The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

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The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

UK Music Apps Ltd.

36 episodes

5 days ago

This week Geoff is in Bedford, England to meet with one of the most highly regarded British jazz singers Jacqui Dankworth MBE – daughter of singer Cleo Laine and musician John Dankworth. A song can carry a family. This episode begins with Stephen Sondheim and a daughter finding strength after losing her mother, the incomparable Cleo Laine. From the first quiet days after the memorial to the bright lights of new stages, we trace an artist's path through grief, discipline, and the brave work of...

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Music Interviews

Self-Improvement

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This week Geoff is in Bedford, England to meet with one of the most highly regarded British jazz singers Jacqui Dankworth MBE – daughter of singer Cleo Laine and musician John Dankworth. A song can carry a family. This episode begins with Stephen Sondheim and a daughter finding strength after losing her mother, the incomparable Cleo Laine. From the first quiet days after the memorial to the bright lights of new stages, we trace an artist's path through grief, discipline, and the brave work of...

Show more...

Music Interviews

Self-Improvement

Episodes (20/36)

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 35. Jacqui Dankworth (Vocals) - 'The Man I Love'

This week Geoff is in Bedford, England to meet with one of the most highly regarded British jazz singers Jacqui Dankworth MBE – daughter of singer Cleo Laine and musician John Dankworth. A song can carry a family. This episode begins with Stephen Sondheim and a daughter finding strength after losing her mother, the incomparable Cleo Laine. From the first quiet days after the memorial to the bright lights of new stages, we trace an artist's path through grief, discipline, and the brave work of...

5 days ago

37 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 34. Dave Green (Bass) - 'Autumn Leaves'

Geoff is in Ruislip, West London at the home of the legendary jazz bassist Dave Green. A soft case in an aircraft hold, a school-grade rental at a major festival, and the quiet conviction that your sound should survive all of it—Dave takes us through a bassist's life built on time, touch, and taste. From tea chest beginnings with next‑door neighbour Charlie Watts, to month-long residencies at Ronnie Scott's, Dave maps the long road from village halls to the world's jazz stages with humour and...

1 week ago

43 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 33. Anthony Kerr (Vibraphone) - 'Bolivia'

Geoff is in the Hertfordshire town of Watford to chat with the wonderful British jazz vibraphone player Anthony Kerr…digging into practice, reading, and why space shapes sound. A trumpet felt like the wrong clothes. Drums were closer. Then Anthony hit a vibraphone at the Belfast School of Music and everything snapped into place. That moment of fit carries through this conversation as we trace his route from school band standards to New York's proving grounds and back to London's 606 Club with...

3 weeks ago

31 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 32. Henry Lowther (Trumpet) - 'There Is No Greater Love'

Geoff is in the North London suburb of Muswell Hill to sit down with the highly acclaimed trumpeter Henry Lowther as he unpacks the sessions, the stories and the systems behind a musician who has been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for over half a century. A trumpet on a cathedral step, a helicopter over Woodstock, and a fixer's phone call that changes your week—Henry Lowther has lived the kind of musical life that hides in liner notes and explodes on stage. Henry takes us inside London...

4 weeks ago

45 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 31. Art Themen (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'

Geoff is in the picturesque Oxfordshire town of Henley on Thames to meet with the wonderful saxophonist (and former orthopaedic surgeon) Art Themen. What began with a misassembled clarinet and a missing page turned into a life split between the operating theatre and the bandstand, shaped by New Orleans tone, bebop language, and the stubborn joy of playing for real people in real rooms. We trace the arc from tin whistles and trad bands to hearing Louis Armstrong's All‑Stars in Manchester...

1 month ago

35 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 30. Chris Ingham (Piano) - 'Very Early'

This week Geoff is in Suffolk to catch up with the fabulous jazz pianist, singer, composer and author Chris Ingham. Sitting at Chris’s piano in Suffolk, we trace how a kid who refused lessons became a singer-pianist, bandleader and repertoire obsessive who builds shows people actually want to hear. Chris takes us from The Beatles and Sinatra to Hoagy Carmichael and Dudley Moore, revealing why “themes” hook audiences, why standards are the best teachers, and how self-discipline sticks only whe...

1 month ago

39 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 29. Martin Shaw (Trumpet) - 'My Romance'

In this episode, Geoff catches up with the wonderful trumpet player and educator Martin Shaw. Born into a household where music constantly filled the air—his mother a classical pianist, his father a jazz improviser—Martin's story reveals how these dual influences created the perfect foundation for his development. Martin shares the pivotal moment when, as a schoolboy faced with the choice between heading to the tuck shop or trying brass instruments, he chose the latter and discovered his life...

1 month ago

28 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 28. Chris Allard (Guitar) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'

Geoff travels to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the heart of the City of London to meet with the wonderful guitarist and educator Chris Allard. Growing up in a musical family with roots stretching back to The Juilliard School in New York, Chris recalls his path from classical piano lessons to discovering rock guitar through Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, before Pat Metheny's ‘Letter From Home’ (1989) opened the door to jazz improvisation. This pivotal moment set him on a course that ...

2 months ago

32 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 27. Jim Mullen (Guitar) - 'When Sunny Gets Blue'

Geoff travels to London’s West End to catch up with the legendary jazz guitarist Jim Mullen. The conversation offers a masterclass in authentic musical development as Jim recounts his journey from Glasgow's jazz clubs to becoming one of Britain's most distinctive guitarists. Approaching his 80th birthday, he reflects on the transformative experiences that shaped his musical identity – witnessing jazz titans like John Coltrane, Ray Brown, and the Oscar Peterson Trio in his hometown durin...

2 months ago

43 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 26. Theo Travis (Saxophone) - '500 Miles High'

Geoff is in Finchley, North London to catch up with the wonderful saxophonist, flautist and composer Theo Travis. Theo takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable musical career, from classical beginnings to jazz excellence and groundbreaking prog rock collaborations. This conversation feels like eavesdropping on two musicians sharing secrets about their craft, filled with moments of genuine musical insight and discovery. Theo reveals how his early musical path began with classic...

2 months ago

46 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 25. Mark Lockheart (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'

Geoff is in Greenwich, London to meet with the renowned saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart. Mark's story begins with the heartwarming image of waking up to his father's jazz records and following his dad into saxophone playing at age eleven. What follows is a rich narrative of musical discovery that spans decades. Mark vividly recalls the American record club that delivered formative jazz recordings to his family home, introducing him to the sounds of Wes Montgomery and Paul Desmond that...

2 months ago

38 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 24. Simon Wallace (Piano) - 'Autumn Leaves'

Geoff travels to Honor Oak Park in South London to meet with an old friend – the British composer and pianist Simon Wallace. Simon opens a portal into jazz's rich tapestry through personal stories that span from his childhood in South Wales to the vibrant scenes of New York City and London. This conversation reveals how a secondary school music teacher sparked what he beautifully describes as discovering “…a magic window into another world" – specifically the world of Black American cul...

2 months ago

36 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 23. Andrea Vicari (Piano) - 'On Green Dolphin Street'

Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voicings – influenced by McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea – shape her approach to standards like the 1940s classic ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ which she perfo...

3 months ago

29 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 22. Sebastiaan de Krom (Drums) - 'I Got Rhythm'

Geoff is at the Troubadour club in London with the highly acclaimed jazz drummer Sebastiaan de Krom. When a jazz bassist and drummer have played together for 25 years, there's a musical telepathy that can't be taught—it can only be earned through countless gigs, recording sessions, and miles on the road. In this revealing conversation, Sebastiaan opens up about his remarkable journey from banging on pots and pans as a toddler in Holland to becoming one of the UK’s most respected jazz drummers...

3 months ago

42 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 21. Anita Wardell (Vocals) - 'Autumn Leaves'

Geoff sits down with the award-winning jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. In this intimate conversation, Anita shares how music became her sanctuary during a difficult childhood and continues to be her healing force while recovering from a stroke suffered 16 months prior. "Music was where I kind of got myself together," she reflects, describing how discovering jazz gave her focus and purpose at a crucial time in her life. Anita reflects on the time she heard two students practicing Dizzy Gillespie’...

3 months ago

28 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 20. Stan Sulzmann (Saxophone) - 'Gentle Piece'

Geoff is in Box Hill, Surrey to meet with the legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Stan Sulzmann. Stan takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career as one of Britain's most respected jazz saxophonists. From his unexpected start with a secondhand Selmer tenor saxophone to playing alongside jazz royalty, the interview reveals both musical insights and deeply personal reflections. The conversation opens windows into jazz history as Stan recounts his transformative...

3 months ago

52 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 19. Derek Nash (Saxophone) - 'Walkin' Shoes'

Geoff heads east to Essex to catch up with an old friend — the award-winning jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and recording engineer Derek Nash. What happens when a lifelong love of saxophone meets decades of sound engineering expertise? Derek Nash's musical journey provides the perfect answer. From the moment 12-year-old Derek heard the Pink Panther theme played by a tenor saxophonist during his father's BBC radio broadcast, his path was set. Though his career would take a 20-year det...

4 months ago

24 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 18. Alan Skidmore (Saxophone) - 'Blues in E Flat'

In the tranquil setting of Hertfordshire, England, Geoff sits down with the legendary tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore, a musical force whose extraordinary career spans nearly seven decades. At 83, Alan's recollections are sharp, his stories captivating, and his legacy in jazz undeniable. The conversation begins with Alan's reluctant entry into music. After failing his school qualifications and enduring what he describes as "dodgy day jobs", the 15-year-old Skidmore finally turned to the saxop...

4 months ago

26 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 17. Martin Hathaway (Saxophone) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'

Geoff has a visit from an old friend – the wonderful jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Martin Hathaway. What does it take to forge a path in jazz that spans performing, teaching, and leading one of the UK's most prestigious jazz education programs? In this captivating conversation, Martin opens up about his musical journey from curious child to influential jazz pedagogue. Martin's story begins with a recorder, an innate ability to play by ear, and an uncle who introduced him to th...

4 months ago

42 minutes

The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

Episode 16. Nigel Price (Guitar) - 'All The Things You Are'

In this episode Geoff catches up with the award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price. Nigel’s remarkable journey from infantry service to jazz mastery provides a fascinating window into the development of a truly unique musical voice. Nigel reveals how his three years in the army unexpectedly prepared him for life as a bandleader—discovering parallels between commanding a four-man military section and leading a jazz quartet. This disciplined approach extended to his practice regime, where he ...

4 months ago

38 minutes