Arts

The Upside of Jazz

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.

Latest Episodes:

Pianists Mike Jones & Jon Regen Oct 31, 2026

Show notes

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 Strings,” his longtime gig with Penn & Teller in Las Vegas, his friendship with Dave McKenna, and the nerves —and
encouragement—that come with playing for your musical heroes.

Then, Jon Regen talks about his new album, “Live in London,” how studying with Kenny Barron and touring with Jimmy Scott helped him bridge his love of jazz and pop, and how his curiosity led him into songwriting, editing Keyboard magazine, and programming music at The Django in New York.

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Pianist Bob James - "You can never be second place to yourself" Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

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 pianist and music director for Sarah Vaughan.

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Erroll Garner and the Sound of an Orchestra Smiling Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

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 never stopped surprising himself or his listeners.

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Comedian Jeff Garlin - "Sonny Rollins had just as much influence on me as Richard Pryor"" Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

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 finding your own musical or comedic voice.

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Béla Fleck & Ryan Keberle Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

Joe talks with banjo legend Béla Fleck about his album "My Bluegrass Heart," first being inspired by the music of Chick Corea and then getting to work with him, as well as where the music inside him comes from.

Joe also chats with trombonist Ryan Keberle about Ryan Keberle's Collectiv do Brasil's upcoming album, "Here is Donato!," the trombone's status within jazz, and Ryan's exploration of Brazilian music via the instrument.

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Diane Schuur, Jonathan Karrant & Mark Isham Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

Pianist and singer Diane Schuur and singer Jonathan Karrant have a conversation with Joe about Schuur's career, recording music together, and Karrant's latest album, "Full Circle," which is a tribute to Schuur.

Then, Joe sits down with trumpeter and film score composer Mark Isham to talk about how composing for film differs from writing songs for an album, how music and art can be joyful and still be considered art, plus "At The Carousel Club," Isham's new EP.

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Producer and Bassist David Robaire - "The artist has to love it" Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

Producer/bassist/artistic director at Sam First Records, David Robaire, and Joe talk about going from bassist to leading a label, how David thinks about taking a live performance and putting it on vinyl, and the ways in which a label can develop a very specific identity while offering a variety of music.

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Bassist Bill Crow - "I'm still figuring stuff out" Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

Joe and bassist Bill Crow talk about the 98-year-old's lifetime spent in and around jazz. Crow talks about gathering stories from the jazz scene to write his monthly column for Allegro, which Crow wrapped up after 43 years in April, turning those stories into several books, including "Jazz Anecdotes," and spending time listening and playing in legendary clubs like the Village Vanguard and Birdland.

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Comedian Robert Klein, Part 2 Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

In the second episode featuring comedian Robert Klein, he and Joe continue their conversation about jazz and comedy, Klein remembers a special breakfast with Groucho Marx, and reflects on what it's like to go from the one looking up to older comedians, to new comedians looking up to you.

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Comedian Robert Klein, Part 1 Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

In the first of two episodes featuring the comedy legend, Joe and Robert Klein get together to talk about Klein's career in comedy. Despite not being a musician, Klein explains how improvisation in comedy is not so different from improv in jazz, opening for jazz greats like Sarah Vaughan and The Modern Jazz Quartet, as well as his relationship with comedian Rodney Dangerfield.

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