England's Chris Standring is a superb guitarist whose had over a dozen Top 10 contemporary jazz hits with a half-dozen reaching Number 1. Moving to the United States in 1991, Chris has become a prolific performer playing throughout the country. Coool CAT's producer Ray White caught up with Chris in May of 2024 to chat about his musical influences, insights into his younger days in England and he gives us an update on his new album As We Think - which touches on various sub-genres of contemporary jazz music. Our show hostess Lisa Davis features the one and only Boney James, whose latest album is Slow Burn, along with the amazing Dave Koz in our showcase segment. Contemporary jazz rules on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Pieces of a Dream have been playing great contemporary jazz, R&B and funk music since forming in 1976. Releasing over 20 albums, you'll find tunes on the top music charts throughout their illustrious career. On this episode, multi-award winning program director Ray White catches up with Curtis Harmon, James Lloyd and their newest official member Tony Watson, Jr. to talk about Tony's history with the band, James' recent health scare, their latest album Fired Up! along with their future plans. You'll hear much more from the band on our Episodes 30, 96, 112, 130 and 140. Lisa Davis, your "Hostess with the Mostest," showcases a rising star on the smooth jazz scene - saxophonist Jason Jackson, who released All In in 2022 and you'll find his latest single on several smooth jazz charts now. Our groove just won't quit, on the Coool CAT!

Tab Benoit is an amazing blues guitarist/singer/songwriter hailing from Louisiana Since the early 1990's Tab has released well over a dozen albums and has won numerous blues awards, keeping a busy touring schedule too. Be sure to listen to more from Tab on Episode 133. Music aficionado and Classic Artists Today's founder Ray White caught up with Tab backstage before his show in July of 2024 to talk about his new album I Hear Thunder, which was his first in 13 years. He also shared insights with singer/songwriter Anders Osbourne and about the late Leon Medica of Louisiana's LeRoux , and the band Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos, and much more. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis looks back at the storied career of the "Godfather of British Blues" - John Mayall, who passed away on July 22, 2024. Nothin' but the blues on this episode of the Coool CAT!

Bassist Christian de Mesones has honed his musical skills throughout his adult life while working various jobs to make ends meet. In 2021, this rising star garnered the attention of Dave Koz and landed on several jazz charts and Sirius XM's Watercolors. His latest album is You Only Live Twice and features his first #1 hit. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, traveled to Metro Washington, DC's Birchmere venue to sit down with Christian before his show to talk about the new album, his life's twist and turns and his music. You'll find more from Christian on Episode 166! Lisa Davis, your "Hostess With The Mostest," highlights the latest from R&B/Soul singer Leela James who released Thought U Knew in 2023. She also has the spotlight on the legendary duo of Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, whose latest album is Brazil and saxophonist extraordinaire Walter Beasley whose new single Funk Foot just dropped. Contemporary Jazz with a touch of R&B/Soul on this show from your friends at the Coool CAT!

Lao Tizer is a keyboardist/producer who blends together elements of various genres of music in developing his own brand of contemporary jazz. His band members comes from multiple music backgrounds which makes Lao's band unique in many ways. With over a half-dozen albums released since the early 1990's, he can be found playing festivals and shows throughout the country. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Lao backstage during June of 2024 to talk about his career, work with Special EFX's Chieli Minucci and his brand new album Amplify. Two other great contemporary jazz musicians are also featured in our showcase segment. Grammy award winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum - whose latest release is Epic Cool and also bassist Gearld Veasley, who played with Grover Washington, Jr. in the early 1980's. His latest single is Groovitivity. The cutting edge of contemporary jazz is right here on the Coool CAT!

Chieli Minucci formed Special EFX with George Jinda in 1982. With George's passing, Chieli has carried on the great music and heritage of the band and incorporated some of the top contemporary jazz musicians and vocalists in the country for his live shows and some albums. In June of 2024 Coool CAT's producer, Ray White, caught up Chieli out on tour to talk about his Return To Budapest With Love concert recordingm his new single Cool Summer, the all-star concept, and his work on movies and T.V. Be sure to catch more from Chieli on Episodes 61 and 131. Lisa Davis showcases Incognito and Streetwize in our showcase segment. Their latest albums are titled In To You and Lift Me Up, respectfully. We kick it up a notch on this episode - where "Old School is New School...Again" on the Coool CAT!!

Guitarist Steve Oliver has been a mainstay on the contemporary and smooth jazz charts for over 25 years. During this period he's landed over a dozen songs in the Top 20. His dynamic live performances have ignited fans from coast-to-coast. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Steve at the 2023 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival to talk about his latest album, A New Light, that showcases his deep passion for memorable compositions, jazz intricacies, pop melodies and world influences. Steve also shares several highlights of his career including touring with Acoustic Alchemy. Lisa Davis closes out the show with three fantastic musicians! Pianist David Benoit recently released Timeless, Saxophonist Paula Atherton whose Moonlight Drive single just dropped, and rising star Blair Bryant whose latest tune is Summit. This episode falls right in the groove for super contemporary jazz sounds! From your friends at the Coool CAT!

Saxophonist Steve Cole launched his national music career in 1998 when his first album release was produced by contemporary jazz stalwart Brian Culbertson. Growing up in Chicago, Steve brings elements of bebop, pop, funk and gospel to his contemporary jazz platform. He's also been on-stage or recorded with jazz and blues legends like: Larry Carlton, Buddy Guy, Jeff Lorber, Junior Wells and many more. Steve shares with producer and music aficionado Ray White insights on his latest album Without A Doubt and his album produced during COVID, titled Smoke + Mirrors. He also provides an update on his all-star collaboration, The Sax Pack. Lisa Davis, features 3 awesome artists in our "showcase segment." She kicks things off with the amazing vocalist Lalah Hathaway, whose latest album is Vantablack, followed by guitar wiz Norman Brown who recently released It Hits Different. Then she closes out our show with the critically acclaimed trumpeter/flugelhornist/vocalist Rob Zinn who just released the single "Until I Met You." A jam packed episode from some dynamic musicians... yep, it's the Coool CAT!