Ornette Coleman

Jimmy Cheatham was one of the coolest jazz cats in the industry. Having worked with many of the top jazz players such as Duke Ellington and Ornette Coleman, Jimmy brought the sounds of tradition jazz to film scores and television programs over several decades. Jimmy’s warm personality was only watched by the smooth sounds of his trombone. When teamed with his wife, the jazz and blues pianist Jeannie Cheatham, the tones were unmistakable, clear and often strikingly intimate.

Jody Espina built a distinguished career as both a musician and educator before launching his own line of saxophone and clarinet mouthpieces. His musical journey began early, first playing the recorder as a child and later the clarinet in his school band; by the age of 15 he was already performing three gigs a week. Jody continued to develop his talents while studying at Berklee College of Music and went on to teach music, including serving as Director of Jazz at the Hoff-Barthelson School of Music, while maintaining an active career as a professional jazz performer.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Steve Kuhn grew up in Boston and began performing in area night clubs as a teenager with the likes of Coleman Hawkins and Chet Baker. While at the Lenox School of Music, Steve was taught by Gunther Schuller, Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, and Bill Evans. What followed was an active performing and recording career that included strong musical advances and deep development of styles including fusion and free jazz.