Alan Matheson is a much-admired jazz composer, trumpeter, pianist, and educator. He is an expert in Jazz History, and leads his own big band, nonet, septet and trio. Alan has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Louis Bellson, and Phil Woods, and has taught at several music programs in the Vancouver area, including Vancouver Community College, and UBC.

In this episode, Alan talks about studying with the world-renowned trumpeter and educator Vincent Chicowicz (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern University), how a solo by Bix Beiderbecke made him love jazz, and how Tchaikovsky's music sparked his desire to compose. He also recalls his friendship with the great trumpeter Clark Terry (Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson), and explains how a visit to Helsinki created a long-standing musical partnership with the Finnish bassist, Wade Mikkola.

Throughout the episode you'll witness Alan's deep understanding of the language of improvised music, and be treated to his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz from the last century and onward.

Find out more about Alan at alanmatheson.com

Music samples in this episode:

• “Open Letter to Mingus” - performed by the Alan Matheson Nonet
• “Ballad of the Fallen” - Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra
• “On the Sunny Side of the Street” - performed by Diana Krall
• “Vernal Suite” - performed by The Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra
• “Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C Major”, by Vivaldi - performed by Vincent Cichowicz and Fred Herseth
• “Jackson Square” - performed by the Alan Matheson Nonet
• “Love Nest” - performed by Bix Beiderbecke with Paul Whiteman
• “In A Mist” - written and performed by Bix Beiderbecke
• “The Mooche” - performed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra (feat. Cootie Williams)
• “The Single Petal of a Rose”, from The Queen’s Suite - performed by The Duke Ellington Orchestra
• “April in Paris” - performed by the Joe Williams Band (feat. a solo by Clark Terry)
• “Sheba” - performed by Clark Terry and his band (Live at the Wichita Jazz Fest)
• “Riina’s Ring” - performed by Alan Matheson and Wade Mikkola
• “Sisu” - performed by the Alan Matheson Nonet
• “Metsä” - performed by the Vancouver Cantata Singers
• “Big Top” - performed by Artemis
• "Before" (feat. Elena Pinderhughes) - performed by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
• "Rainy Night in Helsinki" - performed by Alan Matheson and Wade Mikkola

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