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You Dig?

by Steve Wiest

Arts Music Interviews

Season 3

Callum Au: Quincy Jones, Big Band Writing, London Jazz & Sing Seven Seas | You Dig?

British trombone/composer/producer phenom Callum Au joins Steve Wiest for an engaging conversation about trombone, arranging, composition, creativity, and his acclaimed new album Sing Seven Seas. The discussion ranges from Callum's early years in Blackpool, England, to his work with Michael Bublé, Claire Martin, Quincy Jones celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall, and his growing reputation as one of the most exciting arrangers and composers working today. Along the way, Steve and Callum discuss trombone culture, the London jazz scene, Louis Dowdeswell, Mark Nightingale, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, unusual instruments, fatherhood, and the delicate balance between artistic inspiration and professional craft. A fascinating look inside the mind of a modern composer and arranger whose work bridges tradition and innovation. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod Callum's Website: https://callumaumusic.com/ Jake Wilson (Guitar) from "A Piece of the Action" "Odity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2zjpfZQouc

Ed Sargent: Life on the Road with Maynard Ferguson, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts & Aerosmith | You Dig?

Tour manager and production veteran Ed Sargent joins Steve Wiest for a wide-ranging conversation covering forty-four years of friendship, music, and adventures on the road. Ed shares stories from his years with Maynard Ferguson, explains the culture and etiquette of the legendary tour bus known as "The Jar," recounts memorable moments with Dizzy Gillespie, Joan Jett, Aerosmith, and Steven Tyler, and reflects on what he learned from some of the music world's most iconic personalities. The conversation also explores audience connection, leadership, tour management, fishing, family, and the meaning of a life well lived. A warm, funny, and deeply human conversation with one of the music industry's great behind-the-scenes professionals. Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/@YouDigPod

Randy Brecker: Miles Davis, Skunk Funk, Horace Silver & The Meaning of Life | You Dig?

On this deeply musical and often hilarious episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with trumpet legend Randy Brecker for an epic late-night hang covering improvisation, practice, composition, Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Horace Silver, the Brecker Brothers, Seventh Avenue South, and Randy’s beautiful new album Espirito. Highlights include: 🎺 The famous Miles Davis wah-wah story 🎺 How Randy wrote “Skunk Funk” 🎺 Following Michael Brecker solos night after night 🎺 Lessons learned from Horace Silver 🎺 Randy’s approach to practicing at age 80 🎺 Brecker Brothers origin stories 🎺 Thoughts on improvisation and tension/release 🎺 The Dig You Inquisition™ Wise, funny, warm, and deeply inspiring, this episode is packed with hard-earned musical insight from one of jazz fusion’s most iconic voices. A good time is had by all. You dig? _______________-- Links from this Episode: Randy's website: https://www.randybrecker.com/ 🎺 SPECIAL BONUS: Check out the legendary fan-made video by the great Lewis Gerts: “Some Skunk Funk by Almost Everyone” featuring countless performances spliced together bar-by-bar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TnUbXkvlz4

What Is Hip? Dave Richards Talks Tower of Power, L.A., and Life on the Road

Steve Wiest welcomes Dave Richards of Tower of Power to You Dig? for a joyful deep dive into life inside one of the most iconic horn bands in modern music. Dave discusses his North Texas roots, touring internationally with Tower of Power, working with Emilio Castillo and Doc Kupka, surviving the Maynard Ferguson “Front of the Bus” game, composing for large ensembles, memorizing the legendary T.O.P. book, and navigating today’s evolving music business. Additional stories include Birdland with Slide Hampton, Jay Saunders memories, multi-instrumentalist adventures, and an especially philosophical edition of The Dig You Inquisition. Featuring music talk, road stories, jazz education wisdom, and a healthy dose of galactic nonsense from the Bridge. A good time is had by all. You dig? ____________________ Links from this episode: Tower of Power Tour Dates https://www.towerofpower.com/tour/ Tower of Power 2026 Band Members https://www.towerofpower.com/the-band/ Tower of Power Website https://www.towerofpower.com/ "Newport" Composed by Slide Hampton Adapted by Dave Richards Performed live by the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band at Birdland • One O'clock Lab Band - "Newport" - Live f... "Dark Matters" Composed by Dave Richards Performed by the One O'Clock Lab Band Live at Birdland Trumpet solo by Clynt Yerkes Tenor solo: Brian Clancy Drum solo: Michael D'Angelo • "Dark Matters" UNT One O'Clock Lab Band Li... Marianne's Ice Cream: Santa Cruz, CA https://mariannesicecream.com/

Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska — Building a Career in Film Composition

Steve hangs out on the front porch of the hippest crib in the village with rising film composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Julia’s music and creative process to balancing family life and career-building in Los Angeles. The discussion dives deep into the realities of modern film composition, networking, jazz education, demos, editing, and forging a sustainable artistic path in the highly competitive — but incredibly exciting — world of writing for film and media. This is a must-listen episode for composers, musicians, film-score fans, and especially anyone hoping to build a career in composition for Hollywood, television, games, or multimedia. Click this link to see the video version where you can also see the film clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H3D3chYBo8 Links from this episode: Julia’s Website: https://sokolowskamusic.com/ Destino • Destino - Music by Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska Divos! Trailer • Destino - Music by Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska Divos! Full Score • Hollywood Hills Divos! Behind the Scenes with Sarah Reich • Divos! Ricky's Tap Theme BTS No Intro Julia's YouTube Channel: / @juliazuzannasokolowska

Glenn and Steve's Excellent Accidental Episode

What-the-WHAT?! So how did THIS happen? Well, I asked my pal Glenn Kostur to help me check some tech to get ready for an upcoming episode with Rising Star Film Composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolawska and we accidentally came up with so much SHTICK (mostly two old guys forgetting words...but shtick nonetheless) that I turned it into an episode (with the help of my crack editing team, of course) So here Ya go! Behold "Glenn and Steve's Excellent Accidental Episode!" _____________________ Links from this episode: New Cydonia Composed by Steve Wiest, Performed by the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXMkdoz0Y90 Julia Zuzanna Sokolawska https://sokolowskamusic.com/ Darcy James Argue https://darcyjamesargue.com/ Rick Beato https://www.youtube.com/RickBeato

Lynn Seaton–Bass, Basie, Woody, UNT, and The Art of Listening

In this episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with acclaimed jazz bassist and educator Lynn Seaton. A former member of the Count Basie Orchestra and a longtime professor at the University of North Texas, Seaton shares stories from his career performing with some of the most important figures in jazz. The conversation explores the role of the bass in jazz, the importance of time and feel, and the lessons passed down through generations of great musicians. This episode offers valuable insight for musicians, educators, and listeners interested in the tradition and evolution of jazz. Links: Lynn Seaton – University Profile https://jazz.unt.edu/faculty/lynn-seaton UNT Jazz Program https://jazz.unt.edu/ "You Don't Know What Love Is" - Evilena Protektore and Lynn Seaton recorded at Funcoolio rec. in Riga, December 2014 • You don't know what love is - Evilena Prot... Lynn's Feature on the Fred Rogers tune "It's You I Like" From the Steve Wiest Recording "Out of the New" • It's You I Like Subscribe to You Dig!! / @youdigpod Subscribe to the You Dig Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/acf5c3c7dc5e/subsc... Follow the You Dig? FaceBook Page: / youdigpod

Tim Ishii and UTA–DIG U(niversity) Jazz Studies at UTA and Telling Stories

Welcome to the INAUGURAL episode of our new series "DIG U(niversity)" This is where we feature one of the MANY great jazz programs around the world and lift up everything they are doing to further our music and to help prepare the next generation of great artists. We begin with the wonderful Tim Ishii and his stellar program at The University of Texas Arlington (UTA) This is also where I'm hosting the big "Telling Stories" project. You'll be hearing MUCH more about that! In the meantime, dive in with Time Ishii, and two of his wonderful students, Vincent Tran and Gabe Parker. You dig? _____________ Learn more about the jazz program at UTA: https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools...

Ryan Davidson — Country, Composition, and the Art of Sonic Storytelling

Guitarist and composer Ryan Davidson joins Steve Wiest for a wide-ranging conversation about music, storytelling, and the creative process behind his album Country. From early encounters with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Lyle Mays to his work with Gord Bamford and Drew Jurecka, Ryan shares the experiences that shaped his musical voice. The discussion explores his unique compositional approach, including “sound chords,” programmatic writing, and the blending of country, jazz, and cinematic influences. Along the way, the conversation moves through mentorship, artistic courage, humor, and the realities of building a creative life in music. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 07:22 Journey with Gord Bamford 16:11 Album “Country” 18:04 Headache Country 23:13 Sound Chords 26:00 Old West Country 31:13 Courage & Mentorship 38:01 Bar Brawl 44:37 Pedal Board & Sound Design 47:29 Ice-Nine 53:43 Dig You Inquisition 01:03:05 Meaning of Life 01:06:32 Closing ________________ Links from Today"s show: Ryan Davidson's Website https://www.ryandavidsonguitar.com/ Gord Bamford's Website/Store https://gordbamford.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopTl47F-GMbW34J9OGRtpHTVGLbA9s7KPGnFqtTbG_l4OfyjT9T Purchase the Album "Country" https://ryandavidsonguitar.bandcamp.com/album/country "Country Behind the Scenes" on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reels/C5E-lKkPa6v/ https://www.instagram.com/reels/Cz7iVEcv97v/ https://www.instagram.com/reels/C6e2Kacy8uM/

Eric Jacobson — Making a Living in Jazz, Persistence, and Finding Your Voice

In this first installment of the Rising Stars series, Steve Wiest sits down with trumpeter, composer, and entrepreneur Eric Jacobson for an honest and inspiring conversation about building a life in jazz. Eric shares how he has created a sustainable career performing hard bop, releasing original music, teaching, and promoting his work—all while staying true to the music and continuing to grow as an artist. The conversation explores the real question many musicians ask: Is it possible to make a living playing jazz today? Eric’s answer is clear—and backed by experience. Along the way, they discuss mentorship, persistence, creative identity, and the importance of believing you have something unique to offer. This is a conversation about music—but also about purpose, resilience, and the long road of developing a life in the arts. _______________________ Links from this episode: Eric's Website https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/home Origin Records: https://originarts.com/ Eric's Music: https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/music Eric's Jazz Method Books: https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/jazz-...

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