Ken Hatfield In-depth interview with Will Kimsey (Music Outlook LA)

“My guest today is a master craftsman who has been described as ‘a veritable Picasso of the jazz guitar world.’ He is a virtuoso nylon-string guitarist, acclaimed composer, and brilliant educator who joined the faculty at the Berklee College of Music at just 19. With over a dozen celebrated books and albums, his genre-blurring voice has earned him the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Jazz Vanguard Award. But beyond his incredible fingerstyle technique and scores for ballet and the silver screen, he is also on the front lines, fighting for the future of independent music as a vital voice on the Freelance Musicians Association Jazz Advocacy Committee. Ladies & Gentlemen… this is Ken Hatfield…” – Will Kimsey (Podcast Host & Producer – Music Outlook L.A.)

Arnie Perez’s “Sunday Serenade – TWOFER TRIBUTE (Walter Bishop Jr. & Pepper Adams)” at the Five Spot Jazz

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

This past Sunday, I attended the second set of Arnie Perez‘s “Sunday Serenade – TWOFER TRIBUTE (Walter Bishop Jr. & Pepper Adams)” at the Five Spot Jazz in the East Village. I went to support Arnie, check out the new venue, and listen to the baritone saxophone.

Arnie did a fantastic job producing this monthly event. Curating live jazz in New York City is challenging, especially when it comes to building a consistent local audience. The Five Spot Jazz recently opened—paying homage to the historic original—and offers an intimate 70-person capacity with live music, Japanese food, and drinks every night.

The lineup featured Rick Germanson (piano), Jason Marshall (baritone sax), Lonnie Plaxico (bass), and Charles Goold (drums). The performance was excellent throughout. Rick’s piano playing was flawless and inventive; the rhythm section was locked in, and Jason’s rich tone and dynamic baritone sax playing were truly inspiring.

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2nd Hudson Valley Music Summit: 40 Speakers, 10 Panels, 4 Networking Breaks!

“The Hudson Valley has long been intertwined with the American music industry. It goes back further than you think. Staying power is what this is all about – building an artist/fan relationship that outlasts trends, evolves with the artist, and spans generations. The music that comes out of this region has always been less about reading charts and more about channeling a vibe, and a conference works similarly: it’s the unspoken connections that help us navigate to where we’re going,” – David Hoffman

The Hudson Valley Music Summit returns after a seven-year hiatus for a full-day industry conference and live showcase on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (480 North Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514) in New York. The day features panels, networking, and live music.

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Digital Album Review: Spaghetti Eastern Music “Two Bass Hit”

Reviewed by David Belmont

Spaghetti Eastern MusicArtist: Spaghetti Eastern Music
Title: Two Bass Hit
Format: digital album
Label: self-produced
Genre: psychedelic/progressive/indie Rock

Produced by Sal Cataldi.
Co-produced by Tomaso Semioli.
Live sound by Scott Kent
Recorded live at Green Kill Sessions, Kingston, NY
Remix and mastering by Sal Cataldi at Sonic Garden, Saugerties, NY

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, and other streaming platforms.

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