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British guitarists, Jamie Taylor and Sam Dunn have been musical collaborators since their university days. They each have their own bands and busy careers as teachers, Jamie at Leeds Conservatoire in the north of England, and Sam at Eton College and The Purcell School, and as sidemen they’ve been even busier. In fact, I’ve employed them both for concerts at London’s Ronnie Scotts and beyond. After years of musical merriment these two have finally recorded their first duo CD, Going Coastal. I thought I’d have a chat with Jamie about it all and discuss the challenges and delights of playing with another guitarist, especially one you know so well.

The Stephen Phillip Harvey Jazz Orchestra is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level. With their most recent release Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling and the orchestra performs selections from that release here. From October 24th, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for the Stephen Phillip Harvey Jazz Orchestra…Live at the Bop Stop.

Elvis' R&B Influences. 49 years ago this week, we lost the "King Of Rock n' Roll." Much has been written about Elvis’ enormous impact and popularity over the years, but it’s almost impossible to overstate the cultural shift that took place as he rose to fame in 1956. Elvis was a musical sponge. He absorbed all the music that moved him and those around him, from Country and Hillbilly to Gospel, Pop, R&B and Blues. This week focuses solely on the rhythm & blues that motivated Elvis’ early career. During the end of his first session with Sam Phillips, Elvis cut into an inspired rendition of a semi-forgotten Arthur Crudup gem and rock n’ roll was literally born. From the New Orleans R&B of Smiley Lewis, to the jump blues of Wynonie Harris, Elvis dug it all and made each song uniquely his own. He wasn’t copying his R&B idols, he was merely using their material as a springboard for his own blend of the White and the Black. Sam Phillips was right when he said that it would take a White cat with an African-American feel to propel this exciting R&B music into the mainstream and lucky for us, he found that in Elvis Presley.

How Jackie McLean's legacy shaped Hartford's jazz scene. Hartford, CT became a destination for jazz thanks to the arrival of alto saxophonist Jackie McLean over 50 years ago. We’ll hear from students who are carrying on his legacy in the city and beyond.

Miles Davis 100th birthday was on May 26th but we continue celebrating his centennial throughout our programming during our Fall Fund Drive. Tune in as Jesse “Chuy” Varela we air select chapters from the acclaimed Miles Davis Radio Project produced by Steve Rowland and narrated by noted actor, Danny Glover.

Coming Soon.

Film and TV orchestrator, arranger, composer, Dave Slonaker has been working in Hollywood for over thirty years, utilizing his lifetime knowledge of a broad range of musical influences. Dave loves every aspect of his musical life but is especially inspired when he records his own music which this conversation celebrates, focusing on his new CD, Shifty Paradigms, a big band extravaganza of Dave’s compositions and arrangements with one standard thrown in for fun.

Jamey Haddad Quartet Featuring Helio Alves. Jamey Haddad holds a singular position in the world of jazz and contemporary music. Haddad’s musical voice transcends styles and trends, and the universal quality of his playing has attracted many international collaborations with artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Simon, and Sting. Born of Lebanese descent, he is regarded as one of the foremost world music and jazz percussionists in the United States.A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, pianist Helio Alves combines the rhythmic complexity of modern Brazilian music with the edgy energy of contemporary jazz. A resident of NYC, Alves has received high praise as an in-demand sideman with Joe Henderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Slide Hampton, Paquito D'Rivera, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim to name a few.Together with Trombonist Jay Ashby and Bassist Kip Reed, the Quartet provide an exciting performance of jazz from around the world.From December 18th, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for the Jamey Haddad Quartet featuring Helio Alves…Live at the Bop Stop.

Sun Records R&B, Part 1 - 1952-53. This week salutes the most influential and important record label of all-time, Sun Records. Sam Phillips started the legendary label in Memphis, TN in March, 1952 after successfully recording the debut sides from B.B. King, Ike Turner, Phineas Newborn and Howlin' Wolf and selling the masters to RPM Records in LA and Chess Records in Chicago. This is part one of a two-part feature, leading up to Phillips' groundbreaking, pop culture shifting discovery of Elvis Presley in July, 1954. Matt The Cat examines nearly every rhythm & blues side that Sun Released during 1952 and '53 on this in-depth look into one of America's most treasured music catalogs. That little yellow label from Memphis is in the spotlight as America's showcase for 1940s and '50s Rhythm & Blues.