The Jazz Jam

The Jazz Jam Podcast
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Two seasoned musicians and long-time friends discuss the most prominent classic jazz albums in addition to reviewing new and modern albums and artists. Join KC-based saxophonist Max Levy and Organist Dwain Gunnels as they take a deep dive into jazz albums of all different shapes and sizes.

  1. FEB 6

    For The Love Of It All by Brandon Woody

    This week, we dive into Brandon Woody’s debut Blue Note release, For The Love Of It All. Joined by his longtime band, Upendo, Woody delivers a deeply personal album rooted in the blues and gospel traditions of his hometown, Baltimore. Tune in as we break down the music, explore its themes and performances, and explain how we arrived at our overall rating of 7.8/10.   Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist

    1h 24m

  2. 10/04/2025

    Cool Struttin' by Sonny Clark

    This week, we dive into Sonny Clark’s hard bop classic Cool Struttin’. Backed by a powerhouse lineup featuring Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Art Farmer on trumpet, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums, Clark delivers one of the most iconic Blue Note sessions of the late 1950s. Tune in as we break down the album, explore its lasting impact on the hard bop tradition, and reveal how we arrived at our overall rating of 9.5/10!   Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist

    1h 16m

  3. 08/28/2025

    The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis

    This week, we mix it up with a punk-rock jazz exploration by The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis. This Impulse release is a bit different than any other we've done on the show thus far. Tune in and see how we arrived at our overall rating of 7.3/10!   Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist

    1h 16m

  4. 06/27/2025

    Yaron Herman Interview: His musical journey and creating "Radio Paradise"

    This week Max sits down with jazz pianist Yaron Herman to talk about his musical journey and his latest album "Radio Paradise".  Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist

    49 min

  5. 03/13/2025

    The Bridge by Sonny Rollins

    This week, we dive into Sonny Rollins' triumphant return after a two-year sabbatical with The Bridge. This landmark album showcases a pianoless quartet, featuring the brilliant addition of Jim Hall on guitar. Tune in as we break down the album, discuss its impact, and reveal how we arrived at our overall rating of 9.0/10! Check out this episode's sponsor Meadowroad Records (@meadowroad_records) for their weekly vinyl auction: https://www.ebay.com/usr/meadowroad Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist

    1h 39m

  6. 02/06/2025

    Portrait by Samara Joy

    On this week's episode we head back into the world of blossoming jazz star, Samara Joy. Her sophomore Verve release takes a step forward into new territory with daring arrangements of many different standards. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.2/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score! Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist

    1h 33m

  7. 12/11/2024

    Friends And Strangers by Ronnie Laws

    On this week's episode we direct our attention to the funk fusion class "Friends And Strangers" by Ronnie Laws. The 1977 release is a fundamental recording in the jazz fusion sphere.  Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.7/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score! Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).

    1h 13m

  8. 10/31/2024

    Alto Summit by Phil Woods, Vincent Herring and Antonio Hart

    On this week's episode we direct our attention to a deeper cut that was recommended by a listener; Alto Summit by a trio of fantastic alto saxophonists. This album spans a few different generations of the music with Phil Woods being 64 at the time of the session and Vincent Herring and Antonio Hart both being under 35. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score! Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com  Website: Click here! Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).

    1h 31m
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Two seasoned musicians and long-time friends discuss the most prominent classic jazz albums in addition to reviewing new and modern albums and artists. Join KC-based saxophonist Max Levy and Organist Dwain Gunnels as they take a deep dive into jazz albums of all different shapes and sizes.

Information

  • Creator
    The Jazz Jam Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Jazz Jam

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