Shows
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 22. Sebastiaan de Krom (Drums) - 'I Got Rhythm'Geoff is at the Troubadour club in London with the highly acclaimed jazz drummer Sebastiaan de Krom.When a jazz bassist and drummer have played together for 25 years, there's a musical telepathy that can't be taught—it can only be earned through countless gigs, recording sessions, and miles on the road. In this revealing conversation, Sebastiaan opens up about his remarkable journey from banging on pots and pans as a toddler in Holland to becoming one of the UK’s most respected jazz drummers and educators.Sebastiaan shares the unique way his drummer father taught him—...2025-08-0842 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 21. Anita Wardell (Vocals) - 'Autumn Leaves'Geoff sits down with the award-winning jazz vocalist Anita Wardell.In this intimate conversation, Anita shares how music became her sanctuary during a difficult childhood and continues to be her healing force while recovering from a stroke suffered 16 months prior. "Music was where I kind of got myself together," she reflects, describing how discovering jazz gave her focus and purpose at a crucial time in her life.Anita reflects on the time she heard two students practicing Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘Birks’ Works’ through a classroom door at age 17, she knew immediately: "I want to do that for...2025-07-3128 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 20. Stan Sulzmann (Saxophone) - 'Gentle Piece'Geoff is in Box Hill, Surrey to meet with the legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Stan Sulzmann.Stan takes us on a captivating journey through his remarkable career as one of Britain's most respected jazz saxophonists. From his unexpected start with a secondhand Selmer tenor saxophone to playing alongside jazz royalty, the interview reveals both musical insights and deeply personal reflections.The conversation opens windows into jazz history as Stan recounts his transformative experiences at age 17, traveling on the Queen Mary to New York City in 1967. With wide-eyed wonder, he describes sitting literally at...2025-07-2452 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 19. Derek Nash (Saxophone) - 'Walkin' Shoes'Geoff heads east to Essex to catch up with an old friend — the award-winning jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and recording engineer Derek Nash.What happens when a lifelong love of saxophone meets decades of sound engineering expertise? Derek Nash's musical journey provides the perfect answer.From the moment 12-year-old Derek heard the Pink Panther theme played by a tenor saxophonist during his father's BBC radio broadcast, his path was set. Though his career would take a 20-year detour through the technical corridors of BBC sound engineering, music remained his true calling. Eventually, Derek left the BB...2025-07-1724 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 18. Alan Skidmore (Saxophone) - 'Blues in E Flat'In the tranquil setting of Hertfordshire, England, Geoff sits down with the legendary tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore, a musical force whose extraordinary career spans nearly seven decades. At 83, Alan's recollections are sharp, his stories captivating, and his legacy in jazz undeniable.The conversation begins with Alan's reluctant entry into music. After failing his school qualifications and enduring what he describes as "dodgy day jobs", the 15-year-old Skidmore finally turned to the saxophone his father had given him two years earlier. What follows is a fascinating account of his father's strict teaching methods – forcing him to practice scales fo...2025-07-1026 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 17. Martin Hathaway (Saxophone) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'Geoff has a visit from an old friend – the wonderful jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Martin Hathaway. What does it take to forge a path in jazz that spans performing, teaching, and leading one of the UK's most prestigious jazz education programs? In this captivating conversation, Martin opens up about his musical journey from curious child to influential jazz pedagogue.Martin's story begins with a recorder, an innate ability to play by ear, and an uncle who introduced him to the sounds of West Coast jazz through cherished vinyl records. These early experiences of recording jaz...2025-07-0342 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 16. Nigel Price (Guitar) - 'All The Things You Are'In this episode Geoff catches up with the award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price.Nigel’s remarkable journey from infantry service to jazz mastery provides a fascinating window into the development of a truly unique musical voice.Nigel reveals how his three years in the army unexpectedly prepared him for life as a bandleader—discovering parallels between commanding a four-man military section and leading a jazz quartet. This disciplined approach extended to his practice regime, where he spent "three hours a day for seven years" developing his voice-leading technique within systematically organised fret positions.Rath...2025-06-2638 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 15. Steve Fishwick (Trumpet) - 'Stella By Starlight'Geoff is on tour in Holland with the internationally renowned trumpet player Steve Fishwick. In a dressing room before the gig, they catch up on all things jazz improvisation.Growing up in Manchester during the UK's jazz boom of the late 1980s, Steve recalls his first encounters with jazz through television documentaries and live performances, including a memorable Dizzy Gillespie concert that ignited his passion. What makes this discussion particularly valuable is Steve's honesty about the challenges of learning improvisation without today's resources. His description of "groping in the dark" with mail-order jazz books and p...2025-06-1932 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 14. Ian Shaw (Vocals) - Ain't Misbehavin'Geoff is in London’s Waterloo district to meet with the multi award-winning jazz singer, broadcaster, producer, actor and comedian Ian Shaw.What does it take to build a career spanning jazz vocals, comedy, acting, and broadcasting? In this intimate conversation, Ian invites us into his creative world, tracing a fascinating journey from Welsh choir boy to one of Britain's most versatile artists.He reveals how an unconventional audition in full punk regalia launched his early career in piano bars before discovering jazz through the most unexpected source—David Bowie's album ‘Hunky Dory’. With refreshing candour...2025-06-1229 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 13. Luiz Morais (Guitar) - 'Wave'Geoff steps into the rich musical world of Brazilian guitarist Luiz Morais as he shares his fascinating journey from the vibrant northeast of Brazil to becoming an accomplished performer, composer, and bandleader in London. The conversation delves into the intricate world of Choro music - Brazil's first truly urban musical style that blends European harmonic sophistication with African-derived rhythms. Luiz illustrates his Bossa Nova improvisation on Jobim’s 1960s standard ‘Wave’ followed by a masterful demonstration of comping techniques showcasing the subtle complexity behind these seemingly simple rhythmic patterns. Luiz shares pivotal moments in his musical...2025-06-0534 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 12. Camilla George (Saxophone) - 'Peace'Geoff travels to Acton in West London to meet the visionary alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer Camilla George.Born in Nigeria before moving to the UK, Camilla's musical foundation was built on Sunday afternoons spent with her jazz-enthusiast father, listening to his extensive vinyl collection featuring legends like Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt.What emerges throughout the conversation is how powerfully Camilla's Nigerian heritage influences her artistic expression. Her third studio album ‘Ibio-Ibio’ celebrates the culture of the people from her birthplace in Eket (now Akwa Ibom State), with compositions reflecting creation myths and cultural touc...2025-05-3036 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 11. Pete Churchill (Vocals) - 'How Deep Is The Ocean?'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 une...2025-05-2252 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 10. Janek Gwizdala (Bass) - 'Moment's Notice'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 L...2025-05-1655 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 9. Tom Ollendorff (Guitar) - 'Cotton Tail'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 b...2025-05-0842 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 8. Dave O'Higgins (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'Geoff travels to Brixton in South London to catch up with the fabulous saxophonist, band leader and composer Dave O’Higgins. This is an intimate conversation about Dave’s remarkable journey from progressive rock drummer to acclaimed jazz musician. With disarming honesty, he traces his unlikely path through music, describing how transcribing Charlie Parker solos by hand and slowing down vinyl records until they wore out shaped his approach to improvisation. Dave's current project ‘Monkin' Around’ – a chordless trio playing Thelonious Monk compositions – becomes a springboard for fascinating insights into harmony and improvisation. He explains the liberating...2025-05-0138 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 7. Gabriella Swallow (Cello) - 'Smile'Geoff is in the leafy North London suburb of Muswell Hill to meet the wonderful Gabriella Swallow – one of the most versatile and exciting cellists of her generation.When Gabriella declares "I just want the biggest one" as her instrument selection as a child, it perfectly captures her fearless approach to musical exploration. Born in Belfast during “The Troubles” to dentist parents who loved music, Gabriella's journey from classical prodigy to genre-crossing improviser reveals a musician who refuses to be confined by tradition.The conversation takes you through her formative years at Chetham’s School of Music...2025-04-2453 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 6. Mark Armstrong (Trumpet) - 'Cherokee'Geoff is in Blackheath in South London to meet the greatly respected trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator Mark Armstrong. Mark opens up about the electrifying moment jazz first captivated him as a schoolboy—a "kinesthetic experience" of colours and sounds that sparked a lifelong pursuit. Now an accomplished trumpet player with Ronnie Scott's big band, Jazz Professor at the Royal College of Music and former musical director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Mark brilliantly articulates how jazz education parallels language acquisition. For those not born into jazz communities, he suggests learning the music requ...2025-04-1746 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 5. Phil Merriman (Piano) - 'Everybody's Song But My Own'Geoff travels to Wallington in South London to meet the incredibly talented jazz pianist, composer and arranger Phil Merriman.Phil isn't your typical jazz pianist. You immediately sense you're with a musician who refuses to be confined by traditional genre boundaries. "For me, it's not about two camps at all," he explains, discussing the artificial division between classical and jazz. "I even struggle saying I'm a jazz piano teacher. I think I just teach the piano."This refreshingly integrated approach to music stems partly from Phil's formative years studying with the legendary John Taylor, whose...2025-04-1046 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 4. Freddie Benedict (Vocals) - ‘One Note Samba’Geoff doorsteps the 29-year old vocal genius Freddie Benedict and discovers that his talents go far beyond just trumpet and vocals. Could Britain’s answer to Michael Bublé be any more talented?With an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Portuguese before formally studying jazz at Guildhall, Freddie brings linguistic depth to his performances, particularly evident in his passion for Brazilian music. This linguistic mastery combines with his unique dual identity as a vocalist and trumpet player, to create performances that blend technical skill with emotional depth. His debut show at London’s Ronnie Scott’s sold out in just...2025-04-0338 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 3. Chris Standring (Guitar) - ‘Stella By Starlight’In a rather noisy back room at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club, Geoff chews the fat with ‘soul’ jazz guitarist Chris Standring before a gig. Native Brit Chris has just flown in from LA for a series of concerts in London and reminisces about his dilemmas as a frustrated young jazz guitarist looking to make it as a solo artist. Chris reveals the pivotal moment when a friend’s casual observation – “You’ve got more gigs in LA than you’ve got over here” – prompted him to permanently relocate to America in 1991. “I slept on that overnight and by the mo...2025-04-0343 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 2. Alan Barnes (Saxophone) - ‘You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To’Geoff gets the train to Leighton Buzzard to meet the legendary jazz saxophonist Alan Barnes. This intimate conversation reveals the musical journey of one of Britain's most respected reed players, from his first enchantment with Acker Bilk's clarinet to his evolution as a multi-award-winning bandleader, composer, and record label owner.Alan shares revelatory insights about the art of improvisation, explaining his refreshingly straightforward approach: "Play the tune and embellish it if you can." Rather than getting lost in theoretical frameworks and modal terminology, he emphasises melodic paraphrasing and the importance of being able to sing w...2025-04-0345 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastEpisode 1. Emma Smith (Vocals) - ‘No Moon At All’Geoff tracks down the wonderful jazz singer Emma Smith just a few weeks after she lands a major record deal. She opens up about her remarkable journey from rebelling against her jazz musician parents to becoming one of the UK’s most captivating jazz performers. They discuss everything from improvisation technique to social media and the challenges of making it Stateside. Emma’s approach to vocal improvisation reflects her deeply thoughtful musicianship. Unlike instrumentalists who can press keys to produce specific notes, vocalists must develop an internal understanding of harmony. "I have to feel it, I have...2025-04-0343 min
The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastTrailer - The Quartet Jazz Standards PodcastStep into the vibrant world of jazz through intimate conversations with the artists who live it every day. The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast, hosted by renowned bassist, composer and producer Geoff Gascoyne, strips away the mystique surrounding jazz musicians to reveal the human stories behind the solos.Each week, we sit down with both legendary artists and rising stars from the jazz world, exploring their musical journeys in ways both profound and playfully candid. Vocalist Emma Smith shares practice techniques you can use on your morning commute, while veteran saxophonist Alan Barnes breaks down Clifford Brown's iconic...2025-04-0305 min
Off The Job: A Tradesman PodcastHow Lincoln Smith Scaled Custom Heat Ltd to 200 Employees | Off The Job: A Tradesman PodcastSend us a textIn this episode of Off The Job: A Trades Podcast, hosts Keiran Yates and Pete Withers sit down with Lincoln Smith, Managing Director of Custom Heat, to discuss his journey from apprentice to business leader. Lincoln shares how he transformed his family business from 7 to nearly 200 employees, the challenges of scaling a trades business, and why branding, pricing, and automation are crucial for success.🔥 Topics Covered:✔️ How to grow a plumbing and heating business sustainably✔️ The importance of branding and premium pricing✔️ The truth about hiring & managi...2025-02-171h 17Off The Job: A Tradesman PodcastPete’s Wallet Is in Tears, Robbie’s Cougar Night Out, and Keiran’s Year-End Reflections | Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast Overtime Ep. 46Send us a textThe Final Overtime Episode of 2024! 🎄In this festive and chaotic finale of Off The Job: Overtime, Keiran and Pete wrap up 2024 with laughs, reflections, and some unbelievable stories. From paying a jaw-dropping £18.80 for cheesy chips at Rochester Market to Robbie accidentally continuing the Trade Apps Christmas party to a Cougar and Cubs event, this episode is packed with unforgettable moments!✨ What’s Inside This Episode?Tool Theft Awareness: Pete recaps the massive success of the Toolstation Tool Marking...2024-12-2749 minOff The Job: A Tradesman PodcastPHEX South Live Show Special | Off The Job: A Trade Podcast Season 3 Episode 10Send us a textWelcome to the Season 3 finale of Off The Job: A Trade Podcast! In this special live episode, we take you inside the PHEX South (Plumbing and Heating Exhibition London), one of the UK's premier events for plumbers, gas engineers, and industry professionals. Hosted by Kieran and Pete from Trade Apps, this episode is packed with laughs, trade stories, and insightful discussions.We’re joined by special guest, Pointy Plumber, a renowned Talon ambassador, who brings his signature humour and knowledge about the industry. We also dive deep into mental health in th...2024-09-2631 minOff The Job: A Tradesman PodcastInterview with Chris Armstrong pstheplumber | Off The Job: A Trade Podcast Season 3 Episode 8Send us a textWhat's plumbing like in the Land of the Free? Well Chris Armstrong, a plumber from America, has joined us today on Off The Job over a video call!Tune in to hear how different plumbing is out there from general workflow, costs, taxes, and equipment! Chris tells Keiran and Pete about how the historical 9/11 attacks changed the America. Pete wants to know how gun laws work in combatting against tool theft. And Chris discusses how a plumbing business in America is vastly different to a plumbing business in the UK.2024-09-1254 minOff The Job: A Tradesman PodcastAre Wet Vacs Essential? | Off The Job Podcast Overtime Episode 34Send us a textThank you for all the comments! Keiran and Pete are back to answer many questions and raise many more. The boys discuss how a viewer has managed to get by without a wet vac, how to handle the increase cost of holidays during school term, the fine line between harassment and banter, and the best way to tackle pricing for solo tradespeople.📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER...2024-09-0931 min