This week on “Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired”: John Musker, Willie Nelson, Edmar Castenada, Freda Payne, Glenn Close and Ted Nash

Monday June 17

Animation director and screenwriter John Musker became a fan of jazz early on, hearing some of jazz’s greatest musicians perform in many of his favorite animated shorts. Along with fellow director Ron Clements, John has won numerous awards for writing and directing The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, Moana and many other films.

After 41 years at Disney, John retired and realized an idea he had years ago: that Dave Frishberg’s song, “I’m Hip,” would make a wonderful animated short. Four years later, John’s film, I’m Hip, is a hilarious adventure featuring a hipster feline, singing, dancing and goofing off to the classic Dave Frishberg recording.

Courtesy of the artist/Photographer: http://www.digitalh/Courtesy of the artist

Guests coming this week on Inspired by jazz:

06/18 Willie Nelson

06/19 Edmar Castenada

6/20 Freda Payne

06/21 Glenn Close/Ted Nash

Listen every morning on WBGO from 6-8 a.m. ET.

For an archive of episodes on WBGO, visit the show’s page here.