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Artwork for The Upside of Jazz

The Upside of Jazz

WABE
Jazz
Sonny Rollins
Erroll Garner
Louis Armstrong
Jimmy Rolls
Oscar Peterson
Bob James
Atlanta
The Wood Brothers
Jazz History
Harry Connick Jr.
New Orleans
Dolly Parton
Jewish Immigrants
Jewish Music
Sarah Sharp
Charles Tolliver
Invisible Piano
Art Tatum
Jimmy Heath

Atlanta-based jazz pianist Joe Alterman expresses his deep appreciation of jazz and swing in his performances and compositions. Now he shares that love of jazz on The Upside of Jazz, celebrating the legendary performers of jazz and exploring what makes the music so timeless and endearing to listeners.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes41Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArts

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Artwork for The Upside of Jazz

Latest Episodes

Joe talks with pianists Mike Jones and Jon Regen about learning from their heroes, finding their own voices, and building musical lives that took them places they never expected.

First, Mike Jones discusses his latest album, “Mike Jones with String... more

Bob James joins Joe to talk about his life playing piano. They discuss how, at 86 years old, James is still enthusiastic about playing music and enjoying new talent, the range of his work from the traditional to more avant-garde, and his time as pian... more

Erroll Garner could make one piano sound like an entire orchestra and make even his fellow musicians wonder how he did it. This week, we celebrate the imagination, swing, and generosity behind his unmistakable sound, with stories of a pianist who nev... more

Joe has a conversation with comedian and actor, Jeff Garlin about Garlin's career as well as his love of jazz and how it influences his comedy. They also discuss the parallels between the two art forms, from improvising in front of a live audience to... more

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Recent Guests

Bob James
Jazz pianist, arranger and producer, and former pianist and music director for Sarah Vaughan
Episode: Pianist Bob James - "You can never be second place to yourself"
Jeff Garlin
Comedian and actor who loves jazz
Self/Guest
Episode: Comedian Jeff Garlin - "Sonny Rollins had just as much influence on me as Richard Pryor""
Béla Fleck
Banjo legend discussed in first conversation
Banjo player, solo artist and Flecktones member
Episode: Béla Fleck & Ryan Keberle
Ryan Keberle
Trombonist and composer, leader of Collectiv do Brasil
Collective do Brasil, trombonist with Maria Schneider
Episode: Béla Fleck & Ryan Keberle
Jonathan Karrant
Singer and pianist, collaborator with Diane Schuur
—
Episode: Diane Schuur, Jonathan Karrant & Mark Isham
Diane Schuur
Singer and pianist, legendary jazz vocalist
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Episode: Diane Schuur, Jonathan Karrant & Mark Isham
Mark Isham
Trumpeter and film composer, artist behind At The Carousel Club
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Episode: Diane Schuur, Jonathan Karrant & Mark Isham
David Robaire
Artistic director of Sam First Records
Sam First Records / Sam First (LA)
Episode: Producer and Bassist David Robaire - "The artist has to love it"
Bill Crow
Bassist, writer and storyteller; author of Jazz Anecdotes
Jazz musician
Episode: Bassist Bill Crow - "I'm still figuring stuff out"

Host

Joe Alterman
Host of The Upside of Jazz

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • Joyful and Important

    Joe Alterman is carrying on a critical tradition of celebrating the history, philosophy, artistry, and pure joy of jazz. His interviews, historical analysis, and keen personal insights are all elegantly woven into a truly outstanding podcast that rewards consistent listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Micah Lapidus
    United States8 months ago
  • Amazing 🙏🏾

    Always an informative podcaster. Please keep up the good work spreading the “good news” of jazz, Joe! With love, Kendra

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BubblesBenson
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests and insightful conversations that appeal to serious jazz fans.
A delightful blend of storytelling and musical insight.
The host delivers thoughtful interviews with warmth and clarity.
Informative and entertaining exploration of jazz history and artistry.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Pianist Bob James - "You can never be second place to yourself"
Q: Was innovating a goal for you all along, or were you just interested in playing what you heard and wanted to?
James says he was drawn to making up music from childhood, before he knew jazz, and still tries to clear his mind and improvise without planning a solo.
Pianist Bob James - "You can never be second place to yourself"
Q: What keeps you enthusiastic about this?
James describes his enduring interest in spontaneous creation, young musicians' talent and the possibility of discovering something new in music.
Comedian Jeff Garlin - "Sonny Rollins had just as much influence on me as Richard Pryor""
Q: Did you hear about West Montgomery playing with John Coltrane by chance?
Garlin recalls an elusive photograph and a rare moment of West Montgomery playing with Coltrane, expressing how thrilling and mind-blowing the historical pairing was.
Diane Schuur, Jonathan Karrant & Mark Isham
Q: What is the Carousel Club concept, and how does it influence the recording and listening experience on your album?
Isham explains that the Carousel Club is a thematic, storytelling space where the listener moves through six mini-narratives; the music is designed to transport the audience into a shared imaginative world, rather than simply recapitulating a live club performance.
Comedian Robert Klein, Part 1
Q: Were you learning stuff from Sarah Vaughan or were there things to take away beyond just enjoying the performance?
Her commitment to delivering every performance as if it were the first time, the consistency and risk in each show, provided a masterclass in maintaining quality while keeping it fresh.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Upside of Jazz

What is The Upside of Jazz about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A warmly hosted conversations-driven program that centers on jazz performance, interpretation, and the craft of voice within the tradition. Episodes feature in-depth talks with pianists, trumpeters, vocalists, and educators, exploring how influences are absorbed, reimagined, and balanced with a personal style. Notable threads include humor, mentorship, family collaborations, and the business/history of jazz, often weaving cultural context into artistic practice. The show stands out for its approachable, storytelling approach to technically informed topics, inviting both established icons and rising players to share candid perspectives on artistry and legacy.

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How many listeners does The Upside of Jazz get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Upside of Jazz?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Upside of Jazz?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Upside of Jazz:

1. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
2. You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
3. Strong Songs
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Hard Fork

How many episodes of The Upside of Jazz are there?

The Upside of Jazz launched 9 months ago and published 41 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Upside of Jazz?

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What guests have appeared on The Upside of Jazz?

Recent guests on The Upside of Jazz include:

1. Bob James
2. Jeff Garlin
3. Béla Fleck
4. Ryan Keberle
5. Jonathan Karrant
6. Diane Schuur
7. Mark Isham
8. David Robaire

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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