LiveJazzKC Presents: Swapping Fours Herschel McWilliams

We chat with Adam Larson, talking about perservering through the pandemic, making his transition to Kansas City as a home base, and his trilogy of Trio albums which is set to release the final installment soon.

We chat with trombonist/composer Trevor Turla about his musical journey, current projects, ideas for the future and his definitive answer on Kansas City's best BBQ restaurant!

We chat with saxophonist Mike Herrera about his musical journey, influences, Chiefs football and more!! Enjoy!

Born in Iowa, grown in Missouri, and sprouting throughout the Midwest, Joel Gordon is a saxophonist and educator on a journey to cultivate relationship with music and people. As a musician and teacher, Joel strives to balance life on “both sides of the fence,” working in concert classical and jazz contemporary styles. oel became a bandleader and performing musician at the age of nineteen. With a group of high school and college friends from Kansas City, Joel formed the Trouble Clefs: a big band that convened during summer and winter school breaks. Over the course of three years and twenty-five concerts, the group evolved from entertaining at a backyard pool party to performing at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, MO. During their run, more than fifty different musicians performed with the Trouble Clefs. Experiencing the connections and community with band members and audiences, Joel was inspired to become a musician and teacher. As a jazz musician, Joel recorded and released a full-length album with Kansas City-based jazz quintet, the Matt Cook Collective entitled “Along Those Lines.” As a part of the Collective, Joel has traveled throughout the Midwest not only playing at regional venues, but also putting on educational clinics for hundreds of public school students. As well, Joel leads his own “chordless” quartet, the Happy Habitat. The group has featured some of the top young saxophonists in the country including Artie Black, Stephen Martin, and Adam Larson. He also regularly performs with the Patrick Lentz Band, KC FLO, and the St. Joe Big Band. Joel studied jazz improvisation with Tim AuBuchon and Matt Otto; additional instructors include Bob Long and Neil Ostercamp. As well, Joel was admitted and attend the week-long residential David Liebman Saxophone Masterclass. Joel is passionate about advancing music through education. As a private studio instructor, Joel’s saxophone students have earned accolades both in the Missouri All-State Concert Band and the Missouri All-State Jazz Ensemble. His private students have also been accepted into and attended nationally-distinguished opportunities including the NAfME All-National Honor Concert Band, Interlochen Saxophone Institute, Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, and NYU’s Broadway Winds Summer Program. As well, Joel continues to develop his teaching curriculum resource, The (Young) Adventure’s Guide to Jazz Improvisation, in use with his students.

Season 2 Episode 1: We are excited to have Eric Alexander on our latest episode of Swapping Fours Podcast. Eric talks about finding your voice as a musician, the relationships that pushed his musical career further, as well as the challenges of exiting Covid as a musician.

I chat with Morgan Faw about his new release "It Takes a Village", Bobby Watson, his musical journey thus far and Spotlight Charlie Parker celebration.. a listen to a couple from the new album as well.