Rabbit Hole Sessions with Abe Ovadia

EPISODE 116 - Benjamin Sanz

Today, I’m joined by a drummer and composer whose work bridges the worlds of Black American music, African rhythms, and contemporary European jazz. Whether as a sideman, bandleader, or co-director, he has performed and recorded with some of the most innovative voices in modern music, including David Murray, Archie Shepp, Oliver Lake, and Joëlle Léandre.
From co-leading the African jazz ensemble Benkadi to shaping Paris’s improvisational music scene with the MiRR collective, his artistry pushes the boundaries of rhythm, sound, and collaboration.
 

EPISODE 115 - Luke Carlos O'Reilly

Today, I’m joined by an award-winning pianist and organist whose playing is deeply rooted in jazz, soul, R&B, gospel, Latin jazz, and classical music. Originally from Boston, he made his mark in Philadelphia, where he studied at Temple University and went on to perform and record with artists like Seal, Roy Ayers, Curtis Fuller, Nicholas Payton, Macy Gray, and many more.
With three solo albums under his belt—including his powerful Black Lives Matter-inspired release I Too, Sing America: A Black Man’s Diary—he continues to push boundaries as both a performer and educator.

EPISODE 114 - Marianne Solivan

Marianne Solivan is a jazz vocalist known for her rich tone, soulful delivery, and fearless improvisation. She has performed with top musicians like Christian McBride, Jeremy Pelt, and Peter Bernstein, captivating audiences with her dynamic stage presence. With multiple album releases, including Prisoner of Love, she brings a fresh yet classic approach to jazz vocals. Whether leading her own groups or collaborating with renowned artists, Solivan continues to make a powerful impact on the jazz scene.

EPISODE 113 - Mike Lee

Mike Lee is a saxophonist, composer, and educator who has been a key figure in the New York City and Northern New Jersey jazz scenes for many years. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he has performed with legendary ensembles such as The Jimmy Heath Orchestra, The Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, and The Roy Hargrove Big Band. He appears regularly at top venues like The Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and Smalls, while also touring internationally. In addition to his performing career, Lee is a dedicated educator, serving as Professor of Jazz Saxophone at Montclair State University and playing a vital role in developing Jazz House Kids’ education programs.

EPISODE 112 - Brad Whiteley

Brad Whiteley is a versatile pianist, organist, and music director known for his ability to elevate any musical setting. He has toured with Regina Spektor, conducted on Broadway, and played on a Grammy-nominated track. As a jazz musician, composer, and improviser, his debut album Pathless Land earned a four-star DownBeat review and was named an Editor’s Pick. Based in the Bronx, he serves as music director at Blessed Sacrament Church and Live Music Pros, balancing a dynamic career across genres.

EPISODE 111 - Max Light

Today, we’re joined by Max Light, a Brooklyn-based guitarist whose innovative playing has earned him accolades as one of the most promising voices in modern jazz. His latest release, Chaotic Neutral (AGS Recordings 2024), was described by Downbeat Magazine as “complex, shrouded in mystery and endlessly intriguing,” solidifying Max as a true trailblazer.
From earning 2nd place in the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition to collaborating with jazz luminaries like Noah Preminger, Donny McCaslin, and Christian Sands, Max has built an extraordinary career. Join us as we explore his creative journey, groundbreaking projects, and what makes him one of the most exciting guitarists of his generation. 

EPISODE 110 - Anthony Nelson, Jr.

Anthony Nelson, Jr. is a saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, and composer known for blending jazz, gospel, funk, and neo-soul into a unique and captivating sound. A versatile musician, he has performed with legends such as Billy Hart, John Hicks, Regina Carter, and the Count Basie Orchestra. His recordings, including Testament: Live at Cecil’s and Tenor for Two, showcase his deep musical storytelling. Nelson also serves as the Artistic Director for the Jazz in the Sanctuary series at Shiloh Baptist Church, bringing world-class jazz to the community. He exclusively plays Vandoren mouthpieces, Yanagisawa saxophones, and Uebel clarinets.

EPISODE 109 - Jeff Williams (Part 1)

Jeff Williams is a drummer, composer, and educator born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on July 6, 1950. He started playing drums at age seven and later studied at Berklee School of Music. Over his long career, he has performed with jazz legends like Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, Dave Liebman, and Richie Beirach. He has led his own groups, including Coalescence and Circadian Rhythms, and has also been part of the trio Interplay. Williams has taught at the Royal Academy of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire and is married to author Lionel Shriver.

SOLO SESSION - Answering Your Questions

“Abe Ovadia is one of the true treasures of the Jazz Guitar world. Renowned as a leader among contemporary Jazz artists. He headlines on the stages of the most famous Jazz Venues…this man has been a dedicated supporter of directly educating our youth in schools and adults in public centers. He believes the art of jazz guitar belongs to all people to know and enjoy, not a select elite.
Abe Ovadia carves out precious time from his very busy schedule whether on tour or performing in his NYC region. We enthusiastically applaud Abe Ovadia’s long standing and ongoing tireless crusade to include and educate the uninitiated, inexperienced and uneducated in this American art form.”
Matt Eichen, President
MUSICVOX GUITARS

EPISODE 108 - Noah Jackson

Noah Jackson is a bassist, cellist, composer, and curator from Detroit, Michigan. As a member of NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim's ensemble Ekaya, Mr. Jackson has performed internationally to critical acclaim and recorded the latest album, The Balance, released in 2019 which reached #3 on the Billboard Jazz Charts (July 2019). He has also recorded Nnenna Freelon’s latest release- Time Traveler which has reached #4 on Jazz Week (July 2021). Mr. Jackson has also performed with Nnenna Freelon, Branford Marsalis, The Marsalis Family, Kenny Garrett, Jason Marsalis, George Burton, Jazzmeia Horn, Christian Sands, and Winard Harper. Noah Jackson is also a member of the Recording Academy.As of March 2021, Noah was also appointed as curator, creative director, and artist-in-residence at Cliff Bell’s, a Jazz Club in Downtown Detroit- responsible for the curation, promotion, and contracting artists 5 nights weekly. He holds a weekly residency with his band Full Circle.A recipient of the Creative Engagement and UMEZ grants from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the State of New York, he produced a work based on the music of Duke Ellington- On A Turquoise Cloud at the Schomburg Center in September  2019 and performed at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra @ The Cube in February 2020. His group also recorded an album, "Contemplations: A Suite" in 2011, which has garnered critical praise.As a leader of the Ase string quartet, Mr. Jackson was commissioned to compose and direct the quartet in a multidisciplinary collaborative art project- Practicing: Silence at Grace Farms under the direction of Kenyon Adams as part of their Practicing series alongside featured dancers from the American Ballet Theater. He has also led his Detroit-based Tangent String Quartet in a rare performance of  Quartet No.2  by black composer Florence B. Price as part of a video series presented by the Detroit Institute of the Arts in February 2021.A graduate of Michigan State University (B.M.) under the direction of Rodney Whitaker, and Manhattan School of Music (M.M.) with Dr. Larry Ridley, Noah currently resides in Detroit, MI.