Peter Martin 🎹

John Coltrane's A Love Supreme: Some call it the greatest album of the 20th century. Others say it isn't even Coltrane's best album ... of 1965. No matter where you think it sits in the jazz music canon, Coltrane's love letter to God is a masterpiece. We break it down track-by-track, chord-by-chord to uncover what makes this album such a rewarding listen from front to back.This week marks 99 years since Coltrane's birth. In his honor, we look back at this episode from 2024, where we listen deeply to what just may be Coltrane's magnum opus.Looking for more Coltrane? Here are 6 Songs To Turn Coltrane Curious Into Coltrane Converted: https://youtu.be/aSdNNTmL7YkStart your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi 

We're talking jazz influences in hip hop today with Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding from Switched On Pop. We dig into tracks from Kendrick Lamar (there's that TPAB acronym!), Common, Cautious Clay and David Bowie to surface the musical qualities that explain why jazz musicians love these artists. Plus - we explore the striking similarities between jazz and hip hop, especially in the recording booth, and why we don't hear more jazz in the popular music canon.Check out our Robert Glasper episode: https://youtu.be/hsJpuqtNH9oGet our newsletter for bonus stories that didn't make the pod: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi

We’re diving back into Stevie Wonder with Innervisions, right in the heart of his classic period from 1972 to 1976. There’s something magical about this stretch of music history, and Innervisions stands as one of the greatest albums to emerge from it.Stevie wrote every song on this album, and played every instrument on many tracks. From "Too High" to "Living For The City" to "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing", we pull apart these incredible songs to spend time with the many sides of Stevie Wonder: bass player, drummer, lyricist, and vocalist. Plus -- we're bringing back the keys for this one so Peter and Adam can pull apart all the musical nuances that make jazz musicians love Stevie Wonder so much.Adam breaks down why jazz musicians love Stevie in our You'll Read It newsletter. Sign up for personal reflections and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of You'll Hear It. Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs.This episode references our episode on Talking Book, "Is This Stevie's Greatest Album?" Check it out here.

There is no more important relationship in this era of music than that of Miles Davis and John Coltrane; two masters ever-present in the musical and cultural landscape. Someday My Prince Will Come marks the last time Coltrane and Davis played together, and it couldn't be more perfect.We dive into how their partnership played out on stage and in the recording studio over the years, and how their dynamic on Someday My Prince Will Come marks a handoff from ’50s jazz to the rock and roll sound of the ’60s, with Coltrane leading the way.And Miles Davis, even more so than a masterful trumpet player or composer, was a tastemaker. From the musicians he picked, to the chord changes, to his choice of album art, we explore how this record brings it all together in one phenomenal package.🟠 Get the YHI newsletter for bonus stories that didn't make the pod.🔵 Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs.

🎹 Welcome to You’ll Hear It!Your destination for laid‑back jazz chats, nerdy chords, and genuine conversations with Adam Maness and Peter Martin. If you love spontaneous piano sessions, deep dives into jazz theory, or discovering community around two laid‑back hosts, you’re in the right place.

When does Afro Blue and Smells Like Teen Spirit belong on the same record? When it's a Robert Glasper album! In 2012, Glasper's Black Radio brought together artists like Erykah Badu to bring a jazz standard, Afro Blue, back into the popular music canon. Black Radio hit #1 on the jazz charts, while simultaneously reaching #4 on the hip-hop R&B charts and #15 on the Top 200. The Blue Note pianist has been bending genres since the 90s, bringing together the best of traditional jazz and weaving it seamlessly with R&B, hip-hop, soul and rock & roll. And it all fits, because Glasper is equally at home in all of these categories. He grew up listening to all kinds of music, like Nirvana, Billy Joel, Busta Rhymes -- everything. Black Radio, he says, was a way to put his "life on wax". Rob Harvilla from 60 Songs to Explain the 90s: The 2000s joins Adam and Peter to dive into what makes this album great, and how it refutes from any attempt to categorize it. From the J. Dilla Influence, to Casey Benjamin's album-defining flute, to the Erykah Badu of it all, you'll never hear this album the same way again.And this album inspired what is possibly our best YHI outro yet. Let us know if you agree!🟠 Get the YHI newsletter for bonus stories that didn't make the pod.🔵 Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs.

Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is undoubtedly one of the best pop rock albums ever. But the story behind its creation reads like a soap opera. Everyone -- Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mic Fleetwood -- were enduring heartbreak during its recording. Stevie and Lindsey were breaking up. The McVies had already split, but John wasn't ready to let go. Even Mic Fleetwood was separating from his wife back home. For three months, they were stuck in a recording booth together nearly round the clock, singing each other's breakup songs and harmonizing with their exes. Heartbreak is encoded in every song, from Lindsey Buckingham's "Never Going Back Again" to Christine McVie's "You Make Loving Fun" to Stevie Nick's "Dreams". But in spite of ... or maybe because of? ... this termoil, Rumours has become one the best selling albums of all time. Peter and Adam listen to this pop rock masterpiece front-to-back, deconstructing each song (and the stories behind them) to understand what makes this album great. -----Get the YHI newsletter for bonus stories that didn't make the pod.Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs.Keyboards? Albums we haven't covered. "Boomer" talk. We know you have opinions about this show. Help us make You'll Hear It better by sharing your feedback with us and answering a short survey. You could win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards! Visit youllhearitsurvey.com to learn more and fill out the survey.

Today we're going on an aquatic journey with Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage. Herbie calls the title track the best tune he's ever written.  We dive deep into the music to explore what makes this tune, and this album, great. The roots of Maiden Voyage date back in 1963, when Herbie began hearing rumors that Miles Davis wanted to hear him play. He didn't believe it at first -- Miles was at the height of his celebrity by this point. But soon he got a call. He went over to Miles's house and played with him, George Coleman, Tony Williams and Ron Carter for three days. On the third day, Miles asks the group to come to studio to record Seven Steps to Heaven. Herbie says, "Does that mean I'm in the band?" Miles says, "You're making the record, mother f**cker!" After two years playing in what many call the one of the greatest jazz ensembles of all time, Herbie would release Maiden Voyage in 1965. Along with George, Tony and Ron, plus saxophonist Freddie Hubbard. Although it is one of his simplest tunes -- with a rhythm inspired by a cologne commercial -- Maiden Voyage would become a favorite and a standard among jazz musicians. In this episode, you'll hear:- Adam and Peter pick apart the greatest moments from the album, including some perfect solos- The story of the commercial roots of this jazz standard- Where the record got its aquatic theme- Why a great song starts with a great bassline (just ask Ron Carter)- How this record could have been even better ... if it weren't for that piano sound- Where we land on Van Gelder Sound controversy-----Get the YHI newsletter for bonus stories that didn't make the pod.Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs.Keyboards? Albums we haven't covered. "Boomer" talk. We know you have opinions about this show. Help us make You'll Hear It better by sharing your feedback with us and answering a short survey. You could win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards! Visit youllhearitsurvey.com to learn more and fill out the survey.Want more Herbie Hancock content? Learn why Herbie's greatest era is not even jazz on last season's episode on Headhunters.

Broken Record's Justin Richmond joins us to talk Still Crazy After All These Years. Paul Simon's Grammy-winning album was born out of divorce, and produced some of his greatest songs of all time, like 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, My Little Town and I Do It For Your Love.We dive into the story behind this remarkable album, including Steve Gadd's famous drum beat and how Stevie Wonder's Innervisions may have been the catalyst for Paul Simon's divorce?! Plus - Adam shares why this has been such a transformative album for him, and how it influenced his playing. And, we ask: Is this the ultimate sad boy album? Is this the apex moment of boomerism? We kick off our new season with these questions and so much more!🟠 Get the YHI newsletter for bonus stories that didn't make the pod.🔵 Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs.

We turn our own categories back on ourselves! We're looking back on the past 20 epiosdes, which we're calling You'll Hear It Season 12, and ask:- What are our apex moments? - What are our desert island tracks?- Is season 12 better than Kind of Blue?! And - we hear from you, dear listeners. You sent in your questions on Speakpipe, and we answer them. Plus - look ahead at what's coming up next season.☎️ Leave us a Speakpipe New to You'll Hear It? Start with these apex moments:🔴 What's Going On - Marvin Gaye 🔴 Talking Book - Stevie Wonder 🔴 (Honorable mention) Voodoo - D'AngeloLarry Goldings' Jazz Organ Essentials:🟠 Listen to Larry's favorite organ tracks 🔵 Start your FREE TRIAL to Larry's new course 

The ultimate musical showdown: jazz vs classical. We bring in conductor Josh Weilerstein from the Sticky Notes podcast to compare, contrast and find the common ground among these two very different schools of music. From Duke Ellington's swinin' take on Peer Gynt to George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, we explore the tunes and the musicians blurring the line between jazz and classical. Josh, Adam and Peter each bring their own picks to the conversation, and have the best time breaking it all down.Nerdy? Extremely. Snobby? A little. Fun? Heck yeah!In this episode you'll hear:- Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major: Herbie Hancock vs the Cleveland Orchestra- How Duke Ellington made classical standards swingin'- Why Bartók matters to modern music - Two very different interpretations of Rhapsody In Blue- Brubeck’s Blue Rondo à la Turk: no improv, still loose- Miles Davis and Gil Evans doing AdagioCheck out Josh’s insightful dives into the classical canon on Sticky Notes podcast

John Coltrane’s Giant Steps isn’t just a jazz classic — it’s a rite of passage. Peter Martin and Adam Maness dig into what makes the album so technically punishing and emotionally electrifying. From the iconic solo on the title track to the symmetrical harmonies, the lightning-fast chord changes, the fiery swing of Cousin Mary, and the full-throttle chaos of Countdown, they unpack the brilliance, the feel, and the mythology. Whether you’ve studied this album or are hearing it with fresh ears, you’ll come away understanding Coltrane — and Giant Steps — like never before.You’ll hear:- Adam’s deep dive into Coltrane’s use of symmetrical harmony and lightning fast chord changes — and why it still stumps players today- A glimpse into Coltrane’s early years with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie- The truth about Tommy Flanagan’s controversial solo — was he lost or just playing it cool?- How Giant Steps became the tune every jazz musician has to face- Apex moments, desert island tracks, and a spirited debate: is Giant Steps better than Kind of Blue?

We’re sitting down with one of the greats! Organist Larry Goldings is in the house to spin the B3 tracks that shaped him – from Jimmy Smith’s revolutionary runs to Billy Preston’s blending brilliance behind Aretha Franklin. Along the way, Larry breaks down the nuts and bolts (err… drawbars and percs) behind his favorite players, offering expert insights into Larry Young’s pedal-less playing and Ray Charles’ “dry-as-dust” sound. And somewhere in the midst of Larry’s fave five, we get into how to find your own voice (and why it might involve throwing all these great records out the window). Whether you’re chasing that perfect drawbar sound or just here for Hans Groiner’s alter ego, this one will change how you hear the Hammond forever.In this episode, You’ll Hear:Jimmy Smith’s masterful expression pedal comping and turnaroundsHow to build your organ sound through a track like Wild Bill DavisWhy Larry listens to singers and horn players (it’s all in the breath).The power of the organ + guitar comboWhat Larry’s listening to these daysStart your FREE TRIAL to Larry’s new course: Jazz Organ Essentials | Open StudioWatch Adam’s organ lesson with Larry: Jazz Pianist Has To Learn Organ In 14 Minutes

We’re finally digging into “Voodoo” - D’Angelo’s Grammy-winning album that changed the sound of R&B, soul, and hip-hop forever. And the album a young Adam Maness had on repeat, seriously influencing his playing as well as countless musicians since.With Questlove’s “Dilla-drag” drumming, Pino Palladino’s funky bass lines, Roy Hargrove’s jazzy horn arrangements, and Charlie Hunter’s chicken-picking guitar, Voodoo is packed with the kind of cross-genre musicality that makes jazz musicians lose their minds.Twenty-five years later, Voodoo still grooves harder, hits deeper, and sounds more human than many albums of its generation.In this episode, you’ll hear:What makes D’Angelo’s groove so unique (and hard to imitate)Isolated tracks, rare demos, and interviews with the artistsHow “Spanish Joint” came together in a single takeWhether “Feel Like Makin’ Love” tops the Roberta Flack originalAnd whether “Voodoo” is even an R&B album at allABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.

You can’t deliver a performance like Shirley Horn’s “Here’s to Life” unless you’ve lived a little – or a lot. It’s an album only an artist with decades of love, loss, and resilience could create. In this episode, we break down Horn’s unmatched ability to accompany herself, the elegance of Johnny Mandel’s string arrangements, and the quiet confidence that defines every track. Whether you’re discovering Shirley Horn for the first time or revisiting a favorite, this episode will leave you hearing her – and your own life – a little differently.Listen to your favorite YHI jams, original tunes and more: https://osjazz.link/musicJoin Open Studio for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhiYou’ll hear:Horn’s piano-first vocal approachHow Miles Davis helped spark her third actThe brilliance of Johnny Mandel’s orchestrationsPeter and Adam's tips for arranging for vocalistsWhy this album is 90's jazz at its finestand more!

For the first time ever, we’re digging into an album Peter actually played on. In this episode, we go deep on Spirit of the Moment, saxophonist Joshua Redman’s 1995 double-CD live album, recorded at the legendary Village Vanguard, with Peter on piano, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist Chris Thomas. We explore how Redman rose to stardom in the ’90s, stories from Peter’s New Orleans trio days, and what it’s like to be onstage for a now-classic recording. Plus: crowd gasps, Josh’s nods to Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and his father Dewey Redman, the art of laying out, and why this record still inspires a specific crowd of 17-year old jazz pianists 30 years later.

Before Kind of Blue, a 21-year-old Miles Davis was already reshaping jazz with Birth of the Cool. In this episode, we explore how Miles teamed up with arranger Gil Evans and a chamber-like nonet to craft a sound full of singable melodies, tightly arranged horns, and forward-thinking restraint. With French horn in the mix, Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis’ arranging touch, and Lee Konitz’s lyrical solos, we unpack why this album – recorded in 1949-1950 and released years later – still lives up to its name.ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.

Learn what makes Marvin Gaye’s protest album a timeless masterpiece. Adam and Peter go deeper than deep—layer by layer—using stems to find out. Listen to the full arrangement in a way you’ve probably never experienced, even if you’ve heard it a thousand times. Strings, bass, background vocals, Marvin’s multi-tracked leads, percussion, vibes—it’s all here, isolated and exposed.We also dig into the story behind the album, and how a protest record became a timeless masterpiece.A must-listen for anyone who cares about music—and how it’s made.ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.

We hand the mic to Kirk Hamilton from the Strong Songs podcast to help us break down the groovy 1973 self-titled release: Tower of Power. We unpack what makes this Oakland funk outfit a generational institution – from David Garibaldi’s precision drum fills and Rocco Prestia’s machine-gun bass lines to what may be the tightest horn section of all time. We dig into standout tracks like “What Is Hip?” and “Soul Vaccination,” spotlight Lenny Pickett’s wild ascent from TOP to SNL, and detail some funny production quirks (like why the drums are panned hard left). It’s a full-course tour through funk, soul, and brass brilliance – with a healthy side of stank face.Check out the Strong Songs podcast → https://strongsongspodcast.com/ABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.

Stack a DX7, a keytar, and enough rack-mount synths to power a small city, and you get one of the most iconic – and polarizing – jazz fusion albums of the ’80s. This week, we dive into The Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986), the record that inspired a thousand copycats and split the jazz world. From the jaw-dropping virtuosity of “Got a Match?” to the neon-lit grooves of “Rumble,” we ask: does the tech overshadow the music? Is there too much production polish and not enough stank? Peak fusion or synthmania gone overboard? Join us as we unpack one of the best fusion bands ever assembled.🟠 Open Studio Members:Nerd nook → https://www.openstudiojazz.com/community/c/as-seen-on/yhi-nerd-nook-fingering-got-a-matchABOUT OPEN STUDIO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey.Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor.Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/aboutAll about YHIhttps://lnk.to/youllhearitYB