Count Basie Archives

We’re joined this episode by Tom Schuman, keyboard player for iconic jazz fusion outfit Spyro Gyra. Tom talks on his career in and outside of that band, and we shoot the breeze on the music industry more broadly and Tom’s recent retirement from Spyro Gyra.

To listen / watch:

Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):

Wally Schuman playing bass with the Dick Fadale Quartet

Tom speaks on his reasons for retirement from Spyro Gyra after 49 years amd handing over the reins to Chris Fischer

Spyro Gyra – Morning Dance

Spyro Gyra – Catching the Sun (live)

On evolving as a keyboard player

On mind-altering substances and music

The Rhinebeck Sessions – Wishful Thinking

The Rhineback Sessions – Who Knew

Jay Beckenstein

Tom’s picks for new Spyro Gyra listeners:

Bob Goes to the Store

Tom’s solo work and the working relationship with the iconic Slide Funkshin and Schu Thomas

Tom’s go-to keyboards

Sandeep Chowta

Antelope Orion 32

Breakfast with Count Basie

Tag a keyboard player: Chris Fischer

Desert Island Discs: Heavy Weather – Weather Report, My Funny Valentine – Miles Davis, The Trio – Oscar Peterson, Light as a Feather – Return to Forever / Chick Corea, Sunday at the Village Vanguard – Bill Evans.

Thanks to our supporters for this episode: Brother Paul Brown , Musicplayer.com forums, Tammy Katchur’s Musical Stew and Radio Grande

Key links:

Buy some keyboard related merchandise

Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , TikTok or LinkedIn .

Complete our listener survey to help us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds. Support us on Patreon and receive bonus content

Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Del Amitri have been an internationally successful Scottish band that have sold well over 6 millionalbums worldwide and have been on the scene for more than forty years. Andy Alston has been around for nearly all of that, aside from his own work and fascinating history. Andy has some great tips for new players as well as an amazing story of musical collaborations with prison inmates.

To listen / watch:

Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):

Postcard Records

Meeting Justin Currie

The two attempts at recording the Waking Hours album

Strangers and Brothers – Sensational

Andy with Paul Quinn & The Independent Group

James Kirk – Felicity (from You Can Make It If You Boogie)

Quick visual tour of Andy’s songwriting and recording space (apologies to our audio listeners!)

Crooked Timbers – On This Ocean (James Kirk and Andy Alston collaboration)

Getting into the accordion and buying one from Blair Cowan (Lloyd Cole and The Commotions)

Accordions in rock

Andy on Del Amitri – Nothing Ever Happens

Experience of touring the US, Canada and Australia

A great history of The Sebel Townhouse as a famous rock ‘n roll hotel

Go-to keyboards with Del Amitri

Andy’s train wreck moment

Working with prison inmates to record music and the aborted ‘All Killer No Filler’ album

Tips for new players wanting to make a career in music

How Del Amitri have kept such a stable lineup for so long

Tag a keyboard player: Count Basie, Thelonius Monk, Professior Longhair

Desert Island Discs: Studio Kinda Cloudy – Keith Hudson, ‘TIl I Can Make It On My Own – Tammy Wynette, A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry – Charles Mingus (New York Sketchbook), Let The Music Play – Barry White, The Chronic – Dr Dre.

Thanks to our supporters for this episode: Brother Paul Brown , Musicplayer.com forums, Tammy Katchur’s Musical Stew and Radio Grande

Key links:

Buy some keyboard related merchandise

Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , TikTok or LinkedIn .

Complete our listener survey to help us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds. Support us on Patreon and receive bonus content

Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Count Basie

Tom Schuman, Spyro Gyra

Andy Alston, Del Amitri

Recent

Count Basie

Footer

Tags

Recent