Episodes

  • Magic Mike and His Miraculous Saxophone
    Jul 19 2025

    Season Three concludes with a conversation with Michael Carbone, an extraordinary saxophonist and good friend. Mike discusses his growth as a musician, his versatile career, and his current pursuits. It is a great conversation and a worthy conclusion for this season.

    Music includes Mike’s solos on “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Fragile Incarnation) and “Stand On Your Head” (Stand On Your Head). All music composed by Bill Carter © Presbybop Music (BMI) and used by permission.

    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton
    (c) Presbybop Music

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    31 mins
  • Behind the Music - Jazz for the Earth
    Jun 7 2025

    Jeff said, “Let’s talk about Jazz for the Earth.” That fabulous CD project is now ten years young, and must not be neglected. The centerpiece of the album is “Beyond Banff,” a multi-composition suite of Bill Carter’s compositions to focus on our relationship with the natural world. The album features saxophonist Dave Liebman as guest soloist. Liebman is a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master. He was in good company.


    All music from Jazz for the Earth, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Sextet.

    Tunes include: “Peyto Lake,” “Awestruck,” “Up From Bow River,” “A View from the Summit,” “Elegy,” and “Dance 24.” All music composed by Bill Carter © Presbybop Music (BMI) and used by permission.

    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton
    (c) Presbybop Music

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    27 mins
  • Do You Hear What Kent Hears?
    Apr 25 2025

    Meet our friend Kent Heckman. The proprietor of Red Rock Studio in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Kent is a renowned audio engineer. His client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of the jazz world, including saxophonist Phil Woods, composer Bob Dorough, drummer Sherrie Maricle, and pianist Keith Jarrett. Our co-hosts enjoy a lively conversation with Kent, who shares stories from his career including the eclectic singer Nellie McKay, the Canadian folk group The Wailin’ Jennys, and a live date with Jarrett.

    Be sure to check out Kent’s work on the Jennys’ award-winning album, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, as well as Keith Jarrett’s two live CDs recorded at the Deer Head Inn on ECM records.

    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton
    (c) Presbybop Music

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    34 mins
  • Warren Cooper is in the House
    Apr 18 2025

    We welcome the immensely talented Warren Cooper to our podcast. Warren is a jazz vocalist, a recording artist, and an advocate for peace and justice. A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, he counts the city’s finest jazz musicians as his colleagues and friends. Warren tells us about his latest projects, including a reboot of the classic tune, “Take Five” to counter gun violence. Check this out.


    Music: “Take Five: Stop the Violence,” available online at https://take5stoptheviolence.com/ Used by permission of Warren Cooper.

    Music: “Welcome Home” from Welcome Home, Bill Carter and Warren Cooper
    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton
    (c) Presbybop Music

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    26 mins
  • The Making of Brand New Day
    Mar 21 2025

    Jeff Kellam and Bill Carter introduce the 12th recording of the Presbybop Quintet. It's called "Brand New Day." This collection of fresh jazz performances is guaranteed to improve the quality of your life!

    To see the video that accompanies this podcast, click here.

    To hear samples of the album or download it, click here.

    All music from Brand New Day, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quintet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton

    © Presbybop Music.

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    16 mins
  • At the Bookshop
    Mar 14 2025

    Here is a live episode! Bill and Jeff meet at the Riverow Bookshop in Owego, NY to have a conversation about Bill’s recent book, Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life. They have discussed the book in previous episodes but are still digging up fresh soil. Thanks to Riverow Bookshop for hosting this event!

    Learn more about Riverow Bookshop by clicking here.

    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton

    © Presbybop Music

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    15 mins
  • Where's the Money?
    Feb 14 2025

    Music may come from the imagination – but there must be funding if anyone is ever going to hear it. Bill and Jeff have an honest conversation about the money that makes music heard. They discuss the importance of creating a community of supporters who support the music-making, especially for the recordings of Presbybop Music. A special shout-out to Fractured Atlas, our fiscal sponsor. They make donations possible for our work.

    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton

    © Presbybop Music.

    Support the show

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    29 mins
  • Where Did You Find That Tune?
    Jan 31 2025

    Jeff and Bill return to talk about the art of composition. Where do composers find the inspiration for their music? Jeff asks, Bill ponders. Along the way, we hear a couple of clips from Bill’s new compositions.

    Featured music: “Bright Sorrow” and “Celestia,” composed by Bill Carter (yet unreleased)

    “Dancing Girl,” composed by Bill Carter, from Dancing Day, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet.

    Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
    Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
    Announcer: Chris Norton

    © Presbybop Music.

    Support the show

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    23 mins