You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians

Latest Episodes:

The Coziest Tracks We Know Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Cozy songs for fall, handpicked by two jazz pianists who take sweater weather very seriously. From Shirley Horn and Norah Jones to D’Angelo, Nick Drake and a surprisingly cozy cut from Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
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Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:
https://yhi.link/players-club

Listen to You'll Hear It's Cozy Tracks playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ycSY0KpOjFS7t09xvLrk6?si=zmBkMFNlSPW75zpKfqzrdg

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About You'll Hear It:

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love.

00:00 The coziest tunes we know
01:33 Peter starts strong
03:11 Sweater weather in a song
04:49 A new voice, an old favorite
06:38 Can the open road be cozy?
09:14 Saxophone and drums… cozy?
10:44 Better than the original?
12:55 A little quiet storm
14:36 The coziest jazz trio?
16:14 A voice like no other
19:19 Cozy isn’t just for Christmas
20:55 Modern jazz gets cozy
22:40 Heartbreak in a cabin
25:57 Peter bets it all on this one
28:57 What cozy songs did we miss?

Earfood – Roy Hargrove Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Even if you don't recognize his name, you've heard his sound. Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove played trumpet on, and contributed arrangements to, D'Angelo's Voodoo, Common's Like Water for Chocolate, and Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun. He was equally at home with neo-soul and hip-hop, and straight-ahead acoustic jazz. At the same time he was contributing to era-defining Soulquarian projects, he was producing music with his jazz quintet.

Today, jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to his 2008 masterpiece Earfood and explore why it may be the perfect jazz album for the jazz-curious neo-soul fan.

Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
https://openstudiojazz.com/

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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:
https://yhi.link/earfood

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Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:
https://yhi.link/players-club

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📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

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About You'll Hear It:

00:00 The hidden force behind neo-soul
02:04 Roy Hargrove’s early years
07:07 D’Angelo, Voodoo and the Soulquarians
9:25 The RH Factor and Roy’s quintet
15:08 I’m Not So Sure
23:10 Brown
27:24 Strasbourg / St. Denis
32:01 Starmaker
34:09 Joy Is Sorrow Unmasked
38:56 The Stinger
44:43 Rouge
49:06 Mr. Clean
51:37 Style
54:01 Divine
55:45 To Wisdom the Prize
57:11 Speak Low
1:00:26 Bring It On Home to Me
1:02:04 Adam and Peter’s favourite moments
1:08:47 The final verdict

What Do Jazz Pianists Listen to When Nobody’s Watching? (Mailbag Episode) Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin dig into the You'll Hear It mailbag, answering your questions and checking out the tunes you always wanted them to hear. Plus, a trivia round inspired by your comments.

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Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
https://openstudiojazz.com/

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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:
https://youllhearit.com/newsletter

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Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:
https://yhi.link/players-club

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📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

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About You'll Hear It:

00:00 The You'll Hear It mailbag episode
01:52 What's on your workout playlist?
04:27 When did you start playing piano?
07:10 What got you into jazz?
09:48 If you could choose only one chord ...
10:36 One album you'd perform live TONIGHT
13:05 The best jazz solos for beginners to transcribe
15:36 Does classical training help jazz musicians?
18:08 Playing listener requests
20:23 Test out a hi-fi system with this
24:21 A new favorite album
26:06 Adam loves this 70s singer-songwriter
28:12 A vibey, spacey pick
30:50 The album they overlooked
33:15 Alternate takes better than the originals
37:42 What we missed about Radiohead
39:33 The jazz we're listening to right now
46:20 Why kindred artists find each other
51:38 You tell us all the details we missed
56:49 GALA

Black Messiah - D'Angelo and the Vanguard Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

D'Angelo's Black Messiah is one of the greatest albums of the 21st century. You can hear his musical influences all over it: Prince's arrangements, the Bee Gees' falsettos, Jimi Hendrix's guitar, Sly's groove. But the alchemy that makes Black Messiah so powerful could only come from one mind: D'Angelo, the artist who gave us Voodoo and Brown Sugar.

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack D'Angelo's Black Messiah track by track, detailing what their trained ears hear in the music, and highlighting new textures, harmonies, and song structures you may have missed on the first listen.

Plus, Peter shares stories about his friendship and working relationship with legendary trumpet player Roy Hargrove.
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Adam shows you how to play D'Angelo's "Really Love". Get the lesson:
https://yhi.link/really-love
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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:
https://yhi.link/linernotes-6

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Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
https://openstudiojazz.com/

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Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

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0:00 D'Angelo and the Vanguard - Black Messiah
1:44 Ain't That Easy
7:35 Questlove, Pino Palladino, and James Gadson
9:35 1000 Deaths
14:09 The Charade
17:44 Where this album sits next to Sly, Marvin, and Prince
19:33 Roy Hargrove, and the Peter Martin connection
22:28 Sugah Daddy
28:45 Really Love
39:40 Back to the Future (Part I)
44:05 Where does talent like this come from?!
51:15 Till It's Done (Tutu)
53:43 Prayer
56:35 Betray My Heart
1:02:55 The Door
1:07:13 Back to the Future (Part II)
1:09:25 Is this album backwards?
1:11:11 Another Life
1:17:00 Our favorite moments
1:17:27 How snobby is this album?
1:19:53 Is it better than Voodoo?

The Ultimate Ahmad Jamal Playlist Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin play each other their favorite Ahmad Jamal tunes to build the ULTIMATE Ahmad Jamal playlist.

Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:
https://yhi.link/players-club

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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:
https://yhi.link/linernotes-5

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Watch Ahmad Jamal at Studio 61: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KFMLNop0_g&t=607s

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📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

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Listen to the Ultimate playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TvAf7P7H5JvG0hP0SJth9?si=vH8EJXmHS4mGw8eWm0BqnA

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About You'll Hear It:

00:00 The Ultimate Ahmad Jamal Playlist
01:48 72 years of recording, longer than a queen's reign
04:06 Excerpts from the Blues (Jazz from '61, CBS Studios)
08:21 But Not For Me
14:02 Jamal's quiet swagger
16:05 Old Devil Moon
19:02 The 1 a.m. New Orleans gig with Brian Blade
20:37 Star Eyes
25:09 When Peter met Ahmad Jamal
26:15 Poinciana (Live at the Pershing, 1958)
27:19 I Love Music
29:25 It Could Happen to You
32:08 The elephant in the room: Miles Davis
35:39 Cherokee
39:55 Peter's hot take on Israel Crosby
41:13 Willow Weep for Me
43:42 What's New
46:35 Our favorite moments
48:53 How snobby is this playlist?
50:50 Is this better than Kind of Blue?

Waltz for Debby – Bill Evans Trio Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Waltz for Debby is the sound that all "boring coffeehouse jazz" tries to imitate, but none can replicate. Featuring Bill Evans on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums, this 1962 live album has become the template for every AI jazz playlist. And yet, it stands apart as one of the greatest jazz piano trio albums of all time. Pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to the full album, track-by-track, describing what they hear in the music that lends this album its undeniable humanity.

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Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:
https://yhi.link/players-club

-------------------------------

Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:
https://yhi.link/linernotes-4

-------------------------------

Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
https://openstudiojazz.com/

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📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

00:00 Bill Evans, Waltz for Debby
03:20 My Foolish Heart
09:20 Waltz for Debby
16:40 Detour Ahead
18:53 My Romance
23:55 Some Other Time
27:09 Milestones
30:31 Categories
34:03 Mailbag

The Ultimate Stank Face Challenge Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin take turns playing each other songs, and the goal is to get the biggest involuntary reaction out of the other guy. Along the way, they break down what's actually happening in the music. In a final round, they have to sit through their opponent's pick without cracking.

Who gets the best reactions? You decide. Share your verdict in the comments.

Listen to the playlist: https://tinyurl.com/3cmnby37

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Learn to play Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean". Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:
https://yhi.link/the_ocean

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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:
https://yhi.link/linerNotes-3

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Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
https://openstudiojazz.com/

-------------------------------

📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

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About You'll Hear It:

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00:00 Rules of Engagement
00:44 Round 1
05:59 Round 2
10:01 Round 3
16:08 Round 4
20:28 Round 5
25:00 Round 6
33:51 Bonus: The Poker Face Round
36:50 Encore

In Rainbows – Radiohead Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack Radiohead's 2007 masterpiece 'In Rainbows', track-by-track. Hear about the harmonies, odd time signatures, Thom Yorke's singing technique and the production choices that give this album its sound. And learn why many of the musical choices made for 'In Rainbows' are strange for an album that hit #1 on the US and UK charts, and sold three million copies.

If you're hearing 'In Rainbows' for the first time, you're not alone. So is Peter! And if you're a Radiohead fan (like Adam), watch for Peter's reaction to, and verdict on, your favorite tracks.

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Learn to play "Weird Fishes", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners.

You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it. Join the Players Club: https://yhi.link/weird-fishes

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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes today:
https://yhi.link/linerNotes-2

-------------------------------

📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/

-------------------------------

Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:
https://openstudiojazz.com/

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Kid A: https://youtu.be/uRs2yuQbH1Q

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About You'll Hear It:

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0:00 In Rainbows - Radiohead
1:25 The poll that picked this album
8:44 The pay-what-you-want release
20:05 Adam HAD to teach this track
26:58 Now we're really into great stuff
31:20 Why this album sounds so good
44:15 The closer, and a question about Thom Yorke's voice
47:50 Peter's verdict
50:05 The ten-year run

Best New Jazz In July 2026: Domi & JD Beck, Terri Lyne Carrington, Charles Lloyd and more Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

New albums all hand-picked from jazz pianist Adam Maness for your listening pleasure.

00:00 - Intro

01:51- Epiphanie - Domi & JD Beck
https://store.bluenote.com/products/domi-jd-beck-who-asked?srsltid=AfmBOoqy83sYVjg7gWOWEPzDP1lzL0qSN3BWoiNb80SR6foAtB1hFJUi

05:45 - Solidarity Song - Terri Lyne Carrington
https://terrilynecarrington.bandcamp.com/album/trip-the-night-fantastic

08:01 - Eye Level - Fathers
https://store.bluenote.com/products/fathers-fathers?variant=45730941010111&utm_source=Original&utm_campaign=KennyBeats20260610&utm_medium=direct&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenote.com%2F&utm_board=bluenote&utm_country=US&utm_linkurl=bluenote.lnk.to%2Ffathers&lf=09636c21c8ac71dedf000e172e87d2a6

10:37 - Tagore - Charles Lloyd
https://store.bluenote.com/products/charles-lloyd-sangam-friends?srsltid=AfmBOorf1UxNmnTthTwtn0_zwgRhQmgDPrf_q9bYi0JObJCE-vYEtzKg

12:58 - Tethered - Nduduzo Makahthini
https://store.bluenote.com/products/nduduzo-makhathini-the-myth-we-choose?variant=45410756886719&utm_source=Original&utm_campaign=NduduzoMakhathini20260330&utm_medium=direct&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenote.com%2F&utm_board=bluenote&utm_country=US&utm_linkurl=nduduzomakhathini.lnk.to%2Fthemythwechoose&lf=eb502d0210407eb575699b99ef700288

15:28 - Stella By Starlight - Joey Alexander
https://joeyalexander.bandcamp.com/album/celestial-keeper

17:51 - Bem Querer - Curio Curio
https://curiocurio.bandcamp.com/album/curi-curi

19:43 - Out of the quiet - Richard Spaven
https://richardspaven.bandcamp.com/album/light-of-day

Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life is all killer, no filler. Every track is a masterpiece. It's almost TOO easy for two jazz pianists in the business of reviewing history's greatest albums. So we're upping the stakes ... with a draft. Adam and Peter each present their top tracks from Songs in the Key of Life, compare and contrast, and see who comes out on top with the best lineup.

Along the way, they reveal why Stevie Wonder is the master of harmony, how he (and only he) can get away with flourishes that would sound "corny" anywhere else, and the production details you'll never unhear.

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Learn to play "Isn't She Lovely", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners.

You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it in the Players Club: https://yhi.link/stevie-sitkol

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Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes today: https://yhi.link/linerNotes-1
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Open Studio plays Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic": https://youtu.be/hY21yVJhOck

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00:00 Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder
01:24 New rules: we're drafting the album
02:57 The place setter that counts for nobody
05:50 Round 1
10:00 Round 2
12:25 Round 3
16:48 Round 4
20:50 Round 5
24:10 Round 6
27:13 Round 7
30:45 Round 8
33:25 Round 9
36:17 Round 10
41:35 The final lineups

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