Episode 8: Mabel Pleasure

On today’s episode, I get the opportunity to sit down with keyboardist, Mike Hicks. We talk about everything from navigating his musical journey as a sideman with Keb’ Mo’, Johnny Lang, and now Rascal Flatts, to his love for basketball, and the joys and challenges of being an independent artist here in Nashville. Enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n8iVe8KicZI

It’s kind of hard to believe that this is our tenth and final episode of 'The Improviser's Corner' for the calendar year. I thought it would be fitting to take a look back at some of the highlights this season with our inspiring guests, and also look forward to some exciting changes coming our way at the top of 2020. Enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SGiPWLlbAK8

On today’s episode, I get to sit down & chat with longtime Nashville-based pianist, composer, & improviser, Chris Walters. We talk about his brilliant & prolific creative output from his creative process at the piano to his hand drawn animations to the role that his pets have shaped his music! Plus he tells us the story of how he became part of the legendary band, Alabama. Enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7X7OmlwVqw

On the 8th episode of 'The Improviser's Corner', I get the chance to sit down with Memphis native and hammond organist extraordinaire Mabel Pleasure. We chat about her musical roots growing up playing in church, her take on sacred versus secular music, plus she tells us the incredible story of how she became an official Hammond B3 recording artist. Enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY0LJA6uWyE

On the 7th episode of 'The Improviser's Corner', I have the pleasure of chatting with violinist & composer, Alicia Enstrom. We talk about her musical journey from studying classical violin at Vanderbilt’s University's Blair School of Music to life on the road with Cirque du Soleil. Enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDo1W2_zTgg

On today’s episode, I have the opportunity to speak to with Nashville based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Daniel Sauls. We chat about Daniel's transition from working in the service industry to getting the call to tour with Lauren Daigle, the joys and challenges of life on the road, and the incredible influence of the Nashville scene on his own creativity. 

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V9Xorwbi4ZY

This month's guest is bassist, improviser, and bandleader, Greg Bryant. We discussed his love for film, his role as a musical advocate, and how his roots in journalism still play a role in his musical storytelling.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CDl7yosOexc

I had the great pleasure of chatting about improvisation, lyric approach, dogs, and creative space with Jess Nolan, one of my favorite singer-songwriters here in town. She brought in a free-write from earlier that morning, and we created a song on the spot together!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uae9q91GACw

I had a blast chatting and playing with one of my favorite keyboardists here in Nashville, Paul Horton who you may know from the band, Concurrence. On today's episode, we chat about his roots and influences, and fun fact - he was family friends with Thelonious Monk! Hope you enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WSeWdu_X-qY

It was such a pleasure to talk and play with my friend & bassist extraordinaire Jimmy Sullivan. We discuss his transition to Nashville, his love of basketball, and all things improvisation. Hope you enjoy! 

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J2uSgDe4AZc