S4-Ep. 4 Jefferson Airplane-Surrealistic Pillow (RCA)

Released Feb 1, 1967, and Recorded between October 31-Nov 22, 1966

Surrealistic Pillow (1967) is a defining album of the 1960s psychedelic rock era, marking the debut of Grace Slick as Jefferson Airplane’s lead vocalist. The album blends folk, rock, and experimental sounds, with standout tracks like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit,” which became anthems of the counterculture. With contributions from multiple band members, the album offers diverse vocals and songwriting styles, including Grace Slick’s powerful delivery, Marty Balin’s emotive ballads, and Paul Kantner’s folk-rock influences. The album’s success helped propel the band into mainstream recognition, while its psychedelic experimentation captured the spirit of the San Francisco scene. Produced with help from Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Surrealistic Pillow is considered a genre masterpiece, with its influence still felt today. The cover art further symbolized the album’s surreal, rebellious vibe, marking a cultural milestone in rock history.

Signature Tracks "Somebody to Love," "Today," "White Rabbit"

Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist

Full Album Full Album on YouTube Full Album on Spotify

Donald Vega, a celebrated jazz pianist and composer from Nicaragua, continues to captivate audiences with his musical brilliance. His latest album, As I Travel, has garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album, showcasing his original compositions. Vega’s meticulous approach shines through, blending intricate grooves with masterful arrangements that offer structure and creative freedom to his ensemble, featuring John Patitucci, Lewis Nash, and Luisito Quintero. In addition, Vega recently released All Is Merry and Bright, a festive Christmas album recorded with Clovis Nicolas and Pete Van Nostrand. This project, born from spontaneity and inspired by jazz greats, highlights Vega’s ability to reimagine timeless classics with fresh, vibrant interpretations.

S4-Ep.3 The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland (Motown)

Release Jan 23, 1967, and Recorded 1964-1966

The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland is a standout album that showcases the magic between The Supremes and the iconic Motown songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH). Released at the peak of their popularity, the album features classic hits like "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. These tracks highlight Diana Ross's powerful vocals, backed by the impeccable musicianship of Motown's Funk Brothers. The album blends sophisticated pop with emotional storytelling, driven by HDH’s signature sound—tight harmonies, lush orchestrations, and an infectious rhythm. While the album is more a collection of singles than a cohesive concept, its polished sound and universal appeal helped solidify The Supremes as pop and R&B icons. Despite internal group tensions, including Florence Ballard’s eventual departure, their collaboration with HDH remains a cornerstone of Motown’s legacy.

Signature Track "You Keep Me Hangin' On," "Love is Here and Now You're Gone," "It's The Same Old Song"

Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist

Full Album Full Album on YouTube, Full Album on Spotify

S4-Ep.2 The Monkees-More of the Monkees (Colgems)

Released January 9, 1967. Recorded June 25 – November 23, 1966

More of the Monkees is the second studio album by The Monkees, which features a mix of pop-rock and folk influences. The album showcases the group’s emerging sounds, which had very little to do with the Monkees themselves. The manufactured group mainly performed songs by top songwriters as singers, while some of the most talented studio musicians handled the best. More of the Monkees captured the sounds of pop music of the era with its catchy melodies and upbeat tunes. The album's themes often revolve around love and relationships; the album's commercial success solidified The Monkees' place in pop culture and set the stage for the Monkees to have enough clout to demand more creative control. What you get with this album is some finely crafted songs written by talented songwriters and performed by skilled session musicians. Members sing the songs of the Monkees, and each has a distinct voice.

Signature Track "Mary, Mary," ("I'm Not Your) Stepping "Stone, "I'm A Believer"

Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist

Full Album Full Album YouTube Full Album on Spotify

S4-Ep.1 The Doors-Self-Titled Release (Elektra)

Released January 4, 1967, Recorded August of 1966 Elektra Records

The Doors is a groundbreaking debut album that blends rock, blues, jazz, and psychedelia with a unique poetic sensibility, largely driven by Jim Morrison’s dark, introspective lyrics. Recorded in just six days, the album features a distinctive sound, notably Ray Manzarek’s Vox Continental organ, Robby Krieger’s flamenco-inspired guitar work, and John Densmore's jazzy drum style. Key tracks like "Light My Fire," with its iconic organ riff and extended solos, and "Break On Through (To the Other Side)," with its rebellious energy, set the stage for the band’s rise to fame. The album’s fusion of musical styles, alongside Morrison’s mysticism and philosophical themes, made it an instant classic, peaking at #2 on the U.S. charts. While not all tracks are equally memorable, The Doors established the band as one of rock music's most innovative and influential forces during the 1960s.

Signature Tracks Discussed "Light My Fire," "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" "The End"

Playlists: YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist

Naomi Moon Siegel

Naomi Moon Siegel is an award-winning trombonist, improviser, composer, and educator committed to creating a positive, transformative music culture beyond conventional genre norms. Her original musical vocabulary draws on the richness of various global musical traditions.

Siegel explores the trombone as a vehicle for sonic expression colored by breath, spit, and physicality. A longtime collaborator with Wayne Horvitz, Siegel has performed with such luminaries as Jessica Lurie, Matthew Golombisky, Carmen Staaf, March Fourth Marching Band, Allison Miller, Julian Priester, The California Honeydrops, Martha Scanlan, Stuart Dempster, Skerik, and Thione Diop. With saxophonist Kate Olson, Siegel formed the folk punk jazz duo Syrinx Effect, which has released four albums and performed around the United States.

Siegel is a recipient of Chamber Music America’s Performance Plus Grant, Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award, Montana Art Council’s Artist Innovation Award, and Earshot Jazz’s Golden Ear Award for Emerging Artist of the Year.

Siegel is an adjunct professor of trombone at the University of Montana and a dedicated music educator. Siegel is also a staunch advocate for intersectional gender justice in jazz and music settings, leading workshops to build awareness and work towards positive systemic shifts in our music culture.

Warren Wolf’s History of the Vibraphone pays tribute to 11 legendary vibe players, including Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, and Dave Samuels, presenting a deep dive into the vibraphone’s jazz legacy. Starting in classical music under his vibraphonist father’s guidance, Wolf trained on vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, drums, and piano from a young age in Baltimore. Influenced by his dad’s extensive jazz record collection and the local organ trio jazz scene, he eventually studied under Dave Samuels at Berklee, where he later taught. Wolf’s rich blend of early classical rigor and exposure to jazz and R&B shaped his style, which now spans swing to fusion.

In History of the Vibraphone, Wolf performs each track as an homage to original artists, joined by saxophonist Tim Green, pianist Alex Brown, bassist Vicente Archer, and drummer Carroll “CV” Dashiell III. Standout selections like Gary Burton's “Captain Señor Mouse” and Samuels’s “Spring High” reflect Wolf’s influences and his mission to celebrate lesser-known vibes players. Currently a professor at Peabody Conservatory, Wolf remains dedicated to jazz education. Baltimore’s thriving scene is central to his work, with venues like Keystone Korner and An Die Musik hosting vibrant jam sessions. Wolf's upcoming tour hints at a possible sequel to this record, potentially honoring Red Norvo, Tito Puente, and Mike Mainieri. ⁠https://njjs.org/⁠

https://www.warrenwolf.com/

History of the Vibraphone https://open.spotify.com/album/0raNJZzMHYyOr9R398NJ3E?si=CkIRJL2-Rm2iFwruCESL-Q

Charlie Burnham Interview

Charlie Burnham is an accomplished American violinist, singer, and composer celebrated for his imaginative and eclectic style. Burnham traverses multiple genres, including bluegrass, folk, free jazz, blues, classical, and chamber jazz. His innovative use of the wah-wah pedal on the violin adds a distinctive flair to his performances. Burnham first gained prominence through his contributions to James "Blood" Ulmer's Odyssey album, highlighting his versatility and skill. The ensemble from that project later formed Odyssey the Band. Throughout his career, Burnham has been a pivotal member of several notable groups and artists, like Living Colour, Cassandra Wilson, String Trio of New York, 52nd Street Blues Project, Hidden City, We Free Strings, the Improvising Chamber Ensemble, and the Kropotkins. He has also recently recorded new music with Eureka Shoes, showcasing his continual evolution as a musician.

Beginning as an informal gathering of friends and now blossoming into a fully-fledged collaborative band, Eureka Shoes’ Beautalina (Adhyâropa ÂR00079) soars aloft on gorgeous 3-part harmonies, delicate acoustic textures, and world-class songcraft. Eureka Shoes features award-winning songwriter Jean Rohe, acoustic music stalwart Skye Soto Steele, and omni-genre multi-instrumentalist Charlie Burnham. Rounded out here by the virtuosic bass of Rashaan Carter, Beautalina is an enduring testament to the power of music to unite, communicate, and elevate.

Eureka Shoes Beautalina

https://open.spotify.com/album/1bH16X7J5KU6YNJgDbEVL2?si=t0YsU9C7RVehdGdwc6hpdg