Episode 26-Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods: A Real Team
Release Date: 02/02/2025
Episode 27-Erena Terakubo: The Little Woman with a Big Sound
Strictly Jazz Sounds
Alto saxophonist Erena Terakubo, from Sapporo, Japan, began her recording career early, releasing her first album when she was only 15 years old. Inspired by a saxophone-playing M&M doll, Erena developed an interest in music that led her to become a notable figure in contemporary jazz. Her journey inclu0des playing in big bands in Sapporo and preferring jazz over classical music. In this episode, Erena Terakubo exuberantly shares her early influences, including J Fusion and musicians like Charlie Parker and David Sanborn. She shares insights into her life in the United States, cultural...
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Episode 26-Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods: A Real Team
Strictly Jazz Sounds
Taiwanese vibraphonist and percussionist Chien Chien Lu, along with Pittsburg, Pennsylvania native bassist Richie Goods, have crafted a sound that is both captivating and rhythmic. Their music draws from a rich tapestry of cultural influences including Taiwanese, American, and African-American traditions, especially within the jazz sub-culture. Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods are dedicated to expanding their musical repertoire, creating a unique connection that resonates deeply with listeners. In the fall of 2024, Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods visited Columbus, Ohio, where they met with...
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Episode 25-Clarence Penn: Jazz Makes Me a Better Person
Strictly Jazz Sounds
There's a not so polite saying about teaching music and music teachers that goes like this: If you can, play. If you can't, teach. That is what jazz legend Ellis Marsalis once said to a Detroit drummer who was considering becoming a music teacher. I'm talking about drummer, educator, producer and band leader Clarence Penn. Fortunately, Clarence did not take it to heart, eventually acquiring a master’s in music education from Rutgers University. It was also to the benefit of future musicians who became Clarence’s students. In this episode, Clarence Penn and I engage in deep reflection...
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Episode 24-Walter Smith III: Jazz Educator and Saxophone Virtuoso
Strictly Jazz Sounds
World-renowned saxophonist and Blue Note recording artist Walter Smith III is the model music educator and practitioner. This enormously talented saxophonist pursued music education as a profession as far back as high school. In this episode, Walter’s storied career follows the path beginning with performing at McDonald’s at age 7, to an exciting area of study at one of today’s premier high schools, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, Texas to leadership roles at Berklee College of Music, reflecting on experiences at the Thelonious Monk Institute...
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Episode 23-Kris Davis: Creative Processes and Mentorship in Jazz
Strictly Jazz Sounds
In this episode, I spend time with Grammy Award-winning pianist and Berklee College of Music professor of Jazz Kris Davis on 'Strictly Jazz Sounds.' We do a deep dive into her latest project, Run the Gauntlet, dedicated to six influential women jazz pianists, which drops on September 27, 2024. A common thread is woven throughout the hour, mentoring. As a recipient of it herself, Kris Davis discusses the importance of fostering the next generation of jazz musicians. She also provides a detail description of her fascinating composition process. Kris Davis and I spend time discussing her label,...
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Episode 22-Yuhan Su: The Imagination is in the Music
Strictly Jazz Sounds
Award winning vibraphonist Yuhan Su is another Gary Burton/Chick Corea-inspired musician, lured away from classical to the art form where improvisation reigns, jazz. This Taiwanese-born, New York based artist, left her homeland pursuing a jazz education at Berklee College of music, a frequently told story. Yuhan Su draws on her strengths to survive the intense transitions as a single woman migrating to the US to learn a completely different style of music, knowing no one, new to the language and cultures. And she plays the vibraphone, not an easy instrument to lug around given she’s...
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Episode 21-Wayne Escoffery: Fostering Pride in Black American Music-Jazz
Strictly Jazz Sounds
Grammy-Award winning saxophonist Wayne Escoffery is my guest on the 21st episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds. What attracted me to Wayne was his prolific traveling, extensive performances and recordings with his own band (11 recordings), the Mingus Big Band (3 recordings, one a Grammy Award winner), the Black Art Jazz Collective (4 recordings), and as sideman with trumpeter Tom Harrell (7 recordings, co-producing 4) plus works with other notable jazz musicians. He is now a Harlem resident in the neighborhood where Sonny Rollins grew up, Sugar Hill, but he was born and spent his childhood years in...
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Episode 20-Roni Eytan: Jazz Harmonica Colossus
Strictly Jazz Sounds
Roni Eytan, a renowned Israeli-born, New York based jazz harmonica player, performs with a passion that differs from other harmonica artists. Perhaps it’s the region from which he derives-the Middle East and North Africa. His culture greatly influences his compositions and inspires his passions. Roni’s work is influenced by harmonica legend Toots Thielemans but only partially. The folk cultures that make up the regions and his spiritual influences mostly inspire his writing. Roni Eytan stopped by my studio to talk about his harmonica work and how he got interested in this...
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Episode 19-Alexandra Ridout: Her Journey Into Jazz
Strictly Jazz Sounds
Alexandra (Alex) Ridout is a young jazz trumpeter from the UK, now residing in New York City. In this episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, she lays out her journey as a musician, comparing the experiences and educational backgrounds between the UK and the US. Ridout recalls her time at the Royal Academy of Music in London and Manhattan School of Music, emphasizing her family's influence, especially her jazz musician parents. Highlighting her musical achievements, the conversation includes her participation and victory in the BBC Youth Competition, winning at 17 years old. She talks about her...
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Episode 18-Jocelyn Gould: Striking a Chord
Strictly Jazz Sounds
In this episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, I have a conversation with Jocelyn Gould, a professional jazz guitarist who fills all the shoes it requires to drive a successful career. Jocelyn shares her journey from pretending to play a cardboard guitar at the age of four to winning a Juno Award for her first album, Elegant Traveler. She later discusses the challenges and triumphs of her career, including her education in the U.S. at Michigan State University, her experiences in New York's rough and tumble jazz scene, and her recent endeavors, including her podcast and latest album releases....
info_outlineTaiwanese vibraphonist and percussionist Chien Chien Lu, along with Pittsburg, Pennsylvania native bassist Richie Goods, have crafted a sound that is both captivating and rhythmic. Their music draws from a rich tapestry of cultural influences including Taiwanese, American, and African-American traditions, especially within the jazz sub-culture. Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods are dedicated to expanding their musical repertoire, creating a unique connection that resonates deeply with listeners.
In the fall of 2024, Chien Chien Lu and Richie Goods visited Columbus, Ohio, where they met with students at Otterbein University and performed to a captivated full house audience. During their visit, they visited my studio, sharing compelling stories about their individual paths into jazz and the inception of their musical collaboration. Chien Chien Lu recounted her transition from playing classical music in Taiwan to exploring the creative latitude of jazz upon her relocation to the United States. She arrived in the US holding a master's degree in classical percussion but sought the unique expressions of jazz. While pursuing graduate studies in Philadelphia, Chien was introduced to Jeremy Pelt, one of today’s leading trumpeters. Impressed by her talent, Pelt included Chien in his subsequent European tour and later featured her in his next album. At that time, Richie Goods was a member of Pelt’s band. In 2017, Chien graduated with a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts. It all then fell together.
Richie Goods describes his journey into jazz through performing arts school in Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School. After graduating from the prestigious jazz program at Berklee College of Music, Richie moved to New York City, where he studied under jazz legends Ron Carter and Ray Brown. Richie worked extensively with jazz piano legend Mulgrew Miller for nine years, which provided opportunities to perform with other major jazz luminaries including Russell Malone, Lenny White, Louis Hayes, and Vincent Herring. His extensive discography includes Grammy award-winning and platinum albums by Alicia Keys and Common.
Connected is a band jointly led by Richie Goods and Chien Chien Lu, and their latest recording is Connected vol. 1. This pandemic era-project was derived from frequent conversations Richie Goods and Chien Chien had about the Black Lives Matter movement and the unwarranted hate crimes against Asians. They decided to do a project that would unify people and invoke imagery of love and peace, says Richie. The result is a dynamic jazz group influenced by global sounds, which reflects the musical identities of Richie and Chien. Connected vol. 1, won "Best Instrumental Album" at the 34th Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan.
The playlist for this episode includes five recordings. They tap into their latest recording, Connected vol. 1 and Chien Chien Lu’s first recording, The Path. Richie Goods produced The Path and Connected vol. 1. The playlist for this episode:
1.Treasure Mountain, Connected vol. 1, (Richie Goods/Chien Chien Lu), RichMan Music, 2023-(8:16); Chien Chien Lu-Marimba & Vibraphone; Richie Goods-Electric bass & acoustic bass; Brett Williams-Keyboards & Rhodes; Quintin Zoto-Guitar; David Frazier, Jr.-Drums; Danny Sadownick-Percussion
2.Blind Faith, The Path (Chien Chien Lu), RichMan Music, 2020-(5:26); Chien Chien Lu-Marimba & Vibraphone; Richie Goods-Bass & Electric Bass; Shedrick Mitchell-Piano & Organ; Quintin Zoto-Guitar; Allan Medford-Drums; Percussion-Ismel Wignall
3.We Live in Brooklyn Baby, The Path (Chien Chien Lu), Richman Music, 2020-(5:38) Chien Chien Lu-Marimba & Vibraphone; Richie Goods-Bass & Electric Bass; Jeremy Pelt-Trumpet; Shedrick Mitchell-Piano & Organ; Quintin Zoto-Guitar; Allan Mednard-Drums; Percussion-Ismel Wignall; Yoojin Park-Violin; Phoebe Tsai-Cello
4.Someday We’ll All Be Free, Connected vol. 1, (Donnie Hathaway), Richman Music, 2023-(7:26); Chien Chien Lu-Marimba & Vibraphone; Richie Goods-Electric bass & acoustic bass; Jamison Ross-vocal; Piano/Organ-Shedrick Mitchell; Lil John Roberts-Drums; Danny Sadownick-Percussion
Thanks to A Tribe for Jazz for helping to make this interview happen and their support. Please note that there may be some technical issues in the audio. However, the conversation rich in content. Thank you for listening. Subscribe and you’ll be one of the first to listen to upcoming episodes, articles, and announcements. Photo by Stephen Pyo