What happens when the timeless music of Duke Ellington meets the sounds of James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Pharrell Williams?

In this 2015 radio archive interview, acclaimed bassist, composer, bandleader, and educator Brian Torff joins Joe Kelley to discuss New Duke, his adventurous eight-piece ensemble that reimagines Duke Ellington's music through jazz, funk, rock, reggae, and contemporary influences.

Torff takes listeners inside the creative process, explaining how classic Ellington compositions can connect with modern audiences without losing their original spirit.

The conversation also explores:

• The origins of New Duke and its unconventional musical arrangements
• Influences ranging from the Beatles and James Brown to Blood, Sweat & Tears and Frank Zappa
• The challenges of arranging and rehearsing an eight-piece ensemble
• Why musical boundaries and rigid genre definitions can limit creativity
• The growing financial challenges facing professional musicians in the digital era
• His work as an educator and plans for his book Between the Beats
• A heartfelt remembrance of New Duke's original drummer, Don Mulvaney

Originally broadcast in 2015 on The Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM in Fairfield, Connecticut, this conversation captures a musician dedicated to honoring tradition while pushing music in unexpected directions.

About Musicians Reveal: Beyond

Hosted by Joe Kelley, a broadcaster interviewing musicians since 1983, Musicians Reveal: Beyond features revealing conversations with extraordinary artists from jazz, blues, rock, soul, and beyond. Discover rare radio archives, personal stories, and creative insights from musicians whose work deserves to be heard.

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From the Musicians Reveal radio archives.

Minneapolis musician and artist Brooke R. Calder joins Joe Kelley for a revealing 2016 radio conversation about music, loss, creativity, and finding a new purpose through art.

Following the deaths of Prince and David Bowie, Brooke reflects on a difficult year that inspired her to return to music after believing she had left that chapter of her life behind.

She introduces AOA, a Minneapolis-based musical collective that recorded a powerful interpretation of David Bowie's "I'm Afraid of Americans," created in support of the Standing Rock movement and opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Brooke discusses the musicians behind the project, the remarkable creativity of the Minneapolis music community, her personal reaction to Prince's passing, and the importance of artists speaking out about issues that matter to them.

The conversation also explores her writing project In Praise of Men, her musical history with Lollipop and Glean, and her longstanding relationship with Joe Kelley's radio program, which premiered several of her recordings.

Originally broadcast in 2016, this interview captures an unforgettable moment in Minneapolis music history.

Hosted by Joe Kelley

Musicians Reveal: Beyond

Discover more interviews and rare radio archives at https://musiciansreveal.com

Acclaimed jazz violinist Regina Carter joins host Joe Kelley for a radio archive edition of Musicians Reveal: Beyond, originally recorded in 2001 for The Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM in Fairfield, Connecticut.

One of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz, Carter has expanded the expressive possibilities of the violin through her adventurous musicianship, improvisational approach and ability to connect jazz with a wide range of musical traditions.

Revisit this archival conversation with an extraordinary artist whose creativity and musical vision have helped redefine the role of the violin in modern jazz.

Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley has been celebrating musicians and their stories since 1982, featuring conversations with influential artists across jazz, funk, soul, blues, rock and beyond.

Explore more interviews and archival recordings at www.musiciansreveal.com.

Acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and author Laurent de Wilde joins Joe Kelley on the legendary Upper Room with Joe Kelley radio program, originally broadcast in 2018 on WVOF 88.5 FM in Fairfield, Connecticut.

In this fascinating archival conversation, de Wilde discusses his deep admiration for jazz icon Thelonious Monk, the unexpected circumstances that led him to write a biography of Monk, and the creative journey behind his New Monk Trio recording.

De Wilde shares insights into reimagining Monk's classic compositions, including "'Round Midnight," and discusses his musical collaborators, the art of improvisation, and the importance of sound and rhythm.

The conversation also explores his formative years in the New York jazz scene during the 1980s, his experiences at the Montreal Jazz Festival, collaborations with Ray Lema, and the vibrant multicultural music scene in Paris.

A thoughtful conversation about jazz history, creativity, musical individuality, and the enduring genius of Thelonious Monk.

From the archives of Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM.

Presented by Musicians Reveal: Beyond with Joe Kelley, celebrating extraordinary musicians and conversations from more than four decades of music broadcasting.

Minnesota musician Ray Gilman sits down with Joe Kelley for a wide-ranging conversation about songwriting, guitar, recording and a lifetime in music.

Ray discusses his album Wisdom and explains how he builds his recordings one instrument at a time from his home studio. He talks about his longtime love of the 12-string guitar, growing up with The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and blues, and the influence of artists including Todd Rundgren and Prince.

Gilman also reflects on Minnesota's music scene, performing as an independent artist, balancing original songs with live gigs, family, and the lessons he's learned over decades in the business.

Plus, Ray offers some practical advice for young musicians trying to build a career and stay focused on the music.

Originally recorded in 2024.

Musicians Reveal: Beyond with Joe Kelley — conversations with musicians and creative artists across genres.

Acclaimed guitar-and-vocal duo Tuck & Patti join Joe Kelley for a warm, in-depth conversation originally recorded in 2004 for the Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM.

Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart discuss their album A Gift of Love, which grew from their strong following in Japan before reaching audiences in the United States. They talk about choosing and reinventing classic songs, preparing for live performances, recording and producing together, and building a musical partnership that has lasted for decades.

Tuck also discusses his approach to guitar, why he has little interest in collecting instruments, and the Gibson L-5 that traveled with him on roughly 1,200 flights. Patti shares her perspective as a producer and arranger and how she continues to challenge Tuck musically.

The conversation also explores their decision to become independent artists, retain ownership of their masters, their longtime connection with audiences in Japan, and the story of how Tuck and Patti first met in 1978.

Originally recorded in 2004 for the Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM.

From the Musicians Reveal archives.

Hosted by Joe Kelley.

Guitarist Dean Brown joins Joe Kelley in this 2005 Upper Room radio archive for an in-depth conversation about his album Groove Warrior, his musical influences and a career spent playing alongside some of the finest musicians in jazz and funk.

Brown discusses working with Marcus Miller and the importance of capturing musicians playing live in the studio. He also tells the story of recording in Minneapolis with Ricky Peterson and Michael Bland, whom Brown calls “phenomenal.” transcript-1790792508276 transcript-1790792508276

The conversation reaches back to Brown's years with Vital Information alongside Mike Stern, his experience at Berklee, and his collaborations with Bernard Wright and Lalah Hathaway. Brown also discusses the wide range of music that shaped him, from The Beatles and Ray Charles to funk, blues and jazz. transcript-1790792508276 transcript-1790792508276

Originally recorded in 2005 for Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM.

Five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten joins Joe Kelley for this 2005 radio archive conversation about his remarkable life in music.

Wooten began playing bass as a child and was performing professionally with his brothers by age five. Before finishing high school, he had already shared stages with artists including Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, WAR, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Stephanie Mills and Ramsey Lewis.

Victor discusses his musical journey, his groundbreaking work as a founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, his solo career, and the philosophy and musicianship that have made him one of the most influential bass players of his generation.

Originally aired in 2005 on Upper Room with Joe Kelley.

Musicians Reveal: Beyond features conversations with extraordinary musicians from across jazz, rock, blues, world music and beyond.