In today’s episode, your host Carl Brown is joined by Judah Sealy who started playing music in middle school. He's a billboard charting saxophonist and keyboardist. He released his first smooth jazz album entitled "The Arrival" in 2015 and his song “Stylish” in September of 2021 cracked the billboard Smooth Jazz Top 10. Judah is a very much in-demand musician that plays in various groups around his hometown and Western New York. In addition to being a recording artist and bandleader, he also has a passion for Music Education as well as Music Ministry.

This episode is about Judah’s passion for music, working with well-known artists, being an educator, being a music director at church, and what people would be surprised to know about him.  Carl and Judah also talk about their admiration and encounters with their favorite artist Kirk Whalum. In the ‘Bout It or Doubt It' segment, you’ll hear his opinion on space travel and  cryptocurrency. In this episode they play Off The Charts, Stylish, and Showtime. 

Episode Highlights

What made Judah decide to concentrate on smooth jazz

01:31 I grew up listening to the first record that I’ve heard with saxophone on it was the Bodyguard soundtrack and my mom had that in the house and everyone knows “I will always love you” and Kirk Whalum is my all time favorite saxophonist.

How he describes his music and what he’s looking for when creating music

03:34 The songs that mean the most to me that I create are songs that are feeling. How can I make a song that makes me feel a certain way or a song that represents a feeling.

When did you know that you wanted to be a professional musician?

15:34 I didn’t know that was in the cards for me. When I was making music in middle school and high school it was just something that I loved to do. I would write songs, perform those songs and it seems that it’s such a far off thing. It didn’t seem like an attainable dream. It was just like “this is what I love to do”.

What are your most favorite and most challenging parts about the music-making process?

19:27 In the studio that is the only place in my life that I’m in control of. 

30:00 When everyone is on the same page, it's wonderful work. You’re serving people and serving with people who are all serving the same thing.

Contact

Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Judah Sealy