Atlanta Jazz Notes Matthew Miller

Welcome back to the Atlanta Jazz Notes podcast. Today, I am very happy to bring you my interview with the great Sylvester Syl Spann, a legendary figure on the Atlanta jazz scene for his saxophone playing and his mentorship of young musicians. 

Since childhood, Syl has dedicated his life to jazz music and he has pursued this passion in places as far-flung as New York City, Maine, California, and finally Atlanta, where he has made his home since the early 1980s. In this wide ranging interview, Syl details his childhood and early years honing his craft as a saxophonist, and the many chapters in his life, each with an incredible soundtrack featuring the likes of Coltrane, Stitt, Joe Henderson, Miles Davis, and many more.

Thank you for listening to the Atlanta Jazz Notes podcast featuring the great Syl Spann.

Please be sure to check out the website at atljazznotes.com. Also, please leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. These reviews help to spread the word about the podcast to people who might enjoy it! More soon. 




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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.


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The Atlanta Jazz Notes Podcast is back with a new episode this week, featuring an interview with saxophonist Rick Bell. The full episode will be released later this week. In the mean time, please enjoy this preview. 


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Recently, I had the opportunity to interview the incredible vocalist, composer, and educator Karla Harris. Harris is an incredibly dynamic performer, described by WSIE radio as “a powerful singer at ease in any setting, a singer for all seasons who makes any song memorable.”

In our wide-ranging conversation, she discussed her career, including moves from her hometown of St. Louis, to the Pacific Northwest, and finally to Atlanta, where she is based today. Along the way, she has developed lasting relationships with musicians and continued to hone her craft as a vocalist, composer, bandleader, and teacher.


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This week, I had the opportunity to interview the amazing drummer Robert Boone

Robert Boone is the drummer for The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with leading artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tyrone Jackson, Rodney Jordan, Eric Reed, Leon Anderson, Ron McCurdy, Scotty Barnhart, Veronica Swift, and Marcus Roberts at venues throughout Atlanta, New York, and the world.

Boone grew up in Augusta, Georgia and attended Kennesaw State University and Florida State University where he won numerous honors and awards. In addition to maintaining a busy touring schedule with the Basie band and others, he teaches in the jazz department at Georgia State University.


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Here are your Atlanta Jazz Notes event listings for July 16th, 2021.

Friday, July 16th - Check out the great drummer Dave Potter’s Retro Groove band at the High Museum in Midtown from 6 to 9PM. 1280 Peachtree St NE

Also, trumpeter and vocalist extraordinaire Joe Gransden will perform and host an open mic jam session at Oak Street Bottle Shop in Roswell at 8PM. 75 Oak Street in Roswell.

Saturday, July 17th - Head to Cigaros Cigar Bar in Austell to hear guitarist Rod Harris Jr. and his stellar quartet from 9 to midnight. 1025 East-West Connector in Austell.

Sunday, July 18th -  The Jack Jones Trio featuring pianist Tyrone Jackson and bassist Kelly McCarty will perform at Red Light Cafe. 553 Amsterdam Ave. NE

Also on Sunday, the great young saxophonist Kevin Oliver will perform with his quartet at The Velvet Note in Alpharetta. 4075 Old Milton Pkwy.

Monday, July 19th - Check out the TEN ATL jam session in East Atlanta. The music usually lasts from 9 until midnight and features some of the very best jazz musicians in Atlanta. 495 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta

Wednesday, July 21st -  Head to Red Light Cafe for the weekly jam session. The great trumpeter and educator Gordon Vernick has led this session for a number of years and the house band is always incredible, as are the many guest musicians who stop by to play. 9 to midnight. 553-1 Amsterdam Ave NE, Atlanta,


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