Adam Hawley, Paula Atherton and Vincent Ingala join us on our 8th Annual Holiday Special, brought to you by your friends at Classic Artists Today. Great insights and well wishes from these dynamic contemporary jazz musicians, along with their christmas music of course! You'll hear from the phenominal Dave Koz too, as his 27th Annual Christmas Tour (with Friends) is underway. We'll also feature the keyboardist/music director/producer West Byrd whose latest album is A West Byrd Christmas. While you're in the holiday mood, be sure to listen to our other fantastic holiday shows on Episodes 26, 52, 72, 93, 117, 141 and 164 too!! Peace, Love and Happiness from Ray White - Lisa Davis and the Coool CAT.

Jonathan Butler is an amazing vocalist and guitarist who is at the top of his game in the contemporary jazz and gospel genres. Playing publicly as a child in South Africa, he's gained worldwide attention throughout the years, landing on the music charts starting in 1985. Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with Jonathan in December of 2023, while out on Dave Koz's Christmas Tour, to talk about his career musical highlights, his homeland, unique guitar sound and his latest album Ubuntu. In our showcase segment, your hostess with the mostest Lisa Davis features saxman Richard Elliot whose latest album is Straight Up Down and closes out the show with the talented trumpet player Tom Browne who just released the single Impulse. World-class contemporary jazz featured on one of the country's premier 30-minute shows - Sittin' In With The Coool CAT!

George Porter, Jr. is one of New Orleans' music royalty! A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award member, he was co-founder of the phenomenal Funk/Soul/R&B/Blues band The Meters. You'll find him as an integral member of The Funky Meters, too! Today George's legacy is continuing to be made heading up the Runnin' Pardners Band, whose latest album is Crying For Hope. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with George before taking the stage with his band in May of 2024 to talk about highlights of his esteemed career and his latest projects. You'll find more from George on our Episode 57. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis highlights the latest from another legendary musician, Steve Cropper, who just released Friendlytown. The show closes with a tour-de-force, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, who recently released their album Struck Down which is receiving rave reviews. Getting to the heart of the matter, on this episode of the Coool CAT!!

Brian Bromberg is among the elite bass players in the world today. Playing both acoustic and electric basses, he's a world-renowned record producer too. Iconic saxman Stan Getz hired Brian, at the age of 19, and his career took off from there. Throughout his illustrious career, he's released over 2 dozen albums and has played with a who's who in the music industry. You'll also find Brian playing on well over a dozen movie soundtracks. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, talks with Brian backstage about his latest albums: The Magic of Moonlight (electric bass) and LaFaro (acoustic bass) and much more! An amazing man and musician...we have him here on the Coool CAT!! In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features another virtuoso - Robby Krieger, who played in the legendary band The Doors. He's recorded several instrumental albums during his career and his lastest is titled Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages. Two iconic musicians featured on this episode, brought to you by your friends at Classic Artists Today.

England's Chris Standring is a superb guitarist whose had over a dozen Top 10 contemporary jazz hits with a half-dozen reaching Number 1. Moving to the United States in 1991, Chris has become a prolific performer playing throughout the country. Coool CAT's producer Ray White caught up with Chris in May of 2024 to chat about his musical influences, insights into his younger days in England and he gives us an update on his new album As We Think - which touches on various sub-genres of contemporary jazz music. Our show hostess Lisa Davis features the one and only Boney James, whose latest album is Slow Burn, along with the amazing Dave Koz in our showcase segment. Contemporary jazz rules on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Pieces of a Dream have been playing great contemporary jazz, R&B and funk music since forming in 1976. Releasing over 20 albums, you'll find tunes on the top music charts throughout their illustrious career. On this episode, multi-award winning program director Ray White catches up with Curtis Harmon, James Lloyd and their newest official member Tony Watson, Jr. to talk about Tony's history with the band, James' recent health scare, their latest album Fired Up! along with their future plans. You'll hear much more from the band on our Episodes 30, 96, 112, 130 and 140. Lisa Davis, your "Hostess with the Mostest," showcases a rising star on the smooth jazz scene - saxophonist Jason Jackson, who released All In in 2022 and you'll find his latest single on several smooth jazz charts now. Our groove just won't quit, on the Coool CAT!

Tab Benoit is an amazing blues guitarist/singer/songwriter hailing from Louisiana Since the early 1990's Tab has released well over a dozen albums and has won numerous blues awards, keeping a busy touring schedule too. Be sure to listen to more from Tab on Episode 133. Music aficionado and Classic Artists Today's founder Ray White caught up with Tab backstage before his show in July of 2024 to talk about his new album I Hear Thunder, which was his first in 13 years. He also shared insights with singer/songwriter Anders Osbourne and about the late Leon Medica of Louisiana's LeRoux , and the band Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos, and much more. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis looks back at the storied career of the "Godfather of British Blues" - John Mayall, who passed away on July 22, 2024. Nothin' but the blues on this episode of the Coool CAT!

Bassist Christian de Mesones has honed his musical skills throughout his adult life while working various jobs to make ends meet. In 2021, this rising star garnered the attention of Dave Koz and landed on several jazz charts and Sirius XM's Watercolors. His latest album is You Only Live Twice and features his first #1 hit. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, traveled to Metro Washington, DC's Birchmere venue to sit down with Christian before his show to talk about the new album, his life's twist and turns and his music. You'll find more from Christian on Episode 166! Lisa Davis, your "Hostess With The Mostest," highlights the latest from R&B/Soul singer Leela James who released Thought U Knew in 2023. She also has the spotlight on the legendary duo of Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, whose latest album is Brazil and saxophonist extraordinaire Walter Beasley whose new single Funk Foot just dropped. Contemporary Jazz with a touch of R&B/Soul on this show from your friends at the Coool CAT!