On this week’s 8:30 Jazz Podcast, host Herman Hollywood Dawkins and Ray The Jazzman dive deep into the brilliant Wayne Shorter compositions that helped define the sound of Weather Report. They explore how Shorter blended jazz improvisation with cinematic textures and global influences. The conversation highlights his masterful use of space, harmony, and abstraction, showing how his writing pushed the boundaries of jazz fusion without ever losing emotional depth. Tune in as they celebrate Shorter’s visionary pen and the timeless compositions that continue to inspire musicians across generations.

Songs Include:

"Elegant Peaple" Wayne Shorter

"Eurydice" Wayne Shorter

"Sightseeing" Wayne Shorter

"When It Was Now" Wayne Shorter

"Port Of Entry" Wayne Shorter

"Plaza Real" Wayne Shorter

Grover Washington Jr. was a trailblazing saxophonist who helped shape the sound of smooth jazz while staying deeply rooted in soul, funk, and R&B. Rising to fame in the 1970s, he delivered timeless classics like “Mister Magic” and the Grammy-winning “Just the Two of Us,” blending sophistication with street-level groove. His warm tone and lyrical phrasing made jazz accessible to wider audiences without ever watering it down. On the weekly podcast show 8:30, host Herman Hollywood Dawkins and Ray The Jazzman celebrate Grover Washington Jr. as a true architect of modern jazz and a forever influence on the culture. 🎷

Songs include:

1. Mister Magic

2. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

3. Just the Two Of Us - with Bill Withers

4. Let it Flow (For Dr. J)

5. Soulful Strut - (Live)

6. Black Frost

Freddie Hubbard was a blazing jazz trumpeter whose power, precision, and range helped define hard bop and post-bop. From his early Blue Note classics like Open Sesame and Ready for Freddie to his genre-crossing CTI years, Hubbard fused virtuosic fire with deep, soulful lyricism. His collaborations with Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter cemented his reputation as both a fearless soloist and an essential sideman. Tune in at 8:30 to the Weekly Jazz Podcast as host Herman Hollywood Dawkins and Ray The Jazzman celebrate the sound, stories, and lasting influence of legendary Freddie Hubbard. 🎺

Songs Include:

Freddie Hubbard, "Red Clay"

Freddie Hubbard, "Birdlike"

Freddie Hubbard, "Liquid Love"

Herbie Hancock, "Maiden Voyage"

Freddie Hubbard, "The Black Angel"

Freddie Hubbard, "Little Sunflower"