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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Tia Fuller and Shamie Fuller-Royston - "We've always embraced all types of genres"
Pianist Tia Fuller and saxophonist Shamie Fuller-Royston have a chat with Joe about playing music as a family when they were kids and now together as adults, their latest album, "Dynasty, Vol. 2," and how, as long as the music is good, they embrace all genres.
20:05
Harry Connick, Jr. on Finding Your Own Sound
Joe sits down for a conversation with pianist, singer, actor, bandleader, and author, Harry Connick, Jr. to talk about learning piano from James Booker and Ellis Marsalis in New Orleans, musical influences, and the importance of accepting what one has to offer when looking for your own sound. If y…
27:21
Louis Armstrong & America's Voice
To celebrate the United States’ 250th, Joe Alterman explores the remarkable story of Louis Armstrong — how America found its voice in him, how he became one of its greatest ambassadors to the world, and why that voice continues to resonate today.
23:29
The Business Behind the Notes
Joe explores the important, prolific, and complicated relationship between Jewish immigrants and Black musicians — and how their intersecting stories helped give birth to the American music business and shape what Americans listened to throughout the 20th century.
42:34
The Sound Between the Notes
Joe shares the history of how the sounds of Jewish and Black communities came together and ended up shaping the sound of American music.
25:27
"For me, it's connection" - An Interview with Matt White
In the next episode of The Upside of Jazz featuring artists out of the South, Joe has a conversation with Columbia, South Carolina native, trumpeter, composer, and educator Matt White about how music swings just a little differently from city to city, his latest album of Dolly Parton songs, "Matt W…
21:40
"It's almost mythology, it's so universal" - An Interview with Sarah Sharp
In the first of two episodes featuring artists out of the South, Joe talks with Austin, Texas-based vocalist Sarah Sharp about sitting down and listening to multiple versions of the same song to learn how nuanced different artists' interpretations can be, the jazz scene in Austin, and her new album…
26:50
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