How early exposure shaped practice

Kirk sits down with jazz piano legend Peter Martin to talk about Peter's musical background, his momentous early encounters with Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, the jazz scene of the 1990s, how the Suzuki method works, and why jazz students today should be less shy about talking to their heroes. 

Check out Peter's online jazz education program Open Studio, as well as You'll Hear It, the music podcast he co-hosts with Adam Maness. 

DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:

• “Variations Sur ‘Le Carnaval de Venise” feat. Wynton Marsalis and the Eastman Wind Ensemble from Carnival, 1987
• “Path Adjacent” Peter Martin w/ Gregory Hutchinson, Sarah Hanahan & Reuben Rogers from Generation S, 2023
• “Bag’s Groove” by Milt Jackson from Miles Davis, Bag’s Groove, 1967
• “Tea For Two” by Youmans/Ceasar, played by Art Tatum from Piano Starts Here, 1968
• “Broad Way Blues” by Ornette Coleman from New York Is Now, 1968
• “Swingin’ at the Haven” by Branford Marsalis from Royal Garden Blues, 1986
• “Now’s The Time/Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker from Jamey Aebersold Vol. 6: All Bird
• “Naima’s Love Song” by Betty Carter from I_t’s Not About The Melody_, 1992
• “Mental Phrasing” by Roy Hargrove live w/ Joshua Redman, Ron Blake, Peter Martin, Rodney Whitaker, Greg Hutchinson
• “Turnaround” by Joshua Redman w/ Pat Metheny from Wish, 1993
• “Jig-A-Jug” by Joshua Redman and “St. Thomas” by Sonny Rollins” from Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard, 1995
• “Cat Battles” and “One Shining Soul” by Joshua Redman from Freedom in the Groove, 1996
• “The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner” intro and “Mind and Body” from Solo, Live in New York, 2015
• “Why Approach Chords Matter” - Adam Maness for Open Studio on YouTube, 2025
• “2 Down & 2 Across,” “Sing a Song of Song,” “Before It’s Time to Say Goodbye” by Kenny Garrett feat. Kenny Kirkland from Songbook, 1997
• “Phyrzzinian Man” by Wynton Marsalis from Black Codes from the Underground, 1985
• “Necessary Evil” by Elvin Jones and “Whatever Possessed Me” by Chet Baker feat. Pat LaBarbera (Tenor) and Kenny Kirkland from Brother John, 1982
• “Stella by Starlight” by Hoagy Carmichael, performed by the Miles Davis Quintet on My Funny Valentine: In Concert, 1965

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