Overly Verbose! Untying the musical knots! Straddling the Plant! Rivaling the smoke generated from Texas BBQ, drummer George Fludas can always be trusted to light a fire behind the kit. In our chat, we discuss an organic approach for connecting with heroes, adapting our teaching methods to each student, and the dangers of playing football after soundcheck.

“To understand all of that stuff that happens after Coltrane, for example, is to really understand how you can fit into that lineage”. Saxophonist, Chris Madsen touches on how the availability of influences has evolved throughout the history of jazz. Stream Episode 76 on YouTube and your podcast app of choice! https://youtu.be/8Y6lpVmTVhk FEATURED RELEASE: Chris Madsen “Bonfire” (2019) Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

“If there’s some quality that’s beyond my own total comprehension, I’m going to be excited about it for a lot longer.” Multi-instrumentalist, Matt Gold discusses embracing the unexplained sources of musical inspiration. FEATURED RELEASE: Matt Gold “Midnight Choir” (2022) Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Not only the best dressed person in the room, saxophonist Geof Bradfield sets a new standard of intellectual charisma. In this episode, we chat about diving into the scores of an unsung hero of jazz, the significance of symmetry in Geof’s writing, and nightmare cocktail that consists of a milking truck, a European tour, and an inescapable glass shower. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Connecting to the ineffable qualities of the music, bassist Clark Sommers inspires us to observe a holistic view of our craft. In this episode, we discuss the mentors who helped us develop an aesthetic for the music, the galvanizing effect of stepping into a bandleader role, and those moments when gigs come to a full stop. Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Across the many facets of his artistry, trombonist Robert Edwards has the refreshing ability to be the nicest guy in the room with the sharpest of chops. In this episode, we chat about fostering our interests to avoid artistic fatigue, maintaining a musical identity while adapting on the bandstand, and a wedding at Union Square that involves sly moves, Al Gore, and split pants. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Stoking the conversational flame, trumpeter John Lake organically assumes the role of storyteller with a wealth of interesting facts. In this episode, we chat about John’s fondness for Russian literature, how he found his crew that resulted in the New Alchemy Jazz Orchestra, and a mobile festival gig where the sound quality was at the mercy of a Roman-era power outlet. Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Even in the midst of cursed winter travel, pianist Steven Feifke exudes an unmatched level of poise and thoughtfulness. In this episode, we chat about the transformation of unexpected setbacks into intentional successes, Steven’s philosophy of the five primary elements of music that inform his approach to writing, and a desolate restaurant gig where the act of miming a jazz pianist just wasn’t going to cut it. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

With perfect form in the lanes and on the stand, trumpeter Max Darché exhibits humility equal to that of his proficiency on the horn. In this episode, we chat about the stylistic influence of being a soloist and a lead player, approaching our musical heroes in a way that is conducive to building relationships, and a bus ride home with a healthy array of disconcerting hazards! Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

No matter the zip code, vocalist and trumpeter Benny Benack III is the purveyor of the hang. In this episode, we chat about throwing caution to the wind to pursue “pie-in-the-sky” projects, we start the manifestation of the many projects that will surely result in a Bachelor-esque “BB3-Nation”, and an impromptu cutting session that may very well lead to a jazz spin-off of “Epic Rap Battles of History”. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs


Bassist and composer, Marcos Varela is an unending encyclopedia of musicians, scenes, and cultures. In this episode, we chat about a shared dedication between athletes and musicians, how the process of scoring a film influenced his approach as a producer, and a diplomatic perspective on recounting our “gigs from hell”. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Bandleader and trumpeter, Mike Sailors fires on all cylinders as the consummate jazz musician. In our chat, we discuss our mutual admiration for curating involved shows for an audience, a record off the beaten path with a fascinating history, and a castle gig that needed more than a little magic to satisfy the guests. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

GRAMMY award-winning bassist and producer, Daniel Foose is an unwavering source of brilliance and joy. In this episode, we explore his visit to a soothsayer in Ghana that set him on an unexpected journey, the meaning behind the term “Mississippi Milk”, and a story confirming that, after a few drinks, WWE can indeed exist in a jazz bar. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

As genuine as he is brilliant, pianist Mathis Picard is an artist that is rightfully celebrated. In our conversation, we explore the beauty of what happens in silence, being comfortable with not knowing what is going to happen, and an irredeemable moment of betrayal caused by a Casio keyboard. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Dallas vocalist, composer, and educator, Tatiana Mayfield is facilitating the conversations that are long overdue. In our chat, we talk about the need to advocate for healthy vocal production, redefining the meaning of success in our field, and a wedding venue that is home to unlucky streaks - quite literally. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

New York Times critically acclaimed bassist, composer, producer, and bandleader, Dan Chmielinski has a heightened awareness that we should all strive for. In this episode, we chat about a budding collaboration that resulted in one of Dan’s oldest and deepest relationships, adapting parts of our musical personality to accommodate any given ensemble, and the startling sights New Yorkers might see at the midnight deli. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Drummer and vocalist, Bryan Carter approaches the craft with a beauty and honesty that is right on time. Over tea and cold brew, we talk about fostering an unexpected online community, breaking free of the expectations that others project onto a musician’s career, and a crushing moment at the U.S. Open that rivals Novak Djokovic’s defeat this season. Watch the interview on our Youtube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Pianist, Collin Shook has changed the landscape of jazz in Austin. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of Monks from pop-up shows in bicycle shops to the institution it is today, the elements that contribute to his considerations as a bandleader, and the immediate panic induced from missed calls and out of town gigs. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Vocalist, Kat Edmonson RETURNS to the show! With all the familiarity of talking to an old friend, we dive into bucket list goals of the past and future, finding inspiration in the unlikeliest of places, and a show where even the best soundcheck can lead to surprises at downbeat! Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs

Saxophonist and composer, Alex Coke cannot be bound to one location. In this episode, we talk about unique collaborations with hip cinemas, bright moments in the midst of tragedy that remind us that people are good, and a tell-tale sign that the gig might go sideways: when the critiques start before downbeat. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs