In this episode, Geoff invites the enigmatic jazz pianist, vocalist, composer and legendary educator Pete Churchill round to his pad in Bromley, Kent.

After almost twenty years teaching at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Pete is now Professor of Jazz Composition at the Royal Academy of Music as well as Head of Jazz Voice at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels.

Pete's musical journey weaves through rebellion, rediscovery, and remarkable innovation in jazz education. Growing up with classical musician parents (his father founded the Academy of St Martin in the Fields), Pete’s path took an unexpected turn when he dramatically abandoned formal music education at 13. This teenage rebellion opened the door to jazz when his father began sending cassette tapes of jazz pianists like Jelly Roll Morton and Errol Garner.

What makes Pete’s approach to teaching jazz so powerful is his extraordinary ability to "remember what it was like not to know." This perspective allows him to bridge complex musical concepts with practical understanding, creating pathways for students to discover rather than simply memorise. His methodology strips harmony back to essential relationships, using key centers and "trigger notes" that help musicians navigate harmonic terrain while maintaining their bearings.

Churchill's explanation of chord symbols as musical shorthand—comparable to figured bass in Baroque music—reveals how his classical background enhances his jazz teaching. He demonstrates these concepts beautifully through a masterful rendition of Irving Berlin’s 1930s standard "How Deep Is The Ocean?” using the Quartet jazz accompaniment app, showing how paraphrasing techniques borrowed from rhetoric can shape meaningful improvisations.

For singers especially, Churchill has developed approaches that honour the vulnerability of the voice. Beginning with stable reference points and gradually expanding the harmonic palette, his methods help vocalists build confidence while developing authentic expression. His insights into the narrative arc of improvisation—from presenting material to expressing personal feeling to collective interpretation—provide a framework that respects both tradition and individual voice.

Beyond his teaching philosophy, Pete shares fascinating stories from his career, including his work with legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks on lyrics for Gil Evans' ‘Miles Ahead’ album—a collaboration that felt serendipitous, uniting Pete’s knowledge of jazz, The Great American Songbook, and spiritual texts.

Whether you're a seasoned musician, educator, or passionate listener, this conversation offers rare insights into jazz education from one of its most thoughtful practitioners.

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.

Geoff catches up with the internationally respected bass player and record producer Janek Gwizdala who is fresh off a flight from his home in LA for a series of London gigs.

What does it take to transform from a wide-eyed teenager in South London to a sought-after bass virtuoso commanding respect around the globe? This episode captures a deeply personal conversation about an extraordinary musician whose journey spans continents, musical styles, and creative pursuits.

Despite the jet lag from his transatlantic flight, Janek vividly recalls his musical awakening at Croydon's Gun Tavern, where watching a Laurence Cottle performance changed everything. "Monday morning went to Gig Sounds in Lewisham and got a bass," Janek shares, describing how within just two weeks of this revelation, he met Geoff at a jazz music course and began his remarkable journey.

Janek recounts his bold decision to move to America in 1998. "Looking back as a 46-year-old man, parent and husband—totally bonkers," he reflects on his younger self's fearlessness. His time at Berklee College of Music, surrounded by future stars like Walter Smith, Jaleel Shaw, and Kendrick Scott provided the foundation for his New York career.

Most fascinating is Janek’s evolution beyond performance. His 22 critically acclaimed books, 100k-subscriber YouTube channel, and thriving educational platform reveal a musician who's expanded his impact far beyond the stage. "I used to just be a bass player," he explains, detailing how he's carefully managed his online presence to maintain artistic integrity while building genuine connections with jazz students worldwide.

Throughout their chat, both bassists explore deeper questions about jazz education, authenticity, and maintaining curiosity decades into a career. Janek demonstrates his approach to improvisation with a spontaneous performance of Coltrane’s 1950s standard ‘Moment’s Notice’ using the Quartet app for accompaniment, before sharing his ambitious goal: "I'm trying to make three albums a year for the rest of my life... at least another 60 or 70 records!”

Whether you're a jazz aficionado, aspiring musician, or simply appreciate stories of passion pursued without compromise, this conversation offers rare insights into the mind of a true musical innovator. Subscribe to hear more conversations with remarkable musicians who are pushing boundaries and preserving the improvisational spirit at the heart of jazz.

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.

This week Geoff is in West London to meet one of the best-known young guitarists to emerge onto the international jazz scene – Tom Ollendorff.

What makes a great guitarist instantly recognisable? How do you develop a personal musical language that transcends technical proficiency? These questions lie at the heart of Geoff’s conversation with the virtuoso guitarist who shares his fascinating journey from blues-rock enthusiast to internationally acclaimed jazz artist.

Tom's evolution began organically through improvising in blues and rock contexts before a chance encounter with jazz standards opened new harmonic possibilities. "I remember going to a bar with my Dad and there was a great guitarist playing standards," he recalls. "I remember thinking, 'what are all these chords and scales?'" This curiosity launched him into deep exploration of jazz harmony through standards like ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘All The Things You Are,’ establishing the functional vocabulary necessary for improvisation.

Most revealing is Tom's discussion of his classical influences. Having spent thousands of hours mastering Debussy and Bach pieces on guitar, he developed an extraordinary sensitivity to touch, tone, and the ability to create distinct voices within a single instrument. He demonstrates this brilliantly during the conversation, showing how to make melodies sing over accompaniment as well as giving a remarkable breakneck improvisation on Duke Ellington’s 1940’s standard ‘Cotton Tail (Rhythm Changes)’.

What truly sets apart musicians like John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Peter Bernstein, Tom explains, is their distinctive rhythmic identity: "They could just play a C major scale and you could tell it was them just by the rhythm." This individuality represents the ultimate goal of musical development – finding your unique voice through deep study and personal expression.

Whether you're a guitarist seeking to expand your horizons or simply a music lover curious about the creative process, Tom's insights offer a roadmap to musical authenticity. As he puts it: "Take what you love and internalise it... that's the beautiful thing."

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.