Articles by Jua Howard

Radio & Podcasts

Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Jon Hendricks, Ekep Nkwelle And More

by Jua Howard
October 12, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I want to begin by noting the recent passing of an artist with depth and endless creativity, Cassandra Wilson. Her contributions to the world of music will be greatly missed, but I also want to honor the timeless music she gifted us with in her storied career.In this episode I've got ...

Radio & Podcasts

Gretchen Parlato, Freddy Cole, Tank and the Bangas, Cecile McLorin Salvant and More!

by Jua Howard
August 5, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of new music including from Gretchen Parlato, Suzanne Pittson,Tank and the Bangas, Tom Ricci, Kate McGarry and Cecile McLorin Salvant. I've also got more timeless music to share including from Freddy Cole, Cassandra Wilson, Sachal Vasandani, Carmen McRae, The Baylor Project, Johnny Hartman and many more. Come get lost ...

Radio & Podcasts

Somi, Theo Bleckmann, Carmen Lundy, Duchess And More!

by Jua Howard
June 29, 2026

Greetings Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of new music including from Somi, Emilie-Claire Barlow,Duchess, Hannah Gill, Marianne Solivan and Lisa Rich. I've also got more timeless music to share including from Betty Carter, Saje, Theo Bleckmann, Andrea Claburn, John Tbone" Paxton , Carmen Lundy and many more. Come get lost in the music with me!

Radio & Podcasts

Jon Lucien, Gabrielle Cavassa, Will Downing, Moonchild and More!

by Jua Howard
May 13, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of new music including from Gabrielle Cavassa, Moonchild,Catherine Russell, Audrey Ochoa, Rebecca Rafla and Joe Gransden. I've also got more timeless music to share including from Billie Holiday, Will Downing, Dee Alexander, Jon Lucien, Rene Marie, Kristin Korb and many more. Come get lost in the music with me!

Radio & Podcasts

The Sistering Project, Joe Williams, Gillian Margot, Nicole Zuraitis and Many More

by Jua Howard
April 3, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of new music including from Tierney Sutton, April Varner, Kurt Elling and a powerful collaboration between Kate McGarry, Nnenna Freelon, Lenora Zenzalai Helm and Lois DeLoatch known as the Sistering Project. I've also got more timeless music to share including from Joe Williams, Irene Kral, Gillian Margot, Jo Lawry, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Nancy Wilson, Trombone Shorty, Esperanza Spalding, Kenny Washington and More

by Jua Howard
February 24, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got more timeless music to share including from Nancy Wilson, Trombone Shorty, Sarah Marie Young, Kenny Washington, Flora Purim, Mark Murphy, Esperanza Spalding and many more. Come get lost in the music with me!Playlist Intro 00:00 Nancy Wilson “Love Won't Let Me Wait" from Love, Nancy (Columbia) 2:23 Whitney James ...

Radio & Podcasts

Al Jarreau, The Baylor Project, Abbey Lincoln, Tyreek McDole and More

by Jua Howard
February 3, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope the new year is treating you well. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show." !'ve got more timeless music including from Al Jarreau, The Baylor Project, Tyreek McDole, Abbey Lincoln, Umoja Jazz Ensemble, Laurin Talese and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 The Baylor Project feat. Jamison Ross “Only Believe" from Generations (Be a Light) 2:36 John Clay feat. Ruby Pucillo “Alice ...

Year in Review

Jua Howard's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025

by Jua Howard
December 23, 2025

I'm elated to share my “Best Jazz Albums" list once again! 2025 has been another year of extraordinary music that has kept me inspired, reflective and creatively full. Even though we've lost musical giants this year such as Jack DeJohnette , Sheila Jordan , Eddie Palmieri and Nancy King; to name a few, the music released this year has kept me optimistic about where this incomparable art form is headed. Here are some of the albums released in 2025 that ...

Radio & Podcasts

Ella Fitzgerald, Gregory Porter, Olivia Van Goor, Leslie Odom Jr. and More!

by Jua Howard
December 14, 2025

Happy Holidays! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of holiday cheer to share with new music from April Varner, Wycliffe Gordon, Olivia Van Goor,Christian Wiggs; and a lot of other timeless holiday music including from Ella Fitzgerald, Kevin Mahogany, Laila Biali, Joe Williams, Natalie Cole, Leslie Odom Jr. and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Gregory Porter “Heart for Christmas" from Christmas ...

Radio & Podcasts

Ledisi, The Manhattan Transfer, Tony Bennett, Lady Blackbird and Many More

by Jua Howard
November 17, 2025

Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the First Instrument Jazz Show. I've got a lot of new music to share including music from Ledisi, Sachal Vasandani, Juliet Ewing, Whitney Ross-Barris; and a lot of other timeless music including from The Manhattan Transfer, Lady Blackbird, Tony Bennett, Patti Austin, Olatuja and many more. Come get lost in the music with me. Playlist Intro 00:00 Ledisi “If I Never Get to Heaven" from For Dinah (Candid) 3:16 ...