The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast
Geoff Gascoyne, a renowned jazz bass player and producer, hosts this weekly podcast featuring conversations with famous and emerging jazz soloists. Guests pick and perform their favorite jazz standards while discussing their lives and careers in jazz. The show blends candid talk, technical insights, and spontaneous improvisation, offering something for every jazz enthusiast. Geoff is also the executive producer of the Quartet jazz standards play-along app series for iOS.
Episodes
Episode 55. Phil Mulford (Bass) - 'Road Song'
You can tell a lot about a musician by the jobs they keep getting called for, and renowned bassist and musical author Phil Mulford has built a career that spans session bass, West End theatre pits, TV work, pop touring, jazz fusion, and film recording.Geoff meets Phil in his South London studio and starts right at the beginning: picking up bass at school because it was the only instrument left, th
Episode 54. Alex Clarke (Saxophone) - 'Alone Together'
Perfect pitch, bebop, and the hard reality of a badly formatted big band chart all collide in this week’s episode. Geoff chats with the brilliant Alex Clarke, a young UK alto saxophonist (and multi-instrumentalist) who already sounds like she has lived inside the music for decades.Geoff welcomes Alex into his South London home and gets straight into the choices that shaped her career from Cheshire
Episode 53. Pete Long (Clarinet) - 'Just Friends'
Geoff is in Croydon, South London to meet the accomplished British bandleader, multi-instrumentalist and musical director of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, Pete Long.One record can reroute a whole life, and for Pete it was Glenn Miller’s version of the Joe Garland hit ‘In the Mood’ (1939). Pete follows the sound from swing into the deeper waters of Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie, where big
Episode 52. Denny Ilett (Guitar) - 'Tangerine'
Geoff is backstage at Hadleigh Jazz Club in Suffolk, England with the celebrated jazz singer, guitarist and bandleader Denny Ilett.Denny begins the conversation talking about growing up on a council estate with his trumpet-playing dad, a house full of Louis Armstrong and big band records, and the moment guitar finally cuts through via T-Bone Walker and then Jimi Hendrix. If you care about jazz gui
Episode 51. Ben Sidran (Piano) - 'Blues in F'
Geoff is in Camden, North London to meet with the legendary jazz pianist, singer/songwriter, producer, author and renowned interviewer Ben Sidran.A $3 school-dance gig. A teenage obsession with Horace Silver. A lifetime of paging through the fake book and letting songs teach you who you are. The conversation quickly turns into what jazz does best: stories, swing, and the kind of hard-won clarity y
Episode 50. Tim Lapthorn (Piano) - 'Yesterdays'
Geoff sits down with the wonderful jazz pianist, composer and arranger Tim Lapthorn to trace how his ear led him from pop songs and a battered copy of the Real Book to a deep, personal approach to jazz harmony and improvisation. We talk about everything from recording at Abbey Road, a session with Ron Carter and returning after a long pause, and the chord choices that make a standard suddenly soun
Episode 49. Pete Whittaker (Organ) - 'Secret Love'
A Hammond organ isn’t just an instrument, it’s a moving machine, and you can hear it breathe the moment you sit next to it.Geoff heads to North London to meet the wonderful jazz organist Pete Whittaker in his “organ room” and get properly nerdy about what makes a Hammond C3 feel so alive under the fingers, from the whirr of the tone wheels to the choices that shape a great jazz organ sound.We dig
Episode 48. John Etheridge (Guitar) - 'Killer Joe'
John Etheridge has one of those musical lives that only makes sense when you hear it out loud: a British jazz guitar legend and composer who starts with Hank Marvin’s look, gets knocked sideways by Django Reinhardt, then hunts for a sound that can hold both jazz harmony and rock electricity at the same time. Geoff meets John at his place in Hampstead, North London, and they talk through the moment
Episode 47. Marc Cecil (Percussion) - 'Só Danço Samba'
From the first minute of Geoff’s chat with drummer, percussionist, and educator Marc Cecil, we get into the craft behind Latin percussion and the small details that make a groove feel like Brazil rather than a generic “Latin” approximation.Mark traces his musical origin story from seeing Paul McCartney in a small UK theatre as a kid to practising obsessively at school, then landing at Middlesex on
Episode 46. Ulf Wakenius (Guitar) - 'Bernie's Tune'
Geoff sits down with Swedish jazz guitar virtuoso Ulf Wakenius in a back room at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London and traces the real chain of events that took him from Scandinavian gigs to recording with Ray Brown and spending 10 years beside Oscar Peterson.Ulf describes the moments that quietly changed everything: touring Europe with Ray Brown, landing in CBS Studios in New York, and realis
Episode 45. Tom Cawley (Piano) - 'Confirmation'
Paul McCartney in the room on your first tune at Ronnie Scott’s would rattle anyone, but pianist and composer Tom Cawley somehow turned moments like that into fuel! Geoff sits down with Tom for a warm, very honest catch-up that traces Tom’s path into the London jazz scene, from a school big band in Lincoln to the Royal Academy of Music, and the sudden realisation of just how much listening, harmon
Episode 44. Nick Smart (Trumpet) - 'Who's Standing In My Corner'
We're at the Royal Academy of Music in London with the internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and conductor Nick Smart. Geoff talks to Nick about what it takes to run a top jazz course, why small intakes are designed around real working ensembles, and how the best training stays rooted in playing, listening, and learning tunes properly rather than hiding behind theory talk. Jazz st
Episode 43. Larry Koonse (Guitar) - 'Whisper Not'
Tokyo is the backdrop for a relaxed but deep jazz guitar conversation between host Geoff and Los Angeles-based, world-renowned guitarist and educator Larry Koonse, hours before they play at the Blue Note.We talk about how a life in jazz actually gets built: early listening at home, finding the music through friends, and learning from mentors who shape your sound for decades. Larry explains why jaz
Episode 42. Harry Greene (Saxophone) - 'Bernie's Tune'
In this episode, Geoff catches up with the super-talented saxophonist, guitarist, composer and arranger Harry Greene - a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music who is already making a big name for himself on the London jazz scene.We are in a back room at The Stables Theatre in Milton Keynes and it is abundantly clear that Harry has a serious work ethic and a wide-angle taste. He takes us ri
Episode 41. Geoffrey Keezer (Piano) - 'Along Came Betty'
Geoff sits down with American Grammy-winning pianist, composer, arranger and former Jazz Messenger Geoffrey Keezer who is in London for a series of concerts.He begins by describing playing jazz clubs as a teenager, playing piano for Art Blakey at age 18 and touring alongside Benny Golson and Ray Brown while still in his 20s.He shares how he came up through Aebersold play-alongs, the early Real Boo
Episode 40. Romero Lubambo (Guitar) - 'Alone Together'
Geoff has travelled to Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London’s Soho district to meet with the legendary Brazilian jazz guitarist Romero Lubambo.In a candid interview between his run of shows with Dianne Reeves, Romero contemplates what changes when there’s no band behind you: you become the time, the bass, the harmony, the dynamics, and the safety net, all while keeping the song clear and the singer
Episode 39. Tim Garland (Saxophone) - 'All Of You'
Geoff is in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire to meet with the renowned British jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader Tim Garland for a wide-ranging conversation on how a real musical voice is built over decades…not weeks.We start with the spark: ECM Records vinyl, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and the late Ralph Towner, plus the pull of funk and rhythm that hits you in the chest. Tim breaks down how
Episode 38. Christmas Special - Ian Shaw & Trudy Kerr
Geoff closes the year with a Christmas ‘session’ that blends memory, humour, and unapologetic swing, featuring the brilliant Ian Shaw and the incomparable Trudy Kerr. From the first count-in you can feel the band's pocket and the playful way we shape tradition: ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen’ settles into a medium swing, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ nods to Horace Silver, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels
Episode 37. Norma Winstone (Vocals) - 'Joy Spring'
Geoff is in the coastal town of Deal in Kent to meet with the wonderful jazz singer and lyricist Norma Winstone.A childhood steeped in radio, a cinema crush on Lena Horne, and a record collection that swung from Ella and Louis to Sinatra’s ‘Only The Lonely’—Norma charts how a voice finds its own gravity.We talk about the hinge moments that redirected the road: pub sit‑ins that led to John Taylor,
Episode 36. Charlie Wood (Vocals) - 'Bye Bye Blackbird'
Geoff is back in Bedford, England to sit down with the highly-acclaimed American singer, songwriter and keyboardist Charlie Wood.A voice steeped in Memphis and refined in London, Charlie Wood’s conversation moves from Beale Street grind to big-band elegance. We start with origins: a home filled with Charlie Parker records, classical lessons, and the kind of eclectic listening that makes Johnny Cas
Episode 35. Jacqui Dankworth (Vocals) - 'The Man I Love'
This week Geoff is in Bedford, England to meet with one of the most highly regarded British jazz singers Jacqui Dankworth MBE – daughter of singer Cleo Laine and musician John Dankworth.A song can carry a family. This episode begins with Stephen Sondheim and a daughter finding strength after losing her mother, the incomparable Cleo Laine. From the first quiet days after the memorial to the bright
Episode 34. Dave Green (Bass) - 'Autumn Leaves'
Geoff is in Ruislip, West London at the home of the legendary jazz bassist Dave Green.A soft case in an aircraft hold, a school-grade rental at a major festival, and the quiet conviction that your sound should survive all of it—Dave takes us through a bassist's life built on time, touch, and taste. From tea chest beginnings with next‑door neighbour Charlie Watts, to month-long residencies at
Episode 33. Anthony Kerr (Vibraphone) - 'Bolivia'
Geoff is in the Hertfordshire town of Watford to chat with the wonderful British jazz vibraphone player Anthony Kerr…digging into practice, reading, and why space shapes sound.A trumpet felt like the wrong clothes. Drums were closer. Then Anthony hit a vibraphone at the Belfast School of Music and everything snapped into place. That moment of fit carries through this conversation as we trace his r
Episode 32. Henry Lowther (Trumpet) - 'There Is No Greater Love'
Geoff is in the North London suburb of Muswell Hill to sit down with the highly acclaimed trumpeter Henry Lowther as he unpacks the sessions, the stories and the systems behind a musician who has been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for over half a century.A trumpet on a cathedral step, a helicopter over Woodstock, and a fixer's phone call that changes your week—Henry Lowther has lived t
Episode 31. Art Themen (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'
Geoff is in the picturesque Oxfordshire town of Henley on Thames to meet with the wonderful saxophonist (and former orthopaedic surgeon) Art Themen. What began with a misassembled clarinet and a missing page turned into a life split between the operating theatre and the bandstand, shaped by New Orleans tone, bebop language, and the stubborn joy of playing for real people in real rooms. We trace th
Episode 30. Chris Ingham (Piano) - 'Very Early'
This week Geoff is in Suffolk to catch up with the fabulous jazz pianist, singer, composer and author Chris Ingham.Sitting at Chris’s piano in Suffolk, we trace how a kid who refused lessons became a singer-pianist, bandleader and repertoire obsessive who builds shows people actually want to hear. Chris takes us from The Beatles and Sinatra to Hoagy Carmichael and Dudley Moore, revealing why “them
Episode 29. Martin Shaw (Trumpet) - 'My Romance'
In this episode, Geoff catches up with the wonderful trumpet player and educator Martin Shaw.Born into a household where music constantly filled the air—his mother a classical pianist, his father a jazz improviser—Martin's story reveals how these dual influences created the perfect foundation for his development.Martin shares the pivotal moment when, as a schoolboy faced with the choice betwe
Episode 28. Chris Allard (Guitar) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'
Geoff travels to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the heart of the City of London to meet with the wonderful guitarist and educator Chris Allard.Growing up in a musical family with roots stretching back to The Juilliard School in New York, Chris recalls his path from classical piano lessons to discovering rock guitar through Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, before Pat Metheny's ‘Letter F
Episode 27. Jim Mullen (Guitar) - 'When Sunny Gets Blue'
Geoff travels to London’s West End to catch up with the legendary jazz guitarist Jim Mullen. The conversation offers a masterclass in authentic musical development as Jim recounts his journey from Glasgow's jazz clubs to becoming one of Britain's most distinctive guitarists. Approaching his 80th birthday, he reflects on the transformative experiences that shaped his musical identity – wi
Episode 26. Theo Travis (Saxophone) - '500 Miles High'
Geoff is in Finchley, North London to catch up with the wonderful saxophonist, flautist and composer Theo Travis.Theo takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable musical career, from classical beginnings to jazz excellence and groundbreaking prog rock collaborations. This conversation feels like eavesdropping on two musicians sharing secrets about their craft, filled with moments of g
Episode 25. Mark Lockheart (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'
Geoff is in Greenwich, London to meet with the renowned saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart.Mark's story begins with the heartwarming image of waking up to his father's jazz records and following his dad into saxophone playing at age eleven. What follows is a rich narrative of musical discovery that spans decades.Mark vividly recalls the American record club that delivered formative
Episode 24. Simon Wallace (Piano) - 'Autumn Leaves'
Geoff travels to Honor Oak Park in South London to meet with an old friend – the British composer and pianist Simon Wallace. Simon opens a portal into jazz's rich tapestry through personal stories that span from his childhood in South Wales to the vibrant scenes of New York City and London. This conversation reveals how a secondary school music teacher sparked what he beautifully describes as
Episode 23. Andrea Vicari (Piano) - 'On Green Dolphin Street'
Geoff gets a visit from the wonderful pianist and composer Andrea Vicari who opens up about her rich musical journey inspired by her jazz pianist father and a house filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong.Andrea shares fascinating insights into her improvisation process, demonstrating how pentatonic scales and fourth-based voicings – influenced by McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea –
Episode 22. Sebastiaan de Krom (Drums) - 'I Got Rhythm'
Geoff is at the Troubadour club in London with the highly acclaimed jazz drummer Sebastiaan de Krom.When a jazz bassist and drummer have played together for 25 years, there's a musical telepathy that can't be taught—it can only be earned through countless gigs, recording sessions, and miles on the road. In this revealing conversation, Sebastiaan opens up about his remarkable journey from
Episode 21. Anita Wardell (Vocals) - 'Autumn Leaves'
Geoff sits down with the award-winning jazz vocalist Anita Wardell.In this intimate conversation, Anita shares how music became her sanctuary during a difficult childhood and continues to be her healing force while recovering from a stroke suffered 16 months prior. "Music was where I kind of got myself together," she reflects, describing how discovering jazz gave her focus and purpose at
Episode 20. Stan Sulzmann (Saxophone) - 'Gentle Piece'
Geoff is in Box Hill, Surrey to meet with the legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Stan Sulzmann.Stan takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career as one of Britain's most respected jazz saxophonists. From his unexpected start with a secondhand Selmer tenor saxophone to playing alongside jazz royalty, the interview reveals both musical insights and deeply perso
Episode 19. Derek Nash (Saxophone) - 'Walkin' Shoes'
Geoff heads east to Essex to catch up with an old friend — the award-winning jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and recording engineer Derek Nash.What happens when a lifelong love of saxophone meets decades of sound engineering expertise? Derek Nash's musical journey provides the perfect answer.From the moment 12-year-old Derek heard the Pink Panther theme played by a tenor saxophonist d
Episode 18. Alan Skidmore (Saxophone) - 'Blues in E Flat'
In the tranquil setting of Hertfordshire, England, Geoff sits down with the legendary tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore, a musical force whose extraordinary career spans nearly seven decades. At 83, Alan's recollections are sharp, his stories captivating, and his legacy in jazz undeniable.The conversation begins with Alan's reluctant entry into music. After failing his school qualification
Episode 17. Martin Hathaway (Saxophone) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'
Geoff has a visit from an old friend – the wonderful jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Martin Hathaway. What does it take to forge a path in jazz that spans performing, teaching, and leading one of the UK's most prestigious jazz education programs? In this captivating conversation, Martin opens up about his musical journey from curious child to influential jazz pedagogue.Martin's s
Episode 16. Nigel Price (Guitar) - 'All The Things You Are'
In this episode Geoff catches up with the award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price.Nigel’s remarkable journey from infantry service to jazz mastery provides a fascinating window into the development of a truly unique musical voice.Nigel reveals how his three years in the army unexpectedly prepared him for life as a bandleader—discovering parallels between commanding a four-man military section and
Episode 15. Steve Fishwick (Trumpet) - 'Stella By Starlight'
Geoff is on tour in Holland with the internationally renowned trumpet player Steve Fishwick. In a dressing room before the gig, they catch up on all things jazz improvisation.Growing up in Manchester during the UK's jazz boom of the late 1980s, Steve recalls his first encounters with jazz through television documentaries and live performances, including a memorable Dizzy Gillespie concert tha
Episode 14. Ian Shaw (Vocals) - Ain't Misbehavin'
Geoff is in London’s Waterloo district to meet with the multi award-winning jazz singer, broadcaster, producer, actor and comedian Ian Shaw.What does it take to build a career spanning jazz vocals, comedy, acting, and broadcasting? In this intimate conversation, Ian invites us into his creative world, tracing a fascinating journey from Welsh choir boy to one of Britain's most versatile artist
Episode 13. Luiz Morais (Guitar) - 'Wave'
Geoff steps into the rich musical world of Brazilian guitarist Luiz Morais as he shares his fascinating journey from the vibrant northeast of Brazil to becoming an accomplished performer, composer, and bandleader in London. The conversation delves into the intricate world of Choro music - Brazil's first truly urban musical style that blends European harmonic sophistication with African-derive
Episode 12. Camilla George (Saxophone) - 'Peace'
Geoff travels to Acton in West London to meet the visionary alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer Camilla George.Born in Nigeria before moving to the UK, Camilla's musical foundation was built on Sunday afternoons spent with her jazz-enthusiast father, listening to his extensive vinyl collection featuring legends like Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt.What emerges throughout the conversation
Episode 11. Pete Churchill (Vocals) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'
In this episode, Geoff invites the enigmatic jazz pianist, vocalist, composer and legendary educator Pete Churchill round to his pad in Bromley, Kent. After almost twenty years teaching at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Pete is now Professor of Jazz Composition at the Royal Academy of Music as well as Head of Jazz Voice at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels. Pete's musical journey weave
Episode 10. Janek Gwizdala (Bass) - 'Moment's Notice'
Geoff catches up with the internationally respected bass player and record producer Janek Gwizdala who is fresh off a flight from his home in LA for a series of London gigs. What does it take to transform from a wide-eyed teenager in South London to a sought-after bass virtuoso commanding respect around the globe? This episode captures a deeply personal conversation about an extraordinary musician
Episode 9. Tom Ollendorff (Guitar) - 'Cotton Tail'
This week Geoff is in West London to meet one of the best-known young guitarists to emerge onto the international jazz scene – Tom Ollendorff. What makes a great guitarist instantly recognisable? How do you develop a personal musical language that transcends technical proficiency? These questions lie at the heart of Geoff’s conversation with the virtuoso guitarist who shares his fascinating journe
Episode 8. Dave O'Higgins (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'
Geoff travels to Brixton in South London to catch up with the fabulous saxophonist, band leader and composer Dave O’Higgins. This is an intimate conversation about Dave’s remarkable journey from progressive rock drummer to acclaimed jazz musician. With disarming honesty, he traces his unlikely path through music, describing how transcribing Charlie Parker solos by hand and slowing down vinyl recor
Episode 7. Gabriella Swallow (Cello) - 'Smile'
Geoff is in the leafy North London suburb of Muswell Hill to meet the wonderful Gabriella Swallow – one of the most versatile and exciting cellists of her generation.When Gabriella declares "I just want the biggest one" as her instrument selection as a child, it perfectly captures her fearless approach to musical exploration. Born in Belfast during “The Troubles” to dentist parents who l
Episode 6. Mark Armstrong (Trumpet) - 'Cherokee'
Geoff is in Blackheath in South London to meet the greatly respected trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator Mark Armstrong. Mark opens up about the electrifying moment jazz first captivated him as a schoolboy—a "kinesthetic experience" of colours and sounds that sparked a lifelong pursuit. Now an accomplished trumpet player with Ronnie Scott's big band, Jazz Professor at th
Episode 5. Phil Merriman (Piano) - 'Everybody's Song But My Own'
Geoff travels to Wallington in South London to meet the incredibly talented jazz pianist, composer and arranger Phil Merriman.Phil isn't your typical jazz pianist. You immediately sense you're with a musician who refuses to be confined by traditional genre boundaries. "For me, it's not about two camps at all," he explains, discussing the artificial division between classic
Episode 4. Freddie Benedict (Vocals) - ‘One Note Samba’
Geoff doorsteps the 29-year old vocal genius Freddie Benedict and discovers that his talents go far beyond just trumpet and vocals. Could Britain’s answer to Michael Bublé be any more talented?With an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Portuguese before formally studying jazz at Guildhall, Freddie brings linguistic depth to his performances, particularly evident in his passion for Brazilian music
Episode 3. Chris Standring (Guitar) - ‘Stella By Starlight’
In a rather noisy back room at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club, Geoff chews the fat with ‘soul’ jazz guitarist Chris Standring before a gig. Native Brit Chris has just flown in from LA for a series of concerts in London and reminisces about his dilemmas as a frustrated young jazz guitarist looking to make it as a solo artist. Chris reveals the pivotal moment when a friend’s casual observation – “
Episode 2. Alan Barnes (Saxophone) - ‘You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To’
Geoff gets the train to Leighton Buzzard to meet the legendary jazz saxophonist Alan Barnes. This intimate conversation reveals the musical journey of one of Britain's most respected reed players, from his first enchantment with Acker Bilk's clarinet to his evolution as a multi-award-winning bandleader, composer, and record label owner.Alan shares revelatory insights about the art of imp
Episode 1. Emma Smith (Vocals) - ‘No Moon At All’
Geoff tracks down the wonderful jazz singer Emma Smith just a few weeks after she lands a major record deal. She opens up about her remarkable journey from rebelling against her jazz musician parents to becoming one of the UK’s most captivating jazz performers. They discuss everything from improvisation technique to social media and the challenges of making it Stateside. Emma’s approach to vocal i
Trailer - The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast
Step into the vibrant world of jazz through intimate conversations with the artists who live it every day. The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast, hosted by renowned bassist, composer and producer Geoff Gascoyne, strips away the mystique surrounding jazz musicians to reveal the human stories behind the solos.Each week, we sit down with both legendary artists and rising stars from the jazz world, explo
