Rabbit Hole Sessions with Abe Ovadia

EPISODE 160 - Saul Rubin

A fixture of the New York jazz scene, guitarist and composer Saul Rubin is known for his soulful playing and deep musicality. A graduate of the Hartt School of Music, he studied under Jackie McLean and has since performed with legends like Sonny Rollins, Roy Hargrove, and many others. Saul is also a dedicated curator and producer—founder of Zeb’s performance space, creator of the NYC Jazz Guitar Festival, and longtime host of a popular jazz vocal series. His work as a leader includes two acclaimed albums, and his global performances have brought his sound to stages from New York to Tokyo and beyond.

EPISODE 159 - Ryan Berg

Ryan Berg, a Minneapolis native, is a versatile bassist and educator now based in New York City. With a dynamic career spanning jazz, smooth jazz, R&B, world music, country, and Broadway, Ryan has performed in hit shows like Jersey Boys, Summer, The Music Man, and Hadestown. He’s collaborated with legendary artists across genres, including Roy Hargrove, Sullivan Fortner, Gerald Clayton, and Lakecia Benjamin, and has appeared on world-renowned stages like Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and The Blue Note. In addition to performing with groups like The Brianna Thomas Band and Lindsey Webster Band, Ryan leads his own projects under the name cPhour and is a dedicated educator, having taught at SUNY Purchase, The Collective, and through programs at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

EPISODE 158 - Orrin Evans

Pianist Orrin Evans has built a career defined by fearless exploration and boundless creativity, a journey that began with his 1996 debut Just In Time and continues with his 20th release, Magic of Now. Captured live at Smoke Jazz Club, the album features a powerhouse quartet—including Bill Stewart, Vicente Archer, and Immanuel Wilkins—delivering spontaneous, deeply connected modern jazz. Known for his dynamic touch and bold stylistic range, Evans blends blues, swing, spiritual jazz, and avant-garde with the precision of a master and the soul of an improviser. Whether leading small groups or his Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band, Evans creates spaces of “structured freedom,” always pushing the music forward.

EPISODE 157 - Nat Reeves

Nat Reeves is a master bassist whose dynamic, deeply supportive playing has been a cornerstone of the jazz world for over 40 years. A longtime collaborator with legends like Jackie McLean, Pharoh Sanders, Harold Mabern and Kenny Garrett, Reeves has also made his mark as a bandleader with acclaimed recordings such as State of Emergency and Blue Ridge. His musical journey—from early days in Virginia, learning by ear, to establishing himself in New York's jazz scene—reflects a lifelong dedication to groove, sound, and artistic growth. As both a performer and educator, Reeves continues to inspire with his profound musicality and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition.
 

EPISODE 156 - Jason Tiemann

Jason Tiemann is a highly regarded jazz drummer based in New York City, known for his crisp technique, deep historical knowledge, and intuitive swing. Influenced by legends like Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, and Elvin Jones, he has forged a distinct voice on the scene, performing with artists such as Benny Golson, David Liebman, and Harold Mabern. He serves on the jazz faculty at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz (University of Hartford) and has been a longtime clinician at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops. Tiemann proudly endorses Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, and Innovative Percussion sticks and brushes.

EPISODE 155 - Alex Collins

Alex Collins is a dynamic pianist, composer, and arranger based in New York City. Known for his versatility and deep musicality, Alex has performed with a wide range of celebrated artists, including Michelle Coltrane, Lenny White, Lonnie Plaxico, Ronnie Burrage, and the legendary Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars. He was featured on Gerry Gibbs’ chart-topping album Weather or Not (2017) and Our People (2019). A recipient of the prestigious Wynton Kelly Jazz Foundation Award for Jazz Achievement in 2003, Alex continues to make his mark on the contemporary jazz scene with both power and finesse.

EPISODE 154 - Lewis Porter

Lewis Porter is a renowned jazz pianist, composer, and scholar, known for founding the world’s first Master’s Program in Jazz History and Research at Rutgers University. He holds advanced degrees in psychology, counseling, music theory, and musicology, and has taught at institutions including Tufts, Brandeis, NYU, and The New School. As a performer, he has worked with Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Liebman, Vijay Iyer, and many others, appearing on 38 albums. Porter is also the acclaimed author of John Coltrane: His Life and Music and numerous other influential books on jazz. He is also currently the author of Playback with Lewis Porter! on Substack.

EPISODE 153 - Szymon Mika

On this episode, we’re joined by the extraordinary Szymon Mika — a guitarist whose melodic phrasing, technical brilliance, and emotional depth have captivated legends like Peter Bernstein and Lage Lund. From winning major international competitions to performing alongside jazz greats like Avishai Cohen and Joshua Redman, Szymon’s journey is as inspiring as his playing. Tune in as we explore his musical voice, his creative process, and what makes him one of the most exciting guitarists of his generation.

EPISODE 152 - Jon Gordon

Our guest today is saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon, a native New Yorker whose career spans decades of remarkable collaborations and accolades—including winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. With credits alongside legends like Phil Woods, Maria Schneider, Aretha Franklin, and Jimmy Cobb, Jon has performed at major festivals and venues worldwide. His critically acclaimed recordings continue to push boundaries, with a new album, 7th Ave South released in May 2024.

EPISODE 151 - Greg Glassman

Welcome to Rabbit Hole Sessions, where we explore the lives of today’s most vibrant jazz artists. Our guest is trumpeter Greg Glassman, a Brooklyn native and longtime fixture of the New York City jazz scene. A student of greats like Marcus Belgrave and Clark Terry, Greg has toured the world with a wide range of projects—from Burning Spear to Taylor Mac—and holds down one of the city’s longest-running residencies at Cellar Dog, previously Fat Cat. With a deep discography and a passion for mentorship, Greg’s voice on the trumpet is both rooted and refreshingly bold.