| A New Review on PRX!
Review of Jazz Inspired - Jacqui Naylor by Geoffrey Tozer
Judy's Interview with vocalist Jacqui Naylor is yet another beautiful radio moment. She wastes no time and gets right down to business with the easy-going Naylor.
Of special interest to jazz lovers, she takes a fascinating journey deep into the creative process. In this case she uncovers an unusual method that Naylor calls "acoustic smashing", singing one song while the band plays another. It's curious and astonishingly refreshing.
Carmichael covers a wide field and her thoughtful questions keep the pace moving along smartly. As a jazz performer herself, she has a unique insight into the world of live music and she takes full advantage of her inside status.
A central idea here is that Naylor and her "acoustic smashing" have come upon a brilliant way to make standards truly new again. And there are plenty of examples throughout the piece to prove it.
I love the series "Jazz Inspired" and I loved this interview with Jacqui Naylor. So will your listeners.
PRX Interviews Judy Carmichael
"My main criteria is that the guest be sincere, dedicated and accomplished. "
Producer Judy Carmichael knows some people. In her Jazz Inspired series, she's interviewed everyone from Robert Redford to Roy Scheider; and when she's not interviewing celebrities about music, Judy manages to do a little touring of her own with her piano. How's she do it all?
PRX:
What prompted you to create a show like "Jazz Inspired"?
Judy:
I find the creative process fascinating and thought if artists were interviewed and talked about how jazz inspired them they would open up differently about their own work whether they were musicians or in other fields. I also wanted to bring jazz to a broader audience and hoped if a Robert Redford or Chevy Chase said they love jazz, that people might listen differently and be a bit more open.
PRX:
How do you decide who to interview?
Judy:
I love this because I feel I decide with whom I'd like to have a blind date, unless I know the person personally, of course. I search for people I find fascinating and would want to spend an hour with talking about something that's central to my life. It's really quite selfish. I think if someone is passionate about their work and articulate in expressing that passion, that I'll have a great time and so will the listener. I try to get a broad variety of artists and ages. My main criteria is that the guest be sincere, dedicated and accomplished. I like the famous artist who doesn't need to do an interview, but loves the concept and opportunity to talk about creativity, and the lesser known artist who would never get an hour feature, but should. These are the folks I pursue.
PRX:
Who's inspired you, in jazz and radio?
Judy:
Count Basie, Fats Waller, Tatum, Hines, Tommy Flanagan, Cy Walter -- and these are just the pianists! I'm crazy about so many people it's impossible to list them. The biggest early inspiration was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. I wanted to grow up to be a singer/dancer in a 30's movie!
Radio: I love Baxter Black, Scott Simon and David Sedaris.
 
Left: Cowboy Judy. Right: Tennis Judy.
PRX:
Besides being a radio host, you're also a very active musician yourself. Do you consider either one to be a job, and the other a passion? What roles do the two play in your life?
Judy:
Being a jazz pianist is my job and a passion (my other great passion is tennis -- I'm a fanatic!). The great satisfaction with producing and hosting Jazz Inspired, is that there's a finished product which I feel great about. I've had the fun of learning from these great guests and I know the shows carry on as oral histories. I'm absolutely joyous when playing a concert, but that's more fleeting.
PRX:
Looking at your website, I have to ask: is that alligator sedated?
Judy:
Absolutely not! I'm a huge animal lover and have always been great with them. I'm a bit of an animal whisperer myself! I didn't know if my "powers" would translate to reptiles, but it did as Gaston, my reptilian friend, who was quite relaxed with me, but would attack anyone else who approached. I should admit though, that his snout was taped -- I'm good, but still taking no chances!
Attention Producers:
Don't have a station account on PRX (prx.org)? Easy! Drop an email to John Barth at john@prx.org and he can get you set up with a free starter account that gives your station some free hours to use toward licensing Jazz Inspired.
© 2006, The Public Radio Exchange
|
