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"

Jazz has always thrived on collaboration, where sparks fly when different voices meet in the same groove. On the weekly 8:30 Jazz Podcast, host Herman Hollywood Dawkins and Ray The Jazzman dig into those legendary partnerships that turned late-night jam sessions into timeless records. From horn battles to rhythm-section chemistry, we break down how trust, risk, and listening shape the sound. Tune in and feel how collaboration keeps jazz alive, unpredictable, and endlessly cool. 🎷

Songs Include:

Miles Davis & John Coltrane, So What ( Live From Paris 1960).

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery, Call Me.

Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock, Homecoming.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Dat Dere (Live In Toyko Japan 1961).

Chick Corea & Gary Burton, Hot House.

Les McCann & Eddie Harris, You Got It In Your Soulness (Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival).

Big Band Jazz emerged in the early 20th century and is known for its powerful sound created by large ensembles of brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments. It became especially popular during the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s, when bands led by musicians like Duke Ellington and Count Basie filled dance halls across the United States. The music features strong rhythms, arranged sections, and opportunities for improvised solos that showcase individual performers. Big band jazz played a major role in shaping American music and continues to influence jazz and popular styles today.

Songs Include:

Count Basie, April In Paris

Bob Mintzer Big Band, Moonlight Serenade.

Christian Mcbride Big Band, Bother Mister.

Bob Mintzer Big Band, Christopher Columbus.

Roy Hargrove Big Band, Mombo For Roy.

Duke Ellington Big Band, Satin Doll.

Duke Ellington Big Band, Hello Little Girl.

This week on the 8:30 podcast, Herman Hollywood Dawkins and Ray The Jazzman dive into the smooth, melodic world of legendary guitarist Earl Klugh. They explore how Klugh’s signature blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences reshaped contemporary guitar music and continues to inspire players today. Tune in as the duo shares stories, insights, and timeless tracks that showcase Klugh’s unmatched artistry.

Songs Include :

1. Twinkle

2. Dr. Macumba

3. The Afterglow

4. Heart String

5. The Traveler

6. It’s So Easy Loving You - Hubert Laws - Earl Klugh

7. Master Of Suspense

8. Wind And The Sea

Charles Mingus was a visionary bassist and composer whose music fused fiery emotion with intricate, unexpected structures. His work pushed jazz forward by blending hard-driving swing, blues, classical influences, and fearless improvisation into something unmistakably his own. Mingus’s genius lies in how boldly he challenged tradition while creating music that still feels alive, urgent, and essential today.Songs Include :

1. II B.S.
2. Theme For Lester Young (Goodbye Pork Pie Hat)
3. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird
4. Fables Of Faubus
5. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
6. Carolyn Kiki Mingus