Waltz for Debby – Bill Evans Trio
Waltz for Debby is the sound that all "boring coffeehouse jazz" tries to imitate, but none can replicate. Featuring Bill Evans on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums, this 1962 live album has become the template for every AI jazz playlist. And yet, it stands apart as one of the greatest jazz piano trio albums of all time. Pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to the full album, track-by-track, describing what they hear in the music that lends this album its undeniable humanity. …
The Ultimate Stank Face Challenge
Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin take turns playing each other songs, and the goal is to get the biggest involuntary reaction out of the other guy. Along the way, they break down what's actually happening in the music. In a final round, they have to sit through their opponent's pick without cracking. Who gets the best reactions? You decide. Share your verdict in the comments. — Learn to play Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean". Join the You'll Hear It Players Club: …
In Rainbows – Radiohead
Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack Radiohead's 2007 masterpiece 'In Rainbows', track-by-track. Hear about the harmonies, odd time signatures, Thom Yorke's singing technique and the production choices that give this album its sound. And learn why many of the musical choices made for 'In Rainbows' are strange for an album that hit #1 on the US and UK charts, and sold three million copies. If you're hearing 'In Rainbows' for the first time, you're not alone. So is Peter! And if you're a…
Best New Jazz In July 2026
New albums all hand-picked from jazz pianist Adam Maness for your listening pleasure. 00:00 - Intro 01:51- Epiphanie - Domi & JD Beck https://store.bluenote.com/products/domi-jd-beck-who-asked?srsltid=AfmBOoqy83sYVjg7gWOWEPzDP1lzL0qSN3BWoiNb80SR6foAtB1hFJUi 05:45 - Solidarity Song - Terri Lyne Carrington https://terrilynecarrington.bandcamp.com/album/trip-the-night-fantastic 08:01 - Eye Level - Fathers…
Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
Learn to play "Isn't She Lovely", even if you've never played a note. Led by You'll Hear It co-host Adam Maness, this special lesson is simple enough to follow, even for absolute beginners. You've spent an hour listening to Adam and Peter take the album apart. Now, you can sit down and play it in the Players Club: https://yhi.link/stevie-sitkol — Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life is all killer, no filler. Every track is a masterpiece. It's almost TOO easy for two jazz pianists in…
What's New? THIS!
Jazz pianist Adam Maness picks his 8 top new releases in July for your listening pleasure
You'll Hear It Is Back! Season 15
You'll Hear It is a weekly listening party for people who love music ... a little too much. Every Monday, Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin sit down with one great album and break it down track-by-track. They listen, demonstrate what they are hearing, and put words to the moments you have always felt and haven't been able to explain. You’ll never hear your favorite albums the same way again. You'll Hear It returns with Season 15: August 2026.
Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution
:fire: Don’t Miss Our Best Price of the Year! (Ending Soon) https://www.openstudiojazz.com/summer-sale-2026/ Adam and Peter break down Prince and the Revolution's Purple Rain, the 1984 soundtrack that turned him into a global superstar. They go track by track, from "Let's Go Crazy" to the title song. With keyboards in hand, they break down the sophisticated music theory underneath this pop hit to reveal the hidden qualities that make this album great. You'll never hear Purple Rain the same way again.…
Our TOP Picks For Your Favorite Listens of July 2026
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Heavy Weather – Weather Report
Weather Report's Heavy Weather became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. But there's so much more to it than "Birdland", Heavy Weather's radio hit. In fact, Peter makes the case that it might just be the weakest moment of the entire record. Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break it down track-by-track: From Jaco Pastorius's fiery fretless bass, to Joe Zawinul's beautiful piano, to the less-than-perfect production. You'll never hear Heavy Weather the same way again. 0:00 Heavy…
WOW: New Music For June 2026
Check out the latest jazz and jazz-adjacent releases for June 2026 with host and jazz drummer Kaleb Kirby.
Court and Spark – Joni Mitchell
With her 1974 masterpiece Court and Spark, Joni Mitchell transforms from folk singer into something harder to define. Her piano playing matures. Her songwriting blossoms into one of the richest harmonic and melodic color palettes we've ever heard up to this point. Not to mention her incredible lyricism and melodies. And she brings a new production sensibility from her backing band: a group of jazz musicians called The LA Express. In this episode of You'll Hear It, Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter…