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

Latest Episodes:

Is "Off The Wall" Michael's True Masterpiece? Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

When Epic Records told Michael Jackson “no” to Quincy Jones, he fought back and changed music forever. Join Adam Maness and Peter Martin as they dive into Jackson’s 1979 masterpiece Off The Wall – the album that planted MJ’s flag as a solo artist. We explore how a young Michael partnered with Quincy Jones, created magic with studio legends Louis Johnson and Greg Phillinganes, and transformed Rod Temperton’s “I Want to Eat You Up” into a radio-friendly “Rock With You.” Hear rare demos and interviews, isolated stems, and discover why this record still delivers HITS! decades later. Between Quincy’s touch, Michael’s heart-pouring intensity, and a whole lot of masterful musicians emerged something that united the world in a way few artists ever could.

🟠 Open Studio Members - Check out the Nerd Nook for the episode in The Hang:
https://www.openstudiojazz.com/community/c/as-seen-on/nerd-nook-off-the-wall

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO
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As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.

Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.

Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about

All about YHI
https://lnk.to/youllhearitYB

Bill Evans and The Trio That Changed Trios Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Can you believe the most celebrated Bill Evans Trio was only together for 18 months? In this episode, we’re looking at early 60's Bill alongside Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and the four albums they recorded together before LaFaro’s tragic death at just 25 years old. From Portrait in Jazz and its cross-over with Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue through Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie – recorded live on the same day in June 1961. We break down their conversational approach to jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves,” geek out over Bill Evans music theory, and explore his distinct voicings and voice leading techniques. Whether you’re a mid-century jazz aficionado or just looking for the perfect “sweater weather trio songs to somberly study to,” we’ve got just the playlist for you.

🟠 Open Studio Members -> Nerd Nook

Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about

All about YHI
https://lnk.to/youllhearitYB

Greatest FUNK Band Of All Time? Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

What makes New Orleans funk hit so different? In this episode, we dive into the swampy funk of The Meters, the iconic quartet that’s left its mark on everything from Wu-Tang to Whitney Houston and beyond. We break down Leo Nocentelli’s chicken-scratch guitar, Art Neville’s genius riff comping, Zigaboo’s “direct assault” on the high hat, and the thumping George Porter Jr. bass lines that defined their unique sound. And we explore how NOLA production legend Allen Toussaint provided the perfect roux to cook up The Meters’ musical gumbo — simple yet complex, country yet urban, and 100% groovin’! Tune in for stories of Adam’s funky DVD menu discoveries, Peter’s Snug Harbor gig with Meters’ royalty, and how the culture of the crescent city produced what may be the greatest funk band of all time.

🟠 Open Studio Members -> Nerd Nook

Spotify Playlist
- https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BqPtMqKaAiYlLvzplNDwO

Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about

All about YHI
https://lnk.to/youllhearitYB

6 Songs To Turn Coltrane Curious Into Coltrane Converted Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Have Giant Steps and Meditations scared you away from John Coltrane? Join us on the other side of the Trane tracks with what might be the best trio of albums ever dropped in the same year. We’re talking 1963 Coltrane—at his most accessible (dare we say smooth?) yet still cutting straight to the truth. From the GRAMMY hall-of-famer Ballads to his legendary Impulse! sessions with Duke Ellington and Johnny Hartman, enter the perfect gateway into Coltrane’s world. We break down his honest melodies, the masterful support from McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison (and more), and quibble with certain Rudy Van Gelder… choices… Whether you’re Coltrane-curious or already converted, this episode has something special for your ears.

Link to Spotify playlist

🟠 Open Studio Members -> Nerd Nook

Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further!
https://youllhearit.com/

How Brad Mehldau Became Jazz' Greatest Genre Hacker Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Has Brad Mehldau always been one step ahead of jazz? In this episode, Peter and Adam trace his evolution from the straight-ahead Art of the Trio series to the produced, cinematic experiments of his 2002 opus Largo. We look at how Brad’s late nights in LA, love of Radiohead, and partnership with producer Jon Brion blurred the lines between indie pop, alt rock, and jazz, creating a new “Populist Jazz.” Discover how Brad Mehldau’s Largo paved the way for a generation of genre-bending artists from The Bad Plus, to Robert Glasper, to our very own Adam Maness – and cemented his place as the greatest genre hacker in jazz.

🟠 Open Studio Members -> Nerd Nook

Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further!
https://youllhearit.com/

Steely Dan's "Aja": A Perfect Album? Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

From the hypnotic grooves of “Black Cow” to contributions from jazz legends Wayne Shorter, Steve Gadd, and Victor Feldman, Steely Dan’s 1977 masterpiece Aja reigns amongst the best—and best-produced—albums of all time. In this episode, Peter and Adam break down Fagen and Becker’s jazz-infused harmonies, their precision recording process, and the album’s audiophile-worthy engineering. Tune in for stories, stem breakdowns, and a brand new segment where Kaleb Kirby and Bob DeBoo join us to play through Aja hits. Whether you’re a Steely Dan devotee or just here for the yacht-rock controversy, get ready to kick off the new YHI season with one of the 70s’ most iconic sonic journeys.
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show notes:

(00:00) Intro & avoiding nautical references

(03:11) Introduction to Aja (1977) and its Grammy nods

(06:01) "Black Cow" keys analysis (Joe Sample & Victor Feldman)

(07:36) Isolation of Paul Humphrey's drum tracks

(11:01) Breakdown of Victor Feldman's Rhodes solo

(14:37) Deep dive into title track "Aja"

(18:11) Analysis of Wayne Shorter solo w/Steve Gadd "comping"

(25:49) "Peg" analysis

(27:27) Breakdown of McDonald's background vocal arrangements

(30:23) Album sequencing discussion

(31:31) Chuck Rainey's bass contributions across the album

(33:11) "Home at Last" analysis

(35:35) "Deacon Blues" discussion

(39:44) Snob-o-meter rating

(42:34) Preview of Open Studio member exclusive content

🟠 Open Studio Members -> Nerd Nook

Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further!
https://youllhearit.com/

Check out AJA by Don Breithaupt
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/steely-dans-aja-don-breithaupt/1100758984

Our Favorite Village Vanguard Sets Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

In this very special cross-over episode, Adam Maness and Bob DeBoo from Upright Citizens check out 12 of their favorite live albums recorded at the famous Village Vanguard. What's your favorite live album?

link to our spotify playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5fzI04bkuBXe0YQcfqJmkt?si=0dk9OWMZTVS6G7wdH93X-w

Wanna check out some Upright Citizens?
https://www.openstudiojazz.com/upright-citizens/

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further
https://youllhearit.com/

Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe
Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel for a better look 👀.

How To Live Musical Life In 2025 Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

In this solo episode, Peter Martin gives advice on how to live a musical life in the coming year and what to do to set yourself up for success.

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further
https://youllhearit.com/

Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe
Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel for a better look 👀.

Tunes That Teach Ya Somethin Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Adam and Peter list their favorite tunes that actually teach ya something! Learning these tunes will give you a better grasp on your playing in these contexts.

Check out our playlist on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69uTCFvMKo8CEBLfWrGiL6?si=ZPCpzVnQThq6Wy87bhAEjA

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further
https://youllhearit.com/

Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe
Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel for a better look 👀.

What Makes A Heart Tugger? Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

Ever get overwhelmed with emotion from a tune? In this episode, Adam and Peter talk about what about music can evoke such emotion.

Link to our Spotify Playlist

Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no further
https://youllhearit.com/

Have a question for us? Leave us a SpeakPipe
Checkout courses from Adam, Peter and more at Open Studio

🎹 Head over to our YouTube channel for a better look 👀.

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