The Hang Podcast

In this episode Gene Perla talks about playing with the giants of jazz, starting his own record company, and what the number 1 jazz instrument is.

Get "How to Hang on a Jazz Standard" today! ►https://www.davepollack.com/store

In this episode Adam Nussbaum talks about creating a community for musical growth vs. learning through academia, how to pay attention when playing, the importance of learning from the elders, and so much more!

In this episode Lisa Linde talks about being a high school band director, the role of jazz competitions in students' musical growth, and the impact on young women and non-binary music students through her organization jazzhers. (check the link below for more information!)

►https://www.jazzhers.com/home

In this episode Dr. David Demsey, Coordinator of Jazz Studies and Curator of the Living Jazz Archives at William Paterson University talks about how the archive came to be, the genius of Michael Brecker, and playing with the NY Philharmonic.

In this episode Chad LB talks about what he thinks of the up-and-coming generation of jazz musicians, what it's like to perform with Chris Botti, how Jazz Lesson Videos got started, and more!

In this episode Scott Devlin talks about what it's like as a Disney musician, how training for and completing Iron Mans helps his musicianship, and what it was like raising Ryan Devlin.

In this episode Charlie Rosen talks about why he started the 8-Bit Big Band, how he got into Broadway orchestrating, and shares some music industry hot takes!

In this episode Nathan talks about the Mario Kart Lick, the origin of the name Saxologic, how he didn't intend on becoming a musician, and so much more!

In this episode Ryan and Dave hang with the best selling instrumentalist of all time, Kenny G! He talks about how he deals with the "jazz police," what Miles Davis thought of his music, performing at Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's house, and so much more!

Get "How to Hang on a Jazz Standard" today! ►https://www.davepollack.com/store

00:00 Just play the right notes!

00:17 Welcome Kenny G!

02:14 Kenny's Cameo

03:44 Putting out the best product possible

04:47 Playing with Jeff Lorber

06:20 His first gig was with Barry White

07:50 Practicing EVERY day

09:40 Wrong notes only

12:20 Everybody has an opinion

14:07 The Jazz Police

18:41 Miles Davis loved Songbird

22:16 500bpm vs. beautiful melody

24:44 Playing with Michael Brecker

28:42 Dream collaboration

31:52 Ryan/Dave/Kenny collaboration

34:20 Kenny's gig horror story

47:23 Playing oboe with Liberace

48:21 Hobbies outside of music

58:08 What to teach students?

1:03:13 Being self-taught

1:05:57 Transcribing as a tool

1:08:32 Creating the "perfect" solo

1:13:22 Practice routines

1:23:59 Kenny's 4-hour workday

1:25:04 Wrong Notes Only coffee

1:27:05 One of the first Starbucks investors

1:30:13 My imaginary friend is Kenny G

1:33:05 Playing for Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

1:38:35 Streaming vs. physical albums?

1:40:48 How Kenny opened for George Benson

1:45:55 Is there a formula write a hit song?

1:47:05 Kenny is the reason Ryan exists

1:48:15 Dave and Kenny singing "In the Rain"

1:50:26 Kenny G is a normal person

1:53:35 Just keep playing

1:58:27 Dedicate yourself to getting GREAT

Jack Tyler, owner of the Boston Sax Shop, talks about the origins of the Boston Sax Shop, how he almost destroyed Joe Lovano's horn right before a gig, and the time someone tried selling him John Coltrane's saxophone.

In this intro episode Ryan and Dave talk about their worst gig stories, hobbies outside of music, what this podcast actually is, and more!