I SPY SOUL serves as both a portfolio of interviews by founder Bert Caldwell and a portal to an eclectic mix of accomplished artists and individuals from burgeoning to legendary who through their work are creatively chronicling the complex world around them. The conversations not only focus on their current projects, but also on the essence of who they are, what they create and why. As a result what is revealed are experiences, ideas and opinions that are both insightful and inspiring.
As our tagline proclaims, “What’s inside will move you.”
Bert Caldwell – Founder | Editorial Director
For Bert Caldwell music is more than a business, it’s his passion. A passion that’s brought him from young New York musician, songwriter and producer to acknowledged music tastemaker with a wealth of impressive accomplishments coming in between.
It was this passion-driven focus that established him as a highly regarded and successful Jazz Buyer for New York City area stores of the storied Tower Records retail chain. During that time Caldwell became known for his comprehensive knowledge of the jazz idiom including the then rising hybrid incorporating hip hop and rap, so much so that music journalists from magazines such as Billboard, Downbeat and Jazztimes routinely pegged him for insights on new releases, emerging artists and customer reaction. He was tapped to create and moderate panel discussions at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in New York where he shared the stage with panelists such as legendary musicians Max Roach, Chico Hamilton, and Donald Byrd, as well as hip hop icon Q-Tip and other prominent industry figures. Those discussions were some of the library’s most successful to date.
Caldwell also found opportunity to take his knowledge to the small screen serving as Co-producer, talent coordinator and on-air interviewer for a weekly jazz program called SIMPLY JAZZ. Highly acclaimed in jazz circles, the television magazine aimed at attracting new and young enthusiasts as well as jazz aficionados, aired for three years featuring segments and interviews with a range of accomplished figures such as Max Roach, Art Taylor, Mulgrew Miller, Rudy Van Gelder, Randy Weston, Bobby Watson and many more. As a result of the show, Caldwell’s ability as an adept interviewer was established, impressing many with his well-rounded music acumen.
With stints in between, producing and doing marketing with several independent artists, Caldwell would then create the current platform that has continued his crusade of acquainting people with extremely talented, creative artists while showcasing his affinity for a range of music genres. He’s also continued to demonstrate his ability to forecast talent on the rise as well as acknowledging legends interviewing artists over the years such as Al Jarreau, Joe Sample and Wilton Felder (Crusaders) Ledisi, Kem, Liz Wright, Anthony Hamilton, Rahsaan Patterson, Van Hunt, Larry Gold, Raphael Saadiq, Raul Midón and more
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