GREAT INSPIRATIONS

22 years of jazz inspired on npr

“Judy Carmichael has boldly gone where no jazz radio programmer has gone before. Rather than the usual jazz radio format of interviewing the already recognized musicians, Judy uses the overarching theme of jazz in general and improvisation specifically as a root metaphor for the creative process in any artistic endeavor. The results are often astonishing.””

— All About Jazz

Order Now

Autographed copy of book.

“I hate jazz, but I love you.”

“Well, what do you listen to?”

“Certainly not jazz. Something more like Louis Armstrong.”

More than twenty-two years ago, this exchange sent jazz pianist Judy Carmichael on a mission. Knowing that most people find jazz and the arts mysterious, Judy decided to record conversations with fellow artists from all fields, using jazz as an entry point into a discussion on inspiration and creativity—essentially producing a podcast before podcasts existed.

Great Inspirations: 22 Years of Jazz Inspired on NPR is a selection of some of the most inspiring of these conversations from Judy’s show, Jazz Inspired, with everyone from Diane Schuur and Jane Lynch to Jon Batiste and Marian McPartland. Introductions to each chapter reveal Judy’s challenging and often hilarious pursuit to find and entice guests onto the program. Corralling the super-famous can be an Everest climb, and Judy recounts the effort with a droll, Sedaris-like wit, giving further insight into the wacky world of celebrity creativity.

In Judy’s words, “The great gift of an artist’s life is the focus on listening, seeing, and paying attention. Artists live in imagination and playfulness and have the desire to challenge themselves, to grow and create. I hope this book not only brings light to the process of creativity but inspires it.”

“jon batiste
tony bennett
jimmy buffett
glenn close
roger corman
blythe danner
e.l. doctorow
béla fleck
renée fleming
frank gehry
jeff goldblum”

“christopher guest
penn jillette
billy joel
jane lynch
seth macfarlane
willie nelson
paula poundstone
robert redford
allen toussaint
neil degrasse tyson
loudon wainwright III”

& more…

Praise for Great Inspirations!

“I finally got around to hearing our entire interview on jazz and astrophysics. I think it is one of my best ever - magnified and strengthened by our on-air chemistry. Thank you again for your interest and your enthusiasm for what I do.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director, Hayden Planetarium, Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History, NYC

“I have been along for this ride with Judy almost from the beginning and I am constantly amazed at how her boundless imagination results in some of the most fascinating conversations about jazz I have ever heard. In fact, she is on par as a jazz radio interviewer with public radio pioneers Marian McPartland and Dr. Billy Taylor. She is carrying on that tradition in a way that I have always been envious of. The best always make it look (sound) easy.”

Felix Contreras, host, NPR’s Jazz Piano Christmas and Alt.Latino

“Judy Carmichael’s interviews for Jazz Inspired always bring out the best in her subjects who readily share their affinity for jazz. Over the years, she’s ‘outed’ many a celebrity as a closeted jazz fan, for which this jazz man is grateful. More importantly, Judy has shown how the music can be a vital part of the creative process for writers, comedians, actors, and other artists. The only thing missing from this book is her infectious laugh. You’ll just have to imagine it.”

Lee Mergner, JazzTimes

“Visiting Judy’s show has something to do with jazz, but the music is just an entry point into a larger conversation about life, friendship, conviction, and community. By the time the ‘official’ conversation is done, you realize you’ve just had the most wonderful time schmoozing with a dear, dear friend. The vibe around Judy is light, love and happiness. One can’t help but open one’s heart to her. Thank you, Judy, for being a brilliant musician, conversationalist, and most of all, the embodiment of ‘Inspired Jazz.’”