All Episodes

Nick and Simon discuss the pianist Mel Powell who had an illustrious career in jazz and modern classical music. He played with some of the top jazz p...

Nick and Simon briefly explore the pianistic technique of playing block chords, find out what block chords are, who used them and how they work.

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss how the available recording media at various times have affected jazz. 

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the obscure British pianist Des Luton [1924-1987?]. Known for an incredible left-hand technique, Des has since ...

Normal service is resumed after the April fools gag that was Des Luton.In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the use of the tuba in jazz, from its ro...

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss this symmetrical scale that has been known about for a surprisingly long time, and has come to be used extensiv...

In the first of our new interview stream we talk to Steve Rubie who has run the 606 club for many decades. We asked him about1. The history of the cl...

In this episode we outline the origins of some nicknames of jazz players. Why was Charlie Parker called Bird? How did Jeff 'Tain' Watts get his monike...

Salutations solid gone gators, Nick and Simon beat their gums to give you the swingformation on Jive talk. They are putting it down and you better pic...

Who was Hod O'Brien? In this episode Nick introduces Simon to a pianist he feels deserves wider recognition.

Simon & Nick talk about a book they both enjoyed reading: But Beautiful by Geoff Dyer.

What is an altered scale, where can you use it, what are its other names, and what scale is it related to? Nick and Simon shed light on the altered sc...