Épisodes

  • 120: What Guitar Taught Me About Helping Others

    120: What Guitar Taught Me About Helping Others
    Jan 25 2026
    Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast. On this episode, I’m joined by guitarist Deepak Thettu, an artist whose journey proves that musicians are often much more than what we see on stage. Deepak is not only a smooth jazz guitarist, but also a longtime occupational therapist, and this conversation explores how those two worlds connect in powerful and unexpected ways.

    We start with his early relationship with music, growing up in the guitar-driven soundscape of the 1980s, watching MTV, and being surrounded by musician friends. After a high school injury shifted his path, the guitar became more than a hobby, eventually leading him from New York to Hollywood and the Musicians Institute. That move would become life-changing, especially through his mentorship with Norman Brown, long before the rest of the world knew his name.

    Deepak shares how studying music seriously reshaped the way he listens, practices, and feels groove, and why consistency, patience, and touch matter more than speed or flash. We talk about how rhythm and feel must live in your body, not just your fingers, and why learning slowly is often the fastest way forward.

    The conversation then shifts into his work as an occupational therapist, where music quietly plays a role in how he connects with children, helps them regulate, and supports their ability to function in everyday life. Deepak opens up about balancing a demanding day job with a growing music career, managing time, family, and creative energy, and why playing live music has become a form of release and healing.

    This episode is about discipline without burnout, passion without ego, and honoring all the parts of who you are. If you’ve ever wondered how music, purpose, and service can coexist, this conversation will resonate deeply.

    Connect with Deepak: https://deepakthettumusic.com/
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    38 min
  • 119: The Memphis Sound Explained: Why Soul Can’t Be Taught

    119: The Memphis Sound Explained: Why Soul Can’t Be Taught
    Jan 18 2026
    Welcome back to The Jazz Flyte Podcast. On this episode, I’m joined by Donald Hayes, a Memphis-born saxophonist, arranger, composer, and creative force whose sound is rooted in gospel, blues, funk, and soul. Donald has played on stages around the world, worked with some of the biggest names in music, and scored for film and television, yet he’s never lost the essence of where he comes from.

    We dive deep into what makes the Memphis sound so unmistakable and why soul music isn’t just a genre, but a feeling, a skill set, and a way of life. Donald shares how growing up in church shaped his musical instincts, how the saxophone chose him, and why life experience matters just as much as theory. We talk about learning discipline, knowing when not to play, and how serving the song is always more important than showing off technique.

    Donald also opens up about what he’s learned from working with artists like Marcus Miller, Robin Thicke, Wayman Tisdale, and Kirk Whalum, from songwriting and practice habits to connecting with an audience on a deeper level. We explore his approach to composing for film, how tempo and visual storytelling guide his creative process, and the personal meaning behind his album Soul Searchin’.

    This conversation is about more than music. It’s about groove, purpose, mentorship, and pressing on even when the journey gets heavy. If you love stories that live at the intersection of soul, jazz, and lived experience, this one is for you.

    Connect with Donald: http://www.donaldhayesmusic.com/site/
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    31 min
  • 118: The Birth of Touch: When Jazz Became Personal

    118: The Birth of Touch: When Jazz Became Personal
    Jan 11 2026
    On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with one of jazz’s true pioneers—John Klemmer. From the first few moments of our conversation, I could feel the weight of his experience, passion, and humility. John shares how his journey started with a guitar at five years old, and how he eventually found his voice through the saxophone, playing in Chicago jam sessions before most kids knew what jazz even was.

    We talk about his early days with Cadet Records, how Eddie Harris and other Chicago legends shaped his foundation, and his signing with the iconic Impulse Records. But what really moved me was hearing how Touch came to be—not just as a record, but as a spiritual moment in his life. John opens up about creating music that reflects internal change, why humility is the greatest lesson he learned from the jazz elders, and what Maurice White once shared with him before founding Earth, Wind & Fire.

    He also talks about staying creative today, his Jazz on the Patio video series, and his newest project Chateau Love. From producing songs with Minnie Riperton to watching Maya Rudolph grow up, John’s life is a timeline of incredible moments in music history.

    If you love music that moves the soul and stories that dig deep, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

    Connect with John: http://www.johnklemmer.com/bio/index.html
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    29 min
  • 117: Antoine Knight on Purpose, Perseverance, and Sound

    117: Antoine Knight on Purpose, Perseverance, and Sound
    Jan 3 2026
    On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Antoine Knight—a powerhouse saxophonist and military veteran who's making serious waves on the Smooth Jazz charts. You’ve heard “Step 2 Me Baby,” now hear the story behind it and the man who co-wrote it with multi-award-winning guitarist Adam Hawley.

    From grooving to Junior Walker on 8-tracks as a kid to playing the tenor sax in candlelit jazz clubs, Antoine takes us on a soulful ride through his journey. We talk about how military discipline helped shape his music career, why relationships are everything in this industry, and how he’s using modern tech—like the electronic wind instrument (EWI)—to push the boundaries of jazz.

    Whether he’s lighting up Hartfield-Jackson Airport with sax solos or laying down tracks with legends like Gail Johnson, Antoine’s story is rich with passion, perseverance, and purpose. Tune in as we explore how one man found his voice through sound—and why he carries more than one horn on the road.

    Connect with Antoine: https://antoineknightmusic.com/
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    35 min
  • 116: When Music Becomes Medicine: Quintin’s Story

    116: When Music Becomes Medicine: Quintin’s Story
    Dec 14 2025
    On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Quintin Gerard W., also known as The Fnkysax Player. Quintin is more than a saxophonist — he’s a creative force who blends funk, gospel, blues, and jazz into a powerful urban contemporary sound that speaks to both heart and culture.

    From playing sax since the age of eight to co-writing with jazz greats like James Lloyd of Pieces of a Dream, Quintin shares how his music has become a channel for storytelling, healing, and legacy building. He opens up about being a proud father to guitarist Lemek Izrael, his role on the Dave Koz cruise, and how his music is being used in medical studies to support epilepsy treatment.

    We dive into his creative process — starting with melodies, building harmonies, and always anchoring each song in meaningful experience. We also reflect on his journey through Loyola under the mentorship of Ellis Marsalis, and the defining moment he asked himself whether he chose music or music chose him.

    This episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and a groove you don’t want to miss.

    Connect with Q: https://www.quintingerardw.com/
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    41 min
  • 115: This Is Judah: More Than Just Smooth Jazz

    115: This Is Judah: More Than Just Smooth Jazz
    Dec 7 2025
    On this powerful episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Billboard-charting saxophonist, pianist, producer, and now actor — Judah Sealy. Known for his smooth jazz hits and solo production style, Judah takes us behind the scenes of his unexpected leap into Hollywood as he portrays Clarence Clemons in the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.

    Judah opens up about balancing life as a single dad, teacher, and rising star. We explore the fear, excitement, and red carpet moments of filming for ten days alongside Bruce Springsteen himself.

    Judah shares how his love of the saxophone began in eighth grade and was shaped by early influences like Kirk Whalum and family members who surrounded him with music.

    We talk about how Judah juggles teaching full-time, being a dedicated father, and producing all his own music — including his latest project, This Is Judah, and a brand-new Christmas album. Whether he's in the classroom or the studio, Judah is guided by one mission: to make music that moves people.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to wear multiple hats and still find your rhythm, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.

    Connect with Judah: https://judahsealy.com/
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    35 min
  • 114: Behind the Baritone: Will Downing’s Journey Through Soul

    114: Behind the Baritone: Will Downing’s Journey Through Soul
    Nov 30 2025
    On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Will Downing — the smooth baritone voice behind timeless R&B and soul classics like “A Million Ways,” “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This” with Rachelle Ferrell, and “I Go Crazy.” Known as The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, Will has released 29 albums over 38 years, building a legacy grounded in authenticity, grit, and undeniable groove.

    We talk about everything — from his early days doing house music and soundtracks like The Goonies, to signing with Motown, to navigating the shade and skepticism he received early in his solo career. Will shares how a backhanded comment (“You’re no matinee idol”) became the fire that fueled his decades-long success.

    He also reflects on what he learned while singing background vocals for Kool & the Gang and how being behind the scenes shaped his understanding of full-stage production. Now with his latest 5-song EP out, Back to Us, Will gives us a taste of what fans can expect at his upcoming Cleveland show in December alongside Avery Sunshine and Leela James.

    If you've ever needed a reminder to keep going despite the noise, this episode is for you.

    Connect with Will: https://www.willdowning.com/

    Purchase Tickets: https://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/a-night-of-holiday-soul-with-will-downing-leela-james
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    34 min
  • 113: The Untold Story Behind My Musical Mind with Steve Oliver

    113: The Untold Story Behind My Musical Mind with Steve Oliver
    Nov 16 2025
    What happens when you’ve dedicated your entire life to music—without ever clocking into a “regular” job?

    On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and producer Steve Oliver, a true force in contemporary jazz for nearly 30 years. From radio airwaves to festival stages to composing scores, Steve has built a career fueled entirely by his passion for music—and it shows in every chord he plays.

    We talk about how he manages to perform 80 shows a year, write and demo all his own material, and still find joy in every project. Steve opens up about his creative process, how he begins with song titles before melodies, and why the energy of live, in-person collaboration still matters in a digital world.

    From composing songs like “Luminate” inspired by Pat Metheny, to upcoming work for the Dave Koz Cruise in 2026, Steve reminds us that being present in the moment is the heart of great music.

    If you're someone who lives, breathes, or simply feels music—this one’s for you.

    Connect with Steve: https://www.steveolivermusic.com/
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    35 min