Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman: Recent Episodes
Leah Roseman
I am violinist Leah Roseman, and this podcast follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life so enriched by music? I publish these interviews in video format as well; everything is linked on my website and you can sign up for my newsletter, in which I include sneak peeks! (including transcripts as they become available): leahroseman.com I hope you will enjoy these wide-ranging discussions with an interesting variety of musicians!
Hillary Simms is a virtuosic Canadian trombone player with the esteemed American Brass Quintet and is on faculty at the Julliard School.
Hillary’s warmth and love of music comes through in this candid interview, from her childhood in Newfoundland to playing on the world’s biggest stages, and also the unusual situation she found herself in when her engagement to her husband became a viral sensation in China.
As the first woman to join the Amercian Brass Quintet since 1960, Hillary spoke to me about gender disparity in the brass world and some of her strong female role models.
Hillary shares wonderful insights for all of us, whether you pursue music as a career or follow a different path, of the need to have self-compassion and have an awareness of the big picture of your life.
Hillary has performed as a soloist a couple of times with my orchestra, Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, and you’ll hear us talk about the arc of her career so far as a chamber musician, soloist, educator and busy freelancer. We decided to delay the release of this episode slightly in order to include a wonderful recent recording of the Amercian Brass Quintet, a movement from David Biedenbender’s wonderful work Sacred Geometry. This is the first recording of the group with Hillary performing, and you’ll find more information and links below.
You'll find the video and transcript here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/hillary-simms
Hillary Simms website: https://www.hillarysimmstrombone.com/
American Brass Quintet: https://www.americanbrassquintet.org/
ABQ Sacred Geometry Il. Gaudi by David Biedenbender https://youtu.be/YOBA2gjpnKo?si=PNJHPuQ3ZOPS_pAV
Song for Japan Trombone Quintet https://youtu.be/2lVH_vesCUA?si=iD2fZsxKWi0TNDg8
Songs My Mother Taught Me by Charles Ives https://youtu.be/I7ZdF-gH9mg?si=YwJ1T4t2K2sSdy6Y
Hillary Simms with NACO https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/27460
Original Merch for sale: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
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Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps:
(00:00) intro
(04:02) solo opportunites with NACO pandemic, Tomasi, David, Raum
(08:26) American Brass Quintet, Julliard teaching, auditioning for ABQ
(14:10) commissioning new compositions
(20:41) second movement,Gaudi, from Sacred Geometry by David Biedenbender
(25:29) recital in Toronto, Charles Ives songs
(27:51) Songs My Mother Taught Me by Charles Ives
(27:49) benefits of singing
(31:44) Hillary’s story of becoming a trombone player
(37:55) Newfoundland
(39:49) different ways to support this independent podcast!
(40:43) Hillary’s career path and love of chamber music, Dr. Karen Bulmer, Douglas Burden
(47:39) Gord Wolfe trombone mentor, getting through burnout
(50:47) husband Ricky Nan, the strangeness of being part of a viral sensation
(56:36) need for mentorship
(01:00:10) recording the Song for Japan video, help from Zach Haas
(01:04:42) Song for Japan by Steven Verhelst
(01:11:00) self-care and routine, practice routine
(01:15:54) gender disparity, female role models
(01:21:16) Michael Mulcahy, playing with Chicago symphony
(01:25:58) advice for musicians
Concert pianist Rebeca Omordia, has just released her second African Pianism album, volume 2, which was just named Editor’s Choice in the Gramophone Magazine, and it is a fascinating and beautiful kaleidoscope of piano works from West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and East Africa. Rebeca spoke to me about her extensive research about these composers, varied styles, and the different traditional music traditions which are often at the heart of this music. We talked about her experiences growing up in Romania with a Romanian mother and a Nigerian father. Now based in London, Rebeca spoke to me about The African Concert Series at Wigmore Hall, and many of her collaborations, including with Errollyn Wallen whose Piano Concerto, written for Rebeca Omordia, is featured in this podcast along with excerpts from several of the works on the African Pianism album, volume 2.
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/rebeca-omordia-african-pianism
Rebeca Omordia website and recordings: https://www.rebecaomordia.com/recordings
Original Merch for sale: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:50) African Pianism, Akin Euba
(05:41) Wakar Duru: Study in African Pianism number 1 by Akin Euba
(10:30) childhood in Romania, deportation and return
(20:50) Florence Price
(22:40) excerpt from Fantaisie Nègre by Price
(24:46) encouraging women composers in Africa, Rebeca’s identity in Africa
(27:11) Salim Dada Algerian composer
(31:14) excerpt from Soirée au Hogarr by Salim Dada
(33:05) about Salim Dad’s Crépuscule sur la baie d'Alger, with an excerpt
(35:36) African Concert Series
(38:13) different ways you can help this podcast continue
(39:06) Delius Prize, duo with Julian Lloyd Weber, book about John Ireland
(42:50) duo with South African bass soloist Leon Bosch
(46:36) about Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto
(50:12) last movement of Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto
(52:55) family legacy in music, Nigerian grandfather
(57:03) experience of nerves, performing from memory
(01:01:12) Ethiopian composer Girma Yifrashewa
(01:03:43) excerpt from Elilta - Cry of Joy by Girma Yifrashewa
(01:05:21) next projects, Omo Bello
(01:07:51) childhood music exposure in Romania
(01:09:41) advice about self-care
photo of Rebeca Omordia: Fourchiefs Media
Sarah Jeffery is a wonderful and versatile recorder player based in the Netherlands, known worldwide for her outreach with her YouTube project Team Recorder, which at the time of this podcast release has well over 205,000 very engaged followers. She is the Recorder Professor specializing in Contemporary music at the Royal College in London, and we talked about her work teaching recorder technique, improvisation in different styles, her varied career including experimental theatre and her synesthesia which directly informs her work as a musician. There’s lots more to this wide-ranging episode, which features some fantastic recorder performances as well.
Transcript and Video link on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/sarah-jeffery-of-team-recorder
Sarah Jeffery website: https://sarahjeffery.com/
Bach Sarabande: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9paJfIegQ3Q
Constellations album https://team-recorder.myshopify.com/collections/audio
Support this podcast in several ways!
Merch store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
Buy me a coffee? Monthly or one-time support through Paypal: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
photo: Claudia Hansen
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:49) Team Recorder
(06:37) winning the International Nordhorn Competition
(09:13) album Constellations, about Vermont Counterpoint Steve Reich
(11:41) excerpt from Vermont Counterpoint by Steve Reich
(13:46) trio axoLot
(14:54) excerpt from Virgo splendens with trio axoLot
(16:14) Austro
(17:54) excerpt from Austro by Giorgio Tedde
(19:28) recorder family
(20:46) synesthesia
(23:39) recorder challenges
(26:04) Bach Sarabande G major Cello Suite on bass recorder
(29:32) parenting and music education
(32:11) please support the podcast!
(33:01) community of recorder players, importance of music education funding, Team Recorder
(37:17) mentors in England, encouragement to pursue music from high school teachers
(41:08) moving to the Netherlands, learning Dutch
(43:58) teaching improvisation, SoundLAB Amsterdam
(47:42) improvisation, band Jerboah
(49:35) Walking with Jerboah
(55:17) interesting theatre performances, Jetse Batelaan
(01:01:19) challenges with lack of arts funding
(01:02:23) Royal College recorder department, historical instruments 3D printing
(01:05:57) studio work, Bob’s Burgers
(01:06:58) approach to teaching, the future of Team Recorder, Schott publishing books and Hal Leonard
Lisa Pegher is a brilliant American percussion soloist and drummer. She is also a composer, improvisor and software engineer. She is known for pioneering percussion as a solo instrument within the orchestral realm and beyond, making it her life’s work to present percussion to larger audiences by commissioning, collaborating, and creating new works and performances that bring percussion to the front of the stage. We talked about her new concerto/show, "Circuits and Skins," written for her by Paul Dooley, which explores ways to meld orchestra with Electronic Dance Music, and also her project A.I.RE Artificial Iintelligence Rhythm Evolution. You’ll hear about her perspectives on self-care, social media, the value of mentors, and a fascinating variety of her performances during this episode. (the links to the video performances from the podcast are linked to the show notes on my website, where you'll also find the transcript and this episode on my YouTube:
https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/lisapegher
Lisa Pegher Website: https://www.lisapegher.com/musicOriginal Merch for sale to support this channel and series: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
The podcast theme music was commissioned from composer Nick Kold, and you can use the timestamps to navigate the episode.
Timestamps(00:00) Intro(02:24)the story of Lisa’s first drum, breaking boundaries at a young age as a soloist, Schwantner concerto(13:34) vibraphone improvisation(16:48) love for the vibraphone(18:46) great teacher(22:29) yoga, getting in the zone(24:19) No Reply (27:24) love for marimba, the importance of a solid technique(30:13) dealing with burnout(31:38) Player of Games, AI, Fate Amenable to Change(34:40) A.I.RE Artificial Intelligence Rhythm Evolution show (38:03) demo using AI(39:31) thoughts about improvisation(43:34) new merch available!(44:28) intro to Matthew Rosenbloom’s Northern Flicker(47:03) excerpt from Northern Flicker by Matthew Rosenbloom(50:17) the challenges of notating percussion scores(52:43) the fun of found objects(55:40) Splice, the joy of coding (01:00:51) TROMP percussion competition experience and value of community(01:03:43) Paul Dooley Circuits and Skins, bringing EDM audiences into symphonic music(01:06:02) Imperfection project with SideFire trio free jazz(01:12:38) excerpt from Fire from Imperfection with the SideFire trio(01:13:44) taking risks(01:15:45) collaboration with Andrew Knox Imaginary Windows(01:22:45) Water Runs Up from Minimal Art: Imaginary Windows(01:25:35) overwhelm with social media and promotion(01:32:52) equity and inclusion in music
Cliff Beach is an award-winning singer, songwriter, author of “Side Hustle and Flow”, podcast host, record label owner and also works fulltime as VP of digital and operations in the beauty industry. This episode focuses on his recent album and tribute to Ella Fitzgerald “You Showed Me the Way”, we also got into his funk hit “Confident” and the last part of the interview we talked about some of his valuable advice from his book. Most of the guests I speak with work in music full-time, but of course that always means having many skill sets, and a few musicians like Cliff have a day job and also work hard on their music which is central to their lives. Cliff didn’t write his book for musicians, but for anyone that wants inspiration and advice for making the best of their lives, and I found a lot of what he wrote about resonated with me. Take a look at the time-stamps below.
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website : https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/cliff-beach
Cliff Beach music link for You Showed Me the Way: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cliffbeach1/you-showed-me-the-way-2
Cliff Beach website: https://californiasoulmusic.com/cliff-beach-fyc-confident
Check out cool new merch to support this series and channel: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
Ko-fi link to buy this independent podcaster a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
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Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Instagram and Facebook @cliffbeachmusic
photo: Sheldon Botler Photography
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:34) jazz album “You Showed Me the Way” tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
(07:11) “You Showed Me the Way”
(13:13) Cliff’s childhood singing in harmony in church
(15:50) teen years and Berklee
(17:11) networking in LA
(19:27) cruise ship gigs
(22:26) Mestizo Beat, “Confident”
(26:38) ”Confident”
(29:58) winning the John Lennon song-writing competition
(32:27) playlist curation and pitching your music
(37:12) book “Side Hustle and Flow”, setting goals, self-reflection, gratitude and building habits
(53:16) new merch to support the podcast!
(54:09) more advice and perspectives from “Side Hustle and Flow”
(01:00:02) Bill Withers
(01:04:57) about “The Gift of Blues”
(01:08:3) “The Gift of Blues”
(01:12:14) Toastmasters
(01:19:19) creating the audio book and Udemy course
(01:24:32) the many roles we play in life and business, financial advice
(01:30:54) cold calls, taking chances and pitching
(01:35:33) making it personal, family stories
(01:38:09) telling stories with different media, how music helped Cliff through challenges
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Jessica Cottis is an acclaimed orchestral conductor, and in this wide-ranging interview you’ll gain insights into the special world of orchestral conductors and also some of Jessica’s interests in the natural world and the arts. She spoke to me about her musical path, from how she made her first trumpet, to life on a sheep farm, to her transition from a career as a concert organist, to lessons learned from conducting mentors including Colin Davis and Colin Metters. Jessica is such an articulate champion of the value of music and the arts, and I’ve also been privileged to have worked with her in my role as a violinist in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra.
I have a special interest in synesthesia, so I was interested in hearing her experience of sound through colour, and if you look at the description of this episode, you’ll find detailed timestamps for the many topics covered, inluding some beautiful music from Julie Cooper’s new album Oculus with Jessica Cottis conducting. Jessica also shared her difficult recovery from a concussion and how her senses were further mixed for a period of time.
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jessica-cottis
Jessica Cottis website: https://www.jessicacottis.com/about
Angel in Dark Green by composer Julie Cooper is featured in this episode from her album Oculus (conducted by Jessica Cottis): https://juliecoopermusic.com/
Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
photo of Jessica Cottis: Gerard Collett
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:46) Jessica Cottis transition from organist to conductor
(13:57) the experience of conducting an orchestra
(16:57) Julie Cooper Oculus project, synesthesia, chromesthesia
(20:41) Angel in Dark Green by Julie Cooper from Oculus
(25:45) synesthesia
(26:22) please support this listener-supported series!
(26:58) synesthesia, random assault and recovering from concussion
(37:08) childhood and the sheep farm, butterflies
(42:08) childhood musical education, trumpet, piano
(43:45)programming orchestral programs
(48:52) presenting and interpreting contemporary music
(52:20) equity and inclusion in classical music
(56:19) conducting mentor Colin Davis
(01:00:18) conducting mentor Colin Metters, the art of conducting
(01:07:41) how Jessica learns scores, listening to historical recordings
(01:16:00) inspiration from books
(01:17:34) time-space synesthesia
(01:19:16) childhood and using music to understand and express emotions
(01:20:52) early conducting experiences, founding the Bloomsbury Opera and getting sponsors
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Vahn Black is a vocalist based in Atlanta, and in this episode we focused on her project celebrating Gladys Bentley, including Vahn’s fantastic album Petrichor. Born and raised in Detroit, Vahn grew up in a melting pot of music and this aided her in cultivating her soul-charged, jazz infused sound, marrying her reverence for vocalists like Sarah Vaughn with her love of producers like J Dilla. We talked about her musical education, her career path, her research into Black history and culture, her joy of collecting vinyl and some of her other creative outlets. It was interesting to hear about her contrasting experiences with work, life and music in Detroit, New York and Atlanta.
As a composer Black has lent her artistry to various art mediums from short films to interactive performance art. In 2023 she was selected to perform at NPR's Tiny Desk on the Road Tour stop in Atlanta, and for those listeners who are fans of Vahn Black and those who are discovering her, I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation which is punctuated with her music.
Vahn Black Website: https://www.vahnblack.com/about
Vahn Black's Care Too Much video NPR submission: https://youtu.be/B09NXWSoSWc?si=_f3SeS18fgN_MLB6
The transcript and video version of the podcast are linked here on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/vahn-black
Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:36) Gladys Bentley project
(10:58) intro to Too Soon from Petrichor
(12:13) live version Too Soon
(16:33) Detroit, Atlanta, finding her place and people
(20:20) The City from Temporary Colors
(23:20) Detroit, Atlanta, studying Classical music at Detroit School of Arts
(26:16) please support this series and sign up for my newsletter
(26:57) inspiring music teachers Connie Malabed and Cheryl Valentine
(29:08) studying Library Science, AI
(31:46) undergrad experience
(33:43) NPR Tiny Desk Block party
(35:22) Care Too Much
(40:05) Trunino Lowe arrangements, recording spirituals
(41:36) Vinyl collection
(50:55) Gladys Bentley project
(51:45) Lucid Dreams
(55:54) Gladys Bentley project next albums, different inspirations
(59:47) career path choices
(01:02:05) creative outlets crocheting, creative process
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Martha Mooke is a pioneer in the field of the electric five string viola and transcends boundaries as a performer and composer. This episode features insights, stories and music, including from the beautiful album by Carla Patullo So She Howls which just won the GRAMMY® Award for “Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album.” as well as from several of Martha’s solo and collaborative albums. You’ll hear about the unique multi-style string program she’s helped launch at New Jersey City University, and about many of her mentors and collaborators from David Bowie to Tenzin Choegyal to Laurie Anderson to Jean-Luc Ponty. Martha is passionate about the breadth and diversity needed in music education for the 21st century, and it was a joy and an inspiration for me to be able to hear about the arc of her multi-faceted career so far.
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/martha-mooke
Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Martha Mooke Website: https://www.marthamooke.com/
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
photo of Martha Mooke: Ebru Yildiz
The podcast theme music was commissioned from composer Nick Kold, and you can use the timestamps to navigate the episode:
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:59) electric viola demo with explanation of gear and effects Edmar Castaneda
(09:01) Martha’s creative process
(13:41) clip from Ice 4 from No Ordinary Window
(15:40) Martha’s creative process
(18:42) Multi-Style Strings program New Jersey City University
(35:29) Carla Patullo So She Howls
(38:31) Machine Dreams from Carla Patullo So She Howls
(43:15) Carla Patullo album concert, vocal group Tonality
(43:51) please support this independent podcast!
(44:29) Thru the Walls, Scorchio quartet, Tibet House benefit concerts, Tony Visconti, David Bowie, Philip Glass
(01:01:17) Tenzin Choegyal with clip from Sutras of the Heart
(01:03:50) meditation practice
(01:05:46) different types of electric violins and violas, collaborations with Yamaha
(01:12:17) strings education outreach project in Jamaica
(01:17:18) album Buzz, Metachrosis electronic music production using insect sounds with audio clip, Linsey Pollak, sound design
(01:24:46) Jean-Luc Ponty
(01:33:57) clip from Omotion from No Ordinary Window
(01:34:53) Laurie Anderson
(01:39:09) Martha’s perspectives on her career
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This week’s featured guest is James McGowan, a solo and collaborative pianist at home in jazz, classical and improvised musics. The 14-member James McGowan Ensemble has just released its jazz-classical fusion album Reaching Out, the companion to the previous album Reaching In, and this episode features some of the music from this beautiful project as well as from his jazz-fusion group Modasaurus. Besides James’ work as a composer and pianist, he’s also a Theory Professor, and choral direcctor, and has served as Carleton University Chair in Teaching Innovation in developing experiences in the arts on campus and in the community. James is so passionate about sharing his love of music and I trust you’ll find this an uplifting conversation. Besides my role as a podcaster, I’m a violinist, and last year I founded an improvising chamber group with James, Collected Strands, and we’ll soon be releasing a special podcast episode to celebrate the release of our upcoming album.
Can you buy this independenat podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
You can also watch this on YouTube or read the podcast, everything linked here to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/james-mcgowan
James McGowan website for all the music featured in this podcast, and his current projects: https://jamesmcgowan.ca/
photo: Kelly McDonald
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:32) Modasaurus jazz ensemble, 4K album, fusing styles
(05:13) clip from Chaconne and Fugue 4K Modasaurus
(06:41) background and clip of Crazy Ceilidh
(09:27) music career advice
(11:42) Reaching Out and Reaching In, tribute to Chick Corea
(16:43) clip from Corean Poultry on Reaching Out
(18:05) intro and clip from Blue Lament, from Reaching Out
(21:10) intro and Elegy from Reaching Out
(26:44) James’ grad school experience, switching from Composition to Theory
(29:31) please spread the word about this podcast!
(30:08) musical dialects, code switching, overtone series
(39:59) teaching music theory
(43:05) Reaching In, spoken word and different art forms
(46:56) Acceptance from Reaching In
(50:50) parenting and music, encouraging children in the Arts
(56:36) dealing with emotions through music
(59:00) voluteer work Discovery Course for Ottawa Mission and Lotus Center
(01:03:27) teaching musicianship, singing, community music
(01:10) dealing with playing injuries, music education, voice and choral direction
(01:18:26) improvisation, Collected Strands
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This is a special re-release with cellist Rachel Mercer, with added music from some of her recordings. This was orginally recorded and released in Season 2 of this podcast in 2022, and now in Season 4 2024, Rachel and I are including some tracks from some of her albums in the podcast version of this episode. See more below for some of the many topics covered!
The original video is on YouTube with the transcript, everything linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s2-rachel-mercer
We discussed the arc of her career so far as a chamber musician, soloist, and Principal Cellist of my orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada. One of the musical selections added to this podcast is from the album “Our Strength, Our Song" with Rachel’s sister, the wonderful violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner. We also talked about and many other chamber music collaborations and unique projects, as well as her way of approaching music. You’ll also hear some of Rachel’s memories of the late Yehonatan Berick who was an amazing violinist and pedagogue and was Rachel’s life partner. As well, Rachel very generously made a special recording of the prelude from JS Bach's fifth solo suite for this episode in 2022, and her heartfelt introduction to the power of this music is right after our conversation, so please keep listening till the end.
Rachel Mercer’s website: http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/
Support link to buy this independent podcaster a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
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This week, I’m featuring a wonderful episode from the archive, with Linsey Pollak, which was recorded and released in Season 2 of this podcast, 2022. Linsey Pollak is an Australian musician who is known worldwide as a passionate and creative advocate for community music. His life has been full of unusual opportunities to explore different styles of music, and his inventiveness has spurred him to create countless instruments from found objects. In this episode you’ll get to hear him play 4 different instruments in different improvisatory styles, and I’m sure that everyone will be inspired by stories from his life, describing some of his incredibly unusual, fun and beautiful collaborations and creations.
I take care of all the many jobs of research, production, and publicity and I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this project going; please consider buying me a coffee through my support page which is linked to Paypal:
https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much!
You can watch this on YouTube as well, and I've linked the transcript here too: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/linsey-pollak
Linsey Pollak website: https://linseypollak.com/
My complete catalog of episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Podcast newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
photo credit: Beat Lehmann
Timestamps:
(00:00 Intro)
(01:58) gaida music
(05:10) Rafting trip, discovering Macedonian bagpipes, first trip to Macedonia
(11:35) trip to Greece to study klarino with Stavros Vasthekis
(13:15) discovering the Macedonian community in Australia, establishing Kulcha
(17:36) Linsey’s start making instruments, London and Early Music scene
(23:14) busking in Europe, learning Macedonian dance,
Živko Firfov Group, Destan Destanovski
(31:48) importance of humour in his solo shows
(33:17) duduk design and music
(39:57) Linsey’s early musical education and projects
(41:27) developing live looping in the early 90s, his solo shows
(50:30) rubber glove bagpipe
(54:36) Linsey’s current project going out to record in the forest with ambient sounds (his album of this music is on Bandcamp), also the frog sounds album
(56:53) Dva with Tunji Beier and now Beier-Griffin-Pollak trio with Philip Griffin
(58:23) Humarimba community music project
(01:09:16) Paranormal Music Society Romano Crivici and Blair Greenberg, and QWERTY with Peter Rowe
(01:13:47) MIDI wind controller Dangerous Song project with demonstration using animal sounds
(01:33:26) Linsey’s drive to create instruments and connect people, his creative process
(01:37:20) Linsey’s decision to stop touring outside of Australia
(01:40:07) Linsey’s advice
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This week’s episode is with the brilliant cello-piano ensemble, Cheng² Duo, with siblings Bryan and Silvie Cheng. They have performed to great acclaim worldwide and have released to date four fantastic albums, the most recent Portrait which was nominated for a JUNO award. Portrait features music by composers from diverse Asian heritages, and in this podcast, Bryan and Silvie reflect on some important personal experiences related to this. We are featuring some of the music from Portrait and some of their other projects in this episode, with their insights on championing living composers such as Paul Wiancko and Dinuk Wijeratne and reaching new audiences. I asked them about their Carnegie Hall debut when Bryan had just started high school, and some of their individual experiences with concert preparation, touring, and finding a life-balance. Some of what you’ll hear about are Bryan’s reflections on his memorable childhood lessons with Yuli Turovsky, the incredible opportunity he’s had to play the Bonjour Strad, and his experiences with international competitions. Silvie shared her reflections on her mentors and her life as a performer and educator in New York. Bryan and Silvie grew up in Ottawa, Canada where I live and it’s wonderful to see their careers expanding both individually and as a world-renowned chamber ensemble. Bryan spoke to us from his home in Berlin, and Silvie from her home in New York.
Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube and it's linked with the transcript on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/cheng2-duo
https://www.cheng2duo.com/
Weekly newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
photo: Andrej Grilc
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:11) album Portrait, early pandemic in New York, Asian heritage, erhu
(12:33) Hua Yanjun Moon's Reflection upon a Spring
(20:26) anti-Asian harassment, making a difference in the world as musicians
(24:46) Paul Wiancko
(29:00) Paul Wiancko clip from Sonata 1, Part 1
(28:59) concert presentation, connecting with the audience
(31:33) Carnegie Hall debut experience, importance of commissioning new music
(35:51) Yuli Turovsky
(40:48) Romance for Cello and Piano Scriabin from Russian Legends
(42:56) could you buy this independent podcaster a coffee?
(43:32) Brazilian composers, Chiquinha Gonzaga, women composers, Silvie’s duo with violist Georgina Rossi
(45:24) Silvie’s work as a teaching artist Orto centre and Living Arts Collaborative
(50:36) family history, parents’ support
(54:08) Silvie’s mentors Jeffrey Cohen, Menahem Pressler
(57:21) learning music, comparing the analytical and intuitive
(01:01:25) Bonjour Strad cello
(01:03:07) Silvie coping with different pianos on tour, pianists’ psychology
(01:05:12) Bryan’s reflections on competitions
(01:08:46) pre-concert routines and mindset
(01:11:20) tour to India, Dinuk Wijeratne “Portrait of an Imaginary Sibling’
(01:14:27) excerpt from Dinuk Wijeratne “Portrait of an Imaginary Sibling’
(01:17:05) tour to India
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This podcast strives to inspire you through the personal stories of a diversity of musicians worldwide, with in-depth conversations and great music, that reveal the depth and breadth to a life in music.
This week’s episode is with the wonderful harmonica player and composer Ariel Bart. I first started listening to her music with her debut album, “In Between” in which she presents a unique approach to the harmonica and all her albums feature her original music which is inspired by the European jazz tradition and the Middle-Eastern world. Ariel began playing the chromatic harmonica at the age of 7 and since then it’s been her primary instrument. We’re including music from several of her albums. You’ll hear about some of her inspiring mentors and collaborators and her positive experience at the New School University for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, including working with Reggie Workman, Shai Maestro, and Jane Ira Bloom. We also talked about the music business, and her delight in using storytelling and film with her music. Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website, everything linked together here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ariel-bart
Besides being the host, I take care of all the many jobs of research, production, and publicity for this podcast, and I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this project going; please consider buying me a coffee through my support page which is linked to Paypal: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Did you know that this podcast is in Season 4, and that I send out a weekly email newsletter where you can get access to Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and be inspired by highlights from the archive? Sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Ariel Bart website: https://www.arielbart.com/
Take a Ten Minute Break, solo Nine Souls video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8VnpGV2b58
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:51) Ariel Bart’s harmonica journey and music education, starting to compose
(07:40) In Between
(13:16) Brendan Power, chromatic harmonica, playing technique
(18:15) harmonica improvisation
(20:03) Ariel’s influences and mentors, Jane Ira Bloom, New School in New York, Reggie Workman, effect of many influences
(28:36) please help this series keep going!
(29:13) making Teardrop narrative video, storytelling
(31:55) Teardrop
(35:18) The Trio Project
(37:52) part two Listening to Shame from The Trio Project
(42:12) writing for film, collaborations cellists Mayu Shviro, Talia Erdal
(46:17) European contacts, the challenge of teaching
(48:56) the need to learn the business side of a music career
(52:32) clip from Deep Down with Omri Bar Giora
(53:23) creative process, the importance of collaboration
(54:56) the novelty of the harmonica for audiences, listening to singers
(56:01) Nine Souls film project Take a Ten Minute Break
(57:33) Nine Souls ensemble version from album Documentaries
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Dr. Gail Archer is a GRAMMY-nominated internationally touring concert organist and trail-blazer for women organists. She has fantastic advice on not only approaching a career in music, but in living life to it’s fullest. We talked about learning languages, some fascinating history, the magic of choirs and much more. This episode features music from several of her acclaimed recordings, and we discuss women composers, and the challenges facing women organists. We also speak about Musforum the international network for wormen organists that she founed. Gail’s work highlighting composers from many Eastern European countries including Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Russia was a big part of this conversation and you’ll hear some of this music as well as that of Fanny Mendelssohn, a discussion of the Bach revival and interesting details about J.S. Bach himself, and one of Gail’s recordings of one of his sublime Chorale preludes. I learned a lot about the history of the pipe organ and gained not only a better understanding of the instrument and it’s vast repertoire, but I also gained important insights into the work of choir directors. One of the main topics Gail addressed was how to build a robust career and live a full life, with sensivity, curiosity, intelligence and determination.
Gail Archer website: http://www.gailarcher.com/ Musforum network for women organists: https://musforum.org/This is also available on YouTube, and the transcript is linked there as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/gail-archer
I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this project going; please consider buying me a coffee through my support page which is linked to Paypal: https://ko-fi.com/leahrosemanphoto: Stephanie Berger
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:32) playing on different organs
(05:55) J.S. Bach Chorale preludes, Fritz organ
(08:30) Chorale Prelude An Wasserflüssen Babylon, By the Waters of Babylon, from Gail Archer’s album "J. S. Bach The Transcendent Genius"
(13:02) history of the organ
(26:17)Fanny Mendelssohn Prelude in G major from Gail Archer’s album “Mendelssohn in the Romantic Century”
(28:36) Musforum and sexist challenges facing women organists
(36:47) please support this series!
(38:23) scene in England and Europe for women organists
(39:25) Eastern European organs, Chernivsti
(45:22) Chacona by Svitlana Osgtrova from album Chernivsti
(48:28) St. John Cantius in Chicago rescued organ from Canada, Polish album
(51:28) excerpt from Grazyna Baciewisz Esquisse on album Cantius
(51:53) interpreting repertoire, choosing registers, Messiaen, Bulgarian project
(58:08) Baroque performance practice
(01:00:01) choir director, the magic of choirs, building her career, Harriman institute at Columbia
(01:07:07) learning Russian and Italian
(01:10:02) choral director, priorities working with choirs
(01:15:10) books and history, Mendelssohn family, Clara Schumann, Bach revival
(01:24:02) advice, how Gail built her career
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Gerry Bryant is a brilliant classically-trained pianist, composer, and arranger. He came from a poor inner-city Cleveland neighbourhood, and was givin an opportunity to attend the prestigious Phillips Academy, then Harvard university. He went on to get an MBA and a law degree, all the while continuing the expansion of his knowledge of different styles of music, and forming his jazz group Pocketwatch. This episode partly focuses on his Composers album, with music of Florence Price and Thomas Wiggins who was known as Blind Tom to his slave masters. Gerry reflects on how access to a musical education changed his life, and how wonderful it has been to discover and champion Black composers. One of the musicians that Gerry has collaborated with many times is the wonderful and versatile violinist Mark Cargill, whose playing is also featured in this episode.
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/gerry-bryant
Can you buy this podcaster a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Gerry Bryant website: https://www.gerrybryant.com/music
Follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Did you know that this podcast is in Season 4, and that I send out a weekly email newsletter where you can get access to Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and be inspired by highlights from the archive: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:18) The Composers album, Thomas Wiggins “Blind Tom”
(08:39) Rêve Charmant by Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins performed by Gerry Bryant
(17:16) blind musicians, learning by ear, Gerry Bryant first teacher Ethel Morton, going to Phillip’s Academy, Albian Metcalf
(23:27) inspiration and problems with comparing ourselves to great masters
(29:15) Florence Price
(33:18) Florence Price Piano Sonata in E minor, 2nd movement Andante, The Composers album
(40:49) Florence Price
(41:46) please help me keep this series going!
(42:24) violinist Mark Cargill, Florence Price
(46:33) Andante con espressione by Florence Price for violin and piano Mark Cargill and Gerry Bryant
(51:08) Gerry’s experience going to Phillips Academy in Andover and then Harvard
(01:02:03) accissibility in arts education
(01:06:42) commonalities between people in different creative disciplines like acting, music, visual art, and the importance of nurturing creative expression
(01:14:12) Gerry’s full life, and Pocketwatch jazz ensemble, getting a law degree and MBA
(01:24:19) What Could Have Been with Pocketwatch at Kulak’s
(01:31:29) the healing power of music and Gerry’s volunteer work
(01:41:31) entertainment lawyer, California Lawyers for the Arts, balancing his life and new album
(01:53:06) Gerry’s foray into acting
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This week’s episode is a Catch-Up episode with the renowned film and televison composer and multi-instrumentalist Pat Irwin, and we are featuring lots of Pat’s music for you today in different styles from many of his projects.
In my previous episode with him from 2023, Season 3 of this podcast, we talked about his days with the B52s and composing the score for Dexter: New Blood, and we also talked about his band SUSS and his work mentoring graduate students, and so much more . I encourage you to click on the link to that earlier episode if you missed it: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pat-irwin
Today’s conversation also jumps around Pat’s varied and fascinating creative life. You’ll hear more stories and music from some of his acclaimed cartoon music from Rocko’s Modern Life and songs from Pepper Ann. We talk about, and you’ll hear music from some of his projects, including rocking out with the PI Power Trio with Sasha Dobson and Daria Grace, and new albums coming out with Cynthia Sley, with SUSS and with Julia Heyward. I’m blown away by Pat’s detailed memory and this episode is rich with interesting stories, and also his down-to-earth advice.
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pat-irwin-2024-catch-up
Pat Irwin website: https://patirwinmusic.com/
Can you buy this podcaster a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
(00:00) Intro
(03:25) writing music for Disney’s cartoon Pepper Ann, touring with B52s
(10:06) music: Enough, song from Pepper Ann musical episode
(12:10) process of writing and recording for Pepper Ann
(14:21) music: Photosynthesis, song from Pepper Ann musical episode
(15:45) collecting instruments, Ray Beats archives
(19:32) Rocko’s Modern Life, getting the band back together
(22:53) music: Junk Junkies from Rocko’s Modern Life soundtrack
(26:09) music: Bookshop from Rocko’s Modern Life soundtrack
(27:27) getting the Rocko’s band back together
(29:33) re-purposing music, SUSS new album
(36:55) music: Heat Haze SUSS
(41:28) But I’m a Cheerleader
(43:59) how and why to pitch
(49:54) Nurse Jackie
(50:15) music from Nurse Jackie
(50:13 advice for preparing reels, learning collaboration, students at NYU and Brooklyn College
(01:01:14) can you buy me a coffee? Thanks for supporting the series!
(01:01:56) music from Nurse Jackie
(01:01:55) learning to collaborate as a media composer
(01:04:53) Cynthia Sley Command V, Bush Tetras
(01:07:05)music: Command V with Cynthia Sley Lost On Me
(01:11:58) changes in the music industry
(01:16:18) the PI Power Trio Sasha Dobson, Daria Grace, Pat’s love of instrumental Rock ’n Roll
(01:21:48) music: The Walk PI Power Trio
(01:25:05) George Scott, Raybeats, PI Power trio
(01:29:10) film When Last Seen
(01:30:04) music from Pat’s score to film When Last Seen
(01:31:39) working on When Last SEen, T Venus with Julia Hayward
(01:35:11) music: excerpt from Smile, Don’t Touch That Dial with T Venus Julia Hayward
(01:36:32) the importance of friendships with your peers, decision to stay in New York instead of LA, knowing your strengths
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This week I’m highlighting an episode from the archive, with the engaging and talented Leslie DeShazor who is a multi-style violist, violinist and composer based in Detroit. She teaches students both through the Sphinx Organization and the Detroit Symphony as well as privately. She was named one of thirty Professional Movers and Shakers in the Performing Arts by Musical America in 2019 and in 2022 she released her jazz and R&B album “Journey With Me” which features herself as soloist, bandleader, and composer, and "Simply Complicated" from that album is part of this podcast episode.
This conversation was full of stories and insights from Leslie’s life. She shared valuable perspectives that educators, parents and anyone who mentors children and young adults will find inspiring and thought-provoking. We talked a lot about why kids quit playing music, why so many young adults today have trouble figuring out the direction of their life, and how the educational system can take away people’s innate creativity and confidence.
Link to video and transcript on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/leslie-deshazor
Link to Leslie DeShazor's website: https://lesliedeshazor.com/
Can you buy this independent podcaster a cup of coffee through Paypal? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps:(00:00) Cold open quote plus Intro(02:00) album Journey With Me, accepting help(06:16) differences playing acoustic and electric instruments(07:30) intro to tune “Simply Complicated”(13:25) Leslie’s childhood musical pranks, growing up in Inkster and Canton(16:10) the importance of Detroit in many different musical genres(18:36) the influence and importantce of church music(22:47) Interlochen, perspectives on exposing kids to a competitive atmosphere (32:43) Leslie’s approach to coaching student ensembles(36:14) Leslie’s history going to Orchestra Hall, continuity and history of Detroit(40:52) parenting, guiding children in music(42:37) University of Michigan and Wayne State college experiences, James Dapogny, how to guide students, the importance of helping music students with options(51:00) dealing with injury (53:06) different cultures through dance, learning Spanish, teaching with Sphinx(56:14) Sphinx organization(01:03:10) Musique Noire, Eunoia Society, JoVia Armstrong(01:04:45) problem with labels in music, colonial attitudes(01:10:44) teaching music using different strategies(01:16:35) challenges in guiding students(01:19:53) students who are over-scheduled, the benefits of allowing time for creativity and play(01:25:42) Cole Randolph taking time off and motivation(01:26:42) dealing with stress through exercise, jumping rope, keeping balance(01:30:00) freelance life stress(01:31:18) teaching body percussion, benefits of community music making, learning from other educators(01:35:35) Leslie’s advice about bravery
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Thomas Cabaniss is a wonderful American composer of works for opera, theater, dance, film and the concert stage. He’s been a member of the faculty of the Julliard School since 1998, and leads the Lullaby Project at Carnegie Hall, serving young parents in shelters, hospitals and prisons with collaboratively created songs for their children. We talk about all this and much more, inluding his work creating Carnegie Hall’s Link Up. I was curious about these many facets to Thomas’ life as both a composer and educator, and you’ll find this episode has gorgeous, inspiring music of his, as well as great stories from his diverse career as a Teaching Artist, working with music educators, students of all ages, and meaningful outreach in the community. You’ll hear performances from pianists Michael Shinn and Jessica Chow Shinn, singer Joyce DiDonato, and towards the beginning of the episode you’ll hear some of Thomas’ great music for string quartet, performed by the Charleston symphony String quartet.
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/thomas-cabaniss
Thomas Cabaniss website: http://thomascabaniss.com/about.html
Support link to buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
My social media links: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
My Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:24) Thomas Cabaniss string quartets
(07:57) excerpt from Water from Four Elements with the Charleston Symphony String Quartet
(09:28) Charleston Symphony
(12:10) Fire, Four Elements string quartet
(16:07) Link Up program and Cabaniss’ work with music education and orchestras
(23:39) the Lullaby Project
(30:53) Peace sung by Joyce DiDonato written by Tamilles Fernandez with Dierdre Struck
(34:19) Tiny Bits of Outrageous Love, Michael Shinn and Jessica Chow Shinn
(39:53) Lovesong no. 3 Tiny Bits of Outrageous Love, Michael Shinn and Jessica Chow Shinn
(41:58) Thomas’ wife, and musical themes in families
(43:54) Two no. 7 Tiny Bits of Outrageous Love, Michael Shinn and Jessica Chow Shinn
(47:09) different musical styles and influences, writing for theatre at Yale
(51:27) Thomas’ youth and musical education
(55:50) Thomas’ approach to teaching music theory, teaching music appreciation to dancers
(58:50) please support this series!
(59:27) the work of Teaching Artists, working with students and educators
(01:07:16) operas for toddlers
(01:13:38) how to bring new audiences into orchestra concerts
(01:17:57) how and when to talk to audiences
(01:23:15) Thomas’ creative process
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Avi Kishna is a Dutch sarod player based in Amsterdam, of Indo-Surinamese heritage. You’ll get to know the sarod as an instrument and hear Avi’s perspectives on Dutch society and his interesting collaborations. Among his mentors is his inspiring father, Ramdew Kishna, a multi-talented musician, director, and painter, who played a pivotal role in shaping Avi's musical journey along with his guru, Koustuv Ray. As a young man, Avi embarked on a successful career as in sales and marketing, but during this time he pushed music aside, and I found it deeply touching to hear how he was able to come back to music with the wisdom of having left such an important part of himself behind. You’ll hear about Avi’s project working with schools in Amsterdam to help provide music programs in underserved communities and this episode features some of his sarod music. Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript here to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/avi-kishna
Can you buy this podcaster a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Here you'll find the links to Avi's projects like Raga Reflections, where to stream and buy his music, upcoming performances, including a video with dancer Shailesh Bahoran (which we talk about): https://www.sarodbyavi.com/
Link to Muziek Educatie Centrum Amsterdam: https://www.muziekeducatiecentrum.nl/jeugd-fonds-sport-cultuur-amsterdam
Follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Episode with sitar player Mohamed Assani: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mohamed-assani
Episode with bansuri player Milind Date:
https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/milind-date-bansuri-player
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:42) the sarod
(11:57) Indo-Surinamese heritage and history
(16:16) South Asian music in the Netherlands
(19:38) dancer Shailesh Bahoran
(25:00) excerpt from While She Sleeps
(28:06) bringing different music together, Soundscape Sessions
(38:01) please support this podcast!
(38:39) Ramdew Kishna, Avi’s father
(43:27) racism and inclusion
(50:53) sarod guru Gungun Kaustuv Ray
(56:14) learning from others
(57:56) Raga Reflections
(01:04:19) Darbari
(01:08:00) sales and marketing career, return to music
(01:13:05) giving back through music education
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Pierre Chrétien is a Canadian bandleader, multi-instrumentalist and composer who has had international success with his bands The Souljazz Orchestra, Atlantis Jazz Ensemble and his project Cinephonic, and in this episode you’ll learn about all of these and hear highlights from some of these albums on the Marlow Records label. http://www.marlowrecords.com/artists.html
Pierre shares how left his career as an Engineer to devote himself to a full-time career as a performer. He also demonstrates some rare vintage instruments at the beginning of this episode, which he’s also an expert at repairing. Pierre is so creative and some of his gorgeous album covers are linked to the episode notes on my website, which of course links to Marlow Records. Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pierre-chrtien
Did you know that this podcast is in Season 4, and that I send out a weekly email newsletter where you can get access to Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and be inspired by highlights from the archive? https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletterSpeaking to such a diversity of people shines a light on the persistence required to attain mastery in any field. I try to constantly improve every aspect of this podcast, since I take care of all the many jobs of research, production, and publicity. I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this project going; please can you buy me a coffee (which is linked to Paypal)? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Mike Essoudry (drummer with Atlantis Jazz Ensemble) episode: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mike-essoudry-drummer
Please follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:14) marimba
(05:33) Vintage Vibe electric piano, Mellotron
(10:01) Cinephonic albums
(13:05) Le Combat from Visions, the second Cinephonic album
(17:01) film score influences
(18:09) Musser Ampli-Celeste
(19:52) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, vintage keyboards
(21:45) Pierre childhood and youth, Engineering degree
(25:07) Souljazz orchestra, tours, graphic design
(29:09) Kingdom Come from album Inner Fire Souljazz orchestra
(33:20) harp
(34:14) please buy me a coffee to support this series?
(34:52) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble
(37:46) Joyful Noise from Celetial Suite Atlantis Jazz Ensemble
(42:48) Mike Essoudry drummer
(43:06) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble
(47:10) Blue Nile Atlantis Jazz Ensemble
(52:15) Marlow Records, recording to analog tape
(53:43) writing process, musical influences
(55:47) changes in music distribution, benefits of Bandcamp, problems withSpotify
(58:19) decision to leave Engineering and become full-time musician
(01:00:57) other projects, Tezeta for orchestra
(01:04:26) Pierre’s teen years
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This week’s guest is the British guitarist Edison Herbert, who plays melodic and soulful groove-based music that will lift your mood. We are featuring his compositions from a couple of his albums and you’ll learn about his personal journey in music that has led to his career as a full-time performer. He talked to me about some of his mentors and influences including George Benson, and his perspectives as a Black artist navigating the music scene in the UK. I found him to be warmly engaging and candid and we circled around to topics that impact all of us, such as dealing with self-knowledge, creativity, and the need to be persistent and keep true to what’s important to us .
Edison Herbert Website: https://edisonherbert.com/Can you buy me a coffee through Paypal to support this channel and this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website (link here takes you to Video, Podcast and Transcript): https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/edison-herbert
Video of I Wanna Wake Up with You on Edison Herbert's YouTube: https://youtu.be/_vJk8MNuFSA?si=1VyD8fjZd7AiemEiDid you know that this podcast is in Season 4, and that I send out a weekly email newsletter where you can get access to Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and be inspired by highlights from the archive? Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletterTimestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:26) Edison’s start in music(05:12) Edison’s albums(07:21) I Wanna Wake Up with You (13:39) Unforgettable Nat King Cole, US tour, grant funding(19:11) touring life in the UK, different aspects of music business(23:18) intro to Is She Is She Not(24:29) excerpt from Is She Is She Not(26:12) George Benson(31:35) musical influences Wes Montgomery, Grant Green(33:23) Loves in Need of Love Today(38:09) please support this independent podcast! thanks(38:47) Black musicians in the UK, African diaspora Black music traditions, racism(45:13) Edison’s family(46:17) musical influences in Edison’s style(48:55) Edison’s guitars(50:10) Guildhall school, Randy Brecker, London jazz scene, Guildhall(54:36) school teacher experience and deciding to pursue music(56:51) staying healthy as a musician(01:01:57) advice for learning a musical instrument and creating a music career
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This week I’m highlighting an episode from the archive, with the brilliant multi-talented Diane Nalini who is an incredibly nuanced jazz singer, and composer. She performs in 4 languages and teaches jazz ukulele as well. I hope you’ll join me in my fascination with the incredible range of Diane’s interests and expertise. Besides being a phenomenal musician she also is a Rhodes scholar with Phd in Applied Physics from Oxford university and presently works in environmental science policy for the Canadian government. Not only is she a great lyricist, but she has also written songs inspired by great literature including Shakespeare, in jazz, blues, gospel, folk and bossa nova styles. During this conversation, she performs some of her original songs for us.
We recorded this in early in 2022, and as I release this again in 2024, I want to remind you that we’re in Season 4 of this podcast, and if you love jazz singers, you may want to check out my episodes with Kellylee Evans,Ineke Vandoorn , and Renée Yoxon, among well over 100 episodes you may have missed.
I’m an independent podcaster who really needs the help of my listeners to spread the word about this podcast, and if you can buy me a coffee to help out: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Diane Nalini website: https://www.dianenalini.com/
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube or read the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s2-diane-nalini
Did you know I send out an emailed podcast newsletter, where you can get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests? https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
This podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn: my Linktree https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
photo: Adrian Cho
Timestamps
(00:00)Intro( 00:53 )Shakespeare “Songs of Sweet Fire”( 03:30 )Rhodes scholar, and Chinese calligraphy and watercolour painting with Virginia Chang, Bill Evans( 08:07 )paintings for “Songs of Sweet Fire”, role as album producer(10:55) Diane’s experience as a dancer and also starting to sing jazz songs at 3 years of age, also her experience of strict piano lessons( 14:18 )National Ballet School summer program experience( 15:49) first professional jazz gigs( 16:57) Science mentors at Dawson College Richard Shoemaker and John Mohamed( 17:58 )intro to her baritone ukulele and “Winter Eclipse”(19:04 )Song “Winter Eclipse”( 23:13) discussion of her song “Kiss Me Like That” and astronomy( 26:18 )Diane’s work for Environment, Climate Change Canada(28:13 )discussion of her song “The Last Hurrah”( 29:50) discussion of the challenges for individuals to limit consumption( 34:48 )jazz ukulele, Diane’s YouTube Ukulele for Jazz Singers, her (39:48 )teaching and performing online, connecting with people worldwide( 41:37 )learning Portuguese(47:23 )Syncspace Live with husband Adrian Cho( 56:00 )some advantages to online teaching ( 58:02 )introduction to song “Le Tournesol”( 58:58 )Song “Le Tournesol”( 01:02:01 )discussion about languages, etymology, Diane’s father( 01:06:13) singing Schubert Lieder, learning German( 01:10:52 )turning down a recording contract offer, balancing a life in Science and Music( 01:14:39) producing her first album, the process of putting together albums( 01:16:34 )making new musical connections in England, joining a salsa band( 01:22:04 )Diane’s ukulele made by Luis Feu de Mesquita, also history of the ukulele(01:29:36) Future Perfect album, pandemic challenges, new songs(01:33:42 )Diane’s creative process and memory for music( 01:38:19) Diane’s music in movies and tv shows( 01:41:01) how listeners interpret songs so differently, including her song “After Dusk”
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This week’s episode is a special Catch-Up episode with the Dutch guitarist and composer Marc van Vugt, who was previously featured in Season 2 with his album The Lonely Coyote. Today you’ll hear a selection of highlights from his new solo guitar album, The Curious Badger. We caught up on some of his recent projects, and he also shared some wonderful insights into his creative process, and different ways for independent musicians to find audiences for their music. Like all my episodes, this is available on your favourite podcast player as well as a video on YouTube, and the transcript is linked here as well on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/marc-van-vugt-the-curious-badger Please consider buying me a coffee to support this independent podcast - you can do that through Paypal on my support site: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! If you missed the episode with jazz singer Ineke Vandoorn, Marc's partner: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ineke-vandoornMarc van Vugt website: https://www.marcvanvugt.com/Timestamps(00:00) Intro(02:37) The Curious Badger album(08:06) excerpts from 2 versions of Liefde(09:59) intro to Back to the Market Square, Zen story(15:15) Back to the Market Square (20:21) lowden baritone guitar(22:13) Marc’s advice about PR work, getting gigs and album reviews(30:53) please support this series!(31:30) intro to Dancing in the Wind, layering of different guitars(33:20) excerpt from Dancing in the Wind(33:18) playing on different guitars(35:55) intro to The Coyote and the Badger(37:08) excerpt from The Coyote and the Badger(37:06) influences of different guitarists, Bill Connors(39:39) intro to The Curious Badger(42:53) The Curious Badger(45:33) 2023 Canadian tour(52:00) Sound Makers Project Christine Duncan(55:35) Marc’s creative process(01:01:16) teaching composition
photo of Marc: Jiri Büller
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This week's episode is unusual because 4 musicians are featured, the members of the Euclid Quartet. They are a world-class string quartet celebrating their 25th anniversary with a fantastic album of short pieces, entitled Breve, and we are featuring several pieces from that album as part of this episode. Breve album: https://breve.hearnow.com/
You’ll get to know each member of the quartet, which is in residence at Indiana University South Bend: Jameson Cooper, violinist and founding member originally from England; you’ll hear about his experiences as a student of Dorothy Delay, and Roland and Almita Vamos. He also talked about the formative years of the quartet and the nuts and bolts of learning repertoire. The other violinist in the quartet is Aviva Hakanoglu, who holds degrees from Harvard, Indiana University and Stony Brook university and was a student of Philip Setzer, and it was really interesting to hear about her experience auditioning for the quartet and her perspectives on community outreach and as an educator. Violist Luis Enrique Vargas is a long-time member of the Euclid quartet, and started his life in music in Venezuela at the age of 14, and spoke about introducing Latin American composers to his colleagues. Finally cellist Justin Goldsmith is the newest member of the quartet. When he was completing his Master’s degree at Indiana University he formed the Vera quartet which held residencies at both IU and the Curtis Institute of Music, where he was also a Community Artist Fellow. I was curious to learn more about the many roles the quartet plays in their capacities as performers, educators and collaborators, and to hear them speak about the special joys and challenges of being members of a full-time quartet.
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/euclid-quartet
Euclid Quartet website: https://www.euclidquartet.com/biography
Please support this independant podcast! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Did you know that I send out a weekly email newsletter with Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and lots more? Sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(04:46) Jameson Cooper, getting into chamber music, putting the album Breve together
(08:12) Luis Enrique Vargas Latin Amercian composers
(10:07) Metro Chabacano by Javier Alvarez
(14:05) American Masterpieces grant, diversity of representation in programming, youth outreach
(16:50) the career of a string quartet incorporating outreach and education, Rehearsing Philadelphia
(21:22) intro to Italian Serenade, Aviva on the challenge of recording
(22:29) excerpt from Italian Serenade by Hugo Wolf
(23:45) rehearsal process
(25:20) Jameson the early years of the Quartet, Aspen
(29:58) James Cooper studies with Dorothy DeLay, Roland and Almita Vamos, Masao Kawasaki
(33:45) intro to Shostakovich Polka
(36:18) Shostakovich Polka
(36:16) Aviva audition experience joining the quartet
(42:18) Aviva’s advice for dealing with nerves
(43:40) orchestral auditions and chamber music auditions, Jameson Cooper’s experience as a conductor
(47:48) please support this series!
(48:27) Luis conducting project, his love of whistling
(51:55) Aviva intro to Four, for Tango
(53:22) Four, for Tango by Astor Piazzolla from live performance
(58:23) Hugo Kauder
(01:00:56) Luis Enrique Vargas how he became a violist
(01:03:15) Justin Goldsmith experience of joining the quartet
(01:04:48) Schubert Quartettsatz Jameson Cooper
(01:07:28) excerpt from Schubert’s Quartettsatz
(01:09:00) importance of chamber music in music education
(01:12:23) Anna Clyne Fischoff Quarter Days
(01:13:54) new audiences and different projects
(01:20:11) string quartet life
(01:26:26) Aviva Hakanoglu on teaching
(01:28:54) the advantages of variety and versality for performers
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Chuck Copenace is a Winnipeg-based Ojibway musician and we talk about Chuck’s excellent album Oshki Manitou, which expands his work as a trumpet player, arranger, and composer. He’s woven together ceremonial sweat-lodge melodies with jazz, funk, dance and electronica and this episode features tracks from that album. He’s such a powerfully lyrical trumpet player, and you’ll be deeply touched to hear his inspiring story of moving through trauma and addiction to helping others through counseling and music. Chuck talked to me about his experience of growing up Indigenous, how intergenerational trauma from the residential schools affected his life, and how he was able to get sober and find healing in Indigineous ceremonial traditions. You’ll hear about his university experience at Brandon university studying with Alan Ehnes, how he became a counselor through the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, and found his way back to a life in music. He spoke of his hope for the future of Indigenous youth, working with Julia Keefe’s Indigenous Big Band, and his upcoming projects. Please check out Chuck’s website: https://www.chuckcopenace.com/
Can you help support this series? I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this going: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Like all my episodes, this is also available as a video on my YouTube, and the transcript is linked as well to my podcast website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/chuck-copenace
You can sign up here for my newsletter and get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
My Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:16) Creator, getting back to music, sweat lodge ceremony
(06:26) Creator from Oshki Manitou
(10:26) learning ceremonial songs, recording the album
(14:12) Indian Act, suppression of Indigenous spiritual and cultural practices like the sweat lodge
(15:45) intro to Nothing Simple
(17:03) Nothing Simple live video from Revelstoke
(21:36) Indigenous peoples in Winnipeg
(22:56) the origin of Oshki Manitou
(26:12) Oshki Manitou
(30:13) Chuck’s son
(30:53) check out past episodes and support the show
(31:31) school music programs
(35:00) how music helped Chuck deal with inter-generational trauma, getting sober
(46:53) growing up Indigenous, the way history is taught
(50:27) residential schools and hope for the future
(58:22) excerpt from Little Sunflower from Oshki Manitou
(59:20) Indigineous mentorship, Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band
(01:07:29) Chuck’s music education, Alan Ehnes Brandon
(01:16:47) Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, recovery and burnout
(01:24:36) finding a path in music again
(01:35:18) next projects, sharing his story, youth workshops
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Frank Horvat is an acclaimed Canadian composer and pianist whose music has been featured on over 20 albums. In this episode you’ll hear how he has forged meaningful collaborations with a wide range of musicians internationally, and found and given solace to audiences through his focus on themes of mental health, the climate crisis, and social justice. We start this episode with his Arctic Circle Residency.
Frank Horvat is so prolific and involved in so many diverse projects, with music in many styles, that we could only focus on a few of his works in this podcast episode, including with the SHHH!!! Ensemble, the Odin Quartet, flutist Christopher Lee and soprano Meredith Hall. We talked about his Music for Self-Isolation, and his wonderful initiative, the Piano Therapy Virtual Tour, that pairs his music with his personal mental health challenges and coping strategies. I also asked him about The Green Keys Tour, in which he performed his work Earth Hour in dark halls across North America, travelling in a sustainable way. We also got into some of his current projects, Trees.Listen with Sharlene Wallace inspired by the work of Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger , and More Rivers, commissioned by Christina Petrowska Quilico and inspired by the work of Ann Southam.
I need the help of my listeners! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Frank Horvat website: https://frankhorvat.com/
Follow this podcast on social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
You can also watch this podcast on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ViolinLessonOnline
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:22) Arctic Circle Residency
(15:00) SHHH!! Ensemble
Auditory Survey of the Last Days of the Holocene, creative process and excerpts
(24:51) Frank Horvat composing in different styles, finding new inspirations
(28:48) Music for Self-Isolation, music performed by Christopher Lee
(40:50) please support this podcast! Thanks
(41:26) Piano Therapy Virtual Tour, talking about mental health
(54:54) Odin quartet excerpt from the Four Seasons in High Park
(55:07) Frank’s start as a composer
(58:00) The Green Keys Tour
(01:01:13) excerpt Orbital Tour of CIties at Night from album Fractures with Meredith Hall
(01:04:140) new project Trees.Listen with Sharlene Wallace, Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger
(01:11:19) More Rivers, Christina Petrowska Quilico, Ann Southam
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Guy Donis grew up in Belgium, where he had fallen in love with the banjo and proceeded to dedicate his life to it. In this episode, he describes how he taught himself 5 string banjo, learned about Bluegrass, and expanded his musical horizons by collaborating with jazz and classical musicians. He immigrated to Canada many years ago, and is well-known in the Montreal music scene. He has toured Canada extensively with Notre Dame de Grass and other bands, and in this episode he talks about his newest project, the Montreal Bluegrass League, and a track from their latest album is included in this podcast. Some tracks from his two trio albums are also included earlier in this episode, in which you can hear Guy’s progressive jazz-influenced original music.
Can you buy me a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much!
Like all my episodes, the YouTube video, Transcript, and show notes are linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/guy-donis
Guy Donis website: https://www.guydonisbanjo.com/
Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Follow the podcast on my socials: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:03) Guy’s discovery of the banjo in Belgium
(04:35) Tchestou Guy Donis Trio from Paroles d’arbre
(04:40) banjo demo, evolution of bluegrass style
(21:12) Béla Fleck
(25:05) Paroles d’arbre album
(29:16) title track from Paroles d’arbre Guy Donis Trio
(33:51) Roots, Risks and Rêveries album Guy Donis Trio
(35:33) Grenouillages Guy Donis Trio
(36:36) Guy’s youth in Belgium, learning banjo
(45:47) could you buy me a coffee to support this series?
(46:26) the challenge of continuing to improve
(47:29) Sam Bush
(49:39) how Guy learned banjo and found his style
(54:04) decision to leave Belgium
(59:49) Tony Trischka, Béla Fleck, networking challenges, focus in playing
(01:06:36) the Montreal Bluegrass League
(01:14:59) career choices
(01:19:46) teaching banjo
(01:23:59) Guy’s banjo Nechville Phantom
(01:29:49) the Montreal Bluegrass League album, intro to One Way Track
(01:31:51) One Way Track with the Montreal Bluegrass League
(01:34:05) love for winter in Quebec as an immigrant from Belgium
(01:36:04) distractions of the internet
(01:38:05) learning music therapeutic
photo of Guy Donis: David Roseman
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Jeeyoon Kim is a very special concert pianist who has opened meaningful connections to new audiences through her innovative concerts, albums, podcast, and now her book “Whenever You’re Ready”. You’ll learn how she sold out her Carnegie Hall debut recital without knowing one person in New York, without an agent or winning a competition. She’s generously shared 3 tracks from some of her albums that punctuate this episode. Her website is linked here: https://www.jeeyoonkim.com/about
I was so honoured when Jeeyoon agreed to be part of this series, because I knew her wisdom, personal story and her music making would resonate strongly with you.
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jeeyoon-kim
Please buy me a coffee to support this podcast? I really do need the help of my listners to keep this going: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Here you can sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes. https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:31) book “Whenever You’re Ready”
(04:34) podcast “Journey Through Classical Piano”
(08:26) intro to Brahms’ Intermezzo
(11:28) Brahms Intermezzo op. 118, number 2
(18:04) Jeeyoon’s childhood in Korea
(23:10) burnout challenges
(26:48) decision to pursue Master’s in Pedagogy after Doctorate
(30:28) please support this podcast
(31:07) adapting teaching to each student
(35:00) private teaching versus academic setting, creating your own path
(39:46) Jeeyoon’s innovative concerts, 10 More Minutes crowdfunding and Carnegie Hall debut
(53:07) Kapustin Concert Etude op. 40 number 6 Pastoral from Jeeyoon Kim’s album Sium
(55:59) Sium project, 17 concert tour
(01:02:42) Debussy
(01:05:21) La plus que lente by Debussy from Jeeyoon Kim’s album Sium
(01:09:49) the challenge of adapting to different pianos
(01:15:14) Allen T. Brown, pairing photography and poetry with music
(01:21:51) lifelong learning
(01:25:15) surfing
(01:31:35) great advice from David Bremmer
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J. Walter Hawkes is a 4-time Emmy-winning composer for the PBS series Peg + Cat and Wonder Pets, is a renowned jazz trombone player, and also performs as a jazz vocalist, ukulele player, and pianist. As a young man, he survived a horrible accident which changed the course of his life. We talk about this and his mentors including the legendary Slide Hampton, how he got into composing for Blues Clues, and many hilarious and heart-warming personal stories. Those of you who listened to my episode with Pat Irwin will remember his album Wide Open Sky with Walter, and we’re featuring two pieces from that album in this episode along with an impromptu performance of Cole Porter’s Get Out of Town. Walter’s love of adventure really comes through in this conversation, and it’s really inspiring to hear how he’s built such an interesting career in music. You can use the timestamps (listed below) to navigate, and like all my episodes, you can listen to this on your podcast player, watch the YouTube video, or read the transcript, all linked here to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/j-walter-hawkes
Pat Irwin episode: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pat-irwin
J. Walter Hawkes website: https://jwalterhawkes.com/about
Can you buy me a coffee to support this channel and this podcast? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Please do sign up for my newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
DeWitt Fleming with The Hot Sardines: https://youtu.be/Va68n60B3js?si=ida_ujyhVvRXG_iJ
The February video on Walter's YouTube is here: https://youtu.be/XJOeV0mVcgA?si=IZpS8B1MzXa6CEUV
My Linktree with social media links: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
( 01:45) Wide Open Sky album with Pat Irwin, story of February and old family film
(10:17) February
(12:06) the story of the accident
(24:05) please support the podcast! Buy me a coffee? Thanks!
(24:43) intro to For a Dance
(26:03) For a Dance from Wide Open Sky
(29:44) piano, The Hot Sardines
(32:32) North Texas experience
(39:40) Emmys, composing for children’s tv Peg+Cat, Wonder Pets, Blues Clues
(48:49) ukulele stories
(01:00:00) intro to Cole Porter’s Get Out of Town
(01:00:50) Get Out of Town by Cole Porter
(01:02:55) Nora Jones, career regrets, dealing with stagefright
(01:14:33) Slide Hampton, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band
(01:22:29) early NYC days, traditional jazz scene
(01:26:24) memorization skills
(01:28:31) electronics, old computers, instruments
(01:35:40) importance of mentorship, Duncan Goff, Jerry Ball, Sol Yaged, balancing his career between playing and composing
(01:45:42) how Walter started composing for Blues Clues, how the accident affected his career
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Welcome to Season 4 of Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman. For this first episode in 2024, I welcome the violinist, author and coach Jennifer Roig-Francoli. We talk about her newly released book, Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life, and her Art of Freedom Method which incorporates the mind-body skills of the Alexander Technique. This episode also features excerpts from her solo violin album, Solo Con Spirito, with music of Kreisler, Enescu and Bach.
Jennifer had the opportunity to study with Nathan Milstein, Josef Gingold and Stanley Ritchie and has had an interesting career as a performer, including with Appollo’s Fire. We talk about performing barefoot at Carnegie Hall, travels to India, and in Jennifer’s words” how you do one thing is how you do everything”. I myself have been very influenced by different mind-body practices like the Alexander Technique, and the power of thought to help me address habitual tensions in my own life has really helped me, and I trust this inspiring and helpful episode will be of help to you, both musical performers and not, because the content of this discussion addresses universal challenges for all of us. This conversation is punctuated by some excerpts from Jennifer’s solo album, and I hope you’ll listen to the whole album which you’ll find both on streaming services, or better yet for purchase on her website: https://artoffreedom.me/meet-jennifer/
Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jennifer-roig-francoli
Here you can sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
I have had several interviews talking about some of the same issues as this episode. My interviews with Julie Lyonn-Lieberman, Madeline Bruser, Stephen Nachmanovitch, Derek Gripper and Daniel Ramjattan will be good places to start if you missed any of those.
Finally, I’m an independant podcaster, and I truly need the help of my listeners to keep this project going: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
photo of Jennifer Roig-Francoli: Tina Gutierrez
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(04:16) album Solo con Spirito! Celebrating 50
(05:27) excerpt from Kreisler’s Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice
(07:07) excerpt from Enescu’s Sarabande
(07:47) Stanley Ritchie
(10:03) Jennifer’s studies at Indiana University, learning baroque violin
(12:58) Apollo’s Fire
(15:11) studies with Nathan Milstein
(18:43) Alexander Technique and Primal Alexander touch-free approach
(32:58) please support this series! Thanks.
(33:15) the importance of transitions and mindset, performance anxiety, The Art of Freedom Method
(41:43) music education, pressure from teachers, competitiveness in the music industry
(46:36) excerpt from Ysaye’s Ballade
(46:34) challenges in parenting for musicians
(52:44) music education, letting go of the focus on goals
(58:41) excerpt from Bach’s Chaconne
(01:00:12) performing barefoot
(01:02:56) decisions around pitch and more for Solo con Spirito
(01:07:25) How you do one thing is how you do everything
(01:11:32) India meditation retreat Amma’s ashram
(01:16:31) connections made through Art of Freedom online coaching
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This podcast is also a video on my YouTube and the transcript is also linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mohamed-assani Today’s guest is the genre-defying sitarist and composer Mohamed Assani. In this conversation a couple of compositions from his album Wayfinder are featured. Wayfinder incorporates a range of stylistic influences, including South Asian Classical, Middle Eastern, jazz, funk, Western Classical, ambient & electronic music. It was produced by Juno and Emmy nominated producer Adham Shaikh and in the show notes you’ll find links to the complete music videos and to his albums. Mohamed is also a wonderful educator, based in Vancouver Canada, also teaching online, and I’m so grateful to him for being so gracious in agreeing to demonstrate on both sitar and tabla some basics of these instruments, and of stylistic elements in South Asian music, for this episode.
I’m an independent podcaster, and I truly need the help of my listeners to keep this project going. https://ko-fi.com/leahrosemanRemember you can sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
This is the final episode for Season 3, and season 4 launches January 6th, so do check out episodes you may have missed from the first 3 seasons: https://www.leahroseman.com/aboutMohamed Assani website: https://www.mohamedassani.ca/about/Timestamps: (00:00) Intro(02:37) Mohamed’s path in music, South Asian music and history(08:56) introduction to the sitar with musical examples(13:34) history of the sitar, the Mogul rule(20:20) tabla, rhythm in South Asian music(25:28) tabla demonstration(28:51) please support this podcast(29:31)music education(32:12) Wayfinder album, Lullaby for Guli, Transit (41:07) Solace, understanding beat cycles(49:58) the intuitive versus analytical(51:28) Shahbaz Hussain tabla player(54:06) Aga Khan 80th birthday concert(56:22) reflections on learning music and self-development
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Ceara Conway is an Irish contemporary vocalist and visual artist, and this episode features music from her album CAOIN as well as excerpts from some of her other projects. I find Ceara’s curiosity about so many important topics around arts and culture really inspiring and this conversation circled around to her explorations of different languages and cultures as well as her rootedness as an Irish speaker. She has had many interesting commissions dealing with history, illness, grief, and the natural world. She uses traditional and contemporary song, performance and visual art to explore social issues such as the ecological crisis, migration and feminist concerns. She also spoke to me about some of her roles working with the Clare Arts office with artists with disabilities, and how she started her career as a glassblower in Rome and how her upbringing has helped her navigate the world as a freelance artist. Like all my episodes, this is also a video and the transcript is also linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ceara-conway
Can you support the podcast with a virtual coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much! I need the support of my listeners to keep this going.
https://www.cearaconway.ie/about photo: Julia Dunin photography
Are you curious about upcoming episodes? Sign up for my newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:36) Ceara’s background, the album CAOIN
(17:03) Anach Cuain
(18:10) more about CAOIN An Caoinea
dh
(20:52) singing in different languages, Oumou Sangaré
(23:56) Ceara’s childhood
(27:56) support this independant podcast!
(28:35) glassblowing, start in art and music, Matthew Noonan
(33:03) books
(35:28) Veriditas project
(41:23) Plant Chant
(43:01) Clare Arts Office Embrace arts and disability program
(49:18) CAOIN, intro to Seoith í n Seothó
(51:59) Seoithín Seothó
(56:00) Georgian song, choirs
(1:01:40) Dochas
(1:06:17) Hanna Tuulikki, corncrake
(1:09:05) Time to Say Goodbye
(1:13:14) Irish language
(1:16:50) new projects
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Like all my podcast episodes, you can watch the video on my YouTube and the transcript is linked here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/emmolei-sankofa
EmmoLei Sankofa https://www.e-sankofa.com/ is a an American composer, producer, musician, and artist whose work spans music, visual media, and fine art. Detailed show notes below with timestamps!
You can sign up for my weekly newsletter https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletterto get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/about where you can explore past episodes and support the show through my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
My socials are in my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
In this episode we focused on EmmoLei's original music for Hulu's The Other Black Girl, the film score for Three Ways and her project Geometry, and we talked about her unique use of Morse code in her compositions, and the benefits of limitations in creative work. I asked her about her experiences in HBCU marching band culture, at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and being part of a positive community of mentors and peers through the Composers Diversity Collective. With her background as a percussionist and her use of Morse code, I was interested to hear about her creative process, and also about some of her visual art projects and collaborative installations. EmmoLei’s discography encompasses many albums and singles, and often integrates soul, jazz, classical, and rhythm and blues. Her single, Don’t Fight, was included on Adult Swim’s OPUS compilation album. EmmoLei has collaborated with many award-winning filmmakers, and through her creative audio company, Bèl Son, has worked with brands like Nike, Buzzfeed and Kamala Harris for the People. At the beginning of this episode, we dig into EmmoLei’s unique score for The Other Black Girl, which I watched and recommend. It’s based on a best-selling novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris, and the show is an edgy thriller that’s a social commentary with humourous twists, and shines a light on the expeirence of Black women in corporate America, specifically in the publishing industry.
Here's the link to the official Triangles Video (which is excerpted in the episode) https://youtu.be/5YGSMD547VE?si=1LS-y6EoFKP-SqGA
Timestamps: (00:00) Intro(03:01) The Other Black Girl(11:49) using Morse code in EmmoLei’s compositions(17:10) marching band culture HBCU(20:52) SCAD Sound Design Masters(23:25) please help support this independant podcast!(24:04) Mentors and mentoring, the Composers Diversity Collective(33:37) African diaspora, Sankofa(36:33) Emmolei’s instruments and creative process(44:44) visual art, trip to South Africa(56:26) Geometry, filmmaking, producing(01:00:49) Three Ways(01:04:13) The Other Black Girl, Tonality vocal group, graphic scores(01:12:23) In Pursuit of Silence(01:17:30) EmmoLei’s well-rounded musical background
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Welcome to Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman: This podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts, or as a video on my YouTube. This week’s episode is with the award-winning GRAMMY-nominated harpist and composer Kirsten Agresta Copely. The video and transcript are linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/kirsten-agresta-copelyKirsten has had a really diverse career, starting with rigorous classical training as a young child, an illustrious career as an internationally touring solo harpist, and then a contrasting career performing with pop and rap icons such as Beyonce, JayZ, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and so many more famous artists, lots of studio work, and as a composer and arranger. In this wide-ranging conversation we talked about dealing with grief, ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, and many insights from Kirsten’s unique path through the music industry, including as an educator and mentor. Very shortly after we recorded this episode, Aquamarine was nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album. Kirsten has shared several tracks from Aquamarine and some of her other projects that are excerpted in this podcast, and if this music draws you in, please click on the link to her website: https://www.kirstencopelymusic.com/
Could you support this independant podcast with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Follow the podcast on social media, all those links are on the top of my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman
photo: Joseph Cartright
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:57) clip from I Am Water
(03:15) the creation of Aquamarine, Kirsten’s mother
(06:41) Kirsten’s musical education
(09:32) intro to Naids
(10:12) clip from Naids
(11:06) production of Aquamarine
(13:12) Kirsten’s development as a harpist, career choices
(19:57) please support the podcast!
(20:35) the isolation of being a harpist, career advice
(24:44) clip from Aquamarine
(26:58) high school in Michigan, Star Age piano music
(29:28) clip from Threads Star Age piano music
(30:46) Nashville scene, move to Brooklyn
(34:44) Suzanne McDonald
(36:41) intro to Into the Mist
(37:50) Into the Mist
(41:46) dealing with stress, movivation for creating New Age music, Kirsten’s mother’s death
(46:30) Tanzania trip witnessing the Great Migration
(48:27) the Sphere Las Vegas
(52:16) performing with Beyoncé for President Obama
(54:12) Live 8, playing pop arrangements
(57:47)how a pedal harp works
(01:04:01) different aspects to Kirsten’s career: soloist, different albums, arrangements
(01:06:40) clip from Kirsten’s arrangement of Radiohead’s Creep
(01:08:10) arranging for harp
(01:10:00) mentoring younger musicians, career advice
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This week’s episode is a special double episode with the jazz piano duo of Peter Hum and Steve Boudreau, who have recently released their album Nonlinear Blues. Peter and Steve performed three of their original tunes for this podcast and we’ve also included some of their other compositions from their respective discographies, and in terms of the conversation, it was a wide-ranging dialogue with interesting insights from their contrasting careers, Peter primarily as a music and food journalist, and Steve as an educator and performer across many different styles. We got into restaurant culture, how to memorize music, and the importance of encouraging creativity and individuality. At it's core, this is an episode very much about the importance of supporting and encouraging each other.
Please check out the links to their websites linked below and on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/peter-hum-and-steve-boudreauwhere you will find linked the video version of this episode, the transcript, and you can sign up for my weekly podcast newsletter and get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests. If you’re a jazz lover, I have featured a lot of wonderful jazz musicians and have well over 100 episodes to explore.
Below you'll also find detailed Timestamps to navigate the episode!
https://steveboudreaumusic.com/
https://peterhum.com/
Please support the podcast here: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
photo: Curtis Perry
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:23) jazz piano duo
(10:25) intro to Irreversibly
(11:35) Irreversibly
(14:49) Steve Boudreau weekly online concerts, all of Monk’s tunes
(20:42) Peter Hum’s journalism career, Herbie Hancock
(24:52) please support the podcast
(25:28) Peter’s father, debut recording A Boys’ Journey
(29:26) Steve Boudreau learning and teaching different styles, Hindustani music
(33:14) intro to Nonlinear Blues
(35:44) Nonlinear Blues
(41:27) tips on memorizing music, jazz ensemble skills
(48:46) F8-Bit game console music
(52:57) audio clip F8-Bit band
(54:46) Peter Hum food critic, restaurant industry
(59:44) intro to Bursting the Bubble, pandemic concerts
(01:03:43) Bursting the Bubble
(01:09:27) Ordinary Heroes album Peter Hum
(01:13:54) Spare Hearts Peter Hum ensemble
(01:23:27) Steve Boudreau George Gershwin
(01:26:35) Gershwin Prelude 1 Steve Boudreau jazz trio
(01:28:44) Steve Boudreau solo albums
(01:30:50) positive habits
(01:36:18) encouraging creativity in students, ease in writing
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There’s such a fascinating variety to a life in music; and this series features wonderful musicians worldwide with in-depth conversations and great music, with over 100 episodes to explore. For this week’s episode I was able to add some additional music to a special re-release with fiddler Alexis Chartrand who has shared 3 tracks for you to listen to. His Bandcamp and socials are linked below; so please go buy the tracks or albums if you like what you hear! Alexis talks very thoughtfully and about his background as a son of dancers, both groove and ornamentation in different traditional styles of fiddling, his explorations of tone colour with baroque violin, and some of his musical influences and inspiration. Like all my episodes, this is available wherever you listen to podcasts, the video of the original episode is on my YouTube, and the transcript is also linked to my website where you can sign up for my weekly podcast newsletter and get access to sneak peeks for upcoming guests. https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e5-s1-alexis-chartrand-fiddler
Support the podcast with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Alexis Chartrand on Bandcamp: https://alexischartrandnicolasbabineau.bandcamp.com/
https://alexischartrandcolinsavoielevac.bandcamp.com/album/le-tranino
Alexis Chartrand Social Media Linktree: https://linktr.ee/agchartrand?fbclid=IwAR28jaMhfGM2bO0-2rfbDxF81CYchtj9oGMYIKUyJ3VkZNdSKgE2cV3fMLU
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Please consider signing up for my weekly newsletter, which will give you access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Did you know that all episodes are also available as a video on my YouTube, and that I publish the transcripts to my blog? I'd like this to be accessible to everyone which is why I put this extra work into this. Complete catalogue of over 100 episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Follow me a my socials:
https://www.instagram.com/conversations_with_musicians
https://twitter.com/RosemanLeah
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072528617887
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-roseman-b01845235/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ViolinLessonOnline
I'm an independant podcaster, and although this is very much a labour of love, I have many costs that I have to cover. Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
There’s such a fascinating variety to a life in music; this series features wonderful musicians worldwide with in-depth conversations and great music. Many episodes feature guests playing music spontaneously as part of the episode or sharing performances and albums. I hope that the inspiration and connection found in a meaningful creative life, the challenges faced, and the stories from such a diversity of artists will draw you into this weekly series, with many topics that will resonate with all listeners.
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Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman is available wherever you listen to podcasts. The video and transcript are linked here on my website, where you can check out my episodes catalog and sign up for Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jeremy-mastrangelo
This week’s guest is violinist Jeremy Mastrangelo, who’s a wonderful colleague of mine in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He’s known in our greenroom as a great storyteller, onstage as an excellent musician, and having heard him give brilliant masterclasses I can attest to his excellence as an educator as well. This episode is infused with Jeremy’s wit and wisdom as well as a couple of beautiful violin performances. We talk about violin shopping in Cremona, teenage life at Interlochen Academy, the difficulties and joys of a career as an orchestral musician, family, and the benefits of deepening our understanding of the composers we play. You will find that one of the wonderful stories in this episode reveals an unexpected discovery!
This independant podcast needs your support. Can you help with $3? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:11) Jeremy’s brother Dave, his childhood starting violin
(10:31) Bach Aria from Goldberg Variations
(13:23) Dave Mastrangelo arrangements
(15:05) orchestra audition process
(19:11) working conditions, collective agreements, Syracuse orchestra experience, Sara Mastrangelo
(27:21) please support the podcast!
(28:00) different roles and chairs in the orchestra
(30:31) Interlochen
(34:13) intro to Piazzolla etude
(35:45) Piazzolla Tango Etude no. 3
(39:34) dealing with uncertainty, pandemic Syracuse then Ottawa with Pinchas Zukerman
(45:37) ideal orchestra experiences, role of conductor and players
(50:15) Cremona with wife Sara, Italian heritage, Vittorio Villa
(55:54) Jeremy’s violin teachers Rafail Sobolevsky, Bill Preucil, Hal Grossman, Paul Kantor
(01:03:26) Rafail Sobolevsky story
(01:10:13) Sally Thomas, James Ehnes
(01:14:12) cooking
(01:16:07) great books about composers and performers
(01:20:37) solo experiences, stress dreams, benefits of knowing more about the composers
(01:28:16) one final orchestra story
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Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman is a weekly podcast with in-depth conversations featuring a fascinating variety of guests worldwide. Michael Bridge is an accordion virtuoso who performs in many styles on both concert accordion and digital accordion. In this wide-ranging conversation, Michael spoke to me about how best to engage with audiences, the subtleties intrinsic to programming digital accordion sounds, and how to forge lasting relationships. Michael was awarded his Doctorate of Musical Arts from University of Toronto, and is a prize-winning soloist and chamber musician who tours worldwide. This is also an episode which features a lot of great music, including many novel sounds you won’t have heard before from an accordion, and also with the groups Bridge and Wolak and the Ladom Ensemble. You can listen to this wherever you get your podcasts, watch the video on my YouTube, read the transcript, and use the timestamps to navigate the episode as needed: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/michael-bridge Can you help this channel and podcast with $3? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Michael Bridge website: https://www.michaelbridge.ca/about
Michael's complete performance of Sofia Gubaidulina's Et Expecto is here, and starts at 17:40: https://youtu.be/KnXxjW4ayXo?si=qLRzkHMTajVRxhEo
Timestamps
(00:00)Intro
(02:18) digital accordion
(05:32) Bridge and Wolak “Petite Fleur”
(12:23)digital accordion user programs
(16:37) a selection of Michael’s digital accordion sounds
(19:35) accordion technique
(21:00) please support the podcast
(21:17) Michael’s accordion studies, Joseph Macerollo, history of the accordion
(28:27) growing up as an accordion player, going to the World Cup
(33:17) Bach piece
(34:29) accordiontechniques with Gubaidulina, quintuplet bellows shake
(37:46) excerpt from Gubaidulina’s Et Expecto
(39:20) teaching accordion
(42:34) Ladom Ensemble Brahms’ Hungarian Dance no. 5
(47:26) accordion scene in Europe, premiering new works for accordion
(55:48) history of the accordion
(01:01:49) Ladom Ensemble Bach Keyboard concerto no. 7
(01:05:37) Bridge and Wolak, Charles Cozens
(01:08:24) professional relationship parrallels
(01:11:08) Bridge and Wolak “Digital Stardust”
(01:18:14) Bridge and Wolak, Ladom Ensemble
(01:22:00) performance presentation skills
(01:26:09) musical acoustics, arranging
(01:30:40) digital accordion sounds demo
(01:35:29) benefits and necessity of being analytical
photo: Sam Gaetz
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This week I’m highlighting an episode from the archive: the charming and engaging Jack Everly, who is well-known to audiences throughout the United States and Canada for his Symphonic Pops programs and storytelling. We recorded this in 2021 when concerts had been mostly shut down for a year. It was so much fun having this opportunity to sit down and speak in depth with Jack. We had a lively exchange discussing his varied and distinguished career on Broadway, for the American Ballet Theatre, the challenges of syncing a live orchestra with the music of great films, and so much more. The video and transcript are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e16-s1-jack-everly-conductor
I'm an independant podcaster, and I need my listners' help!
Can you spare $3? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
I hope you enjoyed this episode! There’s such a fascinating variety to a life in music; and this series features wonderful musicians worldwide with in-depth conversations and great music, with over 100 episodes to explore. Many episodes feature guests playing music spontaneously as part of the episode or sharing performances and albums. I hope that the inspiration and connection found in a meaningful creative life, the challenges faced, and the stories from such a diversity of artists will draw you into this weekly series, with many topics that will resonate with all listeners. Please share your favourite episodes with your friends, and do consider supporting this independant podcast. Have a great week!
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Today’s guest is the Emmy-winning songwriter, singer, producer and composer Kat Raio Rende. Together with her husband JP Rende she has a successful songwriting and production company Earworm Music company. This episode is a fascinating window into the world of music for children’s tv shows, jingles, working with celebrities, and music production in general. We talked about writing for Sesame Street, including “Friends with a Penguin” featuring Billy Porter and “We Don’t Walk Alone”, Baby Shark, how to write for characters as opposed to singers, her big break that led to singing backup for big stars, the benefits and challenges of having ADHD, advice for setting up an inexpensive studio and learning production tricks, family/work balance, parenting, and most importantly, expressing emotions through music to help children.Kat’s infectious delight in music, composition, and singing as well as her personal story and perspectives as a parent will fascinate listeners everywhere.
I'm an independant podcaster; could you help with a few dollars to keep this series going? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Like all my episodes, you can listen to this on your favourite podcast player, (search Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman) watch the video on YouTube, read the transcript, and navigate with the timestamps: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/kat-raio-rende
Here are some videos we talk about during the episode, that Kat wrote the music for with JP Rende (her husband and colleague at Earworm Music https://www.earwormny.com/ )Billy Porter in Sesame Street's Friends with a Penguin, EMMY winning song: https://youtu.be/f-YxjLUnnP0?si=PPElVWAiKYR2Chie Sesame Street's We Don't Walk Alone: https://youtu.be/LNlAHNzd6WY?si=KHhBhHIA1pDKsWeX Cardi B in Baby Shark Does the Seaweed Sway: https://youtu.be/NHFLk7937dI?si=wyKbLWcN-uD6SQdN Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:23) writing for Billy Porter “Friends with a Penguin” for Sesame Street(06:56) clip from Friends with a Penguin(07:50) writing “We Don’t Walk Alone” for Sesame Street(10:43) clip from “We Don’t Walk Alone”(12:14) writing for Baby Shark, working with Cardi B(18:01) working with husband JP Rende, creative process (21:31) please support this independant podcast(21:47) writing songs for specific characters, creative process(25:39) Kat’s musical influences, singing backup and demos, SUNY Purchase(30:24) writing for Sesame Street, starting Earworm with JP, writing jingles (32:56) getting big breaks, singing backup in New York(39:05) benefits and challenges of ADHD, writing jingles, musicologist Sandy Wilber(47:26) parenting, kids shows(51:57) having to pitch, producing, advice for setting up an inexpensive studio(01:02:02) family/work balance working from home, helping kids learn music(01:11:00) Kat’s childhood music education(01:14:23) vocal producing and directing(01:21:31) expressing emotions through music to help children
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Margaret Maria is a wonderful cellist who’s a unique composer. Her compositions are all written by layering cello lines in some gorgeous and emotive aural tapestries. Her personal story is interesting and moving: she started the cello as a teenager, was admitted to the University of Toronto at age 16 without graduating from high school, and was then admitted to the prestigious Curtis Institute. She went on to have a successful career as a member of the Vancouver Symphony and then Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, which is how I came to know her. She gave up her job with the NAC after a few years, and embarked on a new life as a composer, meanwhile continuing to teach. Some of her work as an educator has been with the Orkidstra program, which she has been involved with since it’s inception in 2007. It’s a social development program that serves over 650 youth from over 62 linguistic and cultural backgrounds by building community through free music programs. This episode has a lot of powerful music; you can use the timestamps to navigate. Like all the episodes in this series, this is available wherever you get your podcasts, as well as this video, and the transcript and show notes are all linked to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/margaret-mariahttps://margaretmariamusic.com/home
I'm an independant podcaster, and this podcast needs your help! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Timestamps (00:00) Intro(02:44) Teaching improvisation in Breno, Maribyllia, creative process(06:57) Marbyllia duo with Bill Gilliam, clip from Gravitational March(07:47) Margaret’s music education and evolution as a cellist and composer(12:52) intro to Blessing of Awakening and Margaret’s creative process(17:00) clip from Blessing of Awakening(18:03) Margaret’s personal story and evolution as a composer(19:46) please support this podcast(20:01) perfectionism, starting late, playing injuries(23:39) Curtis(27:05) more about Margaret’s personal story and evolution as a composer(31:32) Orkidstra and music education(34:26) Alice Kanack, the benefits of teaching improvisation (38:35) producing music with Craig McConnell, intro to Raging Red(41:24) clip from Raging Red with Craig McConnell(42:04) duo project with singer Donna Brown, rock opera with Julian Gracia Reig, getting grants(50:22) From Scars to Infinite Stars(55:19) where to find Margaret’s music(56:20) Margaret’s approach to teaching (01:05:49) reflections on her life, intro to Her Heart on a Platter(01:08:29) Her Heart on a Platter(01:14:39) Margaret’s sheet music(01:15:34) empath feeling others’ emotions, intro to Shame on an Angel, artist Angel Muriel(01:20:39) Sham on an Angel(01:25:52) Margaret’s creative process
photo of Margaret: Bret Archangel Menezes
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This is a bonus Catch-Up Episode with Julie Lyonn Lieberman. My original conversation with her is linked below (Season 2, Episode 7 if you're looking in your podcast player).
Julie is an innovative multi-style violinist/vocalist, author, composer, producer and educator. In our original episode, we discussed her unique path through world music, some of her projects including You Are Your Instrument, which was the first book written about how to overcome and prevent musicians’ overuse injuries. We had also talked about her memoir, The Roaring Brook Fiddler. In today’s short episode, she’ll talk about the process of recording the audio-book, which is enriched with her music, and there’s an excerpt featuring an important experience from her childhood.
You can listen to this wherever you get your podcasts, watch the video on YouTube, and read the transcript. Everything is linked with links to Julie’s many projects on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/julie-lyonn-lieberman
Support this podcast with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
https://julielyonn.com/
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:19) creating the audio book of The Roaring Brook Fiddler
(07:14) excerpt from The Roaring Brook Fiddler
(09:58) please support the podcast
(10:44) re-writing and updating Blues Fiddle, Improvising Violin, You Are Your Instrument, The Roaring Brook Fiddler
(11:14) Verna Gillis, soundscapes, music brings joy
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In this episode, you get to hear the brilliant and engaging keyboard player and composer Kait Dunton in both conversation and a mini theory workshop on her hit tune This One’s For You! In this wide-ranging conversation, we talked about her early days with Snarky Puppy, recording the soundtrack to A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, her love of vintage keyboards and the challenges they present, and her unique approach to teaching which has been influenced by her mentor John D’earth. Kait has gained a huge following on social media like Instagram and TikTok, so I was curious to get her perspectives on connecting with her fans, and dealing with necessary boundaries. Kait’s new album Keyboards features the sounds of the 1970s and we got into some of her influences and her personal journey to becoming a full-time performer. This episode features some of her recorded work and she generously agreed to demonstrate as well; you can use the timestamps to navigate and you can listen to this wherever you get your podcasts, watch the YouTube video or read the transcript, everything is linked to the show notes on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/kait-dunton with a gallery of images of Kate’s vintage keyboards as well.
https://www.kaitdunton.com/
I’m an independant podcaster, and through this series I hope to inspire you with these stories of the incredible breadth and depth of a life in music with my inspiring guests. This podcast needs your support to continue, and every dollar helps: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:09)recording for the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood
(04:28) 2023 album Keyboards and working with vintage keyboards
(10:09) Richard Tee’s influence
(13:28)Lunch Break from Keyboards
(16:15)recording process, husband drummer Jake Reed, parenting
(20:15) childhood musical education
(22:30)John D’earth
(26:29) Planet D’earth
(26:28) call to action: support the podcast!
(30:24) Snarky Puppy, North Texas, finding her way to a career as a performer
(33:09)music marketing, social media
(38:33) teaching music and theory
(43:28) Kait demonstrates at the piano with some theory within This One’s For You
(50:32)teaching and the importance and deeper meaning of music
(56:35)playing concerts, marketing and social media
(01:01:50) albums versus playlists, streaming versus buying music
(01:09:22) Kait’s reflections on her journey to becoming a full-time performer and composer
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This week’s episode is with the Canadian musician Jack Hui Litster, who has developed a satisfying creative career after some interesting twists and turns. In this episode, you’ll learn about his experiences as a jazz drummer, his pivot into international development, and his path back to composing, producing and recording music in different styles. The music included in this episode features two tracks from his album "Shining Suns”, a guzheng improvisation and an excerpt from his second opera “What is Love”. We talked about different ways to make a living as a musician, achieving a flow state, some of the positive impacts of technology, and the importance of finding a work-life balance. Like all my episodes, this is available wherever you listen to podcasts, also as a video on YouTube, and the transcript with the show notes are all linked on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jack-hui-litsterPlease consider buying me a cofffee; I’m an independant podcaster and I need my listners’ help: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(06:34) Shining Suns album, Jack’s return to music(11:50) Awakener from Shining Suns(15:40) Jack’s musical education, start as a drummer(19:14) St Francis Xavier (21:05) learning different instruments(22:47) jazz scene(24:27) Chinese music explorations, Master’s degree(28:18) intro to guzheng piece(29:28) guzheng improv(32:29) creative process, how Jack started composing(34:41) influence of choral music(36:46) Jack’s operas(49:13) call to action: I need my listeners’ help!(49:29) intro to What Is Love(51:12) excerpt from What Is Love, the finale(55:21) Berklee online (58:55) Shining Suns, Mark Ferguson(1:03:09) Shining Suns with Hidden track(1:09:10) Jack’s career change, dealing with burnout, work-life balance(1:18:14) flow state, creative process(1:20:57) helpful technology
photo: Curtis Perry
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As a bonus, this track, which is a special version of "Roots Girl" has generously been provided by Jah'Mila. The interview with her also features two other tracks, within this fascinating episode. You can listen to it on your favourite podcast player, watch the video, or read the transcript. The shownotes are also linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jahmila
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Jah’Mila is a 🇯🇲 Jamaican-born Reggae singer-songwriter based in Halifax, Canada. In this episode you’ll hear about both her youth in the countryside of Jamaica singing gospel and then her immersion in Reggae roots and Rastafarian culture in Kingston. Her father is the legendary Earl “Chinna” Smith who has performed extensively with the Soul Syndicate, been featured on over 500 albums, and also played with Bob Marley and the Wailers on the Rastaman Vibration album, Live at the Roxy, and the historic One Love Peace Concert of 1978.
Jah’Mila speaks so eloquently about being grounded in a strong sense of identity and purpose, her love of music and communicating with a wide audience and she has also generously shared two tracks from her album Roots Girl which are part of this episode, and a special version of Roots Girl which is available as a bonus podcast.You can use the timestamps to navigate to any topics or musical selections, and you can listen to this on your favourite podcast player, watch the video on YouTube or read the transcript; everything is linked with the show notes on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jahmila
You may want to sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive sneak peeks for upcoming guests. Please also consider supporting this show with a tip: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
I met Jah’Mila in her role as the Associate Artistic Director and lead singer of the Reggae Roots program which is available to all 🇨🇦Canadian schools free of charge, created with Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and the National Arts Centre. If you missed my episode with Daniel in Season 2, you should have a listen: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e8-s2-daniel-bartholomew-poyser
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:39) Roots Girl album, and Jah’Mila’s dad Earl “Chinna” Smith
(07:59) Nayabinghi Groundings rom roots Girl
(09:58) Jah’Mila’s childhood
(14:17) Jamaican culture and Patois
(17:04) performing with The Wailers
(22:21) excerpt from Roots Girls
(22:32) different audiences for Reggae
(27:51) Reggae Roots with Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
(31:17) performances at the NAC
(33:14) paying tribute to other artists
(36:15) intro to Irie Meditation
(38:39) Irie Meditation
(42:17) new album, processing emotions through songwriting, journaling, gratitude
(46:51) Rastafarianism and Jamaican culture
(53:44) working with children
(56:51) Influences of sound system culture
(01:04:06) finding your niche and new audiences
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This bonus track is connected to my in-depth conversation with Kara Talve and her partner and colleague at Bleeding Fingers Music, Anže Rozman. An excerpt of this piece was included in the main episode, and here is the complete performance of Winter Rhapsody by the Lancaster Symphony with conductor Stephen Gunzenhauser.
Show notes, main episode, video, transcript, all linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ane-rozman-and-kara-talve
Kara Talve's Website: https://www.karatalve.com/
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This bonus track is connected to my in-depth conversation with composer Anže Rozman and his partner and colleague at Bleeding Fingers Music, Kara Talve. An excerpt of this piece was included in the main episode, and here is the complete 3rd movement of Phoenix for Solo Flute and orchestra by Anze Rozman, entitled Last Flight/Death. The solo flutist is Eva-Nina Kozmus, the conductor is George Pehlivanian and the orchestra is the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Show notes, video, transcript, image gallery, main episode, all linked: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ane-rozman-and-kara-talve
Anže Rozman's Website: https://www.archestralmusic.com/
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Kara Talve and Anže Rozman are composers with Bleeding Fingers Music and together wrote with Hans Zimmer the acclaimed score to the incredible tv series Prehistoric Planet. I was so impressed by this series, and the first part of this episode digs into the unique instruments that were created for this powerful score, and the other part of this episode is a personal and in-depth conversation with Kara and Anže about their lives. They shared their individual stories about challenges, mentors, and have great advice for younger composers. In the show notes and linked to the podcast are 2 bonus tracks which are concert pieces by both Anže and Kara; these pieces are excerpted in the main episode as well. I’ve included detailed timestamps and you can listen to this on your favourite podcast player, watch the YouTube video, read the transcript and see the gallery of images related to this episode,all linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ane-rozman-and-kara-talve
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(05:10) creating the music for Prehistoric Planet with custom instruments
(19:23) help support this series through my Ko-fi page
(19:39) Euphone audio sample, more about unique instruments used in Prehistoric Planet
(22:46) Mark Deutsch Banzantar
(24:48) Bleeding Fingers Music, working with Hans Zimmer and Russell Emanuel
(31:08) Anže’s early years composing, challenges, networking
(34:08) excerpt from Flight/Death from Phoenix for Solo Flute and Orchestra by Anže Rozman
(34:49) finding opportunities to write for different instruments
(37:08) emigration: dealing with homesickness
(38:42) working with orchestras
(41:09) Berklee in Spain, networking skills, connecting with Hans Zimmer
(46:21) advice for people who want to move to LA
(49:13) Kara Talve experience of moving to LA
(51:57) composing for The Simpsons
(52:49) how Tara’s grandmother was saved from the Nazis by her piano teacher Andrée Levallois
(57:34) excerpt from “Winter Rhapsody” by Kara Talve
(58:45) mentors at Berklee Ruth Mendelson and Steven Hunt, Kara’s dad
(01:02:01) Anže reflecting on negative attitudes, advice about following your interests, Jani Golob
(01:08:07) Tara’s bad experiences with piano lessons
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I had a lot of fun stitching together some of the many highlights from this Season 3 so far, in a 10 minute compilation I’ve posted to both my podcast and here on my YouTube: I've included clips from every full episode in 2023 so far in this video!
It’s time for my summer break, but the podcast will be back September 2nd with a special episode with two composers who are life partners and also work together with Hans Zimmer at Bleeding Fingers Music. Anže Rozman and Kara Talve will inspire you with both the music of Prehistoric Planet and their personal stories, insights and compositions. I’m including some clips here from that episode, and I’ve also recorded a couple of other fascinating episodes that will be released in September. If you’d like access to regular Sneak Peeks, you need to sign up for my newsletter on my website: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Please check out my back catalog for episodes you’ve missed, and keep in mind that you can use the timestamps if you ever want to skip to a certain section or music track.
The podcast, show notes and transcripts are on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Please buy me a coffee? Not only is this channel and this podcast ceaseless unpaid work, but I have a lot of costs I have to bear as well: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Photo of me: Curtis Perry
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Bukhu Ganberged is an incredible Mongolian-Australian musician who is a master of both the Morin Khuur, the Horsehead fiddle, and Khuumii, the Mongolian Overtone Throat Singing. This episode features a lot of special music, and Bukhu’s personal story of growing up in Mongolia and emigrating to Australia. Like all my episodes, this is available as both a video with Closed Captions, a transcript, and a podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, the link to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/bukhu-ganburged
Please do consider supporting this series; every dollar helps: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
At the beginning of this episode Bukhu explains how he learned overtone throat singing and demonstrates different styles. You’ll then hear some incredible music on Morin Khuur, the horsehead fiddle and learn about Mongolian culture and Bukhu’s experiences in Australia where he’s gone from busking on the street to performing at the Sydney Opera House and being featured on The Voice. I have included detailed timestamps below.
I encourage you to listen to Bukhu’s albums wherever you listen to your music! https://www.horsefiddle.com/
Bukhu’s audio was captured by his phone directly in Australia (I generally avoid recording over the internet) but the mic placement wasn’t ideal to capture the beautiful complexities of both the horsehead fiddle performances and Bukhu’s singing. However, he has also allowed me to also share within the episode a couple of his recordings both solo and with his group Equus, so you’ll be able to hear him explain about different regional styles of singing and playing in the episode as well as hear the studio quality recordings.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:36) khoomei Mongolian throat singing, how Bukhu learned and different styles
(14:23) some of Bukhu’s albums
(16:00) Equus
(18:00) Huurhun Haliun with Equus
(22:28) please support this independant podcast!
(22:46) Bukhu’s immigration to Australia
(26:20) Morin khuur horsehead fiddle, different regional styles
(37:55) legend of Khuhuu Namjil
(41:11) morin khuur with khoomei Mongolian throat singing “Khuhuu Namjil”
(45:06) Mongolian nomadic culture with animals, weeping camel
(49:09) khoomei Mongolian throat singing weeping camel song
(50:40) Bukhu’s childhood and training in music
(58:16) Linsey Pollak and Lizzie O’Keefe
(59:14) balancing life as a father
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This episode features the Venezuelan composer Sandro Morales-Santoro who composes for film, tv and new media and is based in L.A. In this episode you’ll hear lots of music and our in-depth conversation during which Sandro tells the inspiring story of how he learned to read and write music while attending law school in Venezuela, then was accepted into the Berklee college of music, and was awarded their achievement scholarship, then how moved to L.A. and created community both professionally and personally. Sandro is on the Executive committee for the Composers’ Diversity Collective and we talked about biases in the industry and increasing exposure for composers from diverse backgrounds. Sandro is the fourth film and tv composer I’ve featured so far on this podcast, please take a look at my complete catalog of episodes to check out episodes you may have missed. Like all my episodes, this is available wherever you listen to podcasts, is also a video on my YouTube channel, and the transcript is also linked: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/sandro-morales-santoro
I've included detailed timestamps below.
Please help me with a tip: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Sandro Morales-Santoro Website: https://www.sandromorales.com/
Composers Diversity Collective: https://www.composersdiversitycollective.org/
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:25) Sandro’s start in music and family’s resistance to his aspirations
(07:27) studies with Angel Balan to learn composition, getting into Berklee after law school
(18:33) The Shadow of the Sun
(19:04) music clip Slices of Bread from The Shadow of the Sun
(23:16) using Venezuelan traditional styles, different South American instruments, various influences
(30:07) music clip A Decent Job from The Shadow of the Sun
(32:12) process of writing music for The Shadow of the Sun
(34:08) music clip Late for Work from The Shadow of the Sun
(35:14) Vela, Dayana Gauthier, emigration experience
(41:50) trailer to Vela
(42:57) the making of Vela
(45:39) prejudice, and the founding of the Composers Diversity Collective
(52:04) please help support this series with a tip! Ko-fi link in the description
(52:20) Composers Diversity Collective, Michael Abels, Amanda Jones
(57:30) learning about the film industry, making Vela, the role of the film composer
(01:05:07) writing for orchestra, use of synthesizers
(01:11:20) benefits of modular synthesizers
(01:13:19) demo of Eurorack synth
(01:16:56) feeling and expressing emotion in music and acting, The Shadow of the Sun
(01:22:07) creating community
(01:28:26) Restaurants at the End of the World, including 3 music clips by David Benjamin Steinberg and Sandro Morales-Santoro, National Geographic Disney+
(01:40:09) reflections on different careers in music, other film composers
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I have in-depth conversations with a fascinating diversity of musicians worldwide, and I hope these personal stories highlight the incredible breadth and depth of a life in music for listeners everywhere. Like all my episodes, you can listen to all this on your favourite podcast player, watch the video, and read the transcript, all linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/kavisha-mazzella Kavisha Mazzella is a renowned Australian songwriter and singer who has won both an ARIA award and an Australia Day Honor. We talked about her work through the lenses of social justice, community building, and the search for deeper meaning and connection. This is a personal, in-depth conversation with lots of beautiful singing in both Italian and English. You can use the detailed timestamps to jump to a song or a topic, but I encourage you to listen through and listen to the stories behind “The Fearless Note”. I’m an independant podcaster who needs my listeners help to keep this huge project going; every dollar helps: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Kavisha Mazzella website: https://www.kavisha.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:09) Italian songs, “The Joys of the Women” (10:34) Italian song: “Mamma Mia Dammi Cento Lire” (15:13) emigration, Kavisha’s family’s migration stories (25:13) Kavisha’s childhood and music, I Papaveri, “The Joys of the Women” (28:23) Kavisha’s projects with refugees, children, Musica Viva (33:14) song: “My Brown Yarra” by Frank Jones, dealing with sadness and trauma through music (35:26) I really do need my listeners’ help: Ko-fi link in description (35:42) learning confidence as a performer (38:29) intro to “Philosophy Man” (40:42) “Philosophy Man” by Kavisha Mazzella (45:39) teaching singing to community groups (52:11)experiences of the benefits of meditation, Empty Sky album and performances (59:32) art school and why Kavisha turned to music full-time (01:04:08) ARIA award Fisherman’s Daughter, Mick Thomas (01:05:23) intro to Sing for No One, Sing for Everyone (01:07:24) Sing for No One, Sing for Everyone by Kavisha Mazzella (01:11:07) Kavisha’s song-writing process and influences from Italian songs (01:15:18) Linsey Pollak (01:17:42) Women’s Anthem “Love and Justice” commission The Victorian Women’s Trust (01:23:21) great advice from Liam Clancy, Luka Bloom, Ronan Ó Snodaigh (01:28:36) “The Fearless Note” by Kavisha Mazzella (01:34:41) the importance of community
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Kelly Thoma is a Greek musician who plays the Cretan lyra player and this episode has beautiful music and a wide-ranging conversation including Kelly’s personal story of becoming a musician after training as a dancer, Cretan culture, the influence of Ross Daly and the Labyrinth Musical Workshop which he founded in 1982. Kelly speaks so eloquently about her love of music and collaboration; I really appreciate this opportunity to have in-depth conversations with my musical guests; please use the timestamps if you want to jump to any topics or music, but I hope you’ll take the time to listen to the whole episode on your favourite podcast player or the video on my YouTube. Show notes and transcript linked here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/kelly-thoma
Please support this series! I really do need my listensers' help and every dollar is appreciated: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:12) Crete, the lyra, Ross Daly
(12:13) lyra duo Kelly with Ross “Anamkhara”
(18:49) how Kelly discovered the music of Ross Daly and changed her life
(33:24) learning and teaching music
(43:34)cellist Mayu Shviro
(44:43) duo with Mayu Shviro “Kontylies”
(51:04) Mayu Shviro
(53:29) “Flutter” Kelly Thoma quartet from the album Anamkhara. Mayu Shviro, Paavlos Spyropoulos, Kirill Osherov
(57:28) TOKSO quartet
(01:01:18) TOKSO compilation video clip
(01:06:24) different bowed instruments I’ve featured on this series
(01:07:52) Cretan culture, history, food, language
(01:18:28) tours to Australia, Linsey Pollak, Tunji Beier, Philip Griffin
(01:28:52) the pandemic, teaching online
(01:33:27) the importance of performing and why Kelly stopped studying dance
(01:40:42) the importance of performing for music students
(01:45:41) Labyrinth Musical Workshop opportunites to study in Crete
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It’s hard to sum up how important Verna Gillis has been for music lovers. First of all, she is an ethnomusicologist who recorded traditional music around the world including in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Surinam, Ghana, and the United States. This episode will bring you along on some of these journeys. 25 of these recordings are available through Smithsonian Folkways and Lyrichord, and I’m very grateful to Smithsonian Folkways for allowing us to use some of these tracks for this specific episode. The albums that this music comes from are linked here in the show notes, where you'll find the video version, transcript, and photo gallery from Verna's career: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/verna-gillis
In 1979 Verna opened Soundscape, the first multi-cultural performance space in New York City, which put on hundreds of performances over 5 years. You’ll also hear Verna reminisce about her work on career development with phenomenal international musicians including Youssou N’dour from Senegal, Salif Keita from Mali, and Carlinhos Brown from Brazil. As a producer, Verna was twice nominated for a GRAMMY award for two of the albums she produced with Roswell Rudd. She’s also a writer and spoken word performer. We’ve included in this episode one of her recent spoken word videos with British musician Jennifer Maidman. There’s so much more in this episode, and I hope a wide audience will be inspired by Verna Gillis’ reflections on her remarkable life in music.
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I’m joined by my colleague in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, violinist Frédéric Moisan. Originally from the Breton town of Saint-Brieuc in France, he immigrated to Finland and then Canada. In this wide-ranging conversation we talked about wind-surfing,family, languages, different cultures’ approaches to education, the challenges of playing the violin, the original version of the Sibelius violin concerto (which was the subject of Fred’s Doctoral Dissertation), life balance, and fly fishing. We talked about the differences between being a freelancer to being an orchestra member; Fred has great advice for colleagues and students preparing auditions, and you can find these various topics in the timestamps. Like all my episodes, this is available as both a video on my YouTube, and a podcast wherever you listen to podcasts; the transcript is also linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/frdric-moisan
Finally, do check out the link to my Ko-fi page in the description, since I really need my listeners’ support to keep this project going!
https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:12) growing up in Brittany, studies in France, the Conservatoire system
(09:52) moving to Finland
(20:45) violin studies with Anne-Marie De Boisgisson, windsurfing, education systems
(29:07) please help me keep this series going: Ko-fi support page linked!
(29:35) Anne-Marie De Boisgisson
(30:26) different education systems Finland, France, Canada
(37:20) Fred’s parents, grandparents, the loss of his mother
(48:05) reflections on parenting and balancing life, bringing up multi-lingual children
(54:25) differences between freelancing and having an orchestra job
(01:00:31) orchestra auditions
(01:05:06) violin practice routines
(01:09:00) Sibelius violin concerto original version
(01:14:50) performing as a soloist with orchestra
(01:17:02) goals and aspirations for music students
(01:24:24) Breton language and culture
(01:27:33) fly-fishing and the benefit of hobbies
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Daniel Ramjattan is a phenomenal classical guitarist and this episode features some of his performances as well as many valuable insights in his work as a performance coach and educator, and from his reflections on the significant challenges he has overcome in his life and career. Like all my episodes, this is available on your favourite podcast player, a video on YouTube, and the transcript, all linked to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/daniel-ramjattan I’m an independent podcaster and I need my listeners’ help to keep this series going. https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
I really value this long-form conversations that allow for depth, and you can use the detailed timestamps if you prefer to jump to any topics or musical selection.
https://www.danielramjattan.com/
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:05) big personal and financial challenges
(07:44) Trinidad Tobago culture and family
(11:46) Segovia
(14:56) intro to Catharsis by Raphael Weinroth-Browne
(16:37) “Ire” from Catharis by Raphael Weinroth-Browne from Daniel’s album “Inspirations”
(16:40)I need my listeners’ help: Please offer me a tip on Ko-fi!
(21:53) Segovia, Flamenco
(23:43)John Williams
(24:29) Julian Bream, intro to Leo Brouwer Sonata
(28:00) Toccata de Pasquini, Leo Brouwer Sonata
(33:04) Performance Anxiety, Madeline Bruser, Gerald Klickstein
(35:14) financial barriers “Life doesn’t have to be this hard”, studies with Bruce Holtzman, Lorenzo Micheli, Patrick Roux
(45:46) Busking, connecting with different audiences
(53:30) intro to Naoko Tsujita’s piece
(56:17) Naoko Tsujita Gamelan Suite, Second Movement from Daniel’s album “Inspirations”
(59:02) the Carillon, Naoko Tsujita
(01:03:00) Performance Anxiety, beta blockers, exposure treatment
(01:11:48) Improvisation to help with anxiety
(01:16:45) controlling performance contexts, mindset, Performance Anxiety
(01:19:56) Buddhism, martial arts, controlling emotions
(01:29:03) teaching performance anxiety skills
(01:40:07) final reflections on life and gratitude mindset
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Elizabeth Pallett is a wonderful British lute player. Her love of Renaissance music and history is infectious and she has generously provided this episode with several of her beautifully produced YouTube videos; her channel Luteweb is linked below, as well as her duo Amarylli with soprano Hannah Grove. We talk about the history of the evolution of plucked instruments in Europe, and many fascinating historical figures including Dowland and Shakespeare. Liz plays various lutes and plucked instruments and teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire as well as online with students worldwide.
Like all my episodes, you can listen to this on your favourite podcast player, watch the YouTube on my channel, and read the transcript; everything is linked on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/elizabeth-pallett I have also included detailed timestamps below.
I really do need my listners' help to keep this going! Please take a look at my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Below are the links for Elizabeth Pallett, her website and YouTube channels:
https://luteweb.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@luteweb https://www.youtube.com/@amarylli1745
https://twitter.com/luteweb
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:57) Her musical education, growing up on a farm
(00:04:16) Julian Bream’s influence
(00:05:52) introduction to the lute
(00:09:17) Fantasia by Francesco Da Milano Libro Terzo 1562
(00:11:14) evolution of the lute from the oud
(00:18:49) Calata Ala Spagnola by Joan Ambrosio Dalza
(00:21:48) the gittern
(00:25:27) please help me keep this series going by supporting me through my Ko-fi page!
(00:25:52) Tastar de corde, improvisatory music
(00:28:01) historical context of the music, Aurelio Brandolini
(00:33:58) the gittern and the origins of the guitar
(00:36:35) lute tablature manuscripts, Capirola lute book
(00:39:05) Ricercar Terzo by Vincenzo Capirola
(00:43:55) baroque guitar
(00:46:18) Jácaras by Gaspar Sanz on baroque guitar
(00:46:28) why Liz cuts her nails
(00:54:54) teaching lute online and Luteweb videos
(00:58:46) lute repertoire, Bach lautenwerck, why the lute fell out of favour
(01:03:44) women lute players and composers
(01:06:12) teaching online and sharing the love of the past and the lute
(01:08:21) Recercar probably by Marco Dall’Aquila
(01:10:23) teaching at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
(01:12:43) the joy of playing figured bass
(01:15:32) Amarylli, soprano Hannah Grove, creative programming
(01:18:32) “Weep Ye No More Fountains” by John Dowland with Hannah Grove
(01:21:08) controversy around Edward de Vere being the author of the writer who had the pen name Shakespeare
(01:28:11) John Dowland
(01:38:55) Eward de Vere, Marco Dall’Aquila
(01:40:34) finding time to practice, balancing family life
(01:42:01) bringing undiscovered music to light
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Netflix’s hit series "Dead to Me" (which I love), the Academy Award nominated short My Year of Dicks, and many other projects including You’re the Worst and Brockmire. In this wide-ranging conversation punctuated by music used with permission, we talked about many things including Adam’s many musical influences growing up in New York City, his work for the Fred Rogers Institute and his reflections as a parent. He has wonderful advice for composers interested into breaking into the film industry and shared some of his creative process with us. Adam is a warm and engaging musician with a real love for music across many genres; he shares how he pivoted from working as a performer to composing full-time, and we explored many of his diverse projects. Like all my episodes, this is available as a podcast on your favourite podcast player, a video on YouTube, and the transcript; everything is linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/adam-blau I have included detailed timestamps if you want to jump to the music or any specific topics. Please help me keep this series going! You can give me a virtual tip or consider becoming a monthly supporter starting at $3 Canadian and get access to unique perks: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Adam Blau website: https://www.adamblau.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:56) “Dead to Me”, Liz Feldman (08:14) intro to piano suite clip (08:59) clip of piano suite of themes from Adam’s “Dead to Me” score (10:48) Adam’s childhood musical influences (13:24) Center for the Performing Arts on Long Island (15:16) collaborations Rachel Axler, Jordana Williams, Liz Feldman (17:13) Village Harmony Rebecca Russell (19:49) NYC musical influences, Larry Holdridge (22:47) Yale (26:08) jazz piano (28:44) assisstant to Chris Beck, John Swihart and getting started as a film composer (34:09) Rarified Air podcast, music production libraries (41:30) writing music for podcasts (44:51) “My Year of Dicks” animated short, Pamela Ribon (48:17) intro to sound design montage clip, creative process (52:31) sound design montage clip (55:57) the 24 Hour Musical Theater Challenge, Rachel Axler (01:01:32) Fred Rogers Institute Everyday Grooves, Everbody Counts 2020 census (01:09:17) song “Tell Me What You Love About Me” from Fred Rogers Institute Everyday Grooves (used with permission for this specific podcast) (01:11:14) Adam as a singer and player, “You’re the Worst” (01:14:00) parenting and music education (01:16:51) mentoring composers, advice for the film industry photo of Adam Blau: Ari Scott
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Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto is a California-based Koto performer and teacher, and she also created “Hidden Legacy”, the story of the Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the American WWII Internment Camps. In this episode she performs some incredibly beautiful koto music, and there are wonderful stories with each piece. Like all my episodes, this is available as both video and podcast, and for those of you watching the video, you’ll notice that Shirley generously re-recorded one of her performances of a very special piece. If you want to jump straight to some music, or different topics in our conversation, you can use the timestamps. However, I encourage you to listen to the whole episode, with Shirley’s engaging insights about family and identity.
This is also a video, and you can also read the transcript; everything is linked in the description to my website where you can sign up for my newsletter and get exclusive sneak peeks for upcoming episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/shirley-kazuyo-muramoto
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Hidden Legacy film: https://youtu.be/HDqKDexQRSgTimestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:33) the koto with demo(08:13) intro to Sakura, Kimio Eto(12:15) koto music Sakura(16:47) more about Kimio Eto(18:31) playing jazz and different styles on the koto, traditional koto schools, Destiny Muhammad(25:56) making different arrangements for koto for students(29:06) koto music, Maboroshi o Oute by Chikushi Katsuko(34:12) Japanese culture: music names in Japan(37:35) Japanese Internship camps during WWII, “Hidden Legacy”(54:21) learning Japanese, going to Japan(01:00:55) college and school years(01:03:21) intro to Tsubasa ni Notte, Shoko Hikage, Kazue and Tadao Sawai(01:09:41) koto music Tsubasa ni Notte by Sawai Tadao(01:19:28) notation(01:22:10) benefits of improvisation(01:24:45) Japanese traditions, Brian in Japan(01:29:52) teaching koto
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Martin Hayes is an internationally renowned Irish fiddler beloved for his expressive playing and his collaborations with many great musicians in different genres including Bill Frisell, Sting, Paul Simon and more recently Yo Yo Ma with the Silk Road Project. During this episode we spoke of his wonderful book Shared Notes, and he plays some beautiful music live (you can always use the timestamps if you’re curious to jump to some music right away), but I encourage you to listen through the whole episode. Martin speaks eloquently about life, culture, friendship, identity, and staying true to what you value, and I hope this episode will thrill lovers of Irish music and bring new listeners to many of Martin’s projects including The Common Ground Ensemble, The Gloaming, and many more. We talked about the loss and legacy of Dennis Cahill, how he met Thomas Bartlett, the rich depths of traditional music that Martin learned from the older generation, and the rhythm of life growing up on the farm in County Clare. Like all my episodes, this is available as both a video and a podcast on your favourite podcast platform, and the transcript is also linked:https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/martin-hayes
Martin's website: http://www.martinhayes.com/During the episode we talked about the tribute to Dennis Cahill, which I hoped to link directly but can't find now. It's called: Litir ó do Chara
Timestamps(00:00) Intro(02:33) “Shared Notes” book and Martin’s childhood, PJ Hayes, Paddy Canny, Tulla Ceili band and learning fiddle(09:59) the nature of memory and writing the book “Shared Notes”(13:42) fiddle: jigs by Sean Ryan(16:12) different approaches to fiddling with musical demonstrations(23:10) challenges of recording, self-consciousness(25:06) The Common Ground Ensemble(29:51) pandemic reflections, teaching, mindfulness in nature(34:15) fiddle: The Glen of Aherlow(37:28) Dennis Cahill(43:15) Irish diaspora, Irish in America, immigrant experience(48:27) communicating on stage and playing what you want to play instead of what the audience expects(52:49)story about offering money back to disruptive audience(55:35) meeting Thomas Bartlett, The Gloaming(01:02:30) harmonizing Irish music(01:05:46) The Martin Hayes Quartet, Liz Knowles viola d’amore, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh(01:08:35) Irish language(01:11:09) Celtic culture in Spain and close cousins musically with different Celtic traditions(01:13:40) negotiating performance conditions; playing on Capitol Hill for Obama(01:16:25) traditional Irish airs(01:18:06) Fiddle: Air A Stór mo Chroí (01:19:52) the immigrant experience(01:24:19) keeping the love of music alive, performing in the moment, Mary McNamara Fleadh Cheoil(01:34:08) Fiddle: The Caolite Mountains
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My guest today is Immanuel Abraham, a very special musican, who is an inspiring violinist, educator and composer. His phenomenal talent, discipline and creativity is even more inspiring since he didn’t have an opportunity to learn a musical instrument until the age of 14 and 4 years later, he was auditioning for the renowned University of Michigan in violin performance, playing the same Paganini caprice he’d heard Ithak Perlman play on Shalom Sesame as a child. He speaks candidly in this interview about his perseverence in the face of very difficult challenges. More information and links below, including Timestamps!
Like all my episodes, this is also available as a video on my YouTube, and the transcript is linked here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/immanuel-abraham
Please help me keep this series going! You can leave a tip or consider becoming a monthly supporter and get access to special perks:
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Immanuel is well-known on social media as The Violin Doctor, which is a Dr. Who reference, but Immanuel actually is Doctor of Musical Arts, awarded from the University of Arizona. When he was a student, in an effort to learn as much as he could that was violin-related, he started The Violin Guild which is an amazingly supportive Facebook group of over 60,000 string players worldwide. Our conversation focused on different aspects of music education, personal development, and you’ll get to hear some clips of Immanuel performing some of his 24 Caprices for solo violin. Below is a link for a discount code the week this is released, and if you’re a violinist I encourage you to buy this amazing volume, which I have been learning and plan to start recording this summer. Immanuel will be releasing his complete recording of all 24 Caprices. https://www.theviolindoctor.com/24 The discount code that will be activated May 12th through May 18th is, theviolindoctor for 25% off of the 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Second Edition. You will also find Immanuel's current projects and social links there as well.
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:25) perspectives on starting the violin at age 14, dealing with racism and growing up in the projects
(15:02) hearing Itzhak Perlman and the opportunity for free lessons through the Merit School of Music with Guillaume Combet
(21:32) inspiration for Immanuel’s 24 Caprices for Solo violin
(28:48) clip of Caprice 14
(30:00) clip of Caprice 21 in C Minor, “The Blues”
(31:43) Caprice 23, a fugue (complete)
(35:54) please support this series on Ko-fi!
(36:23) why Immanuel bought a beginner book spent his lunch money on Paganini
(41:12) Andrew Jennings University of Michigan
(47:15) giving students some choice of repertoire, keeping them motivated
(53:08) Sphinx Organization teaching kids in the inner city
(01:04:45) becoming a composer, opening for We The Kings
(01:11:11) transcribing jazz, learning by ear
(01:16:25) violin technique finger independence
(01:22:08) yoga, dealing with stress
(01:26:03) balance of composition, teaching and performing
(01:28:21) discount code for the Caprices theviolindoctor
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I’m so honoured that Madeline Bruser has agreed to be featured as a guest on this series. When I first read her book The Art of Practicing more than 20 years ago, it helped to transform my experience as a performer and teacher, and on many aspects of my life. Although Madeline’s teaching is aimed primarily at classical pianists and other musicians, I find that much of what she talks about will resonate for everybody trying to get in touch with their emotions, their connection to beauty and meaning, and their experience of being in their bodies. If you happen to be listening to this when it first is released, you should check out Madeline’s free interactive workshop on May 11 at 1pm Eastern. Her website is: https://artofpracticing.com/Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the transcript is also linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/madeline-bruserPlease help me keep this series and this channel going, with a tip or as a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman If the topics we address in this conversation are of interest to you, you’ll be interested that many of these important issues have come up with past guests and upcoming guests. Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:00) why Madeline wrote the book “The Art of Practicing”, Menahem Pressler, meditation(09:58) Body and Sound Awareness Technique(13:14) change from performer to teacher, big realizations, founding The Art of Practicing(19:48) intro to Madeline’s performance of Chopin Fantaisie Impromptu(20:33) Chopin Fantaise Impromptu(25:59) Rhythmic grouping, Stephen Burns, Kirk Ferguson(32:04) colour in harmony and tonal nuances (34:02) story of tape recorder, listening to ourselves and being vulnerable(39:14) parallels with actors and musicians, Performing Beyond Fear exercise(43:43) lineage (46:23) perfectionism(50:17) Madeline demonstrates common problems for pianists(58:04) dealing with injuries, mindfulness(01:01:25) dealing with stress, teaching online(01:06:56) journaling(01:08:58) student-centered teaching, “Freedom to Learn” Carl Rogers(01:12:51) stage fright and beta blockers(01:15:06) dealing with stressful or traumatic history (01:20:42) teaching constructively with kindness, and teacher training(01:24:00) dealing with feelings of overwhelm, orchestra playing(01:28:37) pianists and ensemble experience(01:31:51) upcoming workshops Mindfulness for Pianists, Freeing Your Energy for Performance
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Pat Irwin is a renowned film and television composer; some of his scores include Dexter: New Blood, Rocko’s Modern Life, Pepper Ann, and Nurse Jackie. He’s also a multi-instrumentalist who was a member of the B52s for 18 years; he founded The Raybeats and 8 Eyed Spy, and more recently the band SUSS of which I’m a fan. Pat also teaches film composition at NYU, and Brooklyn College at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, and this conversation wove it’s way into important topics for all of us: a life well-lived, grief, the importance of creativity and of having a good hang. As always, I’ve included detailed timestamps, so if you want to jump to his days with the B52s or Dexter, go ahead, but I hope you’ll take the time to listen to this whole episode which is rich with music and stories. Pat is as articulate as he is creative. You may be surprised that the episode begins with his time in Paris interviewing jazz musicians and learning from John Cage. Like all my episodes in this series, this is also a video, and the transcript is linked here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pat-irwin
Pat Irwin: https://patirwinmusic.com/Rocko's Modern Life soundtrack album link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cxM57oL5yL3wIDlagQyOG
Timestamps: (00:00) Intro(02:51) Paris meeting Dexter Gordon, Bill Coleman, Mal Waldron, Steve Lacey, Nadia Boulanger, John Cage(09:54) intro to clip from Rocko’s Modern Life(10:21) clip from Rocko’s Modern Life the Pogo Stick Scenario(10:52) Nadia Boulanger, love of jazz(13:25) intro to Lost and Found albums(14:02) Swing Time from Volume 3 of New Sounds From the Lost and Found(15:51) Open Window from Volume 4 of Lost and Found(17:06) intro to Rocko’s Modern Life(18:11) Rocko Versus Food Boy from Rocko’s Modern Life soundtrack(20:11) Rocko’s Modern Life, Kevin Norton, Art Barron(22:12) Walter Hawkes, Long Island City, Ernie Brooks, Don Cherry, The Talking Heads(26:07) In Another Time from Wide open Sky with J. Walter Hawkes(30:36) NYC 8 Eyed Spy, The Raybeats, the B-52s, deaths of Ricky Wilson and George Scott(37:24) touring life and joining the B-52s(44:03) writing music for film and television, collecting instruments(47:12) Early Morning Song from volume 5 The Lost and Found(52:56) Dexter: New Blood(57:21) music from Dexter: New Blood Suite part 1(59:12) SUSS, Gary Leib(01:06:06) Winter Was Hard SUSS(01:07:59) pedal steel, lap steel, Jonathan Gregg(01:09:00) teaching film composition at NYU, advice to young composers, the importance of the arts(01:17:30) SUSS(01:24:54) SUSS Across the Horizon(01:30:46) Pat’s start composing for film, changes in film composition industry(01:35:27) reflections on the importance of music
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Colin Aguiar is an award-winning Indian-Candian composer based in Los Angeles who specializes in film scoring. In this conversation we talked about his youth, growing up across parts of India, the Middle East, Europe and Canada and studying the music of various cultures, learning different instruments with a start on drums as a toddler, as well as his love for the music of Arvo Pärt and other great composers. Colins spoke about some of his mentors including Mychael Danna. This episode with Colin is the first release of several film composers I have interviewed recently, and I find it fascinating how diverse their musical backgrounds are and what a challenging and little-understood part of the music world this is. During the episode you’ll hear some clips from Colin’s compositions, used with permission. Like all my episodes, this is available on your favourite podcast player as well as a video, and the transcript is linked as well to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/colin-aguiar
https://colinaguiar.com/
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:18) toddler drum set, Dad’s band
(05:47) Parents’ travels and emigration from India, different cultures
(09:17) intro to music from Fly
(12:41) music from Fly
(16:01) intro to music from Torn from her Arms, Arvo Pärt
(17:59) music from Torn from her Arms
(19:42) synthesizers, working with session musicians who play by ear
(22:51) immigration stories
(25:15) arrangement of El Salvadorian anthem
(26:25) learning drums and cultures through music
(30:52) practicing 5 hours a day, learning different instruments
(33:32) starting to compose and arrange
(35:41) composition studio gear
(38:46) intro to music from film “Construct”, use of dubstep
(39:45) music from “Construct”
(40:43) Mychael Danna and learning the job of film scoring
(48:14) Lou Natale, challenges of time pressure for composers
(51:29) intro to palindrome
(52:18) clip from palindrome written for Construct
(54:23) learning from other composers
(56:55) composition Roman Toi
(58:29) mentors Lou Natale, John Welsman, glenn Morley, Mychael Danna, Robert Dunca, Christopher Young
(01:00:10) internal music soundtrack, being able to remember music with precision
(01:02:41) Kathakali, other parallels with film music
(01:06:00) different styles of film scoring, decision making, time crunches
(01:13:16) use of temp tracks
(01:16:27) Canadian film industry
(01:17:46) pandemic shutdowns
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Philip Griffin is an amazingly versatile, creative, and generous musician. He plays, improvises, and composes in many styles on many different instruments. During this episode you’ll hear him play the rebab, the ukulele, and guitar in his duo with violinist Jude Iddison. He reflects on his work teaching children and people with disabilities, and reflects on some of his important mentors including Richard Gill, Linsey Pollak and Ross Daly. In the video version, I’ve included a slide show of some of his amazing nature photography, which is also on my website linked to this episode, and the link for Philip’s website and Facebook page are also included below. In this conversation with Philip, I was really happy to be able to talk about some of the themes I find most interesting as a musician: education, creativity, and mentorship. Philip was introduced to me by Linsey Pollak, and I hope if you missed his episode that you’ll check it out: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/linsey-pollak
Like all my episodes, this is available as a video, and the transcript is linked here as well as some of his amazing nature photographs: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/philip-griffin
https://philipgriffin.bandcamp.com/album/banksia
https://www.philipgriffin.com/
https://www.facebook.com/philip.griffin.7106
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:30) Linsey Pollak
(06:02) talking about different instruments laouto, oud, rebab, banjo
(10:24) Ross Daly, studying Turkish music
(17:10) introduction to the rebab
(20:24) rebab improv
(23:26) Ross Daly, tours to Australia with Kelly Thoma
(25:43) Linsey Pollak, learning modal music
(29:23) Ricahrd Gill, learning conducting, singing
(41:13) Tutti Arts, Pat Rix, and working with musicians with disabilities
(53:25) music educator in schools
(57:45) ukulele, New Zealand music programs Mary Cornish Maria Winder Kiwilele
(01:07:38) Pat Megowan luthier
(01:11:25) Renaissance guitar music by Tourdion on ukulele
(01:12:46) Affetto Early Music ensemble
(01:16:27) Dominique Schwartz: why Philip moved around so much!
(01:18:59) Banksia album with Jude Iddison
(01:19:31) violin Jude Iddison: Planting the Garlic/Philip’s Wardrobe from album Banksia
(01:24:32) meeting Jude and making the album
(01:27:15) Frogs, birds, Barry Wilson, photography (with slide show), Glen Storr
(01:36:08) Philip’s advice
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I’m delighted to feature the master bansuri player Milind Date, who joined me from his home in Pune, India, and played his flutes as well as shared his perspectives from his life in music. As always, check the timestamps for both the music and the many topics we covered. Milind spoke to me about his studies with the legendary Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, of his fusion projects especially in South Korea, he had a great story about a memorable concert he played in Toronto, he talked about his extensive travels in India and internationally. He has a large and varied discography, and has composed music for many films: https://www.milind.date/ Like all my episodes, this is available both as a podcast and video, with a transcript all linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/milind-date-bansuri-player
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:46) bansuri flute
(03:28) Sunand Bhairav
(04:50) early rock music influences, fusion music Hariprasad Chaurasia
(11:01) Korean tours and collaborations
(17:59) solo 6 month trip in India 2021
(26:11) folk tune from Uttarakhand region
(30:01) different folk traditions in India
(32:18) Milind’s collection of flutes in different keys
(35:01) differences between Hindustani and Carnatic music
(38:09) system of gharanas, studies with Hariprasad Chaurasia
(55:49) Zakir Hussain
(01:05:31) writing film music, notation, Western classical musicians
(01:11:31) around the world tour 2013
(01:12:58) performances in Canada
(01:20:00) music as meditation
(01:23:14) teaching and learning
(01:29:56) flute performance
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I was so honoured to have this opportunity to talk with the inspiring Destiny Muhammad, who is a California-based jazz harpist and composer. You’ll get to hear inspiring stories from her life as well as her music. She had a dream to play the harp but didn’t have the opportunity until she was 30 years old. She speaks openly about the challenges in the 1980s due to the crack cocaine trade, her success as a barber, her determination and mentors including John Handy, and her unique perspectives in celebrating the legacies of Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. When we recorded the episode, I experienced an incredible private concert including several of her original tunes. However, after we listened to the tracks, we agreed it would be even better if she were to record the music separately to have the best possible harp sound, which she generously agreed to do, and like all my episodes this is available as both as a video and a podcast, with transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/destiny-muhammad-jazz-harpist
Destiny Muhammad website: https://destinymuhammad.net/
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:29) Algorithms (harp)
(05:18) Destiny’s start on the harp, Stephanie Kaufman Osborne
(09:55) learning jazz, Dorothy Ashby, Alice Coltrane, Khalil Shaheed
(15:22) John Handy
(20:16) Alice Coltrane tribute concerts SF Jazz
(26:45) Dorothy Ashby
(31:37) If it’s magic (harp)
(36:06) Shirley Muramoto, San Francisco Symphony
(37:00) Amateur Music Network, SF Jazz community jam sessions,
(40:37) Teaching jazz, teaching music
(53:14) creative process
(59:15) tribute to Rosie Lee Tompkins
(01:08:40) lessons learned from running a barbershop
(01:21:20) growing up in the projects, dealing with bigotry
(01:25:51) compositions for orchestra, Matt Wong arranger
(01:29:06) Coltrane (harp)
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Matt Zimbel is a percussionist with the band Manteca, and also an award-winning writer, producer, documentary filmmaker, artistic director, broadcast executive and radio and tv host. In this fascinating episode he shares his insights gained from a wealth of experience across the music industry. We speak near the beginning about his father the photographer George Zimbel, who died this past January 2023, after we recorded the episode. We talk about the beautiful documentary film, “Zimbelism” that Matt made with director Jean-Francois Gratton. Matt offered that the trailer for Zimbelism, which features the music of Manteca, could be used in this episode. He has also generously let me weave in a pre-release of a fantastic new percussion piece with Art Avalos which will appear on Manteca’s upcoming Offspring Project. The video version of this episode, with the transcript is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mattzimbel
Matt Zimbel website: http://mattzimbel.com/ Manteca: https://manteca-music.com/ Busking in Deadwood video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBtrn8Mob5s Manteca albums on Bandcamp: https://mantecamusic.bandcamp.com/music
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:30) early influences: Osibisa, jazz on CBC radio
(05:38) dropping out of school at 14, percussion studies Jim Farety, Dido Morris, John Ruddell, Armando’s Orchestra, forming Manteca
(08:30) intro Hit Record percussion piece with Art Avalos pre-release for Manteca’s The Offspring Project
(09:20) Hit Record
(10:31) learning percussion, playing diferent styles, recording disco
(12:30) early influences: Eddie Harris
(13:11) creating the film Zimbelism
(14:38) clip from trailer for Zimbelism
(16:03) making of Zimbelism, Elaine Sernovitz and George Zimbel
(21:03) adoption of Jodi from Korea, racism
(23:27) immgration to Canada to a farm on PEI
(26:00) Matt’s family’s reaction to him dropping out of school, living the freelance life as an artist
(27:59) orchestra life
(29:22) Manteca, Colleen Allen and memorizing music, Will Jarvis
(31:21) Road Stories with Manteca
(34:06) Manteca’s The Offspring Project
(44:46) Leonard Cohen, Miles Davis
(48:42) Canada Day show, PanAm Games
(58:41) publicity, finding new audiences, Canadian culture
(01:07:28) Doug Wilde creative process Manteca
(01:09:17) clip from Miss Météo from album Augmented Indiference,
(01:12:23) story about Miss Météo
(01:15:33) problem with streaming music, Busking in Deadwood video
(01:18:09) dealing with the pandemic through creativity, livestream with Lyne Tremblay, Matt’s sons
(01:21:45) the importance of good food
(01:23:01) Rick Tait
(01:24:59) crowdfunding and challenges for performers
(01:28:44) lessons learned from his parents
(01:32:05) Matt’s perspectives on a varied career
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My guest today is the phenomenal jazz violinist, mandolinist, arranger, and writer Aaron Weinstein. Aaron is a self-taught violinist and attended the renowned Berklee College on a 4 year talent based scholarship. As a young man he performed and recorded with many jazz legends. In this episode we talked about some of these mentors, including Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Les Paul, and this interview is full of Aaron’s stories and insights as a performer and educator. He has generously agreed to let me use two of his previously released self-produced videos so you can hear some of his playing. I first discovered Aaron in his comedy series with Linda Lavin; I encourage you to check it out along with his other projects and albums: http://www.aaronweinstein.net/
This episode is also a video and the transcript is at the same link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/adam-weinstein
Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:41) Aaron’s start on old-time fiddle (03:16) Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli (06:50) Mel Bay books Swingin’ Jazz Fiddle Solos and Mandolin Chord Melody System (09:28) Aaron Weinstein plays Avalon, both violin and mandolin (11:05) Don Stiernberg (12:27) “Give Me the Simple Life” Aaron Weinstein on mandolin (13:56) difference between jazz mandolin and jazz violin (17:18) Album 3x3 on Chesky label (18:21) Berklee College of Muisic, Sandy Kott first formal violin lessons (23:32)Les Paul (25:05) playing with jazz legends as a young man, learning the tunes, Annie Ross (27:46) lyrics, Sondheim, Andy Zerman (30:35) working with Broadway singers and appreciating different genres (33:59) self-criticism, dealing with different performance realities (36:15) Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Johnny Frigo (38:54) Linda Lavin, Irvin Arthur (45:12) agents, jazz in the music business (46:59) mandolin, violin, guitar, Hamilton de Holanda (49:11) teaching jazz (56:03) giving and getting feedback (59:04) getting established in New York, support from John Pizzarelli (01:01:26) arranging, practicing classical music, interpretation and originality (01:06:43) writing (01:13:54) advice for younger players, problems with social media (01:20:19) how to practice, improvisation (01:26:05) Les Paul story (01:28:00) missing the opportunity to hear Stéphane Grappelli
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Welcome to a special Catch-Up bonus episode with violinist Gina Burgess. My original episode with her is linked here, as well as the podcast versions of both, with transcripts: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e18-s1-gina-burgess-multi-style-violinist If you missed my first conversation with Gina, you’ll be interested to hear her fascinating personal story and how she became so connected with the North.
Gina has had a really interesting year, going back to university in Newfoundland, moving to the far north of Canada in Iqaluit, and releasing her first album as bandleader. We talked about Inuit throatsinging, and have included two excerpts from the album which I encourage you to check out on Bandcamp: https://ginaburgessmusic.bandcamp.com/album/isnow
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:24) music education at Memorial University in Newfoundland
(03:56) touring life cut short by pandemic and pivoting to teaching
(04:59) placement in Iqaluit
(07:40) Inuit throat singing, Cynthia Pitsiulak
(09:32) intro to Anuri
(12:06) clip from Anuri on ISNOW album
(14:34) album release in Iqaluit with drum dancers, Olivia Chislett throat singer
(16:17) album ISNOW
(17:38) Ravens on the Roof intro
(19:50) clip from Ravens on the Roof
(20:34) crafting, sober jam
(22:09) teaching
(23:22) teaching teenagers, the importance of knowing them
(24:48) playing in hospital
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Gertrude Létourneau, known to some as Trudy, is a flutist, pianist, singer and a therapeutic musician. During this episode, she tells many moving stories of the residents she has worked with in her many years working at Pearly Health. During the episode she frequently breaks into song and plays a variety of flutes as well as paints a vivid picture of the fulfilling role she plays working with veterans. We also spoke about her mentors Peter Wiegold, Jeffrey Gilbert, and Marie-Claire Séguin. This was an episode very much about going out your comfort zone, connecting with your audience, and learning to slow down and enjoy every day.
Video and Transcript link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/gertrude-trudy-letourneau
Gertrude's website: https://gertrudeletourneau.com/ photo credit: Dave Poulin
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:02) how Gertrude got into this work as a therapeutic musician at Perley Health, Performance and Communication Skills at Guildhall with Peter Wiegold
(08:12) making music with the residents, sing-along culture, Kohai Educational Center working kids with learning disabilities
(12:20) learning the repertoire, playing by ear, choosing themes, different aspects of the work at Perley Health
(16:01) difference between Music Therapist and Therapeutic Musician
(17:44) story about Lili Marlene and World War II veteran
(20:55) PTSD story
(25:56) J’attendrai ton retour with story
(28:53) developing as a singer, coaching with Marie-Claire Séguin, finalist in Ma première Place des Arts competition
(34:05) Audience engagement, talking to the audience and building bridges
(38:52) Jeffrey Gilbert
(41:58) childhood music and decision to pursue the flute
(46:35) dealing with grief and loss
(52:54) planning repertoire around themes
(55:36) coping with the COVID Pandemic in long-term care, online concerts with Concerts in Care and the Music Performance Trust Fund
(01:01:03) living in the moment, Québecois culture and La Bolduc, a musician’s last gig
(01:06:50) lessons learned
(01:16:33) Let Me Call You Sweetheart, creative challenges and going out of your comfort zone
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Adam Hurt is an acclaimed clawhammer banjo player and one of my favourite performers in any style and I was absolutely delighted that he agreed not only to speak to me at length about his life and teaching of traditional music, but also perform for this episode some of my favourite music. His albums of gourd banjo music “Earth Tones” and “Back to the Earth” are beloved by a wide range of listeners, I think partly because the sound colour of the instrument is much more mellow than other banjos. You’ll hear him play and talk about the fascinating history of both his gourd banjo and one of his favourite antique instruments. He’s also a fine old-time fiddler, and although he grew up with classical musician parents, his father a violinist with the Minnesota orchestra, Adam’s life-changing musical moment was with a wonderful and dedicated school teacher.
The video version of this episode along with the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/adam-hurt
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Adam Hurt website: https://www.adamhurt.com/
If you enjoyed this episode you may be interested in some of my episodes with other traditional musicians, including Janie Rothfield and Alexis Chartrand. I continue to feature many players of plucked instruments with some nice surprises coming your way in Season 3. If you subscribe to my newsletter through my website https://www.leahroseman.com/contact, you’ll get exclusive sneak peeks for upcoming episodes.
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Cold open and intro
(00:02:17) antique Dobson banjo, restoration by Will Seeders Mosheim
(00:07:43) intro to “Fortune” played on the Dobson banjo
(00:11:06) Adam’s early music education, difficulty reading music
(00:15:26) Don Payden first Old-Time teacher, learning by ear, mandolin with Brian Wicklund, clawhammer with Marianne Kovatch
(00:27:58) tone production on the banjo
(00:35:39) Ricky Skaggs collaboration on album Back to the Earth
(00:39:11) gourd banjo, performance of “Josie-O”
(00:45:05) history of this David Hyatt gourd banjo and the recording of Eartht Tones album
(00:50:04) African origins of the banjo, racist history
(00:53:47) tablature, Walt Koken story, Adam’s teaching
(00:59:21) Clifftop
(01:04:53) Adam’s father, learning fiddle
(01:09:22) open A tuning, performance of Patty on the Pike on fiddle
(01:14:17) dancing and old-time, Adam’s experience of learning flatfoot syle
(01:16:42) album Fine Times at our House
(01:18:32) why we love Bandcamp
(01:22:20) the hawk story
(01:28:51) Adam’s teaching strategies
(01:36:53) intro to performance of Snowdrop on the antique Dobson banjo
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Ineke Vando orn is a wonderfully expressive prizewinning jazz vocalist, author, composer and educator. We talked about overcoming voice problems, the craft of writing lyrics, teaching vocal improvisation, her book “Singing from the Inside Out”, and many of her fascinating creative collaborations.During the recording of this episode Ineke performed 3 times, and also check out the timestamps below for the many topics we covered. The link for both the video and the transcript is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ineke-vandoorn
Be sure to check out my episode with Ineke’s partner guitarist Marc Van Vugt.
Ineke's website: https://www.inekevandoorn.com/
photo: Jiri Büller
Timestamps
(00:00) Cold open and Intro
(01:34) early days with Marc van Vugt
(03:29) voice problems
(05:57) process for writing book “Singing From the Inside Out”
(14:33) song “Holysloot” by Ineke Vandoorn
(19:57) singing workshops
(21:00) project with Cecilia Moisio “I Can See Myself Through Your Eyes”
(29:00) criticism and performance anxiety
(35:04) song “Tea”by Marc van Vugt with lyrics by Ineke Vandoorn
(41:02) use of DigiTech400 Vocal pedal
(42:50) Paris, Van Doesburg house residency, challenges of self-promotion as an independant jazz artist
(45:35) coaching students about different practical skills
(48:51) teaching improvisation
(50:30) the importance and lack of government support for music
(52:09) pitch memory, singing a cappella, Voice Lab group
(54:54) family music, early years
(56:15) coming into her own as a singer, support of Don Thompson, going to Banff
(59:17) mentoring younger women
(01:00:39) writing lyrics in English and Dutch
(01:10:01) Flora Purim, gaining confidence as a performer
(01:12:36) “Alice in Space” opera with Ingmar Heytze and Marc van Vugt
(01:14:39) free improv vocal solo
(01:19:39) collaboraing with recorder player Saskia Coolen
(01:22:34) reflections on turning 60
(01:24:18) project with Jasper van ’t Hof
(01:27:29) album “Crossing Canada”
(01:28:28) balancing time between teaching at ArtEZ, performing and creating
(01:30:58) plans for a new book about vocal improvisation
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Multi-instrumentalist Colleen Allen is a versatile and expressive performer based in Toronto, Canada. In this conversation, we talked about her perspectives on evaluating priorities, rising to new challenges, collaboration, teaching improvisation, and the physical challenges of playing so many different instruments. Colleen’s candid warmth and love of music really shine through in this wide-ranging conversation. Video and Transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/colleen-allen
photo: Jean-François Gratton
clip of Manteca playing "Mind Monday" used with permission, writer/composer Doug Wilde and Matt Zimbel album available: https://mantecamusic.bandcamp.com/album/monday-night-at-the-mensa-disco
Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:34) women in jazz, role models and mentors (11:38) Gloucester high school (13:26) the challenges of learning music (17:18) teaching improvisation (22:07) Women’s Blues Revue, Toronto Blues Society (25:38) learning different instruments, ergonomics and keeping fit (31:19) alto sax “If I Were a Bell” by Miles Davis (34:02) playing in big bands, playing different instruments in Manteca (35:40) clip of band Manteca playing “Mind Monday” writer/composer Doug Wilde and Matt Zimbel (37:19) Accordion, working with actors, different ways of memorizing music (44:07) stage fright, dealing with nerves, challenge state, breathwork (47:52) writing arrangements, Toronto Sax Quartet, Molly Johnson (53:19) life on tour (54:43) Jazz scene in Toronto (56:09) Cirque du Soleil Pomp Duck and Circumstance (01:01:02) solo albums Flashlight and Colleen Allen, Marc Jordan, process of recording (01:06:49) evolution of vibrato in jazz (01:08:33) pandemic, livestreams, Syncspace, Adrian Cho (01:12:40) stopping teaching, assessing priorities (01:15:33) jazz flute demo, Moe Koffman, Manteca Offspring project, Jake Koffman (01:18:50) Oliver Schroer (01:21:44) Soulpepper theatre, learning leadership (01:23:49) student days, how things are evolving in a positive way, the life of a musician
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Ali Omar El-Farouk is an Egyptian and Canadian oud guitar player, composer and teacher. Ali plays his oud and three other instruments during this fascinating conversation in which we talked about learning from a place of joy, connecting across cultures through music, languages, architecture, Istanbul, Spain, Umm Kulthum, Nubian music, jazz, and lots more. The link for the video version and transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ali-omar-el-farouk
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photo: Joshua Hansen
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:50) Ali’s background in architectural engineering, coming to Montreal to study jazz
(00:02:57) early music lessons piano and guitar
(00:07:55) about the oud, with improvisation
(00:16:50) Ali’s time in Spain studying flamenco and introduction to “Nostalgia Esperanzadora”
(00:29:31) Ali’s composition “Nostalgia Esperanzadora” for oud and flamenco guitar
(00:38:21) vibrato and different expressive techniques on the oud, about the risha and different types of plectrums
(00:46:28) Arab architecture, Alhambra, traveling in Southern Spain
(00:52:20) learning Spanish, Turkish and communicating through music
(00:55:29) bringing musicians to Egypt, Mike de Masi, Thomas Durant, Freddy Rizk, Hamza El Din, Nubian music
(01:02:47) Umm Kulthum
(01:09:13) Ali’s musicial influences, learning Arabic music, Anouar Brahem, Simon Shaheen
(01:14:55) 2011 pro-democracy protests in Cairo
(01:21:07) different Arabic dialects, Arabic community in Montreal
(01:24:25) Turkey, trip to Istanbul
(01:29:45) album Ela Mataa, Joseph Khoury
(01:36:12) demonstration of frame drum and history of the frame drum
(01:41:08) Montreal jazz scene
(01:44:48) teaching
(01:47:21) Joseph Tawadros, Cengiz Sarikus
(01:49:26) intro to Naima by John Coltrane on electric guitar
(01:53:38) Ali’s advice about practicing and learning music
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I was honoured to speak with the inspiring singer, composer, choir leader, pianist and cultural activist Polina Shepherd. In this episode you’ll hear Polina’s stories from growing up in Tartarstan, in the former Soviet Union, finding a bridge to her Jewish identity through Klezmer music, collaborating with her mentors, founding Yiddish and Russian choirs in the U.K., and many other creative projects. During the episode she sings songs from different traditions, including one of her compositions, and is such a warm and engaging speaker I trust a wide audience will find inspiration and food for thought in her perspectives on education, mentorship, creativity, health, identity, connection and collaboration. The link for both the podcast and video is linked with the full transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/polina-shepherd Her website https://www.polinashepherd.co.uk/
If you are specifically interested in Klezmer music, you may be interested in previous episodes with Alicia Svigals, Josh “Socalled” Dolgin, and Marilyn Lerner.
Please encourage me to keep this series going. Unique perks available! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
photo credit: Shendl Copitman
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:27) connecting through music, COVID, Sing With Me workshops
(00:05:14) Polina’s childhood, family music-making
(00:07:16) intro to Russian Romance by Lermontov and Shashina
(00:10:14) Polina’s musical training and voice
(00:12:16) Tomsk, Kazan, growing up in Tartarstan, Jewish community, perestroika
(00:16:27) Yiddish song, Polina sings “A Frisher Vind” Dovid Hofshsteyn poetry
(00:21:31) secular Yiddish culture, song cycle with poems of Troim Katz Handler
(00:24:11) falling in love with Merlin Shepherd, experience of immigration to the UK
(00:28:17) first trip to US, Lorin Sklamberg, Adrienne Cooper, Zalmen Mlotek
(00:31:07) 150 Voices with Lorin Sklamberg, part in “The Crown”
(00:35:09) The Caravan Orchestra and Choir, teaching improvisation, working with youth
(00:40:39) Tartarstan cultural influences
(00:42:40) Polina’s advice for musicians, collaboration
(00:48:13) memorisation, playing by ear
(00:49:15) advice for health for singers and everyone else
(00:52:48) accompanying silent films
(00:57:43) collaboration with dance, community outreach
(00:59:22) Polina’s way of manifesting projects, starting her choirs, Jackie Fuller
(01:04:12) working with community choirs
(01:06:55) learning from Adrienne Cooper, Zalmen Mlotek, Lorin Sklamberg, Frank London, Merlin Shepherd, Psoy Korolenko
(01:13:37) Niggun Koyach
(01:16:14) Polina’s reflections and advice
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This is a special bonus Catch-Up episode with singer-songwriter Megan Jerome. Today is also the release of my conversation with her husband, the jazz drummer Mike Essoudry. In this short episode, you’ll hear how Megan fell in love with Mike, as well as about the creation of her new album “Love” with the Together Ensemble including two songs from the album, “Hot Pink Heart”, and “Isn’t Life Grand”. She also talked about some valuable mentorship that helped her secure funding for the album. Megan’s original episode as well as this catch-up bonus are linked together with the video and podcast versions, and the transcripts: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/megan-jerome-e10-s2
Mike Essoudry, podcast, video and transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mike-essoudry-drummer
Support this podcast and get access to unique perks! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
photo: JC Batista
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:34) how Megan and Mike Essoudry fell in love
(03:56) “Isn’t Life Grand” Megan Jerome and the Together Ensemble
(08:37) Megan’s new album “Love”, release plan, funding Canada Council and City of Ottawa
(14:30) Vel Omazic and Canada Music Incubators
(17:34) “Hot Pink Heart” Megan Jerome and the Together Ensemble
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This episode features the fantastic drummer Mike Essoudry, who is a busy performer and composer in Ottawa, Canada, playing with many projects in the funk, jazz, and improvised music scene. He’s in the funk group Gephilte with a previous guest of this series, Josh “Socalled” Dolgin, and in the Together Ensemble with his partner Megan Jerome. Today also marks the release of my bonus catch-up episode with Megan, in which she shares how she and Mike fell in love as well as her new album and great advice about an important aspect of the music business as an independant artist. Her episodes are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/megan-jerome-e10-s2This episode was unique in that Mike was sitting at his drumset during the entire episode and we talked in detail about the history of the drumset and evolution of different styles of drumming. Mike demonstrated lots of intricate grooves and finished the episode with a cool little solo. He also shared stories from his childhood and talked about how in his youth he built his drums and an intricate treehouse in a park. Transcript and Video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mike-essoudry-drummer
Mike's website: https://mikeessoudrymusic.com/home
Support this podcast with a tip, or consider becoming a monthly supporter with access to perks: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
photo: JC Batista
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:12) drum set history with demonstrations: bass drum, ride cymbal, Zildjian, Ludwig, Beatles, speed-metal
(00:12:51) tom-toms with demonstration
(00:16:54) brushes, cajon sticks, mallets
(00:20:26) the importance of drummers learning harmony and melody
(00:23:30) counting, knowing the tune
(00:27:03) Latin grooves
(00:32:32) drum solos, not losing the count, the advantage of having someone play with your solo
(00:36:09) poly-rhythms and groupings
(00:42:39) Mike’s book of beats and teaching, playing by ear and reading
(00:46:22) Foley artists, history of radio, silent movies, sound effects
(00:49:14) hand percussion, playing without shoes
(00:51:27) Mike’s childhood, rock drumming, blues
(00:55:31) drum pads substitute for drums
(00:57:45) marching bands, New Orleans, different traditions from around the world, Balkan music
(01:03:48) Mike’s parents, hand percussion on the drum set (demonstration)
(01:11:44) Mike’s father’s immigration story from Moroccon Jewish community, how his parents met
(01:17:37) carpentry skills, classic Lego, treehouse story, building his drum set
(01:23:53) visual and intuitive learning style
(01:26:24) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, Alouette Space Agency
(01:31:24) solo drum project, balancing earning money with carpentry and writing and playing music
(01:34:39) how Mike practices and the importance of keeping your ears in shape, pushing boundaries like immitating machine beats
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Renée Yoxon is a trans non-binary singer, songwriter, jazz musician, and trans voice teacher.
In this episode, Renee shares some beautiful and inspiring performances from their albums, as well as stories from life as a disabled person and how their disability and chronic pain has guided the direction of their career. We talk about their musical development, and their experiences both bad and good as they navigated their musical education (after finishing a degree in physics!). Renée explains the kind of work they do with trans vocal exploration and we dive into all kinds of topics in the usual tangential style of this series. The transcript and video are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/rene-yoxon
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Renée Yoxon website: https://www.reneeyoxon.com/
photo: Laurence Philomène
podcast theme music: Nick Kold
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:21) Renée’s physics degree, start in school band, Jazz Works camp
(00:04:19) free improv group, intergenerational friendships
(00:06:38) intro to “Willow Weep for Me” by Ann Ronell
(00:08:53) “Willow Weep for Me” with René Gely
(00:13:57) piano, ukulele
(00:15:26) “Beautiful Alchemy”, film with Teagan Lance and album
(00:17:14) “Terrible Alchemy”
(00:23:19) Blossom Dearie
(00:23:52) worldless improv
(00:24:37) studies in New York, living as a disabled person, vocal technique
(00:29:33) singing in rock band “Gorgeous George”, care of the voice and endurance training
(00:32:20) trans voice aleration, TikTok success, pitch lowering, taking risks and learning to be silly
(00:40:14) gender presentation and gender identity
(00:42:35) ways we can alter the voice
(00:45:09) different languages in terms of vocal alteration, vocal fry and gendered cutural coding for vocal characteristics
(00:47:52) TikTok
(00:49:22) teaching Trans Voice Alteration to other teachers
(00:51:45) the importance of teaching business skills to musicians, University of Limerick, Edel Meade
(00:55:58) Banff, McGill, growing up in Ottawa, the importance of mentors, Mark Ferguson, René Gely
(01:00:29) social anxiety, speaking in public with a different voice or new language
(01:02:38) different people who take Renée’s courses on voice alteration
(01:03:18) songwriting, Aoife McAtamney Pink Breath
(01:04:27) “Drinking Coffee”
(01:08:58) songs “The Bad Years” about their chronic illness
(01:10:27) Kazaa music sharing, learning jazz repertoire
(01:12:53) Renée’s perspective on the music industry as a disabled person, and experiences at McGill university with lack of accessibility
(01:17:46) Mx non-binary honorific, the importance of pronouns
(01:20:32) disability rights, more about their McGill experience
(01:22:45) Montreal
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Hi! I wanted to give you an update on Conversations with Musicians. The next episode will be released January 7 2023, as Episode 1 of Season 3.The world is often a scary place, but my hope is that this series brings a positive and contemplative time into your life, with so many inspiring stories, insights and music from my featured guests. Season 3 is continuing with a fascinating diversity of creative musicians following different paths. In 2021 and 22 I released a total of 50 episodes, with many bonus shorter episodes in my Inspiring Excerpts series. If you look at my episode catalog on my podcast website, you’ll find links to all the episodes in both video and podcast format, with descriptions, photos and many transcripts. If you sign up for my newsletter through my website https://www.leahroseman.com/ then you’ll be getting lots of sneak peeks of upcoming guests. Finally, for less than a monthly cup of coffee, you can sponsor this series and get access to my exclusive Q&As, and a selection of unique perks tailored to your interests, through my Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/LeahRoseman I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness. I so look forward to sharing with you many more musicians’ perspectives! my photo: Curtis Perry
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Leslie DeShazor is a multi-style violist, violinist and composer based in Detroit. She teaches students both through the Sphinx Organization and the Detroit Symphony as well as privately. She was named one of thirty Professional Movers and Shakers in the Performing Arts by Musical America in 2019 and in 2022 she released her jazz and R&B album “Journey With Me” which features herself as soloist, bandleader, and composer.
Towards the beginning of this episode you’ll hear her composition “Simply Complicated” from “Journey With Me”. This conversation was full of stories and insights from Leslie’s life. She shared valuable perspectives that educators, parents and anyone who mentors children and young adults will find inspiring and thought-provoking. We talked a lot about why kids quit playing music, why so many young adults today have trouble figuring out the direction of their life, and how the educational system can take away people’s innate creativity and confidence. Leslie is such an articulate and engaging speaker; I’m sure listeners everywhere will enjoy this episode! The musicians on Simply Complicated are: Nate Winn - drums, Brendon Davis - piano Brandon Rose - bass Photo: Bruce Turner
Video and Transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/leslie-deshazor
Timestamps:
(00:00) Cold open quote plus Intro
(02:00) album Journey With Me, accepting help
(06:16) differences playing acoustic and electric instruments
(07:30) intro to tune “Simply Complicated”
(13:25) Leslie’s childhood musical pranks, growing up in Inkster and Canton
(16:10) the importance of Detroit in many different musical genres
(18:36) the influence and importantce of church music
(22:47) Interlochen, perspectives on exposing kids to a competitive atmosphere
(32:43) Leslie’s approach to coaching student ensembles
(36:14) Leslie’s history going to Orchestra Hall, continuity and history of Detroit
(40:52) parenting, guiding children in music
(42:37) University of Michigan and Wayne State college experiences, James Dapogny, how to guide students, the importance of helping music students with options
(51:00) dealing with injury
(53:06) different cultures through dance, learning Spanish, teaching with Sphinx
(56:14) Sphinx organization
(01:03:10) Musique Noire, Eunoia Society, JoVia Armstrong
(01:04:45) problem with labels in music, colonial attitudes
(01:10:44) teaching music using different strategies
(01:16:35) challenges in guiding students
(01:19:53) students who are over-scheduled, the benefits of allowing time for creativity and play
(01:25:42) Cole Randolph taking time off and motivation
(01:26:42) dealing with stress through exercise, jumping rope, keeping balance
(01:30:00) freelance life stress
(01:31:18) teaching body percussion, benefits of community music making, learning from other educators
(01:35:35) Leslie’s advice about bravery
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The internationally renowned guitarist Derek Gripper is famous for his groundbreaking technique for evoking the West African kora on the guitar. During this episode you’ll get to hear Derek play quite a bit and you will hear his wonderful insights on how we listen to and learn music, the influence of Montessori and Alexander Technique in his life, his reflections on important collaborations in his career and his perspectives on changes that have been imposed on creators and performers. The video and transcript are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/derek-gripper
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:45) Bach guitar music with intro (00:04:00) carnatic music studies, album with tabla player Udai Mazumdar (00:06:12) structural improvisation, Bach (00:08:18) Alexander Technique (00:15:28) violin studies (00:16:24) Derek's recording approach (00:20:30) “Billly Goes to Durban” (00:21:28) kora music, Toumani Diabaté (00:25:18) “Tubaka” guitar music (00:26:36) Derek’s transcriptions, Zoom classes (00:30:12) online music economy, Derek’s experiences with selling albums, Platoon label (00:35:35) Montessori method and teaching guitar (00:39:38) "A Year of Swimming" (00:41:34) Alex Van Heerden, “Sagtevlei”, Steve Reich, Bryan Bolton (00:45:36) Guy Buttery and different collaborations (00:48:12) South Africa and COVID’s economic ramifications (00:49:43) Madosini (00:52:06) World Music as a genre and marketing tool (00:58:23) Derek’s style of performing (01:00:31) mental health, touring, mindset with Alexander Technique inhibition and internal resistance (01:04:42) "Seeing Nobody" guitar music (01:07:00) reflections on Derek’s career, being South African, John Williams, Lucy Duran (01:11:30) Derek’s guitars, Paul Galbraith Brahms guitar, “Bloomdorns”, Hermann Hauser, just intonation and bending notes, oud, lute, veena, (01:17:36) Derek’s advice and reflections on too much input
photo: Luke Young
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This is a short bonus episode in my "Inspiring Excerpts" series, with the wonderful jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias.
The full episode is here, both video and podcast: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s1-roddy-ellias-guitarist-and-composer
You'll get to hear some great stories from Roddy's early career in touring rock bands, connections between martial arts and music, and how he teaches students to get into the feel of flow. Guitar enthusiasts, you’ll be happy to know that this series will soon be featuring quite a few more guitarists and also specialists in other plucked instruments. . I hope you enjoy these in-depth and wide-ranging conversations, and that your curiosity is stimulated for music that may be new to you. Please help this series find new listeners by rating and reviewing the podcast.
Roddy Ellias website: https://www.roddyellias.com/
photo: Evan Shaw
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Marc van Vugt is a wonderful award-winning composer and jazz guitarist from the Netherlands. In this episode you’ll be introduced to several beautiful guitars in his collection that are featured in his new solo album, “The Lonely Coyote” and you’ll also get to hear stories from his travels and his perspectives about different musical scenes, composing, and some of the biggest challenges now for musicians worldwide.
The video version of this is linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/marc-van-vugt-guitarist-and-composer
https://baiximrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-lonely-coyote
photo: Jiri Büller
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:39) “Simiane” intro and performance
(08:01)influence of Latin American music, growing up in a small Dutch town
(10:49) Paris, Theo van Doesburg house in Meudon, composing the Vandoesburg Suite
(15:28) album “The Lonely Coyote”, collection of guitars, touring challenges with a guitar
(21:21) baritone guitar
(21:22) Martin guitar, technique of playing with a mix of nails and pick
(28:20) harp zither
(33:44) more about “The Lonely Coyote” ablum, living in the desert, influences of Alberto Gismonti, Ralph Towner, Leo Kottke
(40:19) creative process of composing, Kenny Wheeler
(48:36) HKU University for the Arts in Utrecht, Hans Kox, Eef Albers, creating the jazz and improvised music department with Bert van der Brink
(51:17) Banff, categories of music, the free improvised music scene in the Netherlands
(56:03) experience of growing up in a place and time with limited access to music and different musicians in contrast to now with the challenges of exposure YouTube and social media in general
(01:01:48) touring and collaborating with local musicians, trips to Indonesia and playing with gamelan players
(01:05:06) trip to Brazil
(01:07:31) teaching composition
(01:12:46) Rogier van Otterloo
(01:15:16) writing music for films of Georges Méliès
(01:19:12) archtop guitar
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Gary Muzsynski is a versatile percussionist and entrepreneur and this conversation delves into his experiences playing samba in Brazil, his discovery and exploration of the handpan, and some of his work as an educator in both community music projects and as an innovator using music in the corporate world. We also talked about his beautiful album "Roots and Wings - Medicine Music", which won the Gold Medal Best of Show in the 2021 Global Music Awards and features 25 master musicians from 8 countries. Gary plays several contrasting instruments in different styles during the episode, and timestamps are included below. Like every episode, this is available both as a video and podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and the transcript is also linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/gary-muszynski
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:31) Mbira music
(06:45) Gary’s mentors and trainig with Community Music: Babatunde Olatunji, David Darling
(09:21) Gary’s childhood and life-changing experience with music
(18:26) early career in St. Louis, going to Brazil and learning Samba
(24:10) Gary’s story about creatively getting a plane ticket to return to Brazil to perform in Carnaval
(28:36) Samba school experiences in Brazil
(38:44) demonstration of some samba rhythms on agogô and surdo
(46:02) Samba in the Midwest, community music making “Sambistas” band
(48:26) Handpan history, different types and demonstration
(01:09:57) about the “Roots and Wings, Medicine Music” album, Global Music Awards winner, Tito La Rosa, Yair Dalal, Varijashree Venugopal
(01:20:07) Gary’s executive and team coaching and how he pivoted to online during 2020
(01:23:14) Community music Babatunde Olatunji
(01:27:29) handpan improvisation
photo: Irene Young
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Linsey Pollak is an Australian musician who is known worldwide as a passionate and creative advocate for community music. His life has been full of unusual opportunities to explore different styles of music, and his inventiveness has spurred him to create countless instruments from found objects. In this episode you’ll get to hear him play 4 different instruments in different improvisatory styles, and I’m sure that everyone will be inspired by stories from his life, describing some of his incredibly unusual, fun and beautiful collaborations and creations. This is available both video and podcast :https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/linsey-pollak
photo credit: Beat Lehmann
Timestamps:
(00:00 Intro)
(01:30) gaida music
(04:59) Rafting trip, discovering Macedonian bagpipes, first trip to Macedonia
(11:35) trip to Greece to study klarino with Stavros Vasthekis
(13:15) discovering the Macedonian community in Australia, establishing Kulcha
(17:36) Linsey’s start making instruments, London and Early Music scene
(23:14) busking in Europe, learning Macedonian dance,
Živko Firfov Group, Destan Destanovski
(31:48) importance of humour in his solo shows
(33:17) duduk design and music
(38:56) Linsey’s early musical education and projects
(41:27) developing live looping in the early 90s, his solo shows
(49:25) rubber glove bagpipe
(54:36) Linsey’s current project going out to record in the forest with ambient sounds (his album of this music is on Bandcamp), also the frog sounds album
(56:53) Dva with Tunji Beier and now Beier-Griffin-Pollak trio with Philip Griffin
(58:23) Humarimba community music project
(01:09:16) Paranormal Music Society Romano Crivici and Blair Greenberg, and QWERTY with Peter Rowe
(01:13:47) MIDI wind controller Dangerous Song project with demonstration using animal sounds
(01:33:26) Linsey’s drive to create instruments and connect people, his creative process
(01:37:20) Linsey’s decision to stop touring outside of Australia
(01:40:07) Linsey’s advice
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James Ehnes is known internationally as one of the foremost violin soloists. He’s a GRAMMY winner who’s created over 60 acclaimed albums. In this short episode you’ll hear him talk about the joys and challenges of squeezing in chamber music with the Ehnes String Quartet, his youth in Brandon and his studies with both Frances Chaplin and Sally Thomas. The episode ends with some great advice for all musicians! The full episode is available here, along with the newly-published transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e11-s1-james-ehnes
photo: Benjamin Ealovega
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I was honored to have this conversation with Marilyn Lerner, who is a unique pianist and composer who is a powerfully expressive musician across a range of styles. She’s a wonderful improvisor and has performed worldwide, as well as recorded extensively as both a soloist and as an ensemble player. She’s also a therapist and psychoanalyst, and our conversation moved through many fascinating and important topics including ideas around identity and creativity.
The video version is available here, and the transcript will later be published to the same link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/marilyn-lerner
photo: Jake Sherman
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:06) jazz piano improvisation
(03:47) exploring different musical styles
(04:52) accompanying Silent film music
(08:58) teaching classical musicians to improvise, KlezCanada, Lori Freedman
(14:18) the piano as a textural instrument and different kinds of improv (with musical example)
(16:46) Marilyn’s youth
(21:10) university years at York University (switching from Psychology into music), and Marilyn’s work as a psychoanalyst, exploring the psychological aspects of being a musician, issues around identity
(27:48) the challenges of making a living as a musician
(30:22) experiences during 2020 lockdowns for both Marilyn and Leah
(36:33) Adrienne Cooper, Anna Margolin, Dave Wall, “All Silent Things Speak Today” collection of songs, “Dreaming in Yiddish”
(41:21) Yiddish and Ashkenazic Jewish history
(45:45) Marilyn plays piano “Romanian Fantasy”
(51:09) Yoshie Fruchter “The Pieces Broken”
(52:27) mridangam studies Trichy Sankaran, opportunities at York University, Reginald Godden,
Ethnomusicology
(56:58) Salsa: learning Montunos with Rodrigo Munoz
(57:47) Jane Bunnett, Larry Kramer, Maqueque,Cuban musicians, “Birds Are Returning” Dafnis Prieto
(01:03:04) classical influences in improvising
(01:07:18) psychology, becoming a therapist
(01:09:47) Marilyn’s youth, development as a pianist and musician
(01:11:45) challenges of finding focus and creative time
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This episode features the wonderful Bulgarian gadulka player Hristina Beleva, and this project would not have been possible without the generous translation and voice-overs from fellow musician Milena Krassi. Milena was with us during the interview and it’s mostly her voice that you’ll be hearing. Hristina is a virtuoso of the traditional bowed instrument of Bulgaria, the gadulka, which looks a bit like an upside-down violin, with usually 3 main strings and several resonating strings, up to 16. Hristina performs as a soloist with the Ensemble Philip Koutev Folk Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio, the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices, Bulgara, the Milanov-Beleva duo, and is featured on the 2019 Grammy nominated album with David Kuckhermann and Lisa Gerrard, “Hiraeth”. Hristina recently released a wonderful duo album with bass player Vasil Hajigrudev, “Trikop”. This episode features lots of music, and we talk about both traditional music and her fusion collaborations. The video version of this episode is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/hristina-beleva-gadulka-player
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:38) gadulka performance: Ruchenitsa traditional Bulgarian folk dance
( 03:11) - " Hubava si Moia Goro" You are Beautiful My Forest" - old Bulgarian song
( 03:25) introduction to the instrument and the modal tradition
( 09:12) Hristina’s fusion projects and collaborations: Vasil Hajigrudev, Peter Milanov, Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices, David Kuckhermann and Lisa Gerrard (15:32) “Melancholy Beauty” by Georgy Andreev story of the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust
(17:29) experience during pandemic lockdowns
(19:32) gadulka performance
(20:42) traditional dances of Bulgaria
(22:05) traditional folklore orchestra of ensemble Philip Koutev
(24:20) demonstration with improvisations of different musical modes
(27:16) comparison of different instruments and traditions
( 28:06) Hristina’s development as a musician
photo credit: Ivelina Milanova
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Peter Purich is an innovative violin maker known for his unique personalized chin rest design. He’s also a multi-instrumentalist who plays in many different styles, and a dedicated violin and viola pedagogue. Because this conversation was extra-long it has been divided into two episodes. Part 2 continues with a lot of specifics about playing and teaching the violin, and he describes some of his innovative instrument designs, his unique shoulder support, and some great wisdom. If you missed Part 1, it delves into his development as an instrument maker and innovator, and as a creative musician. He describes some of his innovations with chin rest design and the episode ends with some improvisation and some great parenting advice! I have added timestamps in the description, and like all these episodes this is available both as a podcast and a video, the link is in the description and the transcript will be published to the same link, where you can also find Part 1: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/peter-purich
(00:00) Intro
(01:06) violin and viola pedagogy: bow arm, using imagery, Peter’s devices to help students
(10:43) archery
(14:08) concepts in teaching bowing technique for violin and viola, Galamian
(29:45) Peter’s instruments and instrument innovations
(38:62) shoulder rests, how to hold a violin, Peter’s invention Senza Rest
(52:06) freedom of expression
(53:08) perspectives on orchestra players
(56:46) Peter’s creative process in building and playing
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Peter Purich is an innovative violin maker known for his unique personalized chinrest design. He’s also a multi-instrumentalist who plays in many different styles, and a dedicated violin and viola pedagogue. Because this conversation was extra-long it has been divided into two episodes. Part 1 delves into his development as an instrument maker and innovator, and as a creative musician. He shows and describes some of his innovations with chinrest design. The episode ends with some improvisation and some great parenting advice! Part 2 will continue with a lot of specifics about playing and teaching the violin, and he shows some of his inventive instrument designs, his unique shoulder support, and some great wisdom.
I have added timestamps below, and like all these episodes this is available both as a podcast and a video, and the transcript will be published to this same link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/peter-purich
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(01:29) Peter’s father and his start making instruments and bows
(06:12) Peter’s trip to Europe, Vienna Philharmonic instruments
(10:17) different kinds of woods, styles of violin bows
(13:44) research on carbon fiber
(19:25) Peter’s custom-made chin rests, vibrato, shifting, how to hold a violin
(46:34) Peter’s pedagogy
(49:30) Peter’s approach to improvisation and experiences with different styles and instruments
(51:30) I Musici chamber orchestra in Montreal, Yuli Turovsky
(54:30) Arthur Garami
(56:27) Gerald Stanick
(57:44) why it’s good to improvise with demonstrations
(01:09:36) teaching students improvisation
(01:11:59) parenting and Peter’s great advice
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In this Inspiring Excerpts short bonus episode, you will hear violinist Aaron Schwebel's reflections on the best environments for learning and growth, on how the pandemic has affected his priorities, and some of the unique benefits and challenges of a life of a professional musician. Aaron Currently holds the positions of Concertmaster with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the Canadian Opera Company. He is a member of the LARK ensemble and the Rosebud String Quartet, and is the founder and artistic director of Echo Chamber Toronto, a series that merges chamber music and contemporary dance. The full episode is linked here, both podcast and video format, and the transcript can be found through the same link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e10-s1-aaron-schwebel-violinist
photo credit: Bo Huang
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Raphael Weinroth-Browne is an internationally renowned Canadian cellist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He merges his classical cello training with a love of progressive metal and Middle Eastern music, and has formed several acclaimed ensembles including The Visit, Musk Ox, and Kamancello (this duo is with a previous guest of this podcast, kamanche player Shahriyar Jamshidi). Raphael has been touring with the Norwegian progressive band Leprous since 2017, and has appeared on over 150 studio albums. In 2020 he released his first solo album, Worlds Within. Raph is a very thoughtful and articulate person, and this conversation touched on many interesting topics. Part 2 of this episode includes some interesting background on Raphs’ development as a musician. He also shares his advice on building relationships in the music business to help artists find different avenues to promote their music. He speaks about improvisation, his love of Middle-Eastern music, and his collaboration with Shahriyar Jamshidi in Kamancello (featured in this series: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/shahriyar-jamshidi-kamancheh) If you missed Part 1, it is linked here along with the video of both episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/raphael-weinroth-browne In Part 1 Raph demonstrates and talks about the first part of Worlds Within, and you get to hear about his career as a studio musician and his experiences touring with Leprous. He shares his thoughts about knowing yourself, being creative, connecting with your audience, and balancing your life and expectations of yourself.
Timestamps for Part 2:
( 00:00) Intro
(01:23) Raph’s evolution as an artist, and his teen and university years
( 08:58) music from Worlds Within
(16:12) more about Raph’s development as a musician
( 19:24) advice about developing as a performer
(21:15) album reviews, advice for promoting your music, Laura Bitner
( 34:38) Shahriyar Jamshidi and Kamancello
( 45:09) Windsor symphony, community outreach
photo credit: Jonathan Lorange
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Raphael Weinroth-Browne is an internationally renowned Canadian cellist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He merges his classical cello training with a love of progressive metal and Middle Eastern music, and has formed several acclaimed ensembles including The Visit, Musk Ox, and Kamancello (this duo is with a previous guest of this podcast, kamanche player Shahriyar Jamshidi https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/shahriyar-jamshidi-kamancheh). Raphael has been touring with the Norwegian progressive band Leprous since 2017, and has appeared on over 150 studio albums. In 2020 he released his first solo album, Worlds Within. Raph is a very thoughtful and articulate person, and this conversation touched on many interesting topics. In Part 1 you will get to hear him demonstrate and talk about the first part of Worlds Within, and hear about his career as a studio musician and his experiences touring with Leprous. He shares his thoughts about knowing yourself, being creative, connecting with your audience, and balancing your life and expectations of yourself. Part 2 of this episode is the next release in this podcast and video series, and everything is linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/raphael-weinroth-browne
Timestamps: (00:00) Intro
(02:18 the creation of Worlds Within
(09:40) production of music videos
15:26 Heather Sita-Black album art
(19:30) differing tunings, music from Worlds Within
( 31:27) social media promotion, reaching new audiences
( 37:19) dealing with March 2020 lockdowns
( 41:26) Raph’s career as a studio musician
(49:53) electric extended-range versus and acoustic cellos
(57:08) Perfectionism, intonation, improvisation
( 01:05:01) Leprous
(01:13:09) hearing damage
( 01:15:46) habits for physical and mental health
(01:23:51) taking time to enjoy the slow process and take pride in your work
photo credit: Jonathan Lorange
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The podcast is taking a short summer break, but will be back in September with many more fascinating and inspiring musicians!
I have released 41 complete episodes and many bonus episodes. They are all available on your favourite podcast player and also as videos. I've published many of the transcripts as well, and everything is linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/
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The incredibly charming American musician Janie Rothfield is a great traditional fiddler, banjo player, educator, composer, and so much fun to talk to! This episode features quite a bit of music on both fiddle and banjo. The conversation delved into the best ways to teach music, learn tunes, play with ease, accompany dancers and most importantly find connection with others through music! We talked about her childhood, learning violin in one of the first Suzuki classes in the United States with Louise Behrend, figure skating, learning the banjo, moving to Scotland, playing at music festivals, and why she started her unique “Janie’s Jumpstart Weekend Camps”. Janie records and tours with many bands and teaches both fiddle and clawhammer banjo. This episode is available as a video, and the transcript will later be published to my website as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/janie-rothfield-traditional-american-fiddler-banjo-player-composer-and-educator
I’ve also included timestamps below. Janie's website: https://janierothfield.com/ photo credit: Clara Williams
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:36) New Jordon on fiddle by Uncle Norm Edmonds
(04:04) groove and rhythmic drive and variety
(05:34) Suzuki lessons, Louise Behrand
(09:09) Janie’s Jumpstart Weekend camps, how they got started
(11:08) pivoting during pandemic
(12:38) Contra dances
(15:30) Allan Carr
(17:01) Janie’s childhood figure skating, dancing
(18:56) early career, balancing parenting, Little Missy with Shona Carr
(21:35) Hen’s Teeth duo with Nathan Bontrager, and the Idumea string quartet with Ewan McDonald and Becka Wolfe
(26:21) meeting Allan in Scotland
(27:24) how Janie teaches music
(33:11) different influences in old-time music
(34:50) festivals Clifftop and Fire in the Mountain
(36:28) how to memorize tunes
(38:53) cross-tuning, variety in interpretation with Candy Girl
(45:15) old-time history Jimmy McConn, Paul David Smith, Owen “Snake” Chapman and a simple approach to learning
(46:53) history of enslaved blues fiddlers, wondering about the connection with old-time dances during the time of slavery, Julie Lyonn Lieberman research, Béla Fleck
(48:26) Shetland rhythms, different fiddling traditions, story of Albany radio station being heard in Shetland and influencing the music of Peerie Willie Johnson
50:15 benefit of playing for dancers, Alexis Chartrand
51:55 Janie’s sister musician Suzy Thompson, folk influences from their mother
52:59 learning the banjo
54:27 Johnny Don’t Come Home Drunk on banjo
57:33 difference with bluegrass and old-time, story about Blaine Sprouse
01:01:12 Candy Girl on the banjo
01:03:34 learning the guitar, Allan Carr’s approach
01:04:27 Brendan Power harmonica player
01:07:55 fiddlesticks, Colin Currie Nicole Lizée, foot percussion
01:11:38 Jane’s tune “Harry Garrison” on fiddle
01:15:04 discussion about Jane’s outgoing and upbeat personality and how it’s impacted her career and music, her advice for inviting collaborations
01:22:37 Jane’s tune “The Mist”
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Mark Ferguson is a jazz pianist, trombonist, composer, arranger, producer and music educator. In this episode you get to hear him perform 3 of his original compositions on piano. We talk about his mentors, perspectives on music education and the interesting twists and turns in his varied career. He’s performed with many of the world’s great artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Gil Evans, Aretha Franklin, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Holly Cole and Manteca,. Mark Ferguson website: http://markferguson.ca/music/
All these episodes are available in video format as well, and the transcripts are gradually being published to my blog: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mark-ferguson-jazz-pianist-trombonist-composer-arranger-producer-and-music-educator
photo credit: Claude Brazeau
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:56) how we met
(02:29) Mark’s early education and gigs
(08:32) lessons with Jerry Johnson and playing gigs with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Rita Moreno
(11:06) lessons with Rob McConnell, arranging, valve trombone
(14:37) Mark’s composition “F Sharp”
(20:55) jazz harmony, different roles as rhythm player in the band and horn player
(22:40) Miguel De Armas
(23:13) Manteca, Colleen Allen, Matt Zimbel
(26:29) teaching at McGill University
(27:52) Classical and jazz worlds James McGowan
(30:37) Kellylee Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, jazz
(31:18) teaching orchestration and theory
(33:04) learning tunes and Hugh O’Connor
(35:19) learning lyrics and Ben Webster story
(37:00) transposition
(39:21) importance of keyboard skills
(40:15) Voicing chords
(42:00) arranging
(43:09) staying in shape as a trombonist
(43:45) pandemic experience, performing on Syncspace live
(44:45) teaching online
(46:32) variety in rhythm, keeping the groove
(50:21) working with high school students, jazz history
(52:19) Mark’s composition “Home”
(59:51) performance skills
(01:01:42) Mark’s new solo album plans
(01:03:03) different sides of Mark’s personality as a trombone player and pianist, big band versus small ensemble
(01:04:16) jazz audience, advantages of knowing jazz harmony, Alexander Shelley
(01:07:04) Mark’s early days as a jazz pianist, career choices
(01:08:42) advice for young players
(01:10:04) Vista Trio, playing with others to keep in shape
(01:11:37) difference between composition and improvisation
(01:12:14) staying healthy
(01:14:37) Mark’s composition “Take the O Train”
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In this episode I speak with a wonderful colleague, the Bass Trombonist Douglas Burden, who has recently retired from Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra after 50 years. He shares his perspectives on his career, including wisdom passed down from some of his mentors including Emory Remington and Arnold Jacobs, and the lessons he learned about staying healthy and keeping his playing at the highest level. Doug is also well-known as an educator and will continue to teach at the University of Ottawa; he also shares his thoughts on what an orchestral career means, his memories of different conductors, his practice tips, and the importance of balancing different aspects of a life well-lived.
As I point out in the intro,I'm including a link to Doug's gorgeous singing style in a Bordogni Vocalise (since we weren't able to use the recording he made during the episode due to a technical problem): https://youtu.be/p5ti8bKzsEg
Below I've included timestamps for the many topics covered.
All these episodes are also available as videos, here's the link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/douglas-burden-bass-trombonist-and-educator
photo credit: Fred Cattroll
(00:00) Intro
(01:44) playing as singing, Jack Everly
(04:12) how to anticipate the beat, release the sound, Mario Bernardi and history of NACO
(10:41) role of low brass in an orchestra
(14:06) types of trombones, particularities of the instrument
(17:14) Arnold Jacobs
(26:03) Doug’s start in music and family background
(30:15) Emory Remington’s legacy and his sudden death, Donald Knaub
(38:15) starting out in NACO and many brass players at the time: Gordon Cherry, Bob Odes, Gene Watts, Chuck Kaellenbach
(40:02) Pinchas Zukerman and establishing contracts for positions like bass trombone
(45:37) changes in the working conditions over the years
(46:58) changes in auditions
(49:57) advice for musicians preparing orchestral auditions, more about Arnold Jacobs
(53:42) Intonation
(01:00:56) Endurance, preventing injury, staying in good physical shape and taking care of yourself
(01:16:17) Franz-Paul Decker
(01:20:11) score study, practice routine, practicing Bach Cello Suites
(01:31:12) advice for serious students contemplating an orchestral career
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Tracy Silverman is truly an inspiring musician in every respect and it was such an honour to meet him and be able to record this memorable episode! This interview is also available as a video, and the transcript will soon be published, everything linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/tracy-silverman-electric-violinist-and-author-of-the-strum-bowing-method
We talked about his classical roots, studying with legendary teachers Lewis Kaplan and Ivan Galamian, his rejection of the classical world and his fascinating career, through his years in rock bands, we even talked about some of his early gigs, including learning the ropes as a strolling violinist, getting the job as first violinist of the innovative Turtle Island string quartet, and the development of his Strum Bowing method. We talked about many musicians, including some of his collaborators and mentors including Terry Riley, Darol Anger, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Mark Wood, and composers Roberto Sierra and John Adams. In this conversation one of the many topics we covered was the new concerto writtten for Tracy called “Ficciones” by Roberto Sierra. Finally, we dived into his creative process, how music affects our emotions, and how to stay open by listening to others, and learning to show up as ourselves. Tracy Silverman website: https://www.tracysilverman.com/
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:29) Concerto "Ficciones" by Roberto Sierra, premiered with the American Symphony Orchestra
(00:06:13) Tracy's 6-string electric violin built by Joe Glazer with demonstrations, and more about "Ficciones"
(00:13:14) Tracy's support system for the instrument and hisi progression from classical violinist through his rock days
(00:21:37) Lewis Kaplan
(00:24:25) Ivan Galamian
(00:27:40) Tracy's approach to Bach
(00:31:04) Tracy's childhood, starting to study composition
(00:33:14) intersection of improvisation and composition
(00:35:17) more about "Ficciones"
(00:37:20) "Between the Kiss and the Chaos"
(00:39:51) Turtle Island String Quartet and career advice
(00:43:35) Strolling violin gigs, wedding singer
(00:46:41) John Adams, "Dharma at Big Sur", solo recital versions of concerti
(00:49:00) Looping with demo
(00:56:27) Album "Beats and Jams" with son "Toby Beats"
(01:01:11) mentor and collaborator Terry Riley
(01:03:23) process of improvisation
(01:09:56) using Strum bowign principles in different styles
(01:16:47) Egberto Gismonti, Darol Anger
(01:19:24) Caito Marcondes
(01:21:00) teaching, strum bowing in school music programs
(01:23:43) Turtle Island String Quartet, Darol Anger and the origin of strum bowing
(01:27:08) how music affects our emotions
(01:31:10) Roy "Futureman" Wooten, positive mindset
(01:36:30) challenges with the 2020 lockdowns
(01:43:25) manager Brian Horner and putting together commission for "Ficciones" with different orchestras
(01:45:21) Rudolph Hawkin, Mark Wood, Matt Bell, Chuck Bond Trager, Tracy's mission with string playing
(01:50:23) How Tracy practices
(02:03:28) Advice on being open and listening to other musicians
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I find my colleague Anna Petersen is such an inspiring person both as an incredible musician in her role as an oboe and English horn player and teacher, and as founder of Passionflower Yoga. In this conversation, we talk about life’s challenges as a performer and the dangers of perfectionism and the importance of self-compassion, and how her experience as a yoga practitioner and teacher have supported her both physically, psychologically and spiritually. Anna’s positivity really comes through in her beautiful playing, which you’ll get a taste of at the beginning of the episode, and in the way she has navigated some difficult life circumstances. Timestamps are included below in the description for the many topics that we touched on during this conversation. All these episodes are available in both video and podcast format and the transcript will soon be published to my podcast website leahroseman.com: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/anna-petersen-oboe-player-and-educator-founder-of-passionflower-yoga
The performance of the Mozart Oboe quintet is used both with permission of Chamberfest and violinist Yosuke Kawasaki, violist Paul Casey and cellist Rachel Mercer (followers of this series will recognize several musicians!).
Anna Petersen joined Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) as Second Oboe and English horn in 2013. She has performed orchestral and chamber concerts throughout Canada and the United States and internationally in China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and throughout Europe. Prior to joining NACO, she held positions as Principal Oboe of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and as B-contract Second Oboe of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. She has enjoyed guest appearances as Principal Oboe with the Pittsburgh, Detroit and Wichita Symphony Orchestras, The Florida Orchestra, the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom she made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2013. She has also recently performed with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in Auckland, New Zealand. Anna earned her Bachelor of Music Degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Her primary teachers include Richard Killmer and Suzanne Geoffrey. In addition to her musical life, Anna is also an internationally certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, having completed 300 hours of training in Bali, Indonesia. Her yoga website: https://passionfloweryoga.ca/
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:27) Mozart Oboe quartet 3rd movement
(00:06:03) Interview starts, with oboe demo Peter and the Wolf Prokofiev
(00:07:05) English horn demo and discussion, breathing technique
(00:09:38) Anna's musical history, Richard Killmer
(00:11:42) Reed making
(00:17:25) some oboe history
(00:20:41) more about Richard Killmer
(00:21:48) Anna's childhood and starting music
(00:24:05) studies at Eastman
(00:25:31) first job with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
(00:27:24) Auditions, self-compassion, growth mindset
(00:32:18) teaching music, singing
(00:34:55) Yoga, teacher training in Bali, gaining perspective
(00:38:39) Anna's pre-playing routines
(00:40:49) posture, body awareness
(00:42:42) founding Passionflower Yoga
(00:45:24) the loss of Marjorie
(00:47:55) Syracuse Symphony and bankruptcy of the orchestra
(00:50:10) path to joining the National Arts Centre Orchestra
(00:51:13) pandemic shut-downs and first rehearsals
(00:54:09) experiences in different orchestras, conductors, wind section
(00:56:57) music education, how the pandemic has changed us
(00:59:31) Yoga and teacher training, healing
(01:03:52) why people should come experience orchestral concerts
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In this short bonus episode with the inspiring trumpet player and educator, Karen Donnelly, Principal Trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, she shares stories of her outreach during the pandemic lockdowns, her role as mentor and her role in the The Canadian Women's Brass Collective, and finally wonderful advice for all musicians about improving. The full episode is available in both video and podcast format, with the full transcript all linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/karen-donnelly-transcript
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Stephen Nachmanovitch is the author of both Free Play and more recently The Art of Is. Yo Yo Ma wrote that “Stephen Nachmanovitch’sThe Art of Is is a philosophical meditation on living, living fully, living in the present. To the author, an improvisation is a co-creation that arises out of listening and mutual attentiveness, out of a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. It is a product of the nervous system, bigger than the brain and bigger than the body; it is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, unprecedented and unrepeatable. Drawing from the wisdom of the ages,The Art of Is not only gives the reader an inside view of the states of mind that give rise to improvisation, it is also a celebration of the power of the human spirit, which — when exercised with love, immense patience, and discipline — is an antidote to hate.”
This was an amazingly inspiring conversation, extremely wide-ranging, including some musical improvisation. I’ve included timestamps to help listeners navigate the many topics we touched on including many important artists, which include: Yehudi Menuhin, John Cage, William Blake, Herbert Zipper, Keith Johnstone, Ali Akbar Khan
The video is here, and the transcript will also soon be linked on my podcast website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/stephen-nachmanovitch-author-of-free-play-and-the-art-of-is
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro to episode with Yo-Yo Ma quote and books “The Art of Is” and “Free Play”
(01:46) World Music Menu
(05:03) Violectra by David Bruce Johnson
(09:43) sarangi, viola d’amore, sympathetic strings
(13:10) work as a software programmer, sacred desk and secular desk
(15:58) synesthesia, Visual Music Tone Painter, William Blake
(18:19) Keith Johnstone and the intersections of art forms in improv: theatre, dance, music,
(22:49) cooking
(24:07) Yehudi Menuhin
(26:47) Stephen re-learning the violin in a different way after injury
(28:13) Indian music studies with Shashi Nayak and Ali Akbar Khan
(29:49) “The Art of Is” and “Free Play”
(30:52) Buddhism, Gregory Bateson, San Franciso Zen Center, Dorland Mountain Colony
(37:53) William Blake
(41:19) writing “The Art of Is” with Jack Nachmanovitch as editor
(43:09) Herbert Zipper, documentary “Never Give Up”
(49:38) parameters in improvisation
(55:30) improvisation Leah Roseman on acoustic violin, Stephen Nachmanovitch on Violectra, waterphone and voice
(01:03:23) body awareness, working with dancers
(01:10:15) The judging specter
(01:12:17) visual cortex interaction when listening
(01:14:41) inspiration from nature, Stephen’s health problems and isolation, album “Hermitage of Thrushes” with David Rothenberg, collaborations with Ellen Burr, Anders Hagberg
(01:21:13) “Finger Kissing” and the judging specter
(01:27:15) John Cage
(01:36:47) Stephen’s wife
(01:39:29) Stephen’s advice
photo credit: Dirk Dobíey
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Brendan Power is famous internationally as a phenomenal harmonica player in many genres and also as an instrument innovator. He’s invented many unique harmonicas to increase the expressiveness and range possibilities of the instrument family, and is constantly experimenting. Brendan also has a fascinating personal story in that he discovered the harmonica in his university years, and changed his life in order to master it. He is completely self-taught and you may have heard his playing on albums with Sting, Kate Bush, Van Morrison, movies like Shanghai Noon and Atonement, or over 20 of his solo albums. I was thrilled to have this opportunity to speak with him! During the episode Brendan demonstrates a few of his harmonicas in different styles, and I’ve added timestamps below.
The video version (transcript will be added soon) is: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/brendan-power-harmonica-player-and-inventor
Brendan Power's website is: https://www.brendan-power.com/
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:12) Amazing Grace on the AsiaBend harmonica
(03:15) Discussion of the AsiaBend harmonica and different musical traditions, including Indianization of
different instruments
(07:58) Bulgarian music
(10:10) How Brendan started developing different tunings
(10:58) Brendan’s start in music, hearing Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
(12:56) Brendan’s family influences, early playing opportunities in New Zealand
(15:27) how Brendan learned by ear, understanding of harmony
(18:32) Brendan early years in England, winning the All-Ireland
(21:39) getting hired by Sting for the Ten Summoner’s Tales videos, playing with David Sanchez, Vinnie Colaiuta
(24:04) Internet history: a CD of Ten Summoner’s Tales sold in 1994 was the first secure transaction on the internet
(24:59) Lucy Randall
(25:26) Irish music Corner House jig into a reel
(28:01) retuning harmonicas, developing different harmonicas
(29:45) History of the harmonica
(31:27) using iPad for music effects, MIDI, Akai EWI, SWAM Audio Modeling
(35:43) Richter tuning, development of bending notes in the Blues, Paddy Richter tuning
(38:10) the number of harmonicas most serious players have
(41:38) pros and cons of the chromatic harmonica
(43:46) how to alter a chromatic harmonica for more expressive possibilities
(45:54) discussion of the SlipSlider and new innovations
(49:07) pros and cons of MIDI harmonicas
(51:21) Brendan’s early years learning on his own
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This is a short bonus episode in my "Inspiring Excerpts" series, featuring the wonderful violinist Kerson Leong, in which he gives great advice for not only musicians, but anyone striving to live a more meaningful and mindful life.
The full episode is here, available in podcast format and soon with the full transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e8-s1-kerson-leong-violinist
Virtuoso violinist Kerson Leong is as eloquent in his musicality as in the way he talks about music and violin playing. I trust that a broad audience will take inspiration from this wide-ranging discussion. At the beginning of the full episode we are treated to an impromptu performance of Ysayë's Allemande from Violin Sonata no. 4. This conversation was recorded June 15, 2021. Kerson has many upcoming performances, all of which can be found on his website here: https://kersonleong.com/
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In this short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series, Violinmaker Theo Marks talks about discovering these, as he calls them, “compelling wooden boxes", his childhood, learning the cello, and the craft and magic of violin making! The full episode is available in both video and podcast form, wherever you listen to podcasts, along with the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e7-s1-theo-marks-luthier On my podcast website you can sign up for my podcast newsletter to get sneak peeks of upcoming guests!
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Shahriyar Jamshidi is a Kurdish-Canadian kamanche player, composer and improvisor who grew up in Iran, and lived through some very difficult times. He has collaborated with many musicians including heavy-metal cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne in their duo Kamancello, and has released numerous albums which feature his unique improvisational style. I find his playing to be extremely expressive and his personal story compelling. In this conversation he introduces us to this spiked-fiddle, which is the ancestor of the violin, and is used across many cultures, and also speaks about the need for humanity to stay in touch with our traditional music.
Timestamps:
(00:00) intro
(01:20) description and history of the kamancheh
(10:00) first improvisation
(13:57) discussion of musical education
(19:01) discussion of microtones and modes
(24:03) demonstration of different techniques
(28:42) discussion of the use of the kamanche and it’s relation to song
(33:38) discussion about album “A Yellow Flower”
(38:51) different Kurdish languages
(41:59) growing up in Kermansheh, the political situation and ban on music
(45:03) the importance of traditional music, more about the culture and censorship
(52:42) immigration to Canada
(54:54) Banff residency
(57:15) International Society for Music Education conference in Azerbaijan
(59:48) International Society for Improvised Music, different collaborations
(1:03:23) second improvisation
(1:05:41) how Shahriyar practices and the importance of traditional music
(1:07:39) album “My Sunset Land Rojava” and the importance of music to express the most difficult emotions
(1:17:21) process and inspiration for improvising
(1:25:23) Kamancello duo with Raphael Weinroth-Browne
(1:27:17) collaborations with different musicians, Richard Robeson “Meet Me in Tangier”
(1:31:23) final improvisation
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This is a short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series, featuring the violinist Veronica Thomas. She speaks about some of the incredible outreach the unique Préville Fine Arts Centre is doing, of which she is General Director. There’s also a clip about her experience of being on the jury of the Canadian Music Competition. In the full episode, she speaks about her unique and fascinating childhood, and reflects on her life in music.
The link to the full transcript of the whole interview is here along with all the links to the video and podcast versions of the full episode, and bonus episodes as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e6-s1-veronica-thomas
Préville Fine Arts Centre: https://centrepreville.org/
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Jesse Stewart is an award-winning percussionist, scholar, composer, artist, writer, instrument-maker and community activist. In 2012 he founded “We Are All Musicians” founded on his belief that music is a fundamental human right, through which he helps create opportunites for people to make music regardless of age, musical training, socio-economic circumstance and ability. During the conversation he demonstrates how any object can be used to create interesting music, and we also get to hear him improvise on a waterphone, as well as with me on my violin, with a unique instrument which he explains. I do hope you’ll find Jesse to be as inspiring and interesting as I do! Below are timestamps for all the topics we covered. The video is close-captioned and the transcript will be published soon, at the same link on my podcast website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jesse-stewart-e13-s2-percussionist-composer-community-activist-artist-writer-instrument-builder
Jesse Stewart website: https://www.jessestewart.ca/home.html
photo credit: Michele McMillan
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:50) percussion
(03:48) waterphone
(07:06) discussion of Pulse water dripping on drum head
(09:18) intersection of visual art and music, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Gayle Young, Suzy Lake
(12:09) building a vibraphone
(14:31) Glacialis ice music
(16:43) exploring boxes and balloons, and different instruments in teaching orchestration
(26:28) studies in composition and ethnomusicology James Tenney, David Mott, Rob Bowman
(32:07) recovering from brain surgery, making videos of many different instruments and found objects like canoe paddles
(37:35) demonstration of different found objects
(42:20) snare drum compositions with demonstration of sonic exploration with wrenches
(46:06) Community activism: We Are All Musicians
(49:16) Adaptive Use Musical Instrument, Pauline Oliveros
(56:38) improv with violin, waterphone and the gongs with the AUMI
(01:100:32) Ajay Heble and upcoming book about the pedagogy of musical improvisation
(01:07:38) improv with dancers, cellist Peggy Lee, Propeller Dance, Natasha Bakht
(01:11:56) notating the drum studies, discussion of jazz drumming, Elvin Jones
(01:20:43) fond memories of playing with Kevin Breit, Matt Brubeck, David Mott, William Partker, playing for the Dalai Lama
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Diane Nalini is an incredibly nuanced jazz singer, and composer. She performs in 4 languages and teaches jazz ukulele as well. I hope you’ll join me in my fascination with the incredible range of Diane’s interests and expertise. Besides being a phenomenal musician she also is a Rhodes scholar with Phd in Applied Physics from Oxford university and presently works in environmental science policy for the Canadian government. Not only is she a great lyricist, but she has also written songs inspired by great literature including Shakespeare, in jazz, blues, gospel, folk and bossa nova styles. During this conversation, she performs some of her original songs for us, and I’ve added timestamps in the description of the episode for the many interesting topics we touched on as well as her incredible performances.
The video version is linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s2-diane-nalini
Diane Nalini's website: https://www.dianenalini.com/about/
Timestamps:
(00:00 Intro)
(00:53) Shakespeare “Songs of Sweet Fire”
(03:30) Rhodes scholar, and Chinese calligraphy and watercolour painting with Virginia Chang, Bill Evans
(08:07) paintings for “Songs of Sweet Fire”, role as album producer
(10:55) Diane’s experience as a dancer and also starting to sing jazz songs at 3 years of age, also her experience of strict piano lessons
(14:18) National Ballet School summer program experience
(15:49) first professional jazz gigs
(16:57) Science mentors at Dawson College Richard Shoemaker and John Mohamed
(17:58) intro to her baritone ukulele and “Winter Eclipse”
(19:04) Song “Winter Eclipse”
(23:13) discussion of her song “Kiss Me Like That” and astronomy
(26:18) Diane’s work for Environment, Climate Change Canada
(28:13) discussion of her song “The Last Hurrah”
(29:50) discussion of the challenges for individuals to limit consumption
(34:48) jazz ukulele, Diane’s YouTube Ukulele for Jazz Singers, her workshops and teaching
(39:48) teaching and performing online, connecting with people worldwide
(41:37) learning Portuguese
(47:23) Syncspace Live with husband Adrian Cho
(56:00) some advantages to online teaching
(58:02) introduction to song “Le Tournesol”
(58:58) Song “Le Tournesol”
(01:02:01) discussion about languages, etymology, Diane’s father
(01:06:13) singing Schubert Lieder, learning German
(01:10:52) turning down a recording contract offer, balancing a life in Science and Music
(01:14:39) producing her first album, the process of putting together albums
(01:16:34) making new musical connections in England, joining a salsa band
(01:22:04) Diane’s ukulele made by Luis Feu de Mesquita, also history of the ukulele
(01:29:36) Future Perfect album, pandemic challenges, new songs
(01:33:42) Diane’s creative process and memory for music
(01:38:19) Diane’s music in movies and tv shows
(01:41:01) how listeners interpret songs so differently, including her song “After Dusk”
photo credit: Adrian Cho
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I'm re-releasing my very first episode, recorded May 27, 2021 with the wonderful nyckelharpa player, violinist, teacher, and composer Kirsty Money.
During the episode she plays some wonderful music for us and shares some charming stories about how she got to know this beautiful and unusual instrument. All of these episodes are also in video format, and I have also published the complete transcript of this episode. Video, transcript and short bonus episodes are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1kirstymoney
photo credit: Hamish Gordon
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I speak with Elaine Klimasko, who is a Canadian violinist who joined the newly-formed National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1969 as the youngest member, and is well-known as a teacher. Her students are very frequently winners of competitions and hold important positions as chamber and orchestral musicians all over North America. In 2003 NACO Music Director Pinchas Zukerman asked her to launch the first Junior Young Artists Programme for the NAC Summer Music Institute. In this episode she tells many stories from her life, and about some legendary teachers she studied with including Josef Gingold and Lorand Fenyves. She reflects on her long career, from the perspectives of a teacher and as a player. Timestamps are listed below!
Every episode is also available as a video, the link is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/elaine-klimasko-e11-s2-violinist-and-teacher
Elaine Klimasko: "But I do say to all of my students though, if you think that playing in a symphony orchestra is secondary, that's the worst thing you could be thinking because the joy of orchestral playing, and I'm sure you feel the same way, Leah, is, there's nothing in life to me that compares with that. When you're playing one of those grand symphonies and that buildup a crescendo and you hear the horns and the French horns... I mean, I'm just covered in goosebumps. In my seventies still, and I don't know of any other profession that makes you feel that way. Maybe a doctor delivering a baby. I don't know. But it's pretty special."
Timestamps
( 00:00) Intro
( 00:51) Joining the National Arts Centre Orchestra
( 12:29) music festivals like Kiwanis
(13:04) dealing with stagefright
(15:18) more about John Moskalyk
(19:12) Lorand Fenyves
( 23:08) perfect pitch
(25:52) Josef Gingold
( 31:52) violin teaching
( 33:42) music festivals
(37:15) mentoring students who go on as professional musicians
( 41:46) the joy of orchestral playing
( 42:33) advice for orchestral auditions
(45:07) the role of orchestral players in educational outreach
( 46:46) the Young Artists Program with Pinchas Zukerman
( 51:08) Pinchas Zukerman
(55:23) story about Jascha Heifetz
( 56:08) chamber music
( 59:07) history of the NAC and Hamilton Southam
(01:02:00) advice for serious players about buying instruments and bows
( 01:07:15) reflections on teaching
( 01:12:14 )building audiences for the future
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This short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series is with Québecois traditional fiddler Alexis Chartrand, created from clips from Episode 5 Season 1. We first hear Alexis perform a jig by Josef Allard. Alexis learned a lot from playing with dancers from a young age, and In the next clips you’ll hear him discuss both groove and ornamentation in traditional Quebecois fiddling.
The full transcript is now available, and the links to the full episode in both podcast and video format (with timestamps in the descriptions) are all here: https://leahroseman.com/blog/alexis-chartrand-e5-s1-transcript
Alexis Chartrand: "I learned a lot from step dancers, listening to the sound of their feet, to the inherent groove that they've developed. To me that's really the basis of my practice of the bow, all of the rhythms that we have to summon with the traditional style of bowing."
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Megan Jerome is a really special musician with a wonderful creative voice. In this episode you’ll hear her perform some of the songs from her new up-coming album, which will be the seventh album of her original compositions. We also talk about her unique and inspiring teaching style, her experiences through some very difficult personal losses, some ways she has found healing and connection, and her song-writing process. Timestamps below.
Every episode is available in video format: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/megan-jerome-e10-s2
Megan Jerome: "And the thing is, what I encourage people to do is, "Don't do the competitions. Don't do anything like that. You can set up a venue in your living room. You can set up a venue anywhere. There's room for everyone. There are so many potential venues. There are so many people who love music. There's so much room." That's one of the big thing, this idea that there's room for one person, this is a real fallacy. It's nothing like that. Artists are friends. We're not competing with each other. We're on the same side. But that's in my view. You know what I mean? Those are the people that work for me. A community really works. Who's your community? Go to their shows. They'll come to your show."
photo credit: Allan Dean Photography
Timestamps:
(00:00:32) intro to song “Flora”
(00:03:52) song-writing process
(00:09:43) creating “Home Brew”
(00:12:00) song “Home Brew”
(00:16:28) childhood and family
(00:18:10) learning piano, accordion
(00:24:01) The Together Ensemble, husband Mike Essoudry
(00:27:33) Julia Cameron “The Artist Way”, Sonia Choquette, home life
(00:29:52) Megan’s way of practicing
(00:31:13) Teaching
(00:36:06) teaching improvisation and encouraging creativity
(00:40:57) teaching online strategies
(00:46:33) New Orleans and dealing with grief
(01:04:37) why did she study mining engineering?
(01:09:11) advice for singer-songwriters
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This short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series has clips from E4 S1 with erhu player, educator, and author Patty Chan.
The links for both video and podcast versions of the original conversation as well as the complete transcript, are on my podcast website: http://leahroseman.com/blog/e4-s1-patty-chan-transcript-links-for-podcast-and-video
photo credit: SG Won
Patty Chan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHGmYuiO7Wx-OMpmDgn9_A
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In this short bonus episode, you'll hear clips from the conversation I had with the amazing award-winning singer, song-writer and motivational speaker, Kellylee Evans. You'll also hear short clips from the performance she gave of "Feelin' Good", one of the most-requested songs in her repertoire, by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse.
For the complete episode in both video and podcast format, as well as the complete transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/kellylee-evans-transcript-podcast-and-video-e4-s2
For everything Kellylee Evans: https://kellyleeevans.com
photo credit: Phantom Productions
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At the end of E9 S2, my conversation with the incredible cellist Rachel Mercer, you will find Rachel's heartfelt introduction to this inspiring performance which she made for this podcast. I have added it here as a special bonus episode in case listeners wish to listen to it again without having to scroll through the interview. For those listeners who have discovered this recording separately from the interview, I invite you to listen to Rachel's perspectives on her life and career. You can find both the video and podcast versions here: https://leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s2-rachel-mercer
To learn more about Rachel and her recordings, including solo Bach, and many projects: http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/
photo credit: David Leyes
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In this conversation with the really inspiring cellist, Rachel Mercer, we discuss the arc of her career so far as a chamber musician, soloist, principal cellist, the late Yehonatan Berick, an amazing violinist and pedagogue, who was her life partner, "Our Strength, Our Song" with her sister, the wonderful violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner and many other chamber music collaborations and unique projects, as well as her way of approaching music. Rachel very generously made a special recording of the Prelude from J.S. Bach's fifth solo suite in C minor BWV 1011, and her heartfelt introduction to the power of this music is right after our conversation, so please keep listening till the end! There are timestamps below, and the Bach with her introduction is also a separate bonus episode.
Rachel Mercer: “I think at some point I felt that playing scales was not helping my music making because it was so rigorous in the way I was doing it. It just didn't relate to because I really want to have every possibility of expression available to me and that does not come from physically playing my instrument. That comes from my imagination and then I hear or feel a sound in my head. How am I going to make it? And I don't learn that from playing the studies and scales. I learn that from hearing it and figuring out physically how to make it. I have a piece of music I need to learn. First, I study the score. If there's a recording, I listen to the recording because I want to hear the big picture and what it really means and what I'm trying to for. I never take out a piece of music and just start learning the notes and rhythm unless it's something...Actually, no, I don't do that because it just gets me into too small a focus. I want the big picture of the end game, what I'm going for and then it's learning that and then focusing in and making sure the details fit as much as possible by the day of the performance.”
This podcast is available on many platforms including Spotify, Google, Apple, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor and more, as well as in video format, and all the episodes are having transcripts added. Everthing is linked on my podcast website: https://www.leahroseman.com/
To learn more about Rachel, her recordings and current projects: http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/
Photo credit: David Leyes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:24) Bonjour Strad and other cellos through Canada Council
(06:19) Baroque performance practice influences and Anner Bylsma
(11:41) Vriendenkrans competition and playing in the Concertgebouw
(13:44) debut solo record “Room”
(15:13) Ernst Reijseger
(16:10) Rachel’s studies with different teachers including Shauna Rolston, Laurence Lesser,Dmitri Ferschtman
(21:10) Aviv Quartet, experiences in South Africa and Israel
(24:49) Yehonatan Berick
(28:38) the influences of many different teachers
(30:13) Ilona Feher, Yehonatan’s teacher
(31:34) Rachel’s obaasan and the experience of Japanese Canadian families internment during the Second World War
(34:18) Rachel’s sister violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner
(36:05) Return to Canada and a career as a chamber musician
(37:59) “Mosaïque Project” with Ensemble Made in Canada
(40:18) Playing orchestral auditions
(43:58) Pre-concert routine and mindfulness
(46:22) Dream journals and realizing projects
(47:34) album “Our Strength, Our Song” with sister Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner
(50:06) Rachel’s way of practicing and learning music
(55:08) Advice and inspiration from the younger generations of musicians
(57:10) Rachel’s introduction to the Bach
(59:03) Prelude from J.S. Bach’s fifth solo suite in C minor BWV 1011
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I have re-released this in video format for those who follow this podcast on Spotify! Here’s my very first interview of this podcast, recorded May 27, 2021 over Zoom, I spoke with Kirsty Money about her nyckelharpa journey and she demonstrates this beautiful instrument for us, as well as shares some charming stories about how she learned about the nyckelharpa. She plays some Bach, a traditional Swedish tune, and one of her own compositions, The Grind Polska. As a separate bonus, at the end of this video you can hear our improv together.
If you're not on Spotify, the video is available on my YouTube, and is linked on my website: leahroseman.com
For Kirsty's new album, released 2022: https://kirstymoney.bandcamp.com/releases
For those of you who want to study or learn more about Kirsty: https://kirstymoney.ca/ Here’s her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuDe...
photo credit: Hamish Gordon
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This is a short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series, from E3 S2 with guest Sophie Lukacs, the kora player, singer and songwriter. You'll hear a short clip of her performance of a traditional tune "Jula Jegere", you'll hear her explain about the kora a bit, and then you'll hear her talk about her unique personal journey, leaving medical school to go live in Mali and immerse herself in the culture and master the kora. Finally, you'll hear a clip of her original song, "Falling".
Links to the full episode in both video and podcast format along with the full transcript: www.leahroseman.com/blog/e3-s2-sophie-lukacs-transcript
To learn more about Sophie and her current projects: https://www.sophielukacs.com/
photo credit: Christina Alonso
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In this short bonus episode, violinist and Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Canada Yosuke Kawasaki gives wonderful advice for musicians playing orchestral auditions, which I think applies to everyone in their lives about being aware of our strengths. Also in this short episode, he tells us about some of his memorable experiences studying with the legendary Doronthy Delay. The full episode is available in both podcast and video formats, along with the full transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/e3-s1-transcript-yosuke-kawasaki
photo credit: Rémi Thériault
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I was really honoured to have this opportunity to sit down and talk with the dynamic conductor, composer, multi-instrumentalist and radio host of CBC's CentreStage, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. We explored many interesting and important ideas around creating spaces for diverse audiences, amateur versus professional musicians, LGBTQ rights, his project with the drag queen Thorgy Thor, the lost music of Florence Price, and wonderful advice not only for conductors, but for everyone seeking more balance and meaning in their lives. Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser: "Your specific nerdy interests, I believe will be of use and value to the orchestras of the communities that you serve. That would be one thing. For conductors, I would say study languages. If I were to give practical advice, I'm just going to scatter shot a bunch of practical advice. Learning languages is important, not just because of the ability to read scores or read books of languages, but just be able to think in a different way and to have a breadth of knowledge that's like not a triangle, but a pyramid. I think that's really important for a conductor. I think as a conductor, it's really important to listen and I mean, listen, capital L, not just listen to music, but listen to people, because ultimately what a conductor needs to be able to do the best is listen. Listen to what the orchestra's playing, listen to what your players are saying in committee meetings, listen to what the marketing people are saying, listening to what your community is saying, your community stakeholders, listening to what the board is saying, listening to what the donors are saying, taking all of this in, holding it, ruminating with it, looking at it from different facets, and being able to hold everything that is in orchestra and being an art leader in a community and observe it and being able to have it affect you. And then also having enough of a grounded center of other things, like airline marketing and car design, to be able to put it over here and come back to it. But being able to listen and take things in is ultimately the job of a conductor, being able to listen under pressure and take things in. And you can do that anywhere, at any time, really focusing your listening, whether it's people speaking to you or the composer speaking or the orchestra.” Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser: "So I think it's important that we have those spaces for different parts of the community, right? That we have those spaces for people who have heard Beethoven Five 10 times and it's their favorite symphony and they want hear it played just absolutely the best we possibly can do it. And people who want to come and hear old classics of modern rock perform with an orchestra, because it sounds really fun and it's cool and they can wear their jeans, fantastic space for that. Space for people that have kids that are on the spectrum and maybe the parents used to love... Maybe they played in band or they played youth orchestra, and now because their kid needs so much attention, they can't because they're worried, "Is my kid going to vocalize to this concert? No, we have a space for you as well too. Maybe it's only twice a year, maybe it's only two or three times a year that we can provide that space, but we will provide that space. We see you there, right? I don't know that every orchestra's going to... Like, honestly, I don't know that every orchestra is going to be able to provide for every single aspect of the community, right? Because of 8,000 reasons. But at least we can try, at least we can try. We won't be able to be everything to all people, but we should start expanding." Daniel currently holds positions with the San Francisco Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the National Arts Centre Canada. His current projects can be found here: https://www.danielbartholomewpoyser.com/bio Photo Credit: Benjamin Delarivière
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I was thrilled to have a fascinating chat with the inspiring and innovative multi-style violinist/vocalist, author, composer, producer and educator Julie Lyonn Lieberman. I first learned about her when I bought her book You Are Your Instrument, which was the first book written about how to overcome and prevent musicians’ overuse injuries. In this conversation we discuss her unique path through world music, some of the research she’s done for her book and radio programs, illuminating the history of slave fiddlers and the evolution of improvised string playing in the United States. She gives some wonderful advice about following your own path, and at the end, she plays two tunes in different styles.
This episode in video form is here: https://youtu.be/EZAI6ag9hB8
My podcast website: https://www.leahroseman.com/
JULIE’S BOOKS AND DVDs https://julielyonnmusic.ecwid.com
STRINGS WITHOUT BOUNDARIES Multi-Style Video Library https://www.stringswithoutboundaries.com/video-library.html
IMPROVISED VIOLIN Documentary https://vimeo.com/117067048
Julie Lyonn Lieberman String Archives https://julielyonn.com/string-archives/
D’Addario workshops with Julie: https://daddario.formstack.com/forms/...
photo credit: Leonard Cascia
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In this Inspiring Excerpts short bonus episode you'll hear violinist, educator and entrepreneur Lynn Kuo talk about dealing with her playing injuries while writing her DMA thesis at University of Toronto while working as the Assistant Concertmaster of the National Ballet Orchestra, some lessons learned from Lorand Fenyves, and her perspectives on new opportunities for Classical musicians online.
The full episode is E2 S2.
It's also available in video format: https://youtu.be/9E8XeqwBCUg
The Transcript for the full episode is also available to read on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/e2-s2-lynn-kuo-transcript
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This is a short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series, with violinist and vocalist Carissa Klopoushak who is a member of National Arts Centre Orchestra and Ironwood Quartet, and the Artistic Director of Ottawa Chamberfest and Co-director of both Ritornello Chamber Music Festival and Classical Unbound Festival . In this short video we are treated to Carissa's singing and violin playing, around our discussion of her Ukrainian roots. All these podcast epsiodes are available in video format, the link for E2 S1 is here: https://youtu.be/CGVnchkp1IM and the full transcript has been published on my website here: leahroseman.com/blog/e2-s1-carissa-klopoushak-transcript
photo credit: Bo Huang
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This interview really had to be a longer one because Josh just does so much creatively, and I had so much I wanted to ask him about! We start with his remix of Curried Soul for CBC radio's daily show As It Happens, and circle around to topics (timestamped below) including: sampling, Yiddish culture, changes in the industry from when he got his start selling CDs mail-order to touring internationally and collaborating with many musicians, including the funk legend Fred Wesley, David Krakauer, Kiran Ahulwalia, Itzhak Perlman, Theodore Bikel, writing musical theatre, puppets, art...here's a chance for all of us to get to know the creative force known as Josh "Socalled" Dolgin. (if you're wondering about his stage name, you should watch the NFB movie https://www.nfb.ca/film/socalled_movie/ ) Josh is starting to tour again, check for dates: https://www.socalledmusic.com/To watch the Seasons puppet musicals (mentioned in the conversation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjCTYWNwa4
All of these episodes are available in video format as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e6-s2-josh-socalled-dolgin
(00:00) Intro
(1:16) Curried Soul remix and Moe Koffman
(5:44) Sampling, hip hop
(13:37) The Socalled Seder album and changes in the industry
(17:46) Di Frosh show Yiddish songs with string quartet
(19:45) Kurt Weill
(21:26) old Yiddish song archives, Yiddish Book Center
(32:55) Tales from Odessa
(43:29) The Seasons Puppet musicals
(46:38) Learning Music
(51:13) Fred Wesley
(1:01) Perspectives on his career
(1:06) Yiddish Culture Cruise and Yiddish Revival
(1:17:20) Josh’s amazing drawings
(1:23) Itzhak Perlman
(1:26:40) Theodore Bikel
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In this short bonus episode you'll hear short clips from my conversation with jazz violinist and vocalist Eva Slongo. She lets us listen in a little to her creative process, and she speaks about her journey from being a classical violinist to the world of jazz, and learning to be an improvisor.
If you enjoyed this, please have a listen to the complete episode! This is also available as a video: https://youtu.be/50MC5GUTpcc
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Nyckelharpa player Kirsty Money introduces us to this beautiful instrument in this short bonus episode . She also performs one of her original tunes, The Grind Polska. This is compiled from excerpts from the original episode, which is also in video format, available here: https://youtu.be/qCUR7qhj_dk
For more about Kirsty and her current projects: http://kirstymoney.ca/about/
If you enjoyed this, please listen to the full episode and share this so more listeners can find out about this podcast and video series, with a really interesting mix of musicians, talking about their lives and careers, with perspectives on overcoming challenges, and finding inspiration and connection through a life so enriched by music.
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In Episode 5 Season 2, I spoke with the renowned bassoon player Christopher Millard about many topics, including many fascinating insights into the orchestra profession, the physics of sound production on both the bassoon and violin, great advice on how best to practice music, the legendary flutist Marcel Moyse and much more. Timestamps listed below! You can watch the video version of this episode with English subtitles here: https://youtu.be/yDDgNpho6hE
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro and Chris' Podcasts
(04:14) Advice for music students
(10:19) CBC radio orchestra
(13:03) Making reeds
(17:20) Physics of sound production on bassoon and violin
(27:44) Woodwind mechanisms and repair
(30:19) All thumbs: special bassoon challenges
(32:01) Advantages of studying jazz
(37:19) Musicians' difficulty with retiring
(39:35) Conductors (also see below about World Orchestra for Peace with Gergiev)
(42:35) National Youth Orchestra
(44:48) Marcel Moyse: legendary Flute teacher and mentor
(55:33) World Orchestra for Peace with Gergiev
(59:19) The Neuroscience of practicing music better!
https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/christopher-millard https://councilofcanadianbassoonists.ca/project/reed-making-by-christopher-millard-introduction-and-chapter-1-the-craftsman/
You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts
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In this episode we hear the incredible award-winning singer Kellylee Evans talk about her life and some of the challenges she has faced in her life, including two near-death experiences. She talks about her upbringing, her journey to jazz, her creative process, and much more. She is such a wonderfully engaging person, and I hope this episode will help listeners feel inspired by her story. We talk about her new album Greenlight and many of her other projects. Near the end of the episode at 43:00 we are gifted with an incredible a capella performance of one of the most-requested songs in her repertoire, Feelin' Good by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse.
All her current projects are here: http://www.kellyleeevans.com/
All of these episodes are also available in video format, which are in the process of being made more accessible with English captions. The link to this episode is here: https://youtu.be/7BGTT3-sbDI
You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts and the RSS feed.
Kellylee Evans: “And then I was interested at that time in minority rights and representation and in legal philosophy. And so I was doing my masters of arts in law. My parents, their hope I think would've been just like most immigrant parents a lawyer, doctor, engineer. And I tried to... I wasn't trying that hard though to really be a lawyer. I really was hiding in school. My goal was to just keep my head down and stay here as long as possible. Because school is awesome, and if you figured out the path, if you know what to do, you attend, you finish the assignments, you hand them in. You do the reading, you get a mark, everybody's happy. That's something that's very doable, I think if you can just follow the script. But real life outside of school is scary. And the music industry, what's the path?”
This interview series follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music? The format is in-depth conversations prepared with lots of research and many episodes also feature the guests playing music. I speak to musicians playing in different styles of music, different instruments, and with really different careers. In Season One, I spoke with quite famous soloists like violinists James Ehnes and Kerson Leong, and also with erhu player Patty Chan and composers Hooshyar Khayam and Roddy Ellias about creativity, carnatic violinist Subhadra Vijaykumar about the Indianisation of the violin, violinist Alicia Svigals about the Klezmer revival, trumpet player Karen Donnelly about women in the brass world, and so much more, with 20 full episodes, and many bonus episodes. Season 2 has a similar diversity of guests, with many topics covered including personal struggles, the entrepreneurial aspects of the music business, advice on how to practice and how better to tap into creativity.
Please follow and stay notified of all the new episodes!
Photo credit: Phantom Productions
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Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music?In my interview with the kora player, singer and violinist Sophie Lukacs we hear her very unique and personal story and also learn about this beautiful instrument. She plays a traditional tune for us and also a couple of her original songs from her new album. To find out more about her recent projects, albums, teaching and more: https://www.sophielukacs.com/
You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts and also watch the video format on my YouTube, which is in the process of being made more accessible with English captions.The video version of this conversation is here: https://youtu.be/fg7R4Lol-6M
The format for this podcast is in-depth conversations prepared with lots of research and many episodes also feature the guests playing music. I speak to musicians playing in different styles of music, different instruments, and with really different careers.
photo credit: Christina Alonso
Please share and follow to be notified of new episodes!
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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leah-roseman/message
Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music? The format is in-depth conversations prepared with lots of research and many episodes also feature the guests playing music. I speak to musicians playing in different styles of music, different instruments, and with really different careers.
In Season One, I spoke with quite famous soloists like violinists James Ehnes and Kerson Leong, and also with erhu player Patty Chan and composers Hooshyar Khayam and Roddy Ellias about creativity, carnatic violinist Subhadra Vijaykumar about the Indianisation of the violin, violinist Alicia Svigals about the Klezmer revival, trumpet player Karen Donnelly about women in the brass world, and so much more, with 20 full episodes, and many bonus episodes. Season 2 has a similar diversity of guests, with many topics covered including personal struggles, the entrepreneurial aspects of the music business, advice on how to practice and how better to tap into creativity.
You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts and also watch the video format on my YouTube, which is in the process of being made more accessible with English captions.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leah-roseman/message
In Episode 2, Season 2 of "Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman" I speak with the wonderful violinist and educator Lynn Kuo. In this wide-ranging discussion we covered a lot of topics, some of which include: injury prevention, performance anxiety, lessons learned and advice for musicians in a post-pandemic world. To follow Lynn or get in touch with her about her current courses and workshops: https://lynnkuo.com/
The full transcript and video format for this episode are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e2s2lynnkuo
photo credit: Dave Howells
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I speak with the wonderful Swiss-French Jazz violinist, singer, and pedagogue Eva Slongo. She kindly shared some of her playing with us during the Zoom call. During the conversation we talk about her background as a classical violinist, her journey into jazz and we touch on many topics including playing injuries, her studies at Le Centre des Musique Didier Lockwood, and some of the challenges faced by women in jazz. For her albums, jazz courses and more: https://www.evaslongo.com This series is available in video, and this episode is linked here: https://youtu.be/V0WI7uSAJXE Season 1 had 20 episodes, with many short bonus episodes as well, and Season 2 will feature a similar range of diverse musicians and their personal stories of a life in music. photo credit: Natali Voitkevich
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Recorded June 8 2021 , I have remastered this episode since there were problems with the sound. It's really interesting to hear about his unique upbringing in a family of musicians, and his personal journey to become a violin-family maker. This was recorded when luthier Theo Marks was still living outside of Amsterdam. He now lives in Wakefield Quebec and if you're interested in purchasing one of his violins, violas or cellos you can contact him through his website: http://www.theomarks.com/ The beautiful documentary about his brother Paolo Marks, a fellow luthier in West Virginia, is found here: ( In it he demonstrates all the steps of building a violin) https://video.wvpublic.org/video/make...
The link to the remastered video version of this episode is here: https://youtu.be/p7cykVSOF_A
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In the 20th and final episode of Season 1 I speak with Arna Einarsdóttir who was at the time the Managing Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada.In 2022 she accepted a new appointment with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden as their Director of Planning. Previously she was the Managing Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Earlier in her career she worked as a flutist, playing with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra from 2000-2004. In this wide-ranging conversation, Arna's warmth and engagement really come through. It is really interesting to hear her perspectives due to her involvement with the orchestral world in very different roles.
I've started recording Season 2, which will be released in January. Please subscribe and share!
This conversation was recorded over Zoom September 14, 2021. Small edits were done collaboratively for clarity and length.
The original video versions of this series are here, featuring a broad variety of wonderful musicians: https://youtube.com/playlist?
photo credit: Hilmar Hilmarsson
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In Episode 19 Season 1, I was delighted to welcome the inspiring musician Hooshyar Khayam to my home, to improvise and speak about his perspectives on improvisation, the music of Central Asia, the Middle East and Western Classical music. We speak about some of his beautiful recordings in his large discography, and his creative process. He also speaks about his role as founder and producer of Tehran Records. http://hooshyar-khayam.com/site/
I include one of the improvisations we played as a bonus episode; unfortunately there were some technical issues recording some of the other improvisations we played together.
The original video versions for this series on my YouTube channel is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
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I was honoured to have this opportunity to improvise with Hooshyar Khayam. Unfortunately, we had a few technical issues with recording some of the other improvisations we did before our conversation. This is a bonus episode as part of my interview with Hooshyar, Episode 19, Season 1 of Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman. The original video version of this series l is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
http://hooshyar-khayam.com/site/
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I really enjoyed my conversation with the inspiring multi-style violinist Gina Burgess. During the episode she plays a couple of her original tunes, and at the end we did an improv back-and-forth across our Zoom call.
Gina is a founding member of the Iqaluit-based Arctic rock band The Jerry Cans, is a four-time ECMA award winner with the gypsy-jazz outfit Gypsophilia, she fronts her own klezmer band Der Heisser, is is a regular collaborator in flamenco and Arabic music ensembles. Gina has toured Europe twice over with Tim Crabtree’s atmospheric ensemble; Paper Beat Scissors, and with folk-pop artist Gabrielle Papillon. Along with The Jerry Cans, Gina has performed and conducted youth workshops in Canada, Australia, Greenland, New Zealand, and Europe. https://www.ginaburgessmusic.com/ Instagram @ginaburgess.violin Facebook Gina Burgess Music
The original video version of all of this series is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY...
photo credit: Jennifer Lane, One Right Lane Photography
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After my conversation with Peggy Lee, Cellist, I had the pleasure to play an improvisation with her over our Zoom call. Due to the nature of this style of improvisation, we were able to play at the same time, without the latency affecting things too much.
The video version of this is here: https://youtu.be/a4cN3LXsWdM
Photo credit: Rita Taylor
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I speak with the innovative cellist, improvisor and composer Peggy Lee, who is a band-leader and sought-after collaborator in Vancouver, Canada. Peggy collaborates frequently with Ron Samworth and Tony Wilson and with her husband, drummer Dylan van der Schyff, as well as with many other longtime musical associates including Dave Douglas, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, Veda Hille and Lisa Miller. She also leads or co-leads a number of musical projects: The Peggy Lee Band, Film in Music, Waxwing (with Tony Wilson and Jon Bentley) and Beautiful Tool (with Mary Margaret O’Hara). She has also collaborated extensively in theatre and dance with companies and artists such as Ruby Slippers, Rumble Theatre, Presentation House, David Hudgins, Peter Bingham and Delia Brett. In 2005, Peggy received the Freddie Stone Award for integrity and innovation in music and in 2010 she was awarded a Jesse Richardson Theatre Award for outstanding composition. http://www.peggylee.net/about-peggy.html
The original video versions of this series are here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
As a bonus episode, you can hear me play a free improvisation with her.
photo credit: Rita Taylor
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Jack Everly is well-known to audiences throughout the United States and Canada for his Symphonic Pops programs, conducting and charismatic storytelling during which he imparts his wealth of knowledge. In this lively conversation we discuss his distinguished career and perspectives. https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/jack-everly
Photo credit: Paul Morigi
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This was the second little improv I had the opportunity to play with the great klezmer musician Alicia Sviagas. Please check out the main Episode 15, Season 1 for our conversation, and the links to her various projects and performances.
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In Episode 15 of this series was honoured to speak with one of the world's foremost Klezmer musicians. Alicia was a founding member of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, she also played a major role in the revival of klezmer fiddling, which had been on the brink of extinction until she recorded her debut album Fidl in the 1990’s. Alicia is so engaging both as a player and conversationalist, and she's full of stories from her life and career.
The original video version of this series is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
Below are links to some of the projects we discuss in the interview, as well as the link to her website, where you can find current performances and other projects: https://aliciasvigals.com/home
Beregovski Suite album - https://uligeissendoerfer.bandcamp.com/album/beregovski-suite
The Ancient Law DVD - https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Law-Alte-Gesetz-Blu-ray/dp/B07BC6JZ64
City Without Jews DVD. https://www.amazon.com/City-Without-Flicker-Alley-Blu-ray/dp/B089774K24
Beregovski sheet music: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Jewish-Folk-Music-Collections/dp/0815628684
Photo credit: Thierry Arsenault
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Alicia Svigals kindly agreed to to play a couple of improvisations with me, after my fascinating interview with her. Here's the first.
The original video version of all of these conversations are here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
Photo credit: Thierry Arsenault
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Subhadra loves to teach people about the Indianisation of the violin, and in this conversation we get to hear her beautiful playing quite a bit, as she plays and demonstrates some of the guiding principles of the Carnatic style. She teaches both online and in her studio in Mississauga (in the Greater Toronto Area) Canada. To study or perform with Subhadra, and for more information about her: https://www.rcmusic.com/bios/subhadra-vijaykumar
Radha Academy of Carnatic Violin | Facebook
subhadra vijaykumar site:youtube.com - Google Search
The original video versions of all of these conversations are here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
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In this wide-ranging conversation with Ellen Waterman we discuss her career and perspectives, both as a creative improvisor with flute and voice, and as a scholar. At the end treats us to a solo improv. She was appointed to the inaugural Helmut Kallmann Chair for Music in Canada at Carleton University in 2019 where she is developing a research program committed to investigating issues of diversity and decolonization of music in Canada through scholarship, research creation, and experiential learning.http://www.ellenwaterman.ca/ https://carleton.ca/music/people/ellen-waterman/In a separate video you can hear our improv together.
This was recorded July 21, 2021 via Zoom Photo credit: Michael Waterman
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I had lots of fun trying a creative improvisation with Ellen Waterman. This video is a bonus connected with our conversation, Episode 13 Season 1
Because of this style of improv, we were able to play at the same time, but unfortunately Zoom sometimes silenced a quieter voice.
You can see the original video on my YouTube at https://youtu.be/Z5vELfC1O8Y
This was recorded July 21, 2021 over Zoom.
http://www.ellenwaterman.ca/
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Jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias talks to me about his creative process, artistic development, some current and past projects, reflections on the pandemic and more. In a separate bonus to this episode, we play an improvisation. The original video versions of all of these episodes is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
Roddy's recordings, performances and teaching studio are linked on his website here: https://www.roddyellias.com/
Peggy White guitars: https://www.peggywhite.ca/
Photo credit: Evan Shaw
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I'm extremely new at any kind of improvisation, and I was delighted when Roddy Ellias agreed to try some improv with me across
our Zoom call (it's impossible to play in sync on Zoom, so it's mostly call-and-response). Please listen to my conversation with Roddy in the main Episode 12!
The original video version of all these episodes are here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
photo credit: Evan Shaw
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Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music? In Episode 11, Season 1, I was honoured to speak at length with James Ehnes about his career, collaborations, current projects, and his approach with practice and preparation for concerts.
You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts and also watch the video format on my YouTube, which is in the process of being made more accessible with English captions.The original video for this series is available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
Please follow the podcast and be notified of all the new episodes!
photo credit: Benjamin Ealovega
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Aaron Schwebel and I had fun for about 5 minutes, as he said doing a "free association game".
We filmed this across Zoom, in different cities, and during a strict lockdown in our province in Canada.
Moments like this can really help with a feeling of connection - and for classical players like us, it's really freeing to try to
play freely like this.
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In tandem to my conversation with Aaron, Episode 10 Season 1, as part of my "Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman" series, he agreed to play this beautiful third movement from Bach's incredible Third Solo Sonata. Aaron Schwebel currently holds the positions of Concertmaster with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the Canadian Opera Company. Schwebel is a member of the LARK ensemble and Rosebud String Quartet, and is founder/artistic director of Echo Chamber Toronto, a series that merges chamber music and contemporary dance. We talk about his many and varied experiences, in terms of his development and his career.
The original video versions of all of these episodes are here on my YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
photo credit: Bo Huang
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ANALYTICS
EDIT VIDEO
Aaron Schwebel currently holds the positions of Concertmaster with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the Canadian Opera Company. Schwebel is a member of the LARK ensemble and Rosebud String Quartet, and is founder/artistic director of Echo Chamber Toronto, a series that merges chamber music and contemporary dance. We talk about his many and varied experiences, in terms of his development and his career. In separate bonus episodes you can hear him play some solo Bach, and we also do a little improv back and forth across the Zoom platform.The original video version is here: https://youtu.be/L7ZG8W6JOrk
photo credit: Bo Huang
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Free improvisation (in fact, any style of improv) is very new to both of us, but we had fun with this little back-and-forth across Zoom.
This is a bonus episode connected to my fascinating interview with Karen, Episode 9 Season 1.
All the links for information about Karen are in the main Episode 9: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s1-karen-donnelly-trumpet-player
photo credit: Fred Cattroll
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Karen Donnelly is the Principal Trumpet player of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, and a well-known educator. In this episode, we get to hear Karen's beautiful playing, and I talk to her about her background, her work with the Canadian Women's Brass Collective , some of her unique outreach work and her resilient practice routine! There's also a bonus episode in this playlist on this channel in which you can hear us do a free improvisation. https://canadianwomensbrasscollective...Here's Karen in a fanfare she wrote: https://youtu.be/srJjP1VHNjg https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/karen-donnelly https://arts.uottawa.ca/music/people/...
The video versions for all of these conversations can be found on my YouTube channel ViolinLessonOnline, in a dedicated playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z
Photo credit: Fred Cattroll
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I was thrilled to have this fascinating conversastion with virtuoso violinist Kerson Leong, who is as eloquent in his musicality as in the way he talks about music and violin playing. I trust that a broad audience will take inspiration from this wide-ranging discussion. At the beginning, we are treated to an impromptu performance of Ysayë's Allemande from Violin Sonata no. 4. This conversation was recorded June 15, 2021 over Zoom. Kerson has many upcoming performances, all of which can be found on his website here: https://kersonleong.com/
The original video version is here: https://youtu.be/oW_xuHc_6v8
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SHOW LESS Violinist Veronica Thomas talks about her diverse career, her musicial training, her inspiring mother Belva Boroditsky Thomas, and the wonderful work the Centre Préville is doing, including their uniquely flexible and high-quality video-conferencing platform and the incredible arts outreach they've been doing with remote Indigenous communities and more. She is General Director of the Préville Fine Arts Centre which her mother started in 1974. https://centrepreville.org/
Her mother's memoir is available in print or here: https://books.google.ca/books?id=7D48...
This was recorded June 10, 2021.
The video version of this conversation is here: https://youtu.be/QTnc_gmlnZ0
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After my conversation with Alexis Chartrand, during which we are treated to 3 of his poetic interpretations of traditional tunes, he agreed to do a little improvisation with me. To hear lots more of Alexis and learn all about him, see the notes for Season 1, Episode 5.
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We get to hear some beautifully realized traditional tunes from Québec from traditional fiddler Alexis Chartrand. He talks very thoughtfully and about his background as a son of dancers, his explorations of tone colour with baroque violin, his upcoming performances at a number of festivals this summer, and some of his musical influences and inspiration. Links to video and bonus (soon with transcript): https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e5-s1-alexis-chartrand-fiddler
Timestamps:
(Timestamp) 00:00 intro
(Timestamp) 00:29 Jig by Joseph Allard
(Timestamp) 02:19 discussion of amplification in traditional music
(Timestamp) 04:46 influence of dance, Alexis’ parents who are dance researchers Annie-Marie Gardette and Pierre Chartrand
(Timestamp) 08:02 discussion of foot percussion and groove
(Timestamp) 12:57 baroque violin
(Timestamp) 17:16 collaborations with Nicolas Bibneau, more about baroque violin and different tunings
(Timestamp) 22:51 Reel du Granpère on baroque violin
(Timestamp) 25:52 discussion of ornamentation
(Timestamp) 31:03 Alexis’ perspectives on his repertoire of tunes
(Tmestamp) 33:49 Alexis’ classical training and education: Diane Plante, Joseph-François-Perrault school, Michel Tétrault composition teacher
(Timestamp) 37:18 ballades: complainte intro
(Timestamp( 39:47 Complainte (song without words)
Here are links for Alexis Chartrand:
https://www.facebook.com/agchartrand/ https://memoireracines.org/artistes/babineau_chartrand_2021/ https://www.bicmusique.com/fr/concerts-2021/ https://www.mareemusique.com/ https://alexischartrandcolinsavoielevac.bandcamp.com/releases https://alexischartrandnicolasbabineau.bandcamp.com/ https://centredesmusiciensdumonde.com/en/accompanied-residencies/2019-residencies/alexis-chartrand-levy-bourbonnais/
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In this conversation with Patty Chan, erhu player and educator, we get to hear the sounds of many different types of erhus and learn a lot about traditional Chinese music. The video version of this conversation is here: https://youtu.be/eJhnmdklMTAPatty's projects: Centre for Music Innovations: https://musinno.com; Toronto Chinese Orchestra: www.TorontoChineseOrchestra.com; YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHG...XMA Header Image Centre for Music Innovations – Curating and exploring contemporary works for Chinese instruments and orchestras musinno.com
photo credit: SG Won
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Here's a little back-and-forth improv I did with erhu player Patty Chan!
You can listen to the conversation I had with her and her demonstration of different instruments in the full conversation in this feed, and well as a fun bonus story!
The video version of this is here: https://youtu.be/fGp6OmuR8bE
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I speak with Yosuke Kawasaki, the wonderful Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada (of which I am a member). He talks about the challenges of staying grounded during this pandemic, his experiences studying with Dorothy Delay at both Julliard and Aspen festival, the inspriation he found in many of his peers growing up, and the conversation circles around to his role as concertmaster, and advice for young colleagues playing auditions. Below is a link to Yosuke's chamber music festival in Japan, about which he speaks during our conversation. The site is in Japanese but an English one should follow shortly. https://www.affinis.or.jp/summer_j/in... https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/yosuke-kawa...
The video version of this conversation is: https://youtu.be/6dVDLLk24E0
photo credit: Rémi Thériault
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After my conversation with Carissa (Epidsode 2), we did this little back-and-forth improvisation across Zoom.
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In Episode 2 of Conversations with Musicians, I speak with the versatile violinist, singer, and Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak over Zoom on May 30, 2021. She shares some of her musical journey with us, and we have a wide-ranging conversation that also includes some beautiful music. Separately, I'm posting the little improv we did together as well, as a Bonus episode. Links to Carissa's band and other projects are on her website: http://www.carissaklopoushak.com/Ironwood String Quartet's recent performance (Beethoven, Montgomery, Danish String Quartet arrangements): https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/27905 Her band: Tyt i Tam Sama Piu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO3-u... A clip from the MacKay Concert Series recital (with Alexandru Sura and Thibault Bertin-Maghit) Tykha Voda (Ukr. folk song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcYle... Carissa is the Artistic Director of: https://www.chamberfest.com/about/
Photography: bohuang.ca
Hair and Makeup: Ivy Lam
Styled & Coordinated by LIZPR
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It's hard to make music over Zoom, but one way to do it is this kind of back-and-forth improvisation.
This was done right after Episode 1 was recorded. This music was totally unplanned and spontaneous! The video is available on my YouTube https://youtu.be/-_Q-GrroyaE
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I speak with Kirsty Money about her Nyckelharpa journey and she demonstrates this beautiful instrument for us. As a separate bonus you can hear our improv together. For Kirsty's new album: https://kirstymoney.bandcamp.com/releases
The transcript is now available: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1kirstymoney
For those of you who want to study or learn more about Kirsty: https://kirstymoney.ca https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuDe... YouTube
For more information on the nyckelharpa world, here are some useful links: https://www.facebook.com/harpanut/ http://www.nyckelharpa.org - American Nyckelharpa Association https://olovjohansson.se - Olov’s website, tons of info here, and he has it translated to English, which is very good. https://vasen.se/about/ - Olov’s band Väsen, one of the primo bands from Scandinavia. https://esitobo.org Eric Sahlström Institute - Sweden’s Folk Music School for music and dance. She went there in 2015 " amazing!"
photo credit: Hamish Gordon