The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

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The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

UK Music Apps Ltd.

24 episodes

3 days ago

Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voicings – influenced by McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea – shape her approach to standards like the 1940s classic ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ which she perfo...

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Music Interviews

Self-Improvement

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Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voicings – influenced by McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea – shape her approach to standards like the 1940s classic ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ which she perfo...

Show more...

Music Interviews

Self-Improvement

Episodes (20/24)

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 23. Andrea Vicari (Piano) - 'On Green Dolphin Street'

Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voicings – influenced by McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea – shape her approach to standards like the 1940s classic ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ which she perfo...

3 days ago

29 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 22. Sebastiaan de Krom (Drums) - 'I Got Rhythm'

Geoff is at the Troubadour club in London with the highly acclaimed jazz drummer Sebastiaan de Krom. When a jazz bassist and drummer have played together for 25 years, there's a musical telepathy that can't be taught—it can only be earned through countless gigs, recording sessions, and miles on the road. In this revealing conversation, Sebastiaan opens up about his remarkable journey from banging on pots and pans as a toddler in Holland to becoming one of the UK’s most respected jazz drummers...

1 week ago

42 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 21. Anita Wardell (Vocals) - 'Autumn Leaves'

Geoff sits down with the award-winning jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. In this intimate conversation, Anita shares how music became her sanctuary during a difficult childhood and continues to be her healing force while recovering from a stroke suffered 16 months prior. "Music was where I kind of got myself together," she reflects, describing how discovering jazz gave her focus and purpose at a crucial time in her life. Anita reflects on the time she heard two students practicing Dizzy Gillespie’...

2 weeks ago

28 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 20. Stan Sulzmann (Saxophone) - 'Gentle Piece'

Geoff is in Box Hill, Surrey to meet with the legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Stan Sulzmann. Stan takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career as one of Britain's most respected jazz saxophonists. From his unexpected start with a secondhand Selmer tenor saxophone to playing alongside jazz royalty, the interview reveals both musical insights and deeply personal reflections. The conversation opens windows into jazz history as Stan recounts his transformative...

3 weeks ago

52 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 19. Derek Nash (Saxophone) - 'Walkin' Shoes'

Geoff heads east to Essex to catch up with an old friend — the award-winning jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and recording engineer Derek Nash. What happens when a lifelong love of saxophone meets decades of sound engineering expertise? Derek Nash's musical journey provides the perfect answer. From the moment 12-year-old Derek heard the Pink Panther theme played by a tenor saxophonist during his father's BBC radio broadcast, his path was set. Though his career would take a 20-year det...

1 month ago

24 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 18. Alan Skidmore (Saxophone) - 'Blues in E Flat'

In the tranquil setting of Hertfordshire, England, Geoff sits down with the legendary tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore, a musical force whose extraordinary career spans nearly seven decades. At 83, Alan's recollections are sharp, his stories captivating, and his legacy in jazz undeniable. The conversation begins with Alan's reluctant entry into music. After failing his school qualifications and enduring what he describes as "dodgy day jobs", the 15-year-old Skidmore finally turned to the saxop...

1 month ago

26 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 17. Martin Hathaway (Saxophone) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'

Geoff has a visit from an old friend – the wonderful jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Martin Hathaway. What does it take to forge a path in jazz that spans performing, teaching, and leading one of the UK's most prestigious jazz education programs? In this captivating conversation, Martin opens up about his musical journey from curious child to influential jazz pedagogue. Martin's story begins with a recorder, an innate ability to play by ear, and an uncle who introduced him to th...

1 month ago

42 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 16. Nigel Price (Guitar) - 'All The Things You Are'

In this episode Geoff catches up with the award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price. Nigel’s remarkable journey from infantry service to jazz mastery provides a fascinating window into the development of a truly unique musical voice. Nigel reveals how his three years in the army unexpectedly prepared him for life as a bandleader—discovering parallels between commanding a four-man military section and leading a jazz quartet. This disciplined approach extended to his practice regime, where he ...

1 month ago

38 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 15. Steve Fishwick (Trumpet) - 'Stella By Starlight'

Geoff is on tour in Holland with the internationally renowned trumpet player Steve Fishwick. In a dressing room before the gig, they catch up on all things jazz improvisation. Growing up in Manchester during the UK's jazz boom of the late 1980s, Steve recalls his first encounters with jazz through television documentaries and live performances, including a memorable Dizzy Gillespie concert that ignited his passion. What makes this discussion particularly valuable is Steve's honesty abo...

2 months ago

32 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 14. Ian Shaw (Vocals) - Ain't Misbehavin'

Geoff is in London’s Waterloo district to meet with the multi award-winning jazz singer, broadcaster, producer, actor and comedian Ian Shaw. What does it take to build a career spanning jazz vocals, comedy, acting, and broadcasting? In this intimate conversation, Ian invites us into his creative world, tracing a fascinating journey from Welsh choir boy to one of Britain's most versatile artists. He reveals how an unconventional audition in full punk regalia launched his early career in piano ...

2 months ago

29 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 13. Luiz Morais (Guitar) - 'Wave'

Geoff steps into the rich musical world of Brazilian guitarist Luiz Morais as he shares his fascinating journey from the vibrant northeast of Brazil to becoming an accomplished performer, composer, and bandleader in London. The conversation delves into the intricate world of Choro music - Brazil's first truly urban musical style that blends European harmonic sophistication with African-derived rhythms. Luiz illustrates his Bossa Nova improvisation on Jobim’s 1960s standard ‘Wave’ follo...

2 months ago

34 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 12. Camilla George (Saxophone) - 'Peace'

Geoff travels to Acton in West London to meet the visionary alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer Camilla George. Born in Nigeria before moving to the UK, Camilla's musical foundation was built on Sunday afternoons spent with her jazz-enthusiast father, listening to his extensive vinyl collection featuring legends like Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt. What emerges throughout the conversation is how powerfully Camilla's Nigerian heritage influences her artistic expression. Her third studio a...

2 months ago

36 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 11. Pete Churchill (Vocals) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'

In this episode, Geoff invites the enigmatic jazz pianist, vocalist, composer and legendary educator Pete Churchill round to his pad in Bromley, Kent. After almost twenty years teaching at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Pete is now Professor of Jazz Composition at the Royal Academy of Music as well as Head of Jazz Voice at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels. Pete's musical journey weaves through rebellion, rediscovery, and remarkable innovation in jazz education. Growing u...

2 months ago

52 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 10. Janek Gwizdala (Bass) - 'Moment's Notice'

Geoff catches up with the internationally respected bass player and record producer Janek Gwizdala who is fresh off a flight from his home in LA for a series of London gigs. What does it take to transform from a wide-eyed teenager in South London to a sought-after bass virtuoso commanding respect around the globe? This episode captures a deeply personal conversation about an extraordinary musician whose journey spans continents, musical styles, and creative pursuits. Despite the jet l...

3 months ago

55 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 9. Tom Ollendorff (Guitar) - 'Cotton Tail'

This week Geoff is in West London to meet one of the best-known young guitarists to emerge onto the international jazz scene – Tom Ollendorff. What makes a great guitarist instantly recognisable? How do you develop a personal musical language that transcends technical proficiency? These questions lie at the heart of Geoff’s conversation with the virtuoso guitarist who shares his fascinating journey from blues-rock enthusiast to internationally acclaimed jazz artist. Tom's evoluti...

3 months ago

42 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 8. Dave O'Higgins (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'

Geoff travels to Brixton in South London to catch up with the fabulous saxophonist, band leader and composer Dave O’Higgins. This is an intimate conversation about Dave’s remarkable journey from progressive rock drummer to acclaimed jazz musician. With disarming honesty, he traces his unlikely path through music, describing how transcribing Charlie Parker solos by hand and slowing down vinyl records until they wore out shaped his approach to improvisation. Dave's current project ...

3 months ago

38 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 7. Gabriella Swallow (Cello) - 'Smile'

Geoff is in the leafy North London suburb of Muswell Hill to meet the wonderful Gabriella Swallow – one of the most versatile and exciting cellists of her generation. When Gabriella declares "I just want the biggest one" as her instrument selection as a child, it perfectly captures her fearless approach to musical exploration. Born in Belfast during “The Troubles” to dentist parents who loved music, Gabriella's journey from classical prodigy to genre-crossing improviser reveals a musician who...

3 months ago

53 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 6. Mark Armstrong (Trumpet) - 'Cherokee'

Geoff is in Blackheath in South London to meet the greatly respected trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator Mark Armstrong. Mark opens up about the electrifying moment jazz first captivated him as a schoolboy—a "kinesthetic experience" of colours and sounds that sparked a lifelong pursuit. Now an accomplished trumpet player with Ronnie Scott's big band, Jazz Professor at the Royal College of Music and former musical director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Mark brilliantl...

4 months ago

46 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 5. Phil Merriman (Piano) - 'Everybody's Song But My Own'

Geoff travels to Wallington in South London to meet the incredibly talented jazz pianist, composer and arranger Phil Merriman. Phil isn't your typical jazz pianist. You immediately sense you're with a musician who refuses to be confined by traditional genre boundaries. "For me, it's not about two camps at all," he explains, discussing the artificial division between classical and jazz. "I even struggle saying I'm a jazz piano teacher. I think I just teach the piano." This refreshingly integra...

4 months ago

46 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Trailer - The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Step into the vibrant world of jazz through intimate conversations with the artists who live it every day. The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast, hosted by renowned bassist, composer and producer Geoff Gascoyne, strips away the mystique surrounding jazz musicians to reveal the human stories behind the solos. Each week, we sit down with both legendary artists and rising stars from the jazz world, exploring their musical journeys in ways both profound and playfully candid. Vocalist Emma Smith shar...

4 months ago

5 minutes