Sound Ideas (Jazz & Blues)

Series produced by Clay Ryder

Series image

Sound Ideas explores the artistry of jazz, blues, and the spoken word. Hosted by Clay Ryder, each episode explores a different theme or genre of the jazz idiom through recorded performances pulled from more than eighty years of recorded art. The music is the focus. It is complemented by a few minutes of intelligent commentary to set the context and make the music understandable and personal for both the jazz aficionado and those who listen on the jazz periphery.

Each episode can air as a stand-alone or run in a series.

What is Sound Ideas?
More than just a jazz show, each episode presents some great story telling by jazz and blues musicians and spoken word artists. By exploring the many different genres within the Jazz idiom, the show appeals both to the jazz aficionado and those who listen on the jazz periphery. In both cases, listeners enjoy exposure to a broad cross-section of this creative art without the limitations of stylistic labels. Spoken word features reflect jazz sensitivities or the life of the jazz musician and offer a unique twist on the many colors and hues painted with a brush called jazz.

One aspect of Jazz that distinguishes the art form is its ability to engage the listener on different levels (intellectual, emotional, spiritual, etc.) simultaneously. Jazz is a musical oxymoron. Jazz is a classical music, a high art form that demands much from its performers and at times from its audience; yet jazz is as down home as fried chicken, baked beans, cornbread, and your favorite glass or beer or soda.

Jazz comes from toil in the fields reassured by the gospel on Sunday morning. Jazz oozes out from under the door frame at the late night rent party. Jazz emanates from a student practicing with his or her Jamey Aebersold play-along records. Jazz is created at the university in an advanced composition class. Jazz is created by tales spun by the stand-up comic. Jazz is about learning; it's about life experience.

Listening to jazz on the melodic level reveals one experience, listening on the harmonic, another. Listening to the stories that are embedded in the melodic and harmonic levels takes the listener to another plane of communication.

Jazz is a language, and as with all languages, if one doesn't know the vocabulary and the grammar, there isn't much to gain from the interaction. With practice, however, picking up a language enables communication; and with time, the subtle nuances, the play on words (or notes), and inclusion in the greater discussion can lead to a rich and very satisfying experience. Sound Ideas seeks to engage the listener and broaden his or her musical horizons.

When should Sound Ideas be aired?
While this program would fit well within any jazz formatted day part, its intention is to engage the listener and offer a path for musical exploration and deep understanding. It works equally well as a stand-alone program within a block format or as a lead-in to locally programmed music.

What is the format?
Sound Ideas is just under an hour. It features a cold opening so it can easily transition from top of the hour news segments or from other programming. It is self-contained without local cutaways; however, there is ample space for local promotions or other transitions at the beginning and end of the show.

What’s the show’s vibe? How does it sound?
Sound Ideas is conversational and informative with a laid-back vibe. While the performances are the focus of the program, details about musicians and where to find the music are key components of the programming. Each episode has a playlist plus additional information about its theme available on the jazzstreams.org web site.

What is the cost?
Sound Ideas is free of charge. Customized promotions for stations are available for a nominal fee.

Does the series have to run in order?
No. Each episode can stand alone or run in a series. Since each program is thematic, you may run them in any order at any pace you choose (limited only by the number of available shows). An obvious exception would be holiday-themed shows, which would make sense to run during the holiday season in question.

Does the show have its own web site?
Yes. Additional information about each episode and its theme is available at http://jazzstreams.org/soundideas Hide full description

What is Sound Ideas?More than just a jazz show, each episode presents some great story telling by jazz and blues musicians and spoken word artists. By exploring the many different genres within the Jazz idiom, the show appeals both to the jazz aficionado and those who listen on the jazz periphery. In both cases, listeners enjoy exposure to a broad cross-section of this creative art without the limitations of stylistic labels. Spoken word features reflect jazz sensitivities or the life of the jazz musician and offer a unique twist on the many colors and hues painted with a brush called jazz.One aspect of Jazz that distinguishes the art form is its ability to engage the listener on different levels (intellectual, emotional, spiritual, etc.) simultaneously. Jazz is a musical oxymoron. Jazz... Show full description


508 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
In this hour, we will exercise our listening minds by diggin' some sounds that you may or may not have heard before.

Bought by WETF, RADIOLEX, WOUB, Delmarva Public Media, and RadioStPete Florida


  • Added: Mar 23, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
While the big band was king during the swing era of the 1930s and early 1940s, in the realm of jazz, the big band never completely disappeared. In ...

Bought by KJZX-Austin, KHNS, GCR (Global Community Radio), RADIOLEX, WETF and more


  • Added: Mar 17, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
In this hour, we will dig some great hard bop from the past and present.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, KHNS, RadioStPete Florida, GCR (Global Community Radio), WLPR and more


  • Added: Mar 09, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
n this hour, we will dig the blue sounds that have and continue to influence the sound of jazz.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, KHNS, GCR (Global Community Radio), WLPR , RADIOLEX and more


  • Added: Mar 02, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
Jazz Marches are few, probably because the march would seem to be the antithesis of a loose swingin' groove. However, creative types, especially in...

Bought by KJZX-Austin, KHNS, GCR (Global Community Radio), RadioStPete Florida, RADIOLEX and more


  • Added: Feb 25, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
It's the rare artist who is able to garner a following in multiple genres and sustain a career spanning decades. Al Jarreau was one of those few. E...

Bought by KJZX-Austin, KHNS, RadioStPete Florida, WLPR , RADIOLEX and more


  • Added: Feb 19, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
In this hour, we will explore sounds that are slightly different from what might be expected.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, KHNS, KSRQ, WETF, RADIOLEX and more


  • Added: Feb 11, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
Life is a journey down a meandering river. At one moment the waters are moderate, at another clam, and at other times choppy if not turbulent. So t...

Bought by KSRQ, KHNS, KJZX-Austin, RADIOLEX, WLPR and more


  • Added: Feb 04, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
You're likely familiar with the expression, "an everyday Joe", referring to someone who is a generic citizen. In this hour, we will explore some Jo...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), RadioStPete Florida, KHNS, KJZX-Austin, WLPR and more


  • Added: Jan 28, 2024
  • Length: 57:52
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
In this hour, we will dig some sounds that are just plain chillin'.

Bought by KHNS, WLPR , GCR (Global Community Radio), RADIOLEX, KJZX-Austin and more


  • Added: Jan 20, 2024
  • Length: 57:02
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
As we enter into 2024, Blue Note Records is continuing with its high-quality vinyl reissue program, the Tone Poet series. In this hour, we will con...

Bought by KHNS, WLPR , GCR (Global Community Radio), Delmarva Public Media, WOUB and more


  • Added: Jan 14, 2024
  • Length: 57:16
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
The supposed death of jazz is an oft repeated refrain, but one (absent the questionable late 1970s) that has never really rung true. In this hour, ...

Bought by KHNS, WLPR , GCR (Global Community Radio), KJZX-Austin, WETF and more


  • Added: Jan 07, 2024
  • Length: 57:39
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
The rollover of the calendar marks the end of one annum and the beginning of another. For many, it also offers a fresh start to embrace new paths w...

Bought by RadioStPete Florida, KHNS, RADIOLEX, Delmarva Public Media, WOUB and more


  • Added: Dec 30, 2023
  • Length: 57:59
  • Purchases: 8
Piece image
Every year, whether we like it or not, some notable musicians check out of Hotel Earth for the final time. In this hour, we will explore a small sa...

Bought by RadioStPete Florida, KHNS, KJZX-Austin, Delmarva Public Media, WETF and more


  • Added: Dec 24, 2023
  • Length: 57:21
  • Purchases: 7
Piece image
December is a special time of the year that comes with its own unique soundtrack. In this hour, we sample some of the hippest holiday musical fare ...

Bought by KSRQ, RadioStPete Florida, KHNS, KJZX-Austin, RADIOLEX and more


  • Added: Dec 17, 2023
  • Length: 57:59
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
Christmas is a special time of year. Whether it is the religious celebration of the birth of Christ or the secular end-of-year break, the memories ...

Bought by KSRQ, Delmarva Public Media, KHNS, RADIOLEX, WETF and more


  • Added: Dec 10, 2023
  • Length: 57:37
  • Purchases: 11
Piece image
As the end of the calendar year approaches, it's time for another sampling of Christmas meets jazz improvisation.

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), Delmarva Public Media, KHNS, KJZX-Austin, WETF and more


  • Added: Dec 03, 2023
  • Length: 58:33
  • Purchases: 10
Piece image
As we enter the final month of the year, some things become very apparent; namely, holidays, travel, and snow. In this hour, we will sample some pe...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), WJAB, KHNS, RadioStPete Florida, RADIOLEX and more


  • Added: Nov 26, 2023
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 11
Piece image
Blue Note Records' Tone Poet series delivered several great releases in the latter half of 2023. In this hour, we will continue our exploration of ...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), KHNS, RADIOLEX, KJZX-Austin, WETF and more


  • Added: Nov 18, 2023
  • Length: 57:38
  • Purchases: 9
Piece image
It is truly fascinating how in jazz the past keeps informing the present and future, where new ideas are continuously spun from a reverence for all...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), KHNS, RADIOLEX, KJZX-Austin, WETF and more


  • Added: Nov 12, 2023
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 10