When the stars align for the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, the world's attention will mostly fall on the likes of Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and KATSEYE.
But there's a sporting chance that good fortune will fall on Michael Mayo, who's in the running for two awards: Best Jazz Performance, for his suavely assured take on "Four," and Best Jazz Vocal Album, for his second solo release, Fly. Both nominations confirm what some of us have known for a while now: Mayo is major talent, one of the most creative and commanding singers now working in the realm of improvised music.
On the next episode of The Late Set Radio Hour, hosted by Nicole Sweeney and airing this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST, we'll feature a conversation with Mayo recorded in our studio around the time that Fly was released. This interview was originally featured in a 2024 episode of The Late Set podcast, co-hosted by Greg Bryant and Nate Chinen.
In our hour-long radio special, you'll hear Mayo talk about the development of his vocal style, the path he's traveled as a composer and collaborator, and some of his formative influences — starting right at home. "Growing up in my family, singing is how we literally communicate," he reflects. "If my mom is calling me for my room, she's doing it operatically, you know? So vocalizing for me is sort of a first language."
The program features a selection music from Fly and Mayo's previous release, the acclaimed 2021 debut Bones. And we'll hear from the artist about how he pivoted from the slippery R&B inflection of the first record to a more band-focused ideal on the second. "I knew at some point I want to record a more semi straight-ahead jazz record because it's such a huge part of my musical upbringing," he says. "I really want to pay homage to that and all the amazing teachers I've had, all the amazing music I've listened to, and I decided when I was working on album number two that maybe it's time for this one. The whole idea behind this project has really just been about learning how to let go and learning how to trust your instincts; learning how to trust your first mind and learning how to just sort of let yourself fly."
He adds: "I'm really proud of it and I hope people will gravitate towards it."
Tune in to The Late Set Radio Hour this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST to hear more.
Set List
- "Four" (Miles Davis), from the album Fly by Michael Mayo.
- "Giant Steps" (John Coltrane), from the album Fly (Deluxe Edition) by Michael Mayo.
- "Medicine Man" (Bobby McFerrin), from the album Medicine Music by Bobby McFerrin.
- "Fly" (Michael Mayo), from the album Fly by Michael Mayo.
- "Speak No Evil" (Wayne Shorter), from the album Fly by Michael Mayo.
- "Skip Step" (Nate Smith), from the album Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere, by Nate Smith.
- "The Sweetest Water" (Linda May Han Oh), from the album Strange Heavens by Linda May Han Oh.
- "Treelogy" (Shai Maestro), from the album Untold Stories by Shai Maestro.
- "About Your Love (feat. Norrbotten Big Band)" (Michael Mayo), from the album Fly (Deluxe Edition) by Michael Mayo.
- "Bag of Bones" (Michael Mayo), from the album Fly by Michael Mayo.
Production Credits:
Alex Ariff, Senior Producer
Nicole Sweeney, Host
Robert Webb, Mixing Engineer / Assistant Production Manager
Tyler McClure, Director of Operations and Production
Greg Bryant and Nate Chinen, Interviewers
