AC23+ - Artist Legacy Series of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

AC23+ - Artist Legacy Series of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

by Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

Performing Arts Music Interviews

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep50 Tom Politzer - Saxophonist for Tower of Power

Mike Esneault plays music and talks with Tower of Power tenor saxophonist Tom Politzer. They talk about his musical upbringing in a family of opera lovers, starting on clarinet, and then his life in music including touring with Tower of Power for 22 years.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep 49 David Bruner - Visual Artist

Mike Esneault talks with New Orleans/Baton Rouge native and New York based visual artist, David Bruner. They discuss his current exhibit at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center as well as his work process and concepts when creating collage, pencil/graphite, stain glass, photography as well as painting. In addition, they touch on various aspects of teaching, the value of mentorships, and also David's long friendship with the late Cary Saurage.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep 48 - Henry Turner Jr. - Musician, Promoter, Producer

Mike Esneault talks and plays music with Baton Rouge music icon Henry Turner Jr. They talk about his long career as a touring performer in the blues genre as well as other genres. They also discuss the many other ventures he has been involved in within the music business community and Baton Rouge community.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep47 - Leon Anderson - Drummer, Composer, Jazz Professor

Mike Esneault plays music and talks with internationally renowned drummer, composer, educator and clinician, Leon Anderson. In addition to playing a couple of tunes (with Bill Grimes on bass), they talk about his formative years learning to play music and then his very active career as a performing artist throughout the world with artists such as Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Roberts and more, as well as his long career as a Professor of Jazz Studies at Florida State University. Enjoy!

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series - Ep46 - Marshall Carby - Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

Mike Esneault talks with Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Marshall Carby. They discuss many different topics including Marshall's upbringing in Texas, his deep Louisiana roots, as well as the many different components of leading the BRSO and continuing its rich legacy in the Baton Rouge community.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series - Ep45 - Jeff Ford - Producer, Audio Engineer, Songwriter

Mike Esneault converses with long time friend and colleague Jeff Ford. Jeff has worked in audio post-production as a producer, song writer, film composer, and audio engineer for over 30 years, producing audio for commercials, films, live productions, studio albums, etc. They discuss the nature of working in the industry and also how this landscape has changed over the years.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep44 - Kenny Neal - Legendary Blues Musician

Mike Esneault interviews and plays music with blues legend Kenny Neal for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s “AC23+ Artist Legacy Series”. Kenny and Mike talked about his extensive international solo career as well as his work with Buddy Guy, Big Mamma Thornton, BB King, and many more. They also talked about the legacy of his father, blues legend Raful Neal, growing up in the talented Neal family, and the legacy of Baton Rouge blues and its impact worldwide.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep 43 Russ Bryant - Musician/Music Industry Business Owner

Mike Esneault converses with saxophonist, composer/arranger, band leader and music industry business owner, Russ Bryant for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s AC23+ Artist Legacy Series podcast. They discussed his formative years as a developing musician as well as the multifaceted career he has had as a professional in the music industry. In addition, They played some of Russ's original music as well as original music by D.K. Harrell.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep 42 Jason Andreasen - Baton Rouge Gallery President/CEO

Original Air Date 9/24/2025: Mike Esneault talks with Andreasen about his long standing tenure as Baton Rouge Gallery President/CEO and all of the outstanding programing the gallery has consistently offered the Baton Rouge community. They also touch on various aspects of arts administration and many of the different challenges for artists in today's landscape.

AC23+ Artist Legacy Series Ep 41 - Bob Sheppard - Legendary Saxophonist

Mike Esneault talks and plays with legendary saxophonist Bob Sheppard about his extensive career as a touring musician with such artists as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, and many more. They also discuss his career as a session musician on countless Los Angeles film scoring sessions along with other topics related to his development and life in music.

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