Jun 1, 2021
Podcast 820 is a little different from some previous postings. I’m happy to bring you a conversation with a noted jazz musician, but rather than talk to him about his latest release, we’ll be talking about his Podcast. Noted bassist Todd Coolman has recently jumped into the world of podcasting with “The Cool Toddcast,” where he converses with jazz notables and shares his thoughts on all things jazz.
Todd has been a mainstay in the world of jazz for more than forty years, and he has performed with the likes of Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Renee Rosnes and many others. You may known best for his 26-year association with the legendary James Moody, with whom he won a Grammy Award in 2011 for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group" for 4B.
Beyond his work as a sideman, he has released four albums as a leader, the most recent of which is Collectables in 2016. The Director of Jazz Studies at Purchase College in New York, he is the author of two method books related to jazz bass playing; The Bass Tradition and The Bottom Line.
Our conversation touches on the creation of his podcast, where he hopes it might leader him in the future, and what he hopes listeners will enjoy. We also talk about his time with Moody, and about his Grammy award for Best Album Notes in 1991 for Miles Davis Quintet 1965-1968. Musical selections include the standard “Along Came Betty” from James Moody’s 4B.