
Whit Sidener: Legendary Jazz Educator and Multi-Woodwind Artist
Episode 20: Whit Sidener Featuring legendary jazz educator and multi-woodwind artist Whit Sidener, this episode highlights a remarkable career that bridges elite performance and transformative education. A seasoned saxophonist and woodwind specialist, Sidener has performed and recorded with iconic artists including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and the Bee Gees, bringing a deep well of real-world artistry into his teaching. As a longtime professor and former Chair of Studio Music and Jazz at the Frost School of Music, Sidener played a pivotal role in shaping one of the nation’s leading jazz programs. Across decades of leadership, mentorship, and vision, he has guided generations of musicians—many of whom have gone on to define the modern jazz landscape. Sidener’s legacy is not only measured by his own accomplishments, but by the lasting impact of his students, his commitment to artistic excellence, and his belief in music as a lifelong pursuit of growth, discipline, and human connection. ►Learn more about Whit Sidener: RS Berkeley Bio: https://www.rsberkeley.com/whit-sidener Frost School Feature: https://news.miami.edu/frost/stories/2024/11/program-leader-honored.html ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:31: Whit’s biography 6:21: Early musical experiences and influences 12:47: Joining the Tommy Dorsey Band, (around 1962) 17:12: Mingling with the Duke Orchestra Orchestra 18:00: Gigging with the circus, Holiday On Ice, playing to track, and the union in Florida 22:53: Leaving Tommy Dorsey, “Moneyball”, and going back to college. 27:40: Meeting Jerry Coker, Jamey Aebersold, Gary Campbell, Randy Brecker, in Indiana. 28:52: U.S. State Department Tour to the middle east for 5 months (1965). 29:40: Miami invitation 33:30: University of Miami in the mid-1960’s 37:37: Gigging in Miami in the mid to late 60’s 39:36: Playing with Frank Sinatra 40:20: Louis Armstrong story 43:25: joining University of Miami’s faculty 46:39: Gerry Mulligan joins the UM faculty for a year. 48:25: Impact on Jazz Education, teaching excellence 53:06: Why is this important? 55:50: Evolution of higher education since 1972 58:00: Acceptance of electric guitar as principle instruments at UM, Pat Metheny and many more… 1:01:19: Building a financial future for younger students 1:04:42: Taking care of health 1:09:53: What’s happening now? What do you listen to? 1:12:00: “Thanks for putting up with me” 1:13:40: UM legacy, the Foster Building, and Thank You’s ►Follow John Daversa Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic Website: http://www.johndaversa.com ►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video Capture: Yang Yang Audio Capture: Yang Yang Video and Audio Editing: Izzi Guzman Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, January 31, 2025 ►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon" All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP), #whitsidener #universityofmiami #UM #frostschoolofmusic #frostmsj #msj #tommydorsey #holidayonice #trumpet #johndaversa #johndavers Support the show ►Credits Host and Producer: John Daversa Video: Max Nierlich Audio: Dudley Merriam Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design Recorded in Miami, FL ►Music "The John Daversa Podcast" "Moonlight Muse" "Junk Wagon" All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
