We’re sitting down with one of the greats! Organist Larry Goldings is in the house to spin the B3 tracks that shaped him – from Jimmy Smith’s revolutionary runs to Billy Preston’s blending brilliance behind Aretha Franklin. Along the way, Larry breaks down the nuts and bolts (err… drawbars and percs) behind his favorite players, offering expert insights into Larry Young’s pedal-less playing and Ray Charles’ “dry-as-dust” sound. And somewhere in the midst of Larry’s fave five, we get into how to find your own voice (and why it might involve throwing all these great records out the window). Whether you’re chasing that perfect drawbar sound or just here for Hans Groiner’s alter ego, this one will change how you hear the Hammond forever.In this episode, You’ll Hear:Jimmy Smith’s masterful expression pedal comping and turnaroundsHow to build your organ sound through a track like Wild Bill DavisWhy Larry listens to singers and horn players (it’s all in the breath).The power of the organ + guitar comboWhat Larry’s listening to these daysStart your FREE TRIAL to Larry’s new course: Jazz Organ Essentials | Open StudioWatch Adam’s organ lesson with Larry: Jazz Pianist Has To Learn Organ In 14 Minutes
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33:06
Sexiest Album Ever?
We’re finally digging into “Voodoo” - D’Angelo’s Grammy-winning album that changed the sound of R&B, soul, and hip-hop forever. And the album a young Adam Maness had on repeat, seriously influencing his playing as well as countless musicians since.With Questlove’s “Dilla-drag” drumming, Pino Palladino’s funky bass lines, Roy Hargrove’s jazzy horn arrangements, and Charlie Hunter’s chicken-picking guitar, Voodoo is packed with the kind of cross-genre musicality that makes jazz musicians lose their minds.Twenty-five years later, Voodoo still grooves harder, hits deeper, and sounds more human than many albums of its generation.In this episode, you’ll hear:What makes D’Angelo’s groove so unique (and hard to imitate)Isolated tracks, rare demos, and interviews with the artistsHow “Spanish Joint” came together in a single takeWhether “Feel Like Makin’ Love” tops the Roberta Flack originalAnd whether “Voodoo” is even an R&B album at allABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.
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1:16:41
It’s Time: Joshua Redman’s Spirit of the Moment
For the first time ever, we’re digging into an album Peter actually played on. In this episode, we go deep on Spirit of the Moment, saxophonist Joshua Redman’s 1995 double-CD live album, recorded at the legendary Village Vanguard, with Peter on piano, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist Chris Thomas. We explore how Redman rose to stardom in the ’90s, stories from Peter’s New Orleans trio days, and what it’s like to be onstage for a now-classic recording. Plus: crowd gasps, Josh’s nods to Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and his father Dewey Redman, the art of laying out, and why this record still inspires a specific crowd of 17-year old jazz pianists 30 years later.
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1:21:58
Miles’ First Masterpiece: Birth of the Cool
Before Kind of Blue, a 21-year-old Miles Davis was already reshaping jazz with Birth of the Cool. In this episode, we explore how Miles teamed up with arranger Gil Evans and a chamber-like nonet to craft a sound full of singable melodies, tightly arranged horns, and forward-thinking restraint. With French horn in the mix, Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis’ arranging touch, and Lee Konitz’s lyrical solos, we unpack why this album – recorded in 1949-1950 and released years later – still lives up to its name.ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.
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1:14:14
The “Love Supreme” of Soul Music?
Learn what makes Marvin Gaye’s protest album a timeless masterpiece. Adam and Peter go deeper than deep—layer by layer—using stems to find out. Listen to the full arrangement in a way you’ve probably never experienced, even if you’ve heard it a thousand times. Strings, bass, background vocals, Marvin’s multi-tracked leads, percussion, vibes—it’s all here, isolated and exposed.We also dig into the story behind the album, and how a protest record became a timeless masterpiece.A must-listen for anyone who cares about music—and how it’s made.ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.
A podcast about music - how to listen, play, practice, and enjoy. Listen for a combo of advice, insights, and occasional humor from pianists Peter Martin and Adam Maness. A podcast from Open Studio