Episode 66: Jazz Bassist, Vocalist and Teacher - Katie Thiroux

Our latest conversation in our "Amazing Women In Music" series, features the immensely talented bassist and vocalist, Katie Thiroux. Katie has performed with many of the most influential jazz artists as well as leading her own groups. Katie has also released three albums.

She began at playing a very early age and through the encouragement of her parents discovered her passion for music playing in school bands and later in orchestra settings. It was listening to bass legend Ray Brown that convinced Katie to make jazz bass her instrument. And by listening to vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, she developed her singing style. Miles Davis has also been a huge musical influence.

Katie attended Berklee College of Music and later was hired as a instructor for them at their campus in Ecuador. She has a passion for teaching and says that teaching her students has helped her with her own playing.

In this episode Katie talks about how jazz is making a comeback, the role John Clayton has had in her career, the satisfying opportunity to teach young women through the Monterey Jazz Festival, her podcast - The Hump with Katie, her thoughts on some iconic bassists in jazz and much more.

Learn more about this outstanding musician on her site: https://www.katiethiroux.com/

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Episode 65: Eric Branner - Building A Community With Music

As a musician, teacher and entrepreneur, Eric Branner knows the importance of what music can do to inspire a community. When you engage with a community, you build trust and caring. By sharing his love of music, his students realize the value they give through their playing. A message that is carried on to the other musicians they associate with.

Eric has been teaching guitar for over twenty years, through one on one and group classes. When the virus hit, Eric went to online classes with amazing results. He also founded Camp Branner, where he takes his students out in nature for an intensive collaborative music experience.

Eric is also the CEO and co-founder of FONS. FONS is an online solution that automates client schedules and payments for businesses such as music instructors, trainers and teachers. The service is convenient so that both the student and the instructor can concentrate on their studies, saving time and stress. Eric has helped assemble a great team committed to a common goal. Just like a band...

Throughout our conversation you can hear Eric's passion of teaching musicians their true value, developing talented human beings, how important being involved in a community is and how FONS is the future.

Learn more about Eric on his site: https://www.ericbranner.com/#intro

Learn about FONS here: https://fons.com/

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Episode 64: Virtuoso Pianist Kristina Marinova

Kristina Marinova is an expressive, passionate, stunning classical pianist who devotes herself to finding the soul of the composer and the meaning of their music in every performance. She understands the power music has in it's emotion and expression. Kristina's efforts in researching the music and artist make her interpretation of the pieces that much more enjoyable.

Her three points of reference that play into her music are Purpose, Listening and Balance. Her latest album is a solo piano project called "4 Rhapsodies". A collection of music that is challenging for piano since they are usually performed by full orchestras. Kristina delivers strong performances throughout which were a catalyst for her emotional experiences at the start of the pandemic.

Kristina will be performing "4 Rhapsodies" live this month including a performance at Carnegie Hall on January 31st!

During this conversation you'll learn about Kristina's upbringing in her native Bulgaria, her passion for teaching gifted students which lead to her forming the Marinova Music Institute, why she chose performing over teaching as her calling, her future projects including showcasing women composers and more.

Learn more about Kristina and purchase her music on her website: https://www.kristinamarinova.com/

Purchase tickets to her Carnegie Hall performance here: https://bit.ly/3I5QUuT

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Episode 63: Education Advocate Dr. Francisco Jimenez

We are all products of our upbringing where we're taught values and learn from our experiences. Dr. Francisco Jimenez learned from his parents the values of hard work, respect, faith and hope. Throughout his career, Dr. Jimenez, an educator and advocate for better educational systems, has used those examples and values to raise the standards for both students and teachers

Francisco migrated with his family to the United States at a very young age. His parents worked hard in the fields to give their children a better life. And even though he didn't speak english in school, Francisco soon developed a love for learning. Although difficult, he continued his studies and eventually graduated from Santa Clara University and then received his PhD from Columbia University. That along with attending a speech by Cesar Chavez set him on his mission of providing a better understanding that diversity is needed in every education system.

Francisco has written four autobiographical books telling his story to inspire others who face the same challenges as he did. He has also won awards, grants and recognized for all his accomplishments in education. He is a true role model, great story teller and mentor to generations of educators and those seeking a better life.

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Episode 62: Classical/Latin Jazz Crossover Artists - The Red Quartet

When you bring together four accomplished, passionate musicians from different cultural and musical backgrounds, typically, a new style of music is born.

The Red Quartet features classically trained musicians who fuse classical, chamber music with Latin Jazz and Brazilian music. Each musician adds their own coloring to the music to give it a fresh sound. In this episode we speak with three of the four members who share their musical history, their influences, how the ensemble came together, what has been the response from fans and the industry and what the future holds.

Each member has performed, recorded with some of the biggest names in music. They recorded their first album, "The Red Quartet", last year and released it early in 2021. The recording was done rather quickly as they rehearsed quite a bit plus having performed the music in concert.

With much of today's music being 'safe' and sometimes monotonous, The Red Quartet exposes you to a new genre of music worth listening to and enjoying. Listen to them on Spotify, Apple music, YouTube and on their website: https://theredquartet.com/

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Episode 61: Relentless Solution Focus with Dr. Ellen Reed

When faced with a problem, our mind is programmed to go into a negative mode instead of right away focusing on a solution. But, what if you could instead say, "What is the ONE thing I can do that could make this better?" That is the essence of the book, "Relentless Solution Focus." Replace the negativity with positive solution based thinking.

Co-authors, Dr. Jason Selk and our guest, Dr. Ellen Reed, are both premier performance coaches. Both have worked with business leaders, athletes, students, teachers and many more. They found that successful people have a pattern of focusing on solutions to achieve their goals.

They have developed a three step method to train your brain and create a mental toughness to handle most situations.

In this episode Dr. Reed talks about how anyone can use the Recognize, Replace, Retrain system, what is the Expectancy Theory, having the confidence, self awareness to achieve your solution, the Mental workout and Success Log they've developed and much more. We highly recommend this book to those wanting to develop mental toughness in their personal and professional lives.

We also recommend purchasing copies of the book to give to your clients, students and friends. A special publishers offer to purchase multiple copies can be found here: https://bit.ly/3HzyNhv

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Episode 60: Composer and Pianist Jennifer Thomas

Jennifer Thomas began playing piano at age five. She was classically trained and soon she was performing with orchestras and taking up violin as well as piano. Jennifer began experimenting and creating a niche for her own musical style. Film scores were a major influence on Jennifer's writing style. The music that she writes is expressive, authentic and epic.

Jennifer has released six albums including her latest, "The Fire Within". Many of Jennifer's songs have won awards. Jennifer also collaborates with other amazing musicians like Tina Guo, Kimberly Starkey and many others.

In our conversation, we discuss how she creates her music, the role nature plays in her writing, what it was like to hear her music during the Olympics, how she handles being a wife and mother while still having a music career plus how she got involved with the empowering Epic Women Project. Jennifer also talks about the meaning behind "Girl In The Mirror". One of the most powerful songs on "The Fire Within".

In 2009 she released "The Lullaby Album". A project she produced with her mother. It's an album that her children still listen to today to fall asleep. Jennifer is meticulous in writing her music to make sure the message and emotion behind each composition is just right. She is one of our favorite "Amazing Women In Music".

Visit Jennifer's site for more information and to purchase her music: https://jenniferthomasmusic.com/

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Episode 59: Jazz Vocalist and Songwriter Lorraine Feather

Our 'Amazing Women In Music" Series continues with the Amazing Lorraine Feather!

Lorraine grew up in New York City and was surrounded by music thanks to her father, Leonard Feather's connections in the jazz world. Originally Lorraine wanted to pursue an acting career but then began singing after moving back to New York from Los Angeles. It was producer Richard Perry that suggested she begin writing lyrics for other artists and projects.

In the '90's she began her recording career as a solo artist and has since recorded fourteen albums. He latest is "My Own Particular Life". Lorraine lyrics are deep, personal stories that come to life through her signature vocal style and help from some of the best musicians, co-composers and producers in Jazz. Among them, Eddie Arkin, Shelly Berg, Russell Ferrante and others.

In this episode Lorraine talks about the inspiration for the songs on the new album and songs from previous albums. We also discuss her father's influence, her songwriting process, Billie Holiday and gardening....

NOTE: If you are a Grammy voter, you have to add "My Own Particular Life" for consideration!

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Episode 58: LatinX Business Success with Frank Carbajal

When we talk about leaders, Frank Carbajal's name must be mentioned. Frank is the Founder and President of 'Es Tiempo', an organization helping corporate America develop diversity initiatives to form a positive impact on their business culture. Through Es Tiempo, Frank founded The Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit to further leadership development.

His new book, "LatinX Business Success" features inspiring stories from prominent Latino and Latina leaders. You'll read about their struggles, sacrifices and determination to succeed. How they created and took advantage of opportunities. Frank writes about his DIGITAL framework to help aspiring LatinX leaders achieve. Latinos in corporate America are underrepresented. Frank and co-author Jose Morey have given the LatinX community hope that they can bridge the digital divide and become business leaders that inspire the next generation of successful LatinX men and women.

Frank also shares an amazing story of his first Latina role model, his mother. We also talk music, baseball and growing up with the lack of Latino role models in society.

'LatinX Business Success' will be available in mid-November. You can pre-order now through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Wiley Books. And if you're on Linkedin, please follow Frank for incredible daily content.

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Episode 57: Mental Wellness with Joey Garza of Above The Stigma

We live in a time where mental wellness and suicide awareness are at the forefront of concerns for everyone. Especially during the virus crisis.

In this episode, Joey Garza, the Founder and CEO of Above The Stigma, openly and bravely shares his mental health journey. He was sexually abused as a young boy and then later as a man. The confusion, the isolation he felt caused him to consider taking his life. Had it not been for two fateful instances that stopped him, he might have succeeded.

Joey sought help and revealed all the details of his story to his counselor. He realized that there have to be others who were suffering the same way he was and needed help. He formed the non-profit organization, Above The Stigma, for that reason. He began to reach out to people on the social networks to offer support. He gathered a team of experts and supporters to create a board of directors for the organization. Joey began a program for school aged kids that was offered to schools to discuss the issues of mental health and suicide prevention.

Joey is a leader who leads with empathy. He is passionate about his mission to bring awareness and change peoples lives. His story is powerful and hopeful. We hope that if you or someone you know is needing help or having thoughts of taking their life, that you'll reach out for help. The website is https://abovethestigma.org/

You can also reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800.273.8255.

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