The Jazz Jam

Two seasoned musicians and long-time friends discuss the most prominent classic jazz albums in addition to reviewing new and modern albums and artists. Join KC-based saxophonist Max Levy and Organist Dwain Gunnels as they take a deep dive into jazz albums of all different shapes and sizes.
Episodes
Episodes



Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Portrait by Samara Joy
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
On this week's episode we head back into the world of blossoming jazz star, Samara Joy. Her sophomore Verve release takes a step forward into new territory with daring arrangements of many different standards. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.2/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist



Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Friends And Strangers by Ronnie Laws
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
On this week's episode we direct our attention to the funk fusion class "Friends And Strangers" by Ronnie Laws. The 1977 release is a fundamental recording in the jazz fusion sphere. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.7/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).



Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Alto Summit by Phil Woods, Vincent Herring and Antonio Hart
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
On this week's episode we direct our attention to a deeper cut that was recommended by a listener; Alto Summit by a trio of fantastic alto saxophonists. This album spans a few different generations of the music with Phil Woods being 64 at the time of the session and Vincent Herring and Antonio Hart both being under 35. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).



Friday Oct 04, 2024
Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Friday Oct 04, 2024
Friday Oct 04, 2024
On this week's episode we explore the hard-bop cornerstone of Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. This album was foundational in the development of the hard-bop style as well as the development of the musicians on the album. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).



Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Fearless Movement by Kamasi Washington
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
On this week's episode we dive into Kamasi Washington's latest album "Fearless Movement". This record bring a host of different musicians to the table from funk legend such as George Clinton to bassist Thundercat and many in between. Our overall combined rating for the album is 7.4/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).



Friday Jul 12, 2024
Portrait In Jazz by Bill Evans Trio
Friday Jul 12, 2024
Friday Jul 12, 2024
On this week's episode we take a pit stop in the world of Bill Evans with his album "Portrait In Jazz". This is the first studio album of his trio with Scott LaFaro on bass and features some incredible piano trio playing that has been influential to many. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).



Friday May 31, 2024
Who Are You When No One is Watching? by Braxton Cook
Friday May 31, 2024
Friday May 31, 2024
On this week's episode we get back to Braxton Cook with our review of his 2023 album "Who Are You When No One is Watching?" It was truly an honor to get to review and fully delve into this personal work from Braxton after getting to interview him on the podcast. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.8/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).



Friday Apr 26, 2024
Blue Train by John Coltrane
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday Apr 26, 2024
On this week's episode we take a dive into a Blue Note masterpiece in John Coltrane's Blue Train. It was his only Blue Note recording as a leader and is a landmark album in the history of jazz music. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.6/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This episode may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this podcast is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. This should constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).