Radio Richard | Richard Niles Podcast

LAURENCE JUBER Interview

Guitar players, you’re in for a special treat!

I first met Grammy Winning guitarist, arranger & composer LAURENCE JUBER in 1975. He was a top London studio even then and we did sessions, jingles and TV shows together over the years. Over the years he’s published many guitar books, played in James Bond movies and rocked around the world as a member of Paul McCartney’s Wings. He can play literally anything on his instrument - classical lute to country blues to groovy jazz. But here, I ask Laurence to show how he developed his unique, award-winning concept of the acoustic guitar, playing in different tunings and creating brilliant new sounds and arrangements. How did he come up with the idea and how exactly does he do it? A masterclass from a true master. Watch! Listen! Take notes! And you may watch the video version HERE 

GREG PHILLINGANES Interview and “Jump Back”

GREG PHILLINGANES is a singer, songwriter and studio ace keyboard player known for his work with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson and Toto. I interviewed him for my “What Is Melody?” BBC radio series and he demonstrates his work with Herbie Hancock. As a bonus, you can hear “Jump Back”, an unreleased track I wrote with British singer Clive Griffin. The London session was as brilliant as you’d expect with Steve Ferrone on drums, Nathan East on Bass, Jess Bailey on Clavinet and Greg going absolutely bonkers on the piano. It was sounding so great, I threw off my professional producer’s hat and let the session turn into a big time jam. Enjoy!!!

 

“What is Melody”  ©2007 Niles Smiles Music (BMI), piano, Steve Hamilton. “Jump Back” by Richard Niles & Clive Griffin ©1998 Niles Production (PRS)/Marylodge Music

BOB JAMES Interview 2 - “NILES A HEAD” & “Alone Together” live

I interviewed the great composer & pianist Bob James in my London studio in 2003 for my BBC series “The New Jazz Standards” Here is the 2003 interview with two live tracks I produced in my studio. While Bob was in the studio, he said, “Hey Richard, I just got an idea for a head for a new tune. Would you mind giving me a minute while I write it out so I can try it out with the guys?” I said, “Not only will I give you a minute, I’ll give you all coffee – and cookies!” I was happy as a puppy when Bob named the tune “NILES A HEAD” and later released it on his Urban Flamingo CD. Billy Kilson (drums), James Genus (bass).

Because Radio Richard is the gift that keeps on giving, I include yet another track I recorded in my studio when Bob showed up with the late guitar master Chuck Loeb in 2000. For anyone who thinks Bob’s just a “smooth jazz” artist, well, they haven’t heard much of Bob James and they certainly haven’t heard this track.

If you like what you hear and want more, SUBSCRIBE and even donate to our PATREON.

[All music licenses cleared by BBC Radio 2]

“The New Jazz Standards” ©1998 Niles Smiles Music, piano & vocals by Michael Ruff.

BOB JAMES Interview 1 - “My Brother & Me” live

I interviewed the great composer & pianist Bob James in my London studio in 2003 for my BBC series “The New Jazz Standards” and again in 2007 for my series “What Is Melody”. Here is the 2007 interview with a live track I produced in my studio from the first session with Bob’s wonderful band: Billy Kilson (drums), James Genus (bass) and Dave McMurray on tenor sax playing his tune “My Brother & Me”. Don’t miss part 2 - SUBSCRIBE
[All music licenses cleared by BBC Radio 2]

 

“What Is Melody” ©2007 Niles Smiles Music, sung by Daisy Chute. End Radio Richard sting sung by Free Play Duo, Dylan Bell & Suba Sankaran.

YELLOWJACKETS Interview

Between 1998 and 2003 I wrote and hosted a series on BBC Radio 2, New Jazz Standards. I played contemporary releases, but I also interviewed artists and recorded them playing live in my little studio in Chiswick, London. This show featured acclaimed group the YELLOWJACKETS. Originally broadcast in 2003, I interviewed Bob Mintzer who had just joined the group. A wonderful chance to hear that band on two life performances with Russel Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Marcus Baylor. [All music royalties already paid by the BBC at time of broadcast.]

 

“The New Jazz Standards” theme ©1998 Niles Smiles Music (BMI), vocals and piano: Michael Ruff

WAYNE SHORTER Interview

How about listening to WAYNE SHORTER talking about composition? You can have that rare opportunity right here in my 2003 interview for my series “The New Jazz Standards”. This is an excerpt from the show where Wayne also talks to me about Miles Davis and working with Herbie Hancock on their duo record “One On One”, so I suggest you click PLAY, and SUBSCRIBE – in that order!

 

“The New Jazz Standards” ©1998 Niles Smiles Music, theme song sung be Michael Ruff.

MIKE STERN Interview

Guitarists and jazzbos will love this masterclass in improvisation from award-winning guitarist and composer MIKE STERN. Recorded in 2007 at his NY apartment, the floors covered in music, he talks working with Miles Davis and Michael Brecker, and demonstrates his concepts on his Telecaster, aided by the superb Janek Gwizdala on bass. I went to the Berklee College of Music with Mike 1971-1975 and he played in my Guitar Quartet commissioned by Pat with guitarists Mitch Coodley and Jay Azzolina. So this is a relaxed ‘hang’ that will be a valuable resource for students and fun for all.

I recorded this for my two BBC Radio 2 series “What is Melody?” and “Inside Improvisation.

 

“What is Melody?” ©2007 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Daisy Chute, End sting sung by Free Play Duo, Dylan Bell & Suba Sankaran

CHARLES CALELLO Interview

He may not be a household name, but Charles Calello has arranged hits for The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli, Laura Nyro, Shirley Ellis, Streisand, Springsteen, Engelbert Humperdink, Gloria Estefan, Barry Manilow, Dr. Buzzard, Kid Creole, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell and Frank Sinatra. In fact this interview contains what I think is the BEST SINATRA STORY of all time! A rare insider’s view of the history of popular music! Recorded originally for my BBC radio series “Manhattan – the most musical island on Earth” in 2003.

“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) performed by Free Play Duo, Dylan Bell & Suba Sankaran

JOHN PATITUCCI Interview

I interviewed award winning bass virtuoso & composer John Patitucci in 2007 for my BBC radio series “What Is Melody” in his basement studio in his home, after having a fabulous cup of espresso! I was assisted by my friend, bassist and pianist Janek Gwizdala. This is a masterclass from a true master of both upright and electric bass as John demonstrates his approach to melody on his two instruments. [Theme sung by Daisy Chute. End sting sung by Dylan Bell & Suba Sankaran]

CHRIS HUNTER Interview

I first worked with British jazz saxophonist CHRIS HUNTER when he was a London studio ace at 18. He then became one of the only British jazz musicians to conquer the New York jazz and studio scene when he was asked to join Gil Evans. In this interview, he demonstrates how he achieved his mastery on the horn and the concepts that have made him one of the most brilliant artists in music. At the end of the interview, I have included “Black ‘n’ Shiny”, a track from my album “Santa Rita” where he does to the alto sax what the Vikings did to the Anglo Saxons. Mark Egan, Bass, Steve Hamilton (keys), Danny Gottlieb, (drums), and Richard Niles (guitar).