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!!