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You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians

Peter Martin & Adam Maness

300 episodes

The best hang in music. Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break down the greatest albums of all time, track-by-track. Like Thriller, Kid A, Songs In the Key of Life, Aja, and Voodoo. They use their deep knowledge of music theory to uncover the hidden qualities that make music work - harmony, groove, composition and production - while demonstrating at the keys and playing isolated stems. Then, watch them perform their favorite track with our in-house band: One shot, one take. You'll never hear music the same way again. A video podcast from Open Studio, the #1 online jazz education platform.

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. "At Town Hall" – Nina Simone

    · 1 h 09 min · S13 E15

    At Town Hall captures a pivotal moment in Nina Simone's story, when she left behind her dream of being a concert pianist and embraced her identity as an indefinable and remarkable talent. At Town Hall shows off Nina’s…

  2. "Thriller" – Michael Jackson

    · 1 h 20 min · S13 E14

    In 1981, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones set out on one of the most ambitious projects in pop music history: an album where every song was a hit. The result was Thriller. The record-breaking, chart-topping masterpiece…

  3. "Voodoo" – D'Angelo

    · 1 h 19 min · S13 E13

    In light of D'Angelo's passing, we're replaying our episode on Voodoo from June 2025. This Grammy-winning, genre-defying album changed the sound of R&B, soul, and hip-hop forever. And it has seriously influenced the…

  4. The Jazz Samples That Built Hip Hop

    · 1 h 35 min · S13 E12

    Hip hop wouldn’t sound the same without jazz. From A Tribe Called Quest to PinkPantheress, jazz provides the groove behind of some of the most iconic tracks of the genre. Diallo Riddle and Luxxury of One Song join…

  5. "Hard Groove" – The RH Factor

    · 1 h 22 min · S13 E11

    The RH Factor’s Hard Groove might sound uncontroversial to modern ears, but in the early 2000s it was revolutionary. With this record, Roy Hargrove broke away from the straight-ahead jazz revival of the Young Lions era…

  6. "Blue" – Joni Mitchell

    · 1 h 07 min · S13 E10

    Joni Mitchell’s Blue, a folk masterpiece, has inspired jazz musicians since its release in 1971. Is it because she sings like a horn player? Her improvisational melodies? Her unconventional chord structures? Her…

  7. "A Love Supreme" — John Coltrane

    · 1 h 14 min · S13 E9

    John Coltrane's A Love Supreme: Some call it the greatest album of the 20th century. Others say it isn't even Coltrane's best album ... of 1965. No matter where you think it sits in the jazz music canon, Coltrane's…

  8. Why Jazz Musicians Love Hip Hop (ft. Switched On Pop)

    · 53 min · S13 E8 · Explicit

    We're talking jazz influences in hip hop today with Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding from Switched On Pop. We dig into tracks from Kendrick Lamar (there's that TPAB acronym!), Common, Cautious Clay and David Bowie to…

  9. "Innervisions" — Stevie Wonder

    · 1 h 29 min · S13 E7

    We’re diving back into Stevie Wonder with Innervisions, right in the heart of his classic period from 1972 to 1976. There’s something magical about this stretch of music history, and Innervisions stands as one of the…

  10. "Someday My Prince Will Come" — Miles Davis

    · 1 h 12 min · S13 E6

    There is no more important relationship in this era of music than that of Miles Davis and John Coltrane; two masters ever-present in the musical and cultural landscape. Someday My Prince Will Come marks the last time…

  11. "Afro Blue" — Robert Glasper

    · 57 min · S13 E4

    When does Afro Blue and Smells Like Teen Spirit belong on the same record? When it's a Robert Glasper album! In 2012, Glasper's Black Radio brought together artists like Erykah Badu to bring a jazz standard, Afro Blue,…

  12. "Rumours" — Fleetwood Mac

    · 52 min · S13 E3

    Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is undoubtedly one of the best pop rock albums ever. But the story behind its creation reads like a soap opera. Everyone -- Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mic…

  13. "Maiden Voyage" — Herbie Hancock

    · 1 h 00 min · S13 E2

    Today we're going on an aquatic journey with Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage. Herbie calls the title track the best tune he's ever written. We dive deep into the music to explore what makes this tune, and this album,…

  14. "Still Crazy After All These Years" — Paul Simon

    · 1 h 38 min · S13 E1

    Broken Record's Justin Richmond joins us to talk Still Crazy After All These Years. Paul Simon's Grammy-winning album was born out of divorce, and produced some of his greatest songs of all time, like 50 Ways To Leave…

  15. Season Finale: Testing Our Show Against Our Own Rules

    · 55 min · S12 E24

    We turn our own categories back on ourselves! We're looking back on the past 20 epiosdes, which we're calling You'll Hear It Season 12, and ask: - What are our apex moments? - What are our desert island tracks? - Is…

  16. From Sonata to Stank Face

    · 1 h 09 min · S12 E23

    The ultimate musical showdown: jazz vs classical. We bring in conductor Josh Weilerstein from the Sticky Notes podcast to compare, contrast and find the common ground among these two very different schools of music.…

  17. The Best Thing To Ever Happen In 1960

    · 1 h 01 min · S12 E22

    John Coltrane’s Giant Steps isn’t just a jazz classic — it’s a rite of passage. Peter Martin and Adam Maness dig into what makes the album so technically punishing and emotionally electrifying. From the iconic solo on…

  18. Jazz Organ LEGEND Reveals Favorite Tracks

    · 33 min · S12 E21

    We’re sitting down with one of the greats! Organist Larry Goldings is in the house to spin the B3 tracks that shaped him – from Jimmy Smith’s revolutionary runs to Billy Preston’s blending brilliance behind Aretha…

  19. The Genius of D'Angelo's Voodoo

    · 1 h 17 min · S12 E20

    We’re finally digging into “Voodoo” - D’Angelo’s Grammy-winning album that changed the sound of R&B, soul, and hip-hop forever. And the album a young Adam Maness had on repeat, seriously influencing his playing as well…

  20. 90's Jazz At Its Finest

    · 1 h 16 min · S12 E19

    You can’t deliver a performance like Shirley Horn’s “Here’s to Life” unless you’ve lived a little – or a lot. It’s an album only an artist with decades of love, loss, and resilience could create. In this episode, we…

  21. It’s Time: Joshua Redman’s Spirit of the Moment

    · 1 h 22 min · S12 E18

    For the first time ever, we’re digging into an album Peter actually played on. In this episode, we go deep on Spirit of the Moment, saxophonist Joshua Redman’s 1995 double-CD live album, recorded at the legendary…

  22. Miles’ First Masterpiece: Birth of the Cool

    · 1 h 14 min · S12 E17

    Before Kind of Blue, a 21-year-old Miles Davis was already reshaping jazz with Birth of the Cool. In this episode, we explore how Miles teamed up with arranger Gil Evans and a chamber-like nonet to craft a sound full…

  23. The “Love Supreme” of Soul Music?

    · 1 h 37 min · S12 E16

    Learn what makes Marvin Gaye’s protest album a timeless masterpiece. Adam and Peter go deeper than deep—layer by layer—using stems to find out. Listen to the full arrangement in a way you’ve probably never experienced,…

  24. What Genre Is Tower Of Power??

    · 1 h 10 min · S12 E15

    We hand the mic to Kirk Hamilton from the Strong Songs podcast to help us break down the groovy 1973 self-titled release: Tower of Power. We unpack what makes this Oakland funk outfit a generational institution – from…

  25. Did Chick Corea Perfect Midi Jazz?

    · 1 h 07 min · S12 E14

    Stack a DX7, a keytar, and enough rack-mount synths to power a small city, and you get one of the most iconic – and polarizing – jazz fusion albums of the ’80s. This week, we dive into The Chick Corea Elektric Band…

  26. Best Oscar Peterson Trio - Guitar or Drums?

    · 41 min · S12 E13

    Who swings harder: Oscar Peterson with guitar or drums? In this jazz piano trio showdown, Adam and Peter go head-to-head with seven scorching tracks spanning OP’s career. Team Guitar brings Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis,…

  27. Stevie's Greatest Album?

    · 1 h 19 min · S12 E12

    What happens when a 21-year-old Stevie Wonder gets the keys to the Motown kingdom? You get Talking Book, a no-filler masterpiece. Adam and Peter go track-by-track through Stevie’s first fully self-driven album, where…

  28. Is Keith Jarrett The Greatest Solo Pianist Ever?

    · 1 h 03 min · S12 E11

    One afternoon in Oslo changed the course of jazz piano history! In this episode, Adam and Peter dive into Facing You, the hit 1971 ECM release where a 26-year-old Keith Jarrett – torn between Miles Davis’ electric band…

  29. Herbie Hancock's Greatest Era Is Not Even Jazz?

    · 56 min · S12 E10

    Does it get any better than that ARP bass line on “Chameleon”? That’s right, it’s Herbie time! Join Peter and Adam as we explore Herbie Hancock’s explosive breakout from Blue Note jazz man to platinum-selling…

  30. The Ten Most Important Years In Jazz

    · 1 h 23 min · S12 E9

    Take a trip with us to the most revolutionary decade in jazz (1923-1933), when a young Louis Armstrong was creating a new improvisational vocabulary in real-time. This isn’t the “Wonderful World” Satchmo most know, but…

  31. Why Do Jazz Pianists LOVE Roberta Flack?

    · 1 h 05 min · S12 E8

    Tune in as we pay tribute to the incomparable Roberta Flack, who we sadly lost last month. From her 1969 debut album First Take (featuring Open Studio artist Ron Carter on bass) to her iconic collaborations with Donny…

  32. Miles' Greatest Album - You're Welcome

    · 37 min · S12 E7

    Could Miles Davis’ peak performance come alongside a bunch of kids who weren’t even getting paid? In this episode, Peter and Adam dive into one of the greatest live albums ever captured, My Funny Valentine: Live at the…

  33. Is "Off The Wall" Michael's True Masterpiece?

    · 59 min · S12 E6

    When Epic Records told Michael Jackson “no” to Quincy Jones, he fought back and changed music forever. Join Adam Maness and Peter Martin as they dive into Jackson’s 1979 masterpiece Off The Wall – the album that…

  34. Bill Evans and The Trio That Changed Trios

    · 47 min · S12 E5

    Can you believe the most celebrated Bill Evans Trio was only together for 18 months? In this episode, we’re looking at early 60's Bill alongside Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and the four albums they recorded together…

  35. Greatest FUNK Band Of All Time?

    · 53 min · S12 E4

    What makes New Orleans funk hit so different? In this episode, we dive into the swampy funk of The Meters, the iconic quartet that’s left its mark on everything from Wu-Tang to Whitney Houston and beyond. We break down…

  36. 6 Songs To Turn Coltrane Curious Into Coltrane Converted

    · 39 min · S12 E3

    Have Giant Steps and Meditations scared you away from John Coltrane? Join us on the other side of the Trane tracks with what might be the best trio of albums ever dropped in the same year. We’re talking 1963…

  37. How Brad Mehldau Became Jazz' Greatest Genre Hacker

    · 55 min · S12 E2

    Has Brad Mehldau always been one step ahead of jazz? In this episode, Peter and Adam trace his evolution from the straight-ahead Art of the Trio series to the produced, cinematic experiments of his 2002 opus Largo. We…

  38. Steely Dan's "Aja": A Perfect Album?

    · 46 min · S12 E1

    From the hypnotic grooves of “Black Cow” to contributions from jazz legends Wayne Shorter, Steve Gadd, and Victor Feldman, Steely Dan’s 1977 masterpiece Aja reigns amongst the best—and best-produced—albums of all time.…

  39. Our Favorite Village Vanguard Sets

    · 45 min · S11 E266

    In this very special cross-over episode, Adam Maness and Bob DeBoo from Upright Citizens check out 12 of their favorite live albums recorded at the famous Village Vanguard. What's your favorite live album? link to our…

  40. How To Live Musical Life In 2025

    · 47 min · S11 E265

    In this solo episode, Peter Martin gives advice on how to live a musical life in the coming year and what to do to set yourself up for success. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no…

  41. Tunes That Teach Ya Somethin

    · 27 min · S11 E264

    Adam and Peter list their favorite tunes that actually teach ya something! Learning these tunes will give you a better grasp on your playing in these contexts. Check out our playlist on Spotify…

  42. What Makes A Heart Tugger?

    · 31 min · S11 E263

    Ever get overwhelmed with emotion from a tune? In this episode, Adam and Peter talk about what about music can evoke such emotion. Link to our Spotify Playlist Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio…

  43. The Greatest Pianist Ever

    · 1 h 04 min · S11 E262

    Join us as we dive into the life and legacy of Art Tatum, the jazz piano virtuoso who took entertainment on the instrument to a new level. YT playlist •…

  44. Holiday Classics That No Longer Sleigh

    · 32 min · S11 E261

    Do you ever find yourself lacking on a little holiday cheer? Do the holiday classics seem a little drab and dull lately? Well you may not be alone - Check out Peter and Adam's list of holiday classics that just aren't…

  45. 7 GAS Standards That Still Slay

    · 49 min · S11 E260

    Peter and Adam both name their 7 favorite GAS standards from best to worst. What's your favorite GAS standard? Link to our bespoke Spotify playlist.…

  46. Taught In 60 Seconds

    · 52 min · S11 E259

    Black Friday is upon us! Go to https://openstudiojazz.com/blackfriday for our biggest savings of the year. Think you can teach somebody a lesson in 60 seconds? Join Adam and Peter as they reminisce about their journey…

  47. What's In Your Ears?

    · 36 min · S11 E258

    What's on your playlist? Join Adam and Peter as they hang and share some music they've been inspired by lately. Our Spotify Playlist Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to…

  48. Best Drummer Of The Past 99 Years

    · 41 min · S11 E257

    Roy Haynes! The greatest to ever do it - join us as we remember the life and legacy of one of the true legends of Jazz history. Reaching Fourth - McCoy Tyner Coltrane Quartet 1963 Newport Matrix - Chick Corea David…

  49. Please... Can We Stop Saying Jazz Is Dead Yet?

    · 27 min · S11 E256

    Adam and Peter reluctantly wade into the tired old 'Who Killed Jazz?' debate... Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today. Looking to drop a question? Want to listen to the audio pod? Look no…

  50. In Memory Of Lou Donaldson

    · 40 min · S11 E255

    Lou Donaldson, November 1, 1926 – November 9, 2024 We honor the late, great Lou Donaldson who created new pathways for generations of Jazz musicians to come. Everything I Play Gonna Be Funky (From Now On) Christian…

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