Spotlight Conversations

Spotlight Conversations

by Clayton Bigtrigger Corley

Performing Arts Music Interviews

Season 2

Spotlight Conversation with Kimpedro

Author, Educator, Visionary, Illustrator, Drummer and Creative Consultant KIMPEDRO stopped by the SOJP Studio for a rousing conversation about his artistic pursuits, the arts and community involvement.

Spotlight Conversation with Aziza Miller

Aziza Miller knows New York. It's her home. The pulse and the energy of the city manifests in her fusion of funk, jazz, soul, Latin, and spoken word. New York also knows Aziza. Some of the city's most prestigious venues have welcomed her to standing room-only crowds. Whether headlining at Joe’s Pub, The Blue Note, Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar, The Metropolitan Room, Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAM Café, or any number of other celebrated haunts, Aziza spellbinds audiences with her original compositions and peerless musicianship. And it's not just New Yorkers who thrill to Aziza's soulful yet sophisticated melodies, it's a loyal audience that spans the globe and crosses every generation.

Spotlight Conversation with Champian Fulton

Joining me in this Spotlight Conversation all the way from Copenhagen, Denmark Champian Fulton is considered one of the most gifted, pure Jazz musicians of her generation. She grew up with music in the home; her mother and father (Jazz trumpeter and educator Stephen Fulton) recognized her fascination with music at an early age. The presence of her father’s musician friends, including Clark Terry and Major Holley, inspired her focus on Jazz. ENJOY!

Spotlight Conversation with Dee Dee McNeil

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dee Dee McNeil's first published poetry was in the early 60's. She became a part of the legendary Motown Record Company on West Grand Blvd as a Contract Songwriter, (singing and playing piano)and is still receiving royalty money for tunes she penned on The Four Tops, Edwin Starr, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, David Ruffin, Kiki Dee and more. Later, she had hit records on Bob Marley's wife Rita (The Beauty of Gods Plan) and a big seller on Nancy Wilson, (There'll Always Be Forever). In 1970 she relocated to the Los Angeles area. In 1971 she recorded her original songs and poetry with the Watts Prophets group

Conversation with the legendary Pat Martino

When Spotlight On Jazz & Poetry was created in 2008, I was honored to have a conversation with the legendary guitarist Mr. Pat Martino. The conversation was amazing considering that in 1980 Pat had a near fatal brain aneurysm and then recovered to regain his stature as one of the best to ever play. Afterwards we became friends and stayed in touch. On November 1, 2021 Pat Martino crossed over after a lengthy illness.

Season 1

Spotlight Conversation with Rod Tate

I had the pleasure of having a conversation with saxophonist/songwriter, producer Rod about his craft, the importance of jazz and poetry to our culture and the impact of this COVID 19 pandemic on his artistry.

Spotlight Conversations with Odean Pope

Join me for a down to Earth conversation with a legend of jazz. A fiery and often intense tenor saxophonist, Odean Pope emerged from the great Philadelphia jazz tradition that birthed players from Khan Jamal and Jimmy Heath to Archie Shepp, Rufus Harley, and Byard Lancaster -- not to mention John Coltrane (whom he replaced in Jimmy Smith's band at the great saxophonist's suggestion, when Trane joined the Miles Davis quintet). Pope is also a composer, arranger, and musical theorist. His trademark sound integrates the gospel of the Southern Baptist Church he was reared in, bop, modal, and free jazz, and fourth-system harmonics.

Spotlight Conversation with Irene Jalenti

I had a wonderful conversation with Italian-born, Baltimore-based jazz vocalist Irene Jalenti. I witnessed her LIVE in concert at Keystone Korner in Baltimore, MD. on October 21, 2021, and she is a dynamic, soulful, and passionate performer and composer who brought the art of storytelling on stage with her performance. Her naturally deep tone and an impressively wide range is just incredible!

Spotlight Conversation with LyriQ

Marie Grady, affectionately known in the entertainment world as LyriQ, is a painter, an author, a spoken word artist, and a custom clothing and apparel designer.

Spotlight Conversation with Orustus Ade

I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Orustus Ade aka The Spoken One. This brother is an absolute poetic beast. The only thing that can eclipse his writing is his dynamic delivery.

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