The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast

• Episode 9. Tom Ollendorff (Guitar) - 'Cotton Tail'

  This week Geoff is in West London to meet one of the best-known young guitarists to emerge onto the international jazz scene – Tom Ollendorff. What makes a great guitarist instantly recognisable? How do you develop a personal musical language that transcends technical proficiency? These questions lie at the heart of Geoff’s conversation with the virtuoso guitarist who shares his fascinating journey from blues-rock enthusiast to internationally acclaimed jazz artist. Tom's evolution began organically through improvising in blues and rock contexts before a chance encounter with jazz standards opened new harmonic possibilities. "I remember going to a bar with my Dad and there was a great guitarist playing standards," he recalls. "I remember thinking, 'what are all these chords and scales?'" This curiosity launched him into deep exploration of jazz harmony through standards like ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘All The Things You Are,’ establishing the functional vocabulary necessary for improvisation. Most revealing is Tom's discussion of his classical influences. Having spent thousands of hours mastering Debussy and Bach pieces on guitar, he developed an extraordinary sensitivity to touch, tone, and the ability to create distinct voices within a single instrument. He demonstrates this brilliantly during the conversation, showing how to make melodies sing over accompaniment as well as giving a remarkable breakneck improvisation on Duke Ellington’s 1940’s standard ‘Cotton Tail (Rhythm Changes)’. What truly sets apart musicians like John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Peter Bernstein, Tom explains, is their distinctive rhythmic identity: "They could just play a C major scale and you could tell it was them just by the rhythm." This individuality represents the ultimate goal of musical development – finding your unique voice through deep study and personal expression. Whether you're a guitarist seeking to expand your horizons or simply a music lover curious about the creative process, Tom's insights offer a roadmap to musical authenticity. As he puts it: "Take what you love and internalise it... that's the beautiful thing."Presenter: Geoff GascoyneSeries Producer: Paul SissonsProduction Manager: Martin SissonsThe Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.  

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• Episode 8. Dave O'Higgins (Saxophone) - 'It Could Happen To You'

  Geoff travels to Brixton in South London to catch up with the fabulous saxophonist, band leader and composer Dave O’Higgins. This is an intimate conversation about Dave’s remarkable journey from progressive rock drummer to acclaimed jazz musician. With disarming honesty, he traces his unlikely path through music, describing how transcribing Charlie Parker solos by hand and slowing down vinyl records until they wore out shaped his approach to improvisation. Dave's current project ‘Monkin' Around’ – a chordless trio playing Thelonious Monk compositions – becomes a springboard for fascinating insights into harmony and improvisation. He explains the liberating experience of playing without piano, forcing musicians to imply rather than state harmonic structures. We witness this approach firsthand as Dave gives an impromptu performance of the 1940’s Van Heusen/Burke standard  "It Could Happen To You," demonstrating how jazz standards share common harmonic patterns that improvisers navigate through practiced vocabulary and in-the-moment listening. The conversation takes an unexpectedly vulnerable turn when Dave admits to experiencing significant performance anxiety throughout his career – particularly after lockdown – despite recording nearly 30 albums as a band leader. His stories of high pressure performances (including a memorable live radio broadcast and playing with the London Symphony Orchestra when his music disappeared) reveal the resilience required by professional musicians. These candid admissions from such an accomplished player remind us that self-doubt never fully disappears, even at the highest levels of mastery. Whether you're a jazz aficionado, a working musician, or simply curious about the creative process, this episode offers rare insights into the mind of a master improviser. Subscribe to the Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast and download the Quartet app for iOS to take your jazz play-along experience to another level.Presenter: Geoff GascoyneSeries Producer: Paul SissonsProduction Manager: Martin SissonsThe Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.   

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• Episode 7. Gabriella Swallow (Cello) - 'Smile'

  Geoff is in the leafy North London suburb of Muswell Hill to meet the wonderful Gabriella Swallow – one of the most versatile and exciting cellists of her generation.When Gabriella declares "I just want the biggest one" as her instrument selection as a child, it perfectly captures her fearless approach to musical exploration. Born in Belfast during “The Troubles” to dentist parents who loved music, Gabriella's journey from classical prodigy to genre-crossing improviser reveals a musician who refuses to be confined by tradition.The conversation takes you through her formative years at Chetham’s School of Music, where she befriended future jazz innovators like Gwilym Simcock before continuing her classical training at the Royal College of Music. All while secretly jamming with indie bands and taking her first steps into session work. Her candid reflections on these early experiences highlight the delicate art of working across musical divides - learning to respect musicians who couldn't read music but possessed extraordinary creative gifts.The heart of this episode centres on Gabriella's transformative experience touring with jazz keyboard virtuoso Hiromi. After being bluntly told her timing wasn't good enough, she embraced what she calls "funk school," spending hours daily with Hiromi and a drum machine developing walking bass technique and time feel - skills rarely taught to classical cellists. "To learn those skills post-40 years old was the biggest present she could have given me," Gabriella reflects, demonstrating how embracing vulnerability led to musical growth.Throughout the conversation with Geoff, Gabriella reveals how music became her sanctuary during life's challenges, from her boarding school experience to balancing motherhood with her career. "Playing made me a better mother and motherhood made me a better musician," she notes, showing how these seemingly competing identities actually strengthened each other.Listen as Gabriella performs an impromptu improvisation on Charlie Chaplin’s 1930s standard 'Smile', demonstrating her lyrical approach to jazz standards while discussing the technical challenges of adapting classical technique to new contexts. Her story will inspire anyone seeking to cross musical boundaries and find their authentic voice, regardless of their training or background.Presenter: Geoff GascoyneSeries Producer: Paul SissonsProduction Manager: Martin SissonsThe Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.  

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• Episode 6. Mark Armstrong (Trumpet) - 'Cherokee'

  Geoff is in Blackheath in South London to meet the greatly respected trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator Mark Armstrong. Mark opens up about the electrifying moment jazz first captivated him as a schoolboy—a "kinesthetic experience" of colours and sounds that sparked a lifelong pursuit. Now an accomplished trumpet player with Ronnie Scott's big band, Jazz Professor at the Royal College of Music and former musical director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Mark brilliantly articulates how jazz education parallels language acquisition. For those not born into jazz communities, he suggests learning the music requires understanding its grammar while developing an authentic accent—placing rhythmic feel at the foundation before tackling harmony. His thoughtful breakdown of "the butter notes" (what Miles Davis called his chord extensions) and sophisticated rhythmic groupings demonstrates why he's become such a respected educator. The conversation reveals Mark’s analytical yet deeply expressive approach to improvisation. He masterfully explains how certain beats create more tension than others, how abrupt directional changes within melodic lines create "internal syncopation," and why the silence after notes matters as much as the notes themselves. When demonstrating on Ray Noble’s 1930’s jazz standard "Cherokee," his playing embodies these concepts with fluid, bebop-influenced lines that showcase his meticulous understanding of harmonic and rhythmic interplay. Mark’s vulnerability about his own challenges—particularly leaving enough space and maintaining the right mental state during performance—offers reassurance to developing musicians. His reflections on career highlights, including working with British jazz legend Stan Tracey, and his passion for science fiction literature reveal an intellectually curious musician who values emotional authenticity.Whether you're a trumpet player, jazz educator, or curious listener, Mark Armstrong's insights will transform how you hear and approach jazz improvisation. Try the Quartet App he recommends for your own practice journey! (shameless plug)Presenter: Geoff GascoyneSeries Producer: Paul SissonsProduction Manager: Martin SissonsThe Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production. 

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• Episode 5. Phil Merriman (Piano) - 'Everybody's Song But My Own'

  Geoff travels to Wallington in South London to meet the incredibly talented jazz pianist, composer and arranger Phil Merriman.Phil isn't your typical jazz pianist. You immediately sense you're with a musician who refuses to be confined by traditional genre boundaries. "For me, it's not about two camps at all," he explains, discussing the artificial division between classical and jazz. "I even struggle saying I'm a jazz piano teacher. I think I just teach the piano."This refreshingly integrated approach to music stems partly from Phil's formative years studying with the legendary John Taylor, whose influence permeates Phil's playing and teaching philosophy. He recalls Taylor's unique teaching style with reverence: "Very warm and very welcoming nature which, even before you've begun the music, says so much." Unlike conventional jazz instruction that might focus on licks and patterns, Taylor created an environment of exploration where Phil learned as much from Taylor's touch and tone as from the notes themselves.Phil's technical approach reflects this boundary-crossing sensibility. While many jazz pianists focus primarily on right-hand melodies with left-hand comping, Phil has made it his mission to develop equal strength in both hands. The result is a captivating dialogue between left and right that creates a truly pianistic approach to improvisation. When he demonstrates Kenny Wheeler's ‘Everybody's Song But My Own’ this balanced technique shines through - melodic lines flow seamlessly between hands, creating conversations within a single player.For aspiring composers, Phil offers practical wisdom about the creative process. Rather than waiting for inspiration from sunsets or profound experiences, he designates specific time for composition - Thursdays from 9 to 3 - emphasising that writing music requires discipline and regular practice.Whether you're a pianist looking to develop a more integrated approach to the instrument, a composer seeking practical wisdom, or simply a lover of thoughtful music-making, Phil Merriman's perspectives will transform how you think about artistic boundaries and creative process. Listen now to expand your musical horizons.Presenter: Geoff GascoyneSeries Producer: Paul SissonsProduction Manager: Martin SissonsThe Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.  

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