Art Telli and AL G. do the research and pick my brain-1/17/26
- jezgraham
- Nov 26, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Feb 2
Jez Graham has been sharing solo piano videos on his Instagram, Website, Facebook, and TikTok pages. While he hasn’t released a full album of new material since 2023, He has put out a few releases of archival material on his Bandcamp page and on all streaming outlets, most recently (2025) original music he composed and played for his brother's travel/photo tips show. Volume 2 will be released later this year.
Jez's focus in the last quarter of 2025 into January 2026 has been on home piano videos (actually done on a home keyboard) representing ideas that came to fruition during his marathon sets at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, which are refined and blended into the short video selections he records at home, One of these songs will form the basis of a new recording of a 49-year-old chart he says he found in his archives that was never recorded but was written for his Bay Area collective, The Rainbow Quartet, a group he co-led with Will Bernard and Don Rowlands. The song is called Folk Variety’s and the video features certain artifacts on the keyboard that represent some pivotal moments.
Art Telli- What's the story behind the artifacts?
Al G.-The artifacts on the music stand appear to be mementos from Jez Graham's past, including parts of his practice routine and the setlist and show notes of a 1982 concert he played in Long Beach with The Legendary Ladies of Rock and Roll that holds a special place in his heart.
It seems like he's using these artifacts to tell a story alongside his song
"Folk Varieties," which he wrote about 49 years ago. The mix of music and memories adds a personal touch to his post.
Other new selections include “Rainy Day Blues” aka "Old Man Plays The Blues", “The Gentle Art Of Cinnamon Eggs” plus the duo collaborations with Will Bernard, "L. Wetzel With A Stick", and "Look At That Tree".
Jazz Compositions:
The Gentle Art Of Cinnamon Eggs: A recent improvised composition as seen in his Facebook post and on his YouTube channel.
Notable Releases:
Percolate (April 1, 2022): A solo album featuring 23 original songs, showcasing his piano-driven sound and emotive vocals.
Percolate is a piano and voice album with original songs that tell the story of his life, philosophy, and spirituality.
The Jez Graham Collection (July 1, 2022): A 50-song retrospective that demonstrates his impressive range and depth as a songwriter.
In A Pine Groove (April 30, 2024): An instrumental jazz duo album with Drummer/Percussionist Emrah Kotan, inspired by places he's lived and loved.
Enjoy Each Leaf That Falls (October 1, 2024): A live album featuring Jez, Bill, and Janna Graham, recorded at the Red Clay Theater in 2014, recorded by in the words of Jez, "the greatest live sound engineer of all time", Shalom Aberle.
Then The Light Turned Green (November 27, 2024) and Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon: Recent singles that showcase his continued creativity and artistry.
Collaborations:
Surrender-Live At Eddie's Attic (January 31, 2025): A soulful live performance featuring Francine Reed, Ramon Pooser, and Mike Hinton-
Music written by Jez-Lyrics by Stephen Kalinich- Available now on all streaming outlets.
LOVEBRAIN: His eclectic 1994 debut album featuring "Pleasure Island", which highlights his ability to craft catchy and meaningful pop songs and the first released version of Mindy #16 which he has recorded and released several times in different versions.
The album also features his duets with former Prince Trumpet/Flugelhorn player Matt "Atlanta" Bliss on the dreamy "Partly Cloudy" and the spiritual funk/jazz jam "Meditation" which also features Jez on Guitar, Drums, and lots of synthesizers, as well as a remake of Billy's Deli, the original L.A. version produced by and featuring Tommy Dunbar is available on The Jez Graham Collection, a 50 song retrospective on Bandcamp.
Style and Influences:
Jez Graham's music often incorporates elements of jazz, pop, and soul, with a strong focus on storytelling and lyrical depth. His piano-driven sound is reminiscent of classic singer-songwriters, while his jazz influences add to his flow. Jez Graham's music style is a blend of jazz, pop, and singer-songwriter genres. Here's a breakdown of his musical approach:
Jazz Influences: His album "In A Pine Groove" features original jazz
compositions with a duo partner on drums, showcasing his jazz roots. The song structures, like the Monk influenced 13-bar blues song "Binghamton Blues" demonstrate his jazz background and roots.
Singer-Songwriter: Graham's music often incorporates storytelling through lyrics, as seen in his solo album "Percolate", which features 23 original songs with piano and vocals.
Music Style: Jez's music spans multiple genres, including jazz, piano-driven compositions, and inspirational music.
Jez/Jazz-Compilation on all streaming outlets.
Release: The 17-track album was released on August 12, 2022.
Featured artists: The album features several guest musicians, including Sam Skelton, Bob Lewis, Peter Grant, Mike Hinton, Ramon Pooser, Bill Hatcher, Joel Morris, Steve Mays, Bill Shirk, Ken Gregory, Will Bernard, Don Rowlands, Chuck Sher, Chuck Clark, and John Sauer.
It compiles Jez’s favorite Jazz compositions, going all the way back to The Rainbow Quartet (1978) up to his favorite trios and larger ensembles of the 1990s and 2000s, including selections from the out of print albums "Good Day Don't You", "Thursday", "Monday", and "Restrooms For Restaurant Customers Only".
The album Jez/Pop by Jez Graham features a pop style characterized by its accessibility and piano-driven melodies, influenced by the classic rock, Soul, and pop music of his youth. As a prolific singer-songwriter and arranger, Graham incorporates a wide range of his own compositions into the album, showcasing his diverse musical roots.
Key aspects of the album's pop style include:
Piano-driven arrangements: The music is centered around Graham's piano playing, a core part of his musical identity as showcased on his solo album's, "Lovebrain", and "Percolate".
Catchy melodies and hooks: Drawing from the upbeat, accessible nature of classic pop and rock, the songs on Jez/Pop are crafted to be radio-friendly and memorable.
Lyrical storytelling: The album features original songs from Graham's decades-long career. Some of his lyrics, co-written with his wife Mindy, tell stories about his life and philosophy.
Collaborative spirit: The album includes various guest collaborators, such as drummer and percussionist Victor Bisetti, Power Pop pioneers Tommy Dunbar and Jon Rubin, and Jez and Mindy’s talented offspring, Bill and Janna Graham, adding depth and varied instrumentation to the tracks.
Genre blending: While primarily pop, Graham's extensive background in jazz, blues, and funk is likely to inform the album's sound, creating a sophisticated and eclectic blend.
Art Telli- What are a few of your songs on your recent compilations that have extra special meaning to you?
J.G.- One of the songs on the Jez/Jazz compilation that is a favorite and also has ties to the folk song tradition in my own way is "Wonderful Utensil Of Serenity" which I wrote about a popular dishwashing device. It features the marvelous Soprano Sax playing of the brilliantly versatile Sam Skelton.
"Waltz For Lefty" is another favorite and the songs "Freedom Parkway" and "East Ponce" are both tributes to my adopted hometown that always seem to resonate with audiences. The oldest track "Out Of Bed Is This Reality" is one I wrote 50 years ago in Stockbridge Ma. This version was recorded with The Rainbow Quartet in 1978 at 1750 Arch Street Studios up in Berkeley.
Mindy #16 is a song that I've recorded several times, The lyrics have evolved over time and it means a lot to me for obvious reasons. My favorite version the 30'th anniversary one from 2014 entitled Mindy #16/30 (we recently celebrated our 42nd) it's available on both "Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon", and "Enjoy Each Leaf That Falls".
Let's Make Everyday Like Christmas means a lot to me as well, I wrote it in Silver Lake before we had kids, eventually we used to perform it every year with the family band, then it was released in 2010 on the holiday album "Rockin The Mistletoe on Side B Records. It was covered by Puddles Pity Party in 2018 as part of his holiday album and show. I had the honor of playing on that version too. Jez/Pop features the original mix of the family band version.
Another song that has special meaning to me is "I'm Coming Home" which is available both on Jez/Jazz and on The Jez Graham Collection. It features my dear departed best friend since 1979 Fred Crosby on co-lead vocals and percussion. We lost him about a year ago and it's still hard living in a world without Fred. We first performed that one at the 1984 L.A. Street Scene. This version was recorded live at Sambuca Jazz Cafe in Atlanta back in 2000 and features the groovin guitar of Rick Burgess and The sensational horn section of Sam Skelton and Bob Lewis.
Al G.-Graham's decades of experience playing pop, rock, and soul and Jazz as well as his collaborations have profoundly influenced his approach to crafting accessible, original pop music.
Collaborations and Versatility: He has worked with various artists, including Col. Bruce Hampton, Francine Reed, and David Marks showcasing his ability to adapt to different musical styles.
Solo Work: In 2004, Jez recorded a solo piano tribute to Brian Wilson called "Jez Loves You." It remains unreleased; however, he released a digital single of the classic Brian Wilson waltz “ Solar System” in 2010.
Recent releases: His recent releases include the EP "Then The Light Turned Green" and the nine-song album "Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon", which has a runtime of 37 minutes and features “Gratitude”, the song of Thanksgiving he wrote with his wife Mindy for a 2004 Unity service.
Inspiration: An Instagram post from May 2025 hints at the album's theme, with the text "#tryingtotakeapictureofthemoonthenthelightturnedgreen" accompanying a photo taken from the airport's SkyTrain. This implies the album title was inspired by a moment of trying to photograph the moon while on the people mover.
Jez Graham is a musician who is working on an upcoming album that will feature a song titled "Folk Varieties". This suggests an interest in exploring different types of folk music, or simply that the specific song itself i. incorporates a variety of folk elements.
While Graham has connections to the folk music world and has played at venues and events that also feature folk artists, his primary musical profile is diverse, incorporating elements of jazz, pop, rock, blues, and his own original singer-songwriter material. He is known as a prolific songwriter and a skilled pianist, particularly for his solo piano performances at the Atlanta airport.
His work in "folk varieties" appears to be part of a forthcoming project that will feature duo improvisations and compositions recorded virtually with long-time friend and former co-leader of The Rainbow Quartet, Will Bernard. The exact nature of these "varieties" is not fully detailed in current information, beyond Graham's personal description of the song which he says is a 49 year old chart he recently came across in his archives of a song he wrote for The Rainbow Quartet that was never recorded.
Jez's musicial concepts-Original Jazz composition and pop songs- Pop/Rock covers in his own style by The Beatles, Elton John, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Grateful Dead, Randy Newman, Prince, Todd Rundgren, Laura Nyro, Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa and a whole lot of Jazz including selections by Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Steve Swallow, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, George Duke and lots from The Great American Songbook.
Collaborations in diverse genres (e.g., with Col. Bruce Hampton, who was known for an eclectic mix of roots music, jazz, and rock)
In summary, Jez Graham's "Folk Varieties" refers to a specific song and potential future album project that will likely explore aspects of the folk genre within his broader, multi-genre musical style.
Art Telli- What is the question that you get asked the most?
J.G. How long have you been playing, I usually answer, Since 4 p.m.
Recent videos-
🎹 Jez Graham's "All Quiet On The Western Front" Video
The video is a performance where Jez Graham plays a solo piano cover of the song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. He mentions on his blog that this song was a favorite "deep cut" he learned and documented at his home studio.
Platform: The video is available on his YouTube channel, which features other music performances and personal musings.
Focus: The video focuses on his musical interpretation of the song, not a literary or historical analysis of Erich Maria Remarque's novel or its various film adaptations (such as the 1930, 1979, or 2022 versions).
Al G.- What's the story with your focus on Stevie Wonder's Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants and your new solo version of Black Orchid?
J.G. I just think it's one of his masterpieces that doesnt get enough credit. I first recorded Come Back As A Flower with Ramon Pooser and Mike Hinton in 1998 on our Trio album "Thursday" and my most recent video is of the song "Black Orchid" which I've been developing an arrangement of at the Airport. I decided to leave out the key change and just explore the song in Gb as is. Do yourself a favor and listen to the whole album as it's one of Stevie's most unique and inspiring albums. Next up from that album is an arrangement I've been working on of "Same Old Story".
Performance location: You can find Jez playing piano at the Piano Bar on Concourse E of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There is a great team of musicians at the airport and Jez is proud to have been a part of the music team since 2018 calling it his favorite and most fulfilling gig of all time.
Key aspects of his personal philosophy and approach to life and music-
Resilience and Growth: Graham believes that struggles and rejections are important parts of life that make a person stronger and more resolute. He is grateful for the "ups and downs" and views setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
Embracing the Moment of Creation: He finds challenge and inspiration in the act of musical creation at the piano, constantly striving to explore and go further in the moment.
Music as Therapy and Connection: Graham describes his work playing piano at the airport as a form of "music therapy in real time," highlighting the gratifying exchange of energy with travelers and the positive impact music has on people.
Embodied Experience: While not a "philosopher" in the traditional sense, his work in music touches on the idea that mind and body are an integrated whole, and that thoughts are sensorial, embodied experiences.
Live Performances:
Solo Piano at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: A stream- of-consciousness performance where he plays without preparation, focusing on healing and musical therapy for travelers.
Newsflash-There is a new family project based on the music of Janna Graham that spans generations and mediums. It's something so new that even Al G. and Art Telli can't find info on it.
Stay Tuned for all the details, meanwhile check out Janna's updated website www.jannagraham.com and her new youtube channel for clips of her current projects and compositions. https://www.youtube.com/@jannagrahammusic and if you're in Decatur you can hear the solo piano stylings of Bill Graham Wednesday's through Sunday's at Parker's On Ponce and sample his original music and Jazz educational videos @ https://www.youtube.com/@billgrahammusic https://www.billgrahammusic.com
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