Episode 38: Umphrey’s McGee’s Joel Cummins & Jefferson Waful


The latest episode of The JamBase Podcast, part of the Osiris podcast network, features keyboardist discussing jamming during the debut “Inside Improvisation” segment, an “All Access” chat with UM lighting designer and CID Entertainment director of video production Jefferson Waful as well as “The Rundown” focusing on the recent Summer Camp Music Festival. Episode 38 of The JamBase Podcast is sponsored by Passion House Coffee Roasters.

Cummins spoke with JamBase’s Scott Bernstein during Umphrey’s McGee’s February run of concerts at Brooklyn Steel in New York City. Joel tells Scotty about the bands that influence him when it comes to jamming and UM’s early days. He then recalls the birth of “Jimmy Stewart” improvisational segments and how the sextet’s jamming changed when guitarist came aboard and drummer took over for Mike Mirro. Other topics hit upon include Joel’s rig, Umphrey’s approach to improvisation and how the group manages “the clock” during performances.

Next comes Scotty’s “All Access” chat with Jefferson Waful, which also was recorded during UM’s three-night stand at Brooklyn Steel. While the discussion came before this week’s announcement that Jefferson will be retiring from the road at the end of the year, he did explain his future goals and hints at being unable to tour and focus on his passion for video work at the same time. Waful discusses how he got his start in the music industry. He talks about his time managing jam act Uncle Sammy, how he was recruited by moe. to run lights and recalls the circumstances that led to his employment by Umphrey’s McGee. Jefferson also tells Scotty about his current role at CID Entertainment, his love for video production and more.

Episode 38 starts with “The Rundown” hosted by Scotty and JamBase’s Andy Kahn. AK attended this past weekend’s Summer Camp Music Festival at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois and shares his experience at the event. Kahn details a bevy of musical highlights he witnessed over the course of Summer Camp.

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Stream Episode 38 below and don’t forget to subscribe to The JamBase Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher and/or Spotify: