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Even if you don't recognize his name, you've heard his sound. Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove played trumpet on, and contributed arrangements to, D'Angelo's Voodoo, Common's Like Water for Chocolate, and Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun. He was equally at home with neo-soul and hip-hop, and straight-ahead acoustic jazz. At the same time he was contributing to era-defining Soulquarian projects, he was producing music with his jazz quintet. Today, jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to his 2008 masterpiece Earfood and explore why it may be the perfect jazz album for the jazz-curious neo-soul fan. Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today:https://yhi.link/earfood ------------------------------- Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club:https://yhi.link/players-club ------------------------------- 📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love. 00:00 The hidden force behind neo-soul02:04 Roy Hargrove’s early years07:07 D’Angelo, Voodoo and the Soulquarians9:25 The RH Factor and Roy’s quintet15:08 I’m Not So Sure23:10 Brown27:24 Strasbourg / St. Denis32:01 Starmaker34:09 Joy Is Sorrow Unmasked38:56 The Stinger44:43 Rouge49:06 Mr. Clean51:37 Style54:01 Divine55:45 To Wisdom the Prize57:11 Speak Low1:00:26 Bring It On Home to Me1:02:04 Adam and Peter’s favourite moments1:08:47 The final verdict

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin dig into the You'll Hear It mailbag, answering your questions and checking out the tunes you always wanted them to hear. Plus, a trivia round inspired by your comments. ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter ------------------------------- Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club: https://yhi.link/players-club ------------------------------- 📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love.  00:00 The You'll Hear It mailbag episode01:52 What's on your workout playlist?04:27 When did you start playing piano?07:10 What got you into jazz?09:48 If you could choose only one chord ...10:36 One album you'd perform live TONIGHT13:05 The best jazz solos for beginners to transcribe15:36 Does classical training help jazz musicians?18:08 Playing listener requests20:23 Test out a hi-fi system with this24:21 A new favorite album 26:06 Adam loves this 70s singer-songwriter28:12 A vibey, spacey pick30:50 The album they overlooked33:15 Alternate takes better than the originals37:42 What we missed about Radiohead39:33 The jazz we're listening to right now46:20 Why kindred artists find each other51:38 You tell us all the details we missed56:49 GALA

D'Angelo's Black Messiah is one of the greatest albums of the 21st century. You can hear his musical influences all over it: Prince's arrangements, the Bee Gees' falsettos, Jimi Hendrix's guitar, Sly's groove. But the alchemy that makes Black Messiah so powerful could only come from one mind: D'Angelo, the artist who gave us Voodoo and Brown Sugar. Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack D'Angelo's Black Messiah track by track, detailing what their trained ears hear in the music, and highlighting new textures, harmonies, and song structures you may have missed on the first listen.  Plus, Peter shares stories about his friendship and working relationship with legendary trumpet player Roy Hargrove.------------------------------ Adam shows you how to play D'Angelo's "Really Love". Get the lesson:https://yhi.link/really-love------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today: https://yhi.link/linernotes-6 ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ -------------------------------  Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ ------------------------------ 0:00 D'Angelo and the Vanguard - Black Messiah1:44 Ain't That Easy7:35 Questlove, Pino Palladino, and James Gadson9:35 1000 Deaths14:09 The Charade17:44 Where this album sits next to Sly, Marvin, and Prince19:33 Roy Hargrove, and the Peter Martin connection22:28 Sugah Daddy28:45 Really Love39:40 Back to the Future (Part I)44:05 Where does talent like this come from?!51:15 Till It's Done (Tutu)53:43 Prayer56:35 Betray My Heart1:02:55 The Door1:07:13 Back to the Future (Part II)1:09:25 Is this album backwards?1:11:11 Another Life1:17:00 Our favorite moments1:17:27 How snobby is this album?1:19:53 Is it better than Voodoo?

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin play each other their favorite Ahmad Jamal tunes to build the ULTIMATE Ahmad Jamal playlist.  Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club: https://yhi.link/players-club ------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today: https://yhi.link/linernotes-5 ------------------------------- Watch Ahmad Jamal at Studio 61: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KFMLNop0_g&t=607s ------------------------------- 📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ ------------------------------- Listen to the Ultimate playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TvAf7P7H5JvG0hP0SJth9?si=vH8EJXmHS4mGw8eWm0BqnA ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love.  00:00 The Ultimate Ahmad Jamal Playlist01:48 72 years of recording, longer than a queen's reign04:06 Excerpts from the Blues (Jazz from '61, CBS Studios)08:21 But Not For Me 14:02 Jamal's quiet swagger16:05 Old Devil Moon 19:02 The 1 a.m. New Orleans gig with Brian Blade20:37 Star Eyes 25:09 When Peter met Ahmad Jamal26:15 Poinciana (Live at the Pershing, 1958)27:19 I Love Music 29:25 It Could Happen to You32:08 The elephant in the room: Miles Davis35:39 Cherokee 39:55 Peter's hot take on Israel Crosby41:13 Willow Weep for Me 43:42 What's New46:35 Our favorite moments48:53 How snobby is this playlist?50:50 Is this better than Kind of Blue?

Waltz for Debby is the sound that all "boring coffeehouse jazz" tries to imitate, but none can replicate. Featuring Bill Evans on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums, this 1962 live album has become the template for every AI jazz playlist. And yet, it stands apart as one of the greatest jazz piano trio albums of all time. Pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to the full album, track-by-track, describing what they hear in the music that lends this album its undeniable humanity. ------------------------------- Learn to play tracks from You'll Hear It. Join the You'll Hear It Players Club: https://yhi.link/players-club ------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today: https://yhi.link/linernotes-4 ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------- 📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ 00:00 Bill Evans, Waltz for Debby03:20 My Foolish Heart09:20 Waltz for Debby16:40 Detour Ahead18:53 My Romance23:55 Some Other Time27:09 Milestones30:31 Categories34:03 Mailbag

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin take turns playing each other songs, and the goal is to get the biggest involuntary reaction out of the other guy. Along the way, they break down what's actually happening in the music. In a final round, they have to sit through their opponent's pick without cracking.  Who gets the best reactions? You decide. Share your verdict in the comments. Listen to the playlist: https://tinyurl.com/3cmnby37 ------------------------------- Learn to play Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean". Join the You'll Hear It Players Club: https://yhi.link/the_ocean ------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes FREE today: https://yhi.link/linerNotes-3 ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------- 📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love. ------------------------------ 00:00 Rules of Engagement00:44 Round 105:59 Round 210:01 Round 316:08 Round 420:28 Round 525:00 Round 633:51 Bonus: The Poker Face Round36:50 Encore

Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack Radiohead's 2007 masterpiece 'In Rainbows', track-by-track. Hear about the harmonies, odd time signatures, Thom Yorke's singing technique and the production choices that give this album its sound. And learn why many of the musical choices made for 'In Rainbows' are strange for an album that hit #1 on the US and UK charts, and sold three million copies. If you're hearing 'In Rainbows' for the first time, you're not alone. So is Peter! And if you're a Radiohead fan (like Adam), watch for Peter's reaction to, and verdict on, your favorite tracks. ------------------------------- Learn to play "Weird Fishes", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners. You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it. Join the Players Club: https://yhi.link/weird-fishes ------------------------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes today:https://yhi.link/linerNotes-2 ------------------------------- 📞 Send us a message: https://youllhearit.com/ ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------ Kid A: https://youtu.be/uRs2yuQbH1Q ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack popular albums track-by-track in this weekly listening party. They talk about what their trained ears hear in the music, offering audiences a new window into the records they love. ------------------------------ 0:00 In Rainbows - Radiohead1:25 The poll that picked this album8:44 The pay-what-you-want release20:05 Adam HAD to teach this track26:58 Now we're really into great stuff31:20 Why this album sounds so good44:15 The closer, and a question about Thom Yorke's voice47:50 Peter's verdict50:05 The ten-year run

New albums all hand-picked from jazz pianist Adam Maness for your listening pleasure.  00:00 - Intro 01:51- Epiphanie - Domi & JD Beckhttps://store.bluenote.com/products/domi-jd-beck-who-asked?srsltid=AfmBOoqy83sYVjg7gWOWEPzDP1lzL0qSN3BWoiNb80SR6foAtB1hFJUi  05:45 - Solidarity Song - Terri Lyne Carringtonhttps://terrilynecarrington.bandcamp.com/album/trip-the-night-fantastic 08:01 - Eye Level - Fathershttps://store.bluenote.com/products/fathers-fathers?variant=45730941010111&utm_source=Original&utm_campaign=KennyBeats20260610&utm_medium=direct&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenote.com%2F&utm_board=bluenote&utm_country=US&utm_linkurl=bluenote.lnk.to%2Ffathers&lf=09636c21c8ac71dedf000e172e87d2a6 10:37 - Tagore - Charles Lloydhttps://store.bluenote.com/products/charles-lloyd-sangam-friends?srsltid=AfmBOorf1UxNmnTthTwtn0_zwgRhQmgDPrf_q9bYi0JObJCE-vYEtzKg  12:58 - Tethered - Nduduzo Makahthinihttps://store.bluenote.com/products/nduduzo-makhathini-the-myth-we-choose?variant=45410756886719&utm_source=Original&utm_campaign=NduduzoMakhathini20260330&utm_medium=direct&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenote.com%2F&utm_board=bluenote&utm_country=US&utm_linkurl=nduduzomakhathini.lnk.to%2Fthemythwechoose&lf=eb502d0210407eb575699b99ef700288  15:28 - Stella By Starlight - Joey Alexanderhttps://joeyalexander.bandcamp.com/album/celestial-keeper  17:51 - Bem Querer - Curio Curiohttps://curiocurio.bandcamp.com/album/curi-curi 19:43 - Out of the quiet - Richard Spavenhttps://richardspaven.bandcamp.com/album/light-of-day

Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life is all killer, no filler. Every track is a masterpiece. It's almost TOO easy for two jazz pianists in the business of reviewing history's greatest albums. So we're upping the stakes ... with a draft. Adam and Peter each present their top tracks from Songs in the Key of Life, compare and contrast, and see who comes out on top with the best lineup. Along the way, they reveal why Stevie Wonder is the master of harmony, how he (and only he) can get away with flourishes that would sound "corny" anywhere else, and the production details you'll never unhear. ---------------- Learn to play "Isn't She Lovely", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners. You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it in the Players Club: https://yhi.link/stevie-sitkol ---------------- Learn to talk like a jazz musician. Download the Liner Notes today: https://yhi.link/linerNotes-1 ---------------- Open Studio plays Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic": https://youtu.be/hY21yVJhOck ---------------- 00:00 Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder01:24 New rules: we're drafting the album02:57 The place setter that counts for nobody05:50 Round 110:00 Round 212:25 Round 316:48 Round 420:50 Round 524:10 Round 627:13 Round 730:45 Round 833:25 Round 936:17 Round 1041:35 The final lineups

You'll Hear It is a weekly listening party for people who love music ... a little too much. Every Monday, Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin sit down with one great album and break it down track-by-track. They listen, demonstrate what they are hearing, and put words to the moments you have always felt and haven't been able to explain. You’ll never hear your favorite albums the same way again. You'll Hear It returns with Season 15: August 2026.

Adam and Peter break down Prince and the Revolution's Purple Rain, the 1984 soundtrack that turned him into a global superstar. They go track by track, from "Let's Go Crazy" to the title song. With keyboards in hand, they break down the sophisticated music theory underneath this pop hit to reveal the hidden qualities that make this album great. You'll never hear Purple Rain the same way again. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a bonus track: A jazzy live performance of Purple Rain by Open Studio and St. Louis soul singer Brian Owens. For more tracks from Open Studio's band, check out @openstudiomusic on YouTube. 00:00 Purple Rain - Prince01:27 Prince, the Revolution & the Biggest Album of 198404:25 🎧 "Let's Go Crazy"07:54 Making the Movie and the Album at Once12:58 🎧 "Take Me With U"19:59 Wendy Joins the Revolution23:38 🎧 "The Beautiful Ones"30:24 🎧 "Computer Blue"35:16 🎧 "Darling Nikki"41:50 🎧 "When Doves Cry"45:41 🎧 "I Would Die 4 U"48:58 🎧 "Baby I'm a Star"52:21 🎧 "Purple Rain"58:41 Best Moments On Purple Rain1:01:33 Quibble Bits1:04:56 Snobometer1:06:23 Open Studio Performs "Purple Rain"

Our Top Picks of new jazz and jazz-adjacent releases from June 2026!

Weather Report's Heavy Weather became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. But there's so much more to it than "Birdland", Heavy Weather's radio hit. In fact, Peter makes the case that it might just be the weakest moment of the entire record. Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break it down track-by-track: From Jaco Pastorius's fiery fretless bass, to Joe Zawinul's beautiful piano, to the less-than-perfect production. You'll never hear Heavy Weather the same way again. 0:00 Heavy Weather - Weather Report2:55 The Origins of Weather Report6:29 Jaco Pastorius Joins the Band10:40 "Birdland"14:46 Birdland is the most popular. Is it the best?20:38 "A Remark You Made"25:17 "Teen Town"30:49 "Harlequin"36:22 "Rumba Mama"38:38 "Palladium"41:33 Production issues on Heavy Weather45:11 "The Juggler"50:59 "Havona"58:13 The Best Moments on Heavy Weather1:01:47 Is This Weather Report's Best Album?1:02:43 Up Next1:03:23 Open Studio plays "Teen Town" (with upright bass!)

With her 1974 masterpiece Court and Spark, Joni Mitchell transforms from folk singer into something harder to define. Her piano playing matures. Her songwriting blossoms into one of the richest harmonic and melodic color palettes we've ever heard up to this point. Not to mention her incredible lyricism and melodies. And she brings a new production sensibility from her backing band: a group of jazz musicians called The LA Express. In this episode of You'll Hear It, Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break down Joni Mitchell's greatest artistic achievement (and her greatest commercial success) track-by-track. You'll never hear Court and Spark the same way again ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs:https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------ Blue: https://youtu.be/ly6ENKGV-S8 ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: In this popular music series, Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again. ------------------------------- Sign up for the You'll Read It newsletter for little known stories about the artists you love:https://youllhearit.com/newsletter ------------------------------- 00:00 Court and Spark - Joni Mitchell00:32 New From Open Studio03:37 Joni's Sound Before Court and Spark10:04 Joni Starts Hanging Out With Jazz Musicians11:07 🎧 "Court and Spark" - Alluding To An Epic15:25 Three Songwriters in One, At the Highest Level15:57 🎧 "Help Me" - Joni DELIVERS19:09 🎧 "Free Man In Paris" 22:02 🎧 "Midnite Flite" - Tom Scott and The LA Express23:25 🎧 "People's Parties"25:55 🎧 "The Same Situation"28:05 Joni's Lyrical Prowess31:38 🎧 "Car On A Hill"34:31 🎧 "Down To You" - A Perfect Song39:54 Joni's Vocal Instrument42:17 🎧 "Just Like This Train" - A MASTERCLASS In Lydian Mode45:32 🎧 "Raised on Robbery" - What Genre Is This?!48:09 🎧 "Trouble Child"49:52 🎧 "Twisted" - The Only Cover On the Album53:55 Desert Island Tracks55:42 Best Moments On Court and Spark57:13 How Snobby Is This Album?

Jazz musicians Adam Maness and Peter Martin review their three favorite songs from Michael Jackson's most iconic albums: Bad, Thriller and Off the Wall. And their choices aren't what you might expect.  Plus - Adam, Peter and the Open Studio band play their jazzy interpretation of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.  ------------------------------- Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://openstudiojazz.com/ ------------------------------ Off the Wall: https://youtu.be/jR9zxGueeq4 Thriller: https://youtu.be/KZx6W3SI8JA Bad: https://youtu.be/XgcI9LkZqeo ------------------------------ About You'll Hear It: In this popular music series, Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo: Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again. ------------------------------- Sign up for the You'll Read It newsletter for little known stories about the artists you love: https://youllhearit.com/newsletter  ------------------------------- 00:00 The Top 3 Songs on Bad, Thriller and Off the Wall00:55 #3 05:02 #212:23 #1 16:40 "Smooth Criminal" - Open Studio