describes his early years as a musician, trips to New York City, settling in Atlanta, developing his melodic and muscular approach to tenor saxophone, and opportunities to perform with musicians like Milt Jackson, Zoot Sims, and Clark Terry as a member of the house band at EJ’s in the late 70s and early 80s.

I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did producing this episode. Thanks.