You Dig?

Steve Wiest
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Video versions: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod You Dig? is a long-form podcast featuring candid, easygoing conversations with creative voices across music, art, and culture—exploring creativity, craft, and the stories behind the work. A good time is had by all—guaranteed..

  1. 16h ago

    WAYNE BERGERON | Maynard, Movies, High Notes & the Stories Behind the Music | You Dig? S4E1

    Season Four of You Dig? launches with one of the most extraordinary trumpet players of our time: the legendary Wayne Bergeron. Wayne sits down with Steve Wiest for a hilarious, wide-ranging musician-to-musician conversation about a lifetime spent making music at the highest level—and the remarkable people and stories he encountered along the way. Wayne remembers his dear friend Jack Sheldon, including the unforgettable experience of playing “Taps” at Jack’s funeral on Jack’s own trumpet. He reveals a previously unheard Jack Sheldon project, tells the complete story of the infamous $100 piccolo trumpet, and takes us inside his experience recording Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. That leads to encounters with Barack and Michelle Obama, John Williams, Gustavo Dudamel, Steven Spielberg—and an absolutely unforgettable moment with Rita Moreno. Then it’s trumpet time: the story behind Wayne’s legendary “O Holy Night,” recording Bésame Mucho with Maynard Ferguson, and the poignant story of how Wayne ultimately played Maynard’s final recorded notes. Along the way: Stevie Wonder, Gordon Goodwin, Raymond Scott, the Dig You Inquisition, mint chocolate chip gelato, questionable advice for trumpet players—and enough road stories to guarantee that Wayne will have to come back. This is Wayne Bergeron. Welcome to Season Four of You Dig? Hosted by Steve Wiest. 👍 LIKE the episode 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to You Dig? 💬 Tell us your favorite Wayne Bergeron story in the comments. #WayneBergeron #YouDig #SteveWiest #Trumpet #MaynardFerguson #Jazz #WestSideStory #GordonGoodwin ___________________ 🎵 LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE RAYMOND SCOTT REIMAGINED Quartet San Francisco with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band & Take 6 https://quartetsanfrancisco.com/currentproject 25 YEARS OF PHATNESS Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band Featuring Wayne Bergeron as co-producer Purchase/download the album here: https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/25-years-of-phatness-gordon-goodwins-big-phat-band/hbd6typgllh37

    WAYNE BERGERON | Maynard, Movies, High Notes & the Stories Behind the Music | You Dig? S4E1

  2. Jul 11

    Adam Larson: Season 3 Finale: Performing, Composition, and The 21st Century Music Biz

    Season Three concludes with one of today's most thoughtful jazz artists. Steve sits down with saxophonist, composer, educator and author Adam Larson for an engaging conversation about music, creativity, entrepreneurship, education, family life and building a sustainable career in today's music industry. They discuss Adam's acclaimed educational books, his Music Business Boot Camp, composing, Michael Brecker's influence, passive income for musicians, and much more before Adam faces the legendary Dig You Inquisition. Whether you're a performer, educator, student, or simply love hearing creative people talk honestly about their craft, this is a terrific way to close Season Three. Visit: https://www.adamlarsonjazz.com

    Adam Larson: Season 3 Finale: Performing, Composition, and The 21st Century Music Biz

  3. Jul 11

    Derrick Gardner: Count Basie, Harry Connick Jr., Burgess Gardner & The Big Dig! Band

    Trumpeter, composer, educator, and bandleader Derrick Gardner joins Steve on the Front Porch for an inspiring conversation about music, family, mentorship, and building a life in jazz. From growing up under the influence of his legendary father Burgess Gardner, to performing with Frank Foster and the Count Basie Orchestra, touring with Harry Connick Jr., leading the acclaimed Big Dig! Band, and directing jazz studies at Northwestern University, Derrick shares stories and wisdom from every stage of an extraordinary career. They discuss composition, mentorship, jazz education, Woody Shaw, Larry Young's Unity, jam session etiquette, the importance of community, and Derrick's celebrated recordings including Echoes of Ethnicity, A Ride to the Other Side, and Still I Rise. The episode concludes with Derrick taking on the Dig You Inquisition, revealing everything from his favorite superhero to the meaning of life. Whether you're a jazz fan, educator, student, or simply love hearing great artists tell great stories, this is one conversation you won't want to miss. Learn more about Derrick Gardner: https://www.derrickgardnermusic.com

    Derrick Gardner: Count Basie, Harry Connick Jr., Burgess Gardner & The Big Dig! Band

  4. Jun 9

    Callum Au: Quincy Jones, Big Band Writing, London Jazz & Sing Seven Seas | You Dig?

    British trombone/composer/producer phenom Callum Au joins Steve Wiest for an engaging conversation about trombone, arranging, composition, creativity, and his acclaimed new album Sing Seven Seas. The discussion ranges from Callum's early years in Blackpool, England, to his work with Michael Bublé, Claire Martin, Quincy Jones celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall, and his growing reputation as one of the most exciting arrangers and composers working today. Along the way, Steve and Callum discuss trombone culture, the London jazz scene, Louis Dowdeswell, Mark Nightingale, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, unusual instruments, fatherhood, and the delicate balance between artistic inspiration and professional craft. A fascinating look inside the mind of a modern composer and arranger whose work bridges tradition and innovation. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod Callum's Website: https://callumaumusic.com/ Jake Wilson (Guitar) from "A Piece of the Action" "Odity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2zjpfZQouc

  5. May 30

    Ed Sargent: Life on the Road with Maynard Ferguson, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts & Aerosmith | You Dig?

    Tour manager and production veteran Ed Sargent joins Steve Wiest for a wide-ranging conversation covering forty-four years of friendship, music, and adventures on the road. Ed shares stories from his years with Maynard Ferguson, explains the culture and etiquette of the legendary tour bus known as "The Jar," recounts memorable moments with Dizzy Gillespie, Joan Jett, Aerosmith, and Steven Tyler, and reflects on what he learned from some of the music world's most iconic personalities. The conversation also explores audience connection, leadership, tour management, fishing, family, and the meaning of a life well lived. A warm, funny, and deeply human conversation with one of the music industry's great behind-the-scenes professionals. Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod

  6. May 22

    Randy Brecker: Miles Davis, Skunk Funk, Horace Silver & The Meaning of Life | You Dig?

    On this deeply musical and often hilarious episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with trumpet legend Randy Brecker for an epic late-night hang covering improvisation, practice, composition, Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Horace Silver, the Brecker Brothers, Seventh Avenue South, and Randy’s beautiful new album Espirito. Highlights include: 🎺 The famous Miles Davis wah-wah story 🎺 How Randy wrote “Skunk Funk” 🎺 Following Michael Brecker solos night after night 🎺 Lessons learned from Horace Silver 🎺 Randy’s approach to practicing at age 80 🎺 Brecker Brothers origin stories 🎺 Thoughts on improvisation and tension/release 🎺 The Dig You Inquisition™ Wise, funny, warm, and deeply inspiring, this episode is packed with hard-earned musical insight from one of jazz fusion’s most iconic voices. A good time is had by all. You dig? _______________-- Links from this Episode: Randy's website: https://www.randybrecker.com/ 🎺 SPECIAL BONUS: Check out the legendary fan-made video by the great Lewis Gerts: “Some Skunk Funk by Almost Everyone” featuring countless performances spliced together bar-by-bar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TnUbXkvlz4

  7. May 20 ·  Bonus

    You Dig? Sampler Platter: Randy Brecker

    Steve Wiest dives deep into the music of legendary trumpeter, composer, and fusion pioneer Randy Brecker in this deluxe edition of the You Dig? Sampler Platter. From Dreams and the original The Brecker Brothers to the orchestral brilliance of the NDR Bigband collaborations, this episode explores the compositions, recordings, musicians, and moments that helped define modern jazz fusion. Featured music includes: • “Some Skunk Funk” • “Hanging in the City” • “That’s All There Is To It” • “Sozinho” • “Harpoon” • “Above and Below” • “Imagine My Surprise” Along the way, Steve discusses Michael Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Barry Rogers, Jörg Achim Keller, fusion arranging, Randy’s unforgettable trumpet sound, and the enduring impact of the Brecker musical universe. A good time is had by all. You dig?

    You Dig? Sampler Platter: Randy Brecker

  8. May 18

    What Is Hip? Dave Richards Talks Tower of Power, L.A., and Life on the Road

    Steve Wiest welcomes Dave Richards of Tower of Power to You Dig? for a joyful deep dive into life inside one of the most iconic horn bands in modern music. Dave discusses his North Texas roots, touring internationally with Tower of Power, working with Emilio Castillo and Doc Kupka, surviving the Maynard Ferguson “Front of the Bus” game, composing for large ensembles, memorizing the legendary T.O.P. book, and navigating today’s evolving music business. Additional stories include Birdland with Slide Hampton, Jay Saunders memories, multi-instrumentalist adventures, and an especially philosophical edition of The Dig You Inquisition. Featuring music talk, road stories, jazz education wisdom, and a healthy dose of galactic nonsense from the Bridge. A good time is had by all. You dig? ____________________ Links from this episode: Tower of Power Tour Dates https://www.towerofpower.com/tour/ Tower of Power 2026 Band Members https://www.towerofpower.com/the-band/ Tower of Power Website https://www.towerofpower.com/ "Newport" Composed by Slide Hampton Adapted by Dave Richards Performed live by the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band at Birdland • One O'clock Lab Band - "Newport" - Live f... "Dark Matters" Composed by Dave Richards Performed by the One O'Clock Lab Band Live at Birdland Trumpet solo by Clynt Yerkes Tenor solo: Brian Clancy Drum solo: Michael D'Angelo • "Dark Matters" UNT One O'Clock Lab Band Li... Marianne's Ice Cream: Santa Cruz, CA https://mariannesicecream.com/

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Video versions: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod You Dig? is a long-form podcast featuring candid, easygoing conversations with creative voices across music, art, and culture—exploring creativity, craft, and the stories behind the work. A good time is had by all—guaranteed..

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Wiest
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Steve Wiest 2026
  • Show Website
    You Dig?