The Upside of Jazz
The Upside of Jazz
Atlanta-based jazz pianist Joe Alterman expresses his deep appreciation of jazz and swing in his performances and compositions. Now he shares that love of jazz on The Upside ofJazz,celebrating the legendary performers of jazz and exploring what makes the music so timeless and endearing to listeners.Social links:
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An Interview with Sonny Rollins
This week we revisit one of Sonny Rollins's final interviews recorded in October 2025, when Joe Alterman sat down for a conversation with the Saxophone Colossus himself. Sonny Rollins passed away on May 25, 2026.
27:12
"There was something about jazz that pulled me." - An interview with pianist Sean Mason
Joe and pianist Sean Mason get together for a chat in which Sean explains why he believes the 20s are the most underrated jazz era, making the piano dance, and how Sean didn't feel like himself in the fullest sense until he started playing jazz.
19:07
"It is who I am" - An interview with guitarist Bobby Broom
Joe and guitarist Bobby Broom talk about his latest album featuring Sonny Rollins' compositions, "Notes of Thanks," 16-year-old Broom getting his start alongside Sonny Rollins, and making a career in jazz in Chicago instead of New York City.
39:54
Finding the Humor in Jazz
Joe looks behind the serious face that jazz sometimes puts on and uncovers a world of silliness, both on and off the stage.
34:15
"I find my spirituality in the doing of the theater." - An interview with Julie Benko and Jason Yeager
Host Joe Atlerman invites Julie Benko and Jason Yeager to the show to talk about finding spirituality in music and theater, how to define Jewish music, and traditions built on questioning and listening.
44:12
"Each note has a declaration" - An Interview with Trumpeter Charles Tolliver
Joe Alterman and trumpeter Charles Tolliver chat about revisiting Tolliver's debut album as band leader, "Right Now... And Then," for its recent remixing and reissue, knowing he was going to be a trumpet player no matter what, and "rumbling" through improvisation.
33:10
"I tend to think of music as just one thing" - An Interview with Guitarist Pat Metheny
Guitarist Pat Metheny joins Joe Alterman to share his thoughts on being a musician in a time of AI, how he developed his understanding of playing an instrument, and how sometimes the music finds us instead of the other way around.
50:18
"Communication is so key to what the music's about" - An Interview with Guitarist and Vocalist John Pizzarelli
Guitarist/Vocalist John Pizzarelli and host Joe Alterman sit down to talk about Pizzarelli's career — including growing up and working alongside his father, jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli — learning not just how to play guitar but entertain, and his new Tony Bennett tribute album, "Dear Mr. Bennet…
41:43
"It all feels personal to me" - An Interview with Guitarist Randy Johnston
Joe Alterman has a conversation with guitarist Randy Johnston about improvisation (and if that's what makes jazz jazz), if there's a connection between jam bands and jazz music, and what it means to be the side man.
23:55
Jazz Behind the Iron Curtain
Today he plays jazz, tomorrow he betrays the motherland.
36:46