Priscilla's Podcast

This is a special edition of my podcast recorded on location at Jazz Camp West in 2008 with Tootie Heath, one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time. Tootie has a long history of recording and playing with the best known musicians starting his career in 1957 on a debut album with John Coltrane.That was followed by years spent with JJ Johnson, Cedar Walton, Wes Montgomery, Herbie Hancock and Yusef Lateef...Just to name a few. He was very well known for his years spent playing with his brothers, Percy and Jimmy in the Heath Brothers Band.
In this interview, Tootie talks about his latest project in which three or sometimes four drummers play standard tunes providing all of the parts of a tradition song...the melody and the solos..without the help of any other instruments. You can hear more of the music and learn more about his new project at this website: http://www.thewholedrumtruth.com

Join Priscilla in a conversation with Ernie Mansfield, a brilliant musician and composer, who plays at least five different instruments, about what brought him to his passion of teaching music to people of all ages. If you are an aspiring musician who never had the chance to study an instrument, this podcast might give you the inspiration to start some music lessons. Ernie feels that it is never too late to make music! Check out his website at www.mansfieldmusic.com

The opera is alive and thriving in Berkeley, California! This podcast, an interview with the Artistic Director Jonathan Khuner, gives you a taste of the programming and history of this unique operatic company.The Berkeley Opera is known for it's adventurous productions. Jonathan describes how he has attracted very talented singers and musicians to perform in an intimate setting for over 25 years.

Priscilla interviews the fabulously talented Lenny Williams, the former lead singer of the 70's R&B group,"Tower of Power". Lenny tells tales of how he got into the music industry, a wonderful benefit concert he is involved with which raises money for the music programs in the San Leandro school system and tells some great stories about his current theatrical run with the great Billie D. Williams.