The Stereo Image

Mike Jones
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
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Join host Mike Jones as he discusses music in the lives of creative and interesting people! Mike talks 1-on-1 with the various people he has met as a jazz pianist and music director for Penn & Teller.   Music plays a part in how creative people are inspired, whether someone is an accomplished musician or just listened to their favorite album on repeat in school.  With humor and curiosity, Mike talks music with some fascinating people!

  1. Leonard Slatkin: Classical to Jazz to Hollywood and back

    APR 2

    Leonard Slatkin: Classical to Jazz to Hollywood and back

    This week we are so excited to have the phenomenal conductor, Leonard Slatkin!  Leonard is an icon of the classical music world but he grew up surrounded by jazz giants and Hollywood legends.  Not many people can say that Frank Sinatra tucked him in as a child! This episode marks 1 year of The Stereo Image!  To celebrate, we recorded this in person at Mike's Las Vegas home. Learn more about Leonard: Leonard Slatkin.com Las Vegas Philharmonic Nashville Symphony Leonard Slatkin on YouTube

    1h 10m
  2. From Shecky Greene to Penn & Teller: Glenn Alai's Showbiz Rise

    MAR 19

    From Shecky Greene to Penn & Teller: Glenn Alai's Showbiz Rise

    Glenn Alai joins the Stereo Image to trace his lifelong love of variety entertainment — from growing up on TV specials and Atlantic City shows to studying casino entertainment at UNLV and building the Penn & Teller organization into a Las Vegas mainstay. He shares backstage stories, career-defining moments, and how he helped bring vintage performers and modern magicians like Piff into the mainstream, reflecting on decades of change in show business and the resilience of live performance.

    1h 3m
  3. From Disneyland Sets to New York Jazz Glory: Judy Carmichael's Breakthrough

    MAR 5

    From Disneyland Sets to New York Jazz Glory: Judy Carmichael's Breakthrough

    “They didn’t let anyone sit in at Bradley’s unless you were Bill Evans!” This week we continue our conversation with Judy Carmichael as she recalls leaving Disneyland, moving to New York, and breaking into the jazz world. She shares encounters with legends like Roy Eldridge and Tommy Flanagan, the pivotal "Handful of Keys" moment, and how determination and talent won her respect. Judy also reflects on career choices—staying true to jazz instead of commercial work—her friendships and supporters, and how a New York Times feature helped launch her wider recognition. More info on Judy: Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired Judy on YouTube

    51 min
  4. Stride, Stories, and Legendary Mentors: Judy Carmichael on Stereo Image

    FEB 19

    Stride, Stories, and Legendary Mentors: Judy Carmichael on Stereo Image

    "There is a time when you just have to say 'LAYOUT'!" This week on The Stereo Image, Judy Carmichael, celebrated stride pianist, joins Mike to discuss her musical journey—from discovering vintage player pianos and Count Basie recordings to early gigs, mentors like Dave McKenna, and studying the greats by ear rather than transcription. They explore performing solo, accompanying herself, the importance of listening and mentorship, experiences playing with top jazz musicians, and how live performance shaped her distinctive style. More info: Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired Judy on YouTube

    52 min
  5. Céline Peterson prefers Sarah Vaughan to Britney Spears

    FEB 5

    Céline Peterson prefers Sarah Vaughan to Britney Spears

    Our latest guest is Céline Peterson, daughter of legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Céline and Mike talk about the importance of fair treatment and appreciation for artists. Céline shares her experiences managing artists and the impact of social media on music careers, while also reflecting on her upbringing in a musical family. More info for this episode: Oscar Peterson's 100th Birthday Celebraion Year Oscar, With Love Bassist Dave Young Drummer Mark McLean Britney Spears (YouTube) Sarah Vaughan (YouTube) John Mayer (YouTube) Céline Peterson Artist Representation Vocalist Caity Gyorgy Capri Records

    1h 13m
  6. Randy Pitchford: People have eclectic tastes in ways you might be surprised!

    JAN 22

    Randy Pitchford: People have eclectic tastes in ways you might be surprised!

    This week, Mike chats with Randy Pitchford. Randy owns Gearbox Software which produces the Borderlands game series among others. He is incredibly smart and insightful. Mike and Randy talk about the creative music kids are making these days and how it relates to the music earlier generations created. Randy grew up in a musical family and plays the piano himself. But that’s not all! Randy is also an accomplished magician and performer. It’s fascinating to hear his take on music from the perspective of a technical and creative visionary like him. More info for this episode: Peacock Theater of Frisco, Texas Fleetwood Mac Frank Sinatra The Black Box opera singer Timur Tony Fitzpatrick Magic Castle  Irma ghost piano player

    57 min
  7. Eric Mingus: "You had to be in the room to really appreciate that bass sound"

    JAN 8

    Eric Mingus: "You had to be in the room to really appreciate that bass sound"

    We are so excited to have Eric Mingus on this week’s episode! In fact, that Mike stammers through the first part of the episode because he’s so excited! Luckily he gets past that and he and Eric have a wonderful discussion about his own recent projects and a little about growing up as a member of jazz royalty with his dad Charles Mingus.  Note:  Occasionally you hear some dogs in the background.  Eric was fostering a bunch of dogs when we talked.  Mike's cat, Ella, gave her meow of approval. Eric talks about his heritage and his experiences with music growing up. He shares his feelings on the experience of live acoustic instruments. He talks about his collaboration with Yoyo Ma. Through it all he’s a lovely guy! More info for this episode: The Mill - collaboration between Yoyo Ma and Eric Mingus Hal Willner Weird Nightmare (plays in YouTube) Mingus Mill in North Carolina Harry Smith Collection of folk music Illinois Jacquet - Jumpin At Apollo bassist Red Callender Dimitri Toimkin well-known phot with Monk, Charlie Parker, Roy Haines, Charles Mingus Charles Mingus in the Library of Congress Beneath the Underdog (Charles Mingus autobiography)  The Ertegun Brothers bassist Gary Karr guitarist Hubert Sumlin pianist Don Pullen Billy Gibbons guitarist in ZZ Top  Karen Mantler and My Cat Arnold David Sandborn’s Night Music TV show (YouTube clips) Michael Brecker Jeff Friedman - Ellington Effect  Berklee College of Music Susan Berk

    1h 6m
  8. Tim Jenison: building an analog recording studio in a digital world

    12/18/2025

    Tim Jenison: building an analog recording studio in a digital world

    Today we are excited to have Tim Jenison on the podcast. If we were looking for guests who would literally embody the name of this show, Tim would be the perfect guest. He is an inventor, filmmaker, musician, and amazing technician who’s current project is to build a recording studio using only analogue gear. He knows his tech and he knows his music too. You might have heard of him from his Tim’s Vermeer documentary but I talk with him more about one of his latest projects. He’s building a recording studio near his home but he’s using only analog gear. It’s fascinating to hear about the challenges he’s facing and why people still look for that analog experience in todays digital world. More info for this episode: Tim's Vermeer (IMDB) Monty Alexander Shure 55 Elivs Mic (Wikipedia) Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles (YouTube) Bosendorfer Pianos Weber Duo-Art Player Piano (YouTube) Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces (YouTube) Switched on Bach (YouTube)

    1h 2m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join host Mike Jones as he discusses music in the lives of creative and interesting people! Mike talks 1-on-1 with the various people he has met as a jazz pianist and music director for Penn & Teller.   Music plays a part in how creative people are inspired, whether someone is an accomplished musician or just listened to their favorite album on repeat in school.  With humor and curiosity, Mike talks music with some fascinating people!

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Jones
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Stereo Image

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