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.
Podcast Description
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



Oct 3, 2025
Cool Struttin' by Sonny Clark
Oct 3, 2025
Oct 3, 2025
1hr 16 min
This week, we dive into Sonny Clark’s hard bop classic Cool Struttin’. Backed by a powerhouse lineup featuring Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Art Farmer on trumpet, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums, Clark delivers one of the most iconic Blue Note sessions of the late 1950s. Tune in as we break down the album, explore its lasting impact on the hard bop tradition, and reveal how we arrived at our overall rating of 9.5/10!
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



Aug 28, 2025
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
Aug 28, 2025
Aug 28, 2025
1hr 16 min
This week, we mix it up with a punk-rock jazz exploration by The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis. This Impulse release is a bit different than any other we've done on the show thus far. Tune in and see how we arrived at our overall rating of 7.3/10!
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



Jun 26, 2025
Jun 26, 2025
49 min
This week Max sits down with jazz pianist Yaron Herman to talk about his musical journey and his latest album "Radio Paradise".
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



Mar 13, 2025
The Bridge by Sonny Rollins
Mar 13, 2025
Mar 13, 2025
1hr 39 min
This week, we dive into Sonny Rollins' triumphant return after a two-year sabbatical with The Bridge. This landmark album showcases a pianoless quartet, featuring the brilliant addition of Jim Hall on guitar. Tune in as we break down the album, discuss its impact, and reveal how we arrived at our overall rating of 9.0/10!
Check out this episode's sponsor Meadowroad Records (@meadowroad_records) for their weekly vinyl auction:
https://www.ebay.com/usr/meadowroad
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



Feb 6, 2025
Portrait by Samara Joy
Feb 6, 2025
Feb 6, 2025
1hr 33 min
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



Dec 11, 2024
Friends And Strangers by Ronnie Laws
Dec 11, 2024
Dec 11, 2024
1hr 12 min
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).



Oct 31, 2024
Oct 31, 2024
1hr 31 min
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).



Oct 4, 2024
Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Oct 4, 2024
Oct 4, 2024
1hr 31 min
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).









