Song Travels Express

Jazz and pop vocalist Johnny Mathis has been wowing listeners since the 1950s with his dynamic voice backed by lush arrangements of ballads like "Chances Are," "It's Not For Me To Say," and his definitive version of "Misty." This week the two-time Grammy Hall of Famer reveals what lies behind his enduring success.

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash is the daughter of Country music icon Johnny Cash and one of the preeminent artists of her time, with eleven number one Country singles. Her 2009 album, The List, won the Americana Music Award for Best Album of the Year. On this week's Song Travels, Cash and her husband and co-writer, John Leventhal, join host Michael Feinstein to talk about their journey to the South to gather inspiration for their latest album, The River & the Thread.

Raised in England and Pakistan, Rumer possesses a deep connection to the heyday of the early-'70s singer-songwriter era, along with shades of Broadway, '30s jazz and gospel. Her debut album, Seasons of My Soul, reached No. 3 on the U.K. charts and was certified platinum. Here, Rumer joins host Michael Feinstein to talk about Judy Garland and old Hollywood and to perform her original song "Come to Me High."

Bassist Jay Leonhart is a highly sought-after session musician, a trio leader, and a one-man act. He got his start as a kid playing banjo and guitar with his brother in the '40s and '50s and was inspired to take up the bass after hearing Ray Brown and the Oscar Peterson Trio. He's played with musicians from all genres and has been on the New York jazz scene for almost five decades. On this Song Travels, Leonhart joins Feinstein for a duet of his Gershwin-inspired original tune, "Problem."

Jazz pianist Barbara Carroll is regarded as New York's first lady of jazz piano. Her career has spanned seven decades and includes everything from appearances on Broadway to performances in concert halls worldwide, as well as a remarkable 24-year run at Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel. She currently performs regularly in New York with bassist Jay Leonhart. On this Song Travels podcast, Carroll performs "No Moon at All" and other selections.

Renowned classical guitarist Sharon Isbin has released more than 25 albums, toured worldwide, and premiered some of the finest new guitar works of the last century. On this Song Travels podcast, Isbin performs her stirring transcription of Naomi Shemer's "Jerusalem of Gold" and talks about her experience playing at the 9/11 Memorial.

Jazz pianist Justin Kauflin attended William Paterson University, where he formed a friendship with his mentor, the late Clark Terry. Justin, who lost is vision at age 11, formed a friendship with the trumpeter, who was dealing with his own vision loss. Their journey together was chronicled in the documentary Keep On Keepin' On. He went on to work with Quincy Jones, and his 2015 album, Dedication, topped the jazz charts. On this Song Travels, Kauflin performs his original "Exodus."

The songs of Nashville-based indie vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Rebecca Roubion have been featured on the TV shows Bones and Pretty Little Liars. Drawing from the influences of Carol King and Eva Cassidy, her voice has been compared to Norah Jones, and her single "Break" was included on the 2014 album Nashville's Indie Spotlight. On this edition of Song Travels, Roubion performs her original song "Here Lies My Pulse."

Grammy-winning bandleader, composer and pianist Arturo O'Farrill is the founder and artistic director of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, which has performed worldwide. He's also an educator, and on this Song Travels podcast, he and host Feinstein talk about the importance of creativity and innovation in jazz performance and music education. O'Farrill and his ensemble perform a piece by Arturo's son Adam O'Farrill, "The Moon Follows Us Wherever We Go." Visit NPR.org for more from Arturo O'Farrill, including a 2002 encore episode of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz, a new episode of Alt.Latino, and a Tiny Desk Concert.

Grammy Award-winning bandleader, composer, and pianist Arturo O'Farrill is the son of the late Chico O'Farrill and has carried on his father's legacy as director of the Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra. He is also the founder and artistic director of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, which has performed worldwide. On this edition of the Song Travels podcast, Arturo O'Farrill and his ensemble—Carlo De Rosa on bass, Carlos Maldonado and Robert Quintero on percussion—perform O'Farrill's original "With Whom I am Well Pleased."

Actress and vocalist Marilyn Maye is a lifelong performer with a career spanning nearly eight decades. Her big break came in the 1950s and she went on to become a staple of the New York and West Coast Cabaret scenes. On this "Song Travels" podcast, Maye shares about her start in childhood talent competitions, her ongoing career, and her many runs in the musical Hello Dolly!