Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

By Leah Roseman

There’s 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. The inspiration and connection found in a meaningful creative life, the challenges faced, and the stories from such a diversity of people will draw you into this weekly series, with many topics that will resonate with all listeners. Available also as video and transcript: www.leahroseman.com/about


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Eva Slongo Jazz Violinist, Singer, Pedagogue

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah RosemanJan 02, 2022
00:00
50:23
Katherine Dowling

Katherine Dowling

Katherine Dowling is a brilliant Canadian pianist and in this conversation we talked about her album of solo music by Alice Ping Yee Ho, mentors including Gil Kalish and Henk Guittart, and how and why she’s developed her exceptional musical memory. Katherine shared fantastic insights into teaching and learning, the importance of inclusivity and access to arts education, and how she uses the Pomodoro technique in the practice room. She explained how sound production on the piano is about the speed of attack and we discussed different skill sets and career paths for pianists. Dr. Dowling shared many inspiring musical memories, and how she developed her ambitious Elegy project to follow her personal path through grief. You’ll be hearing some clips from the album Awake and Dreaming, which you’ll find linked below, and you can use the timestamps to navigate the eipsode. 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 Katherine Dowling websiteWhere to listen to Awake and Dreaming I wanted to let you know about some other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you, with: pianist and musicologist Samantha Ege composer Frank Horvat organist Gail Archer Cheng2 Duo with Bryan and Silvie Cheng pianist Jeeyoon Kim Original Merch for saleCan you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? ⁠Complete Catalog of EpisodesNewsletter sign-upLinktree for social media ⁠photo: Jiyang ChenTimestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:54) Eckhardt-Gramatté competition, composer Alice Ping Lee Ho, regional music festivals(7:18) album Awake and Dreaming, solo piano music by Alice Ping Lee Ho(11:34) Elegy project, coping with grief(16:09) excerpt from There is No Night Without a Dawning from Awake and Dreaming(18:59) Memorization, Suzuki method(25:15) limitations of learning on electronic keyboards(27:08) mentor Henk Guittart, Schoenberg(29:48) appreciation for modern music in the Netherlands, Ellen Corver(32:31)connection to visual art with Alice Ho’s compositions (34:20) excerpt of Shade(35:51)experience of funnel couds on the Prairies(37:34) Cyclone by Alice Ping Lee Ho(41:12) valuable teaching experiences in Regina(42:37) other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series(43:32) positive teaching experiences(46:48) new parent(48:18) Gilbert Kalish(53:49) Tanglewood experience, different skills and careers for pianists(56:45) sound production for pianists(01:04:31) inspiring concerts for different audiences(01:07:48) practice strategies, The Artist’s Way, Pomodoro technique(01:12:05) mentoring the next generations

Mar 30, 202501:15:26
Kala Ramnath

Kala Ramnath

Kala Ramnath is a world-renowned Indian violinist who performs in both the Hindustani classical tradition, and in collaborations that incorporate many styles with Ray Manzarek of The Doors, Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, Hilary Hahn, Kronos Quartet with Reena Esmail and veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh, and  leading orchestras such as my own National Arts Centre, to name but a few. You’ll hear about her childhood, and how she became a disciple of the legendary vocalist Pandit Jasraj, leading her to revolutionize her approach to Hindustani violin technique. As a teacher she has put together an incredible resource with an extensive video library that she’s created of Indian music, Indianclassicalmusic.com  

When I recorded this interview with Kala, she had just the day before returned from the celebration of life for the legendary tabla master Zakir Hussain, who died this past December, and was one of the most important musicians in both Indian music and in bringing a global audience to Indian music. He had moved to San Francisco in the 1960s and was involved in too many projects to begin to list; in 2024 he was the first musician from India to receive 3 Grammys at one ceremony, including his collaboration with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. Zakir Hussain was an incredibly important mentor of Kala, and you’ll hear in her words about what his guidance and collaborations meant to her. 

Kala talked to me about some of her many cross-genre collaborations, including her fantastic albums with tabla master Bikram Ghosh  and her inventive trio with George Brooks and Gwyneth Wentink and you'll hear some of that music as well (albums linked below).

 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 : YouTube and Transcript

Kala Ramnath Website Indianclassicalmusic.com

Raag Ahir Bhairav  Paperboats album Elements trio album

Other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you: Karnatic violinist Suhadra Vijaykumar

Sitar and tabla player Mohamed Assani

Bansuri player Milind Date

Sarod player Avi Kishna

It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity.  Please buy me a coffee? Or check out my merch store Sign up for my newsletter and get exclusive sneak peeks!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:41)Zakir Hussain, Triveni with Jayanthi Kumaresh

(10:53) Kala’s childhood

(15:17) Indianclassicalmusic.com resource

(17:56) Kala Ramnath Collective world music 

(19:13) albums with Bikram Ghosh

(20:28) A Better Place from Paperboats with Bikram Ghosh

 (26:30) Pandit Jasraj, changing her approach to the violin

(34:46) Raag Ahir Bhairav (video linked in show notes) 

(46:16) Kala’s Singing Violin style

(48:12) other episodes you’ll enjoy and different ways to support this series

(49:05)Concerto for Hindustani Violin and Orchestra written with Reena Esmail

(54:32) Ragas according to the time of day

(57:43) Ray Manzarek of The Doors, ragas with other musical traditions

(01:02:31) why Kala uses viola strings and tunes low

(01:04:21) trio with George Brooks and Gwyneth Wentink

(01:05:42) Better Than Coffee from Elements, George Brooks, Gwyneth Wentink (link in show notes)

(01:10:15) Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, importance of consistent practice

(01:13:54) Kalashree foundation

(01:15:28) pandemic shutdowns, performing with Zakir Hussain 

Mar 23, 202501:17:36
Tasha Warren Engaging with Audiences

Tasha Warren Engaging with Audiences

Tasha Warren  is an acclaimed clarinetist who has premiered over one hundred solo clarinet and chamber works. In this podcast you’ll hear excerpts from her album “Ourself Behind Ourself, Concealed” a fantastic collaboration with cellist Dave Eggar of newly commissioned and premiered Bass Clarinet and Cello works, which earned two Grammy nominations. If you listened to my episode with Meg Okura last year, you heard a bit about this project, and Meg’s episode is linked in the show notes if you missed it. Dr. Warren is Assistant Professor of Chamber Music at Michigan State University and the principal clarinet faculty of Mostly Modern Festival and you’ll hear her valuable and candid perspectives on a life as an educator, concert presenter and also the challenges of balancing such a full professional life with that of being a mom. You’ll also hear about her unique musical trip to India sponsored by Pitch Pipe organized by Jennifer Heemstra, among several inspiring projects in this wide-ranging episode. In this episode you’ll be hearing music by Nathalie Joachim, Paquito D’rivera, Martha Redbone Pascal Le Boeuf and Cornelius Boots.  One of the wonderful surprises for me as a podcaster has been getting to know composers new to me and I encourage you to listen to Tasha and Dave’s recording which is linked for you below. 

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

Tasha Warren Website

Ourself Behind Ourself Concealed album


It’s a joy to be able to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my merchandise store or buy me a coffee on my Ko-fi page

Newsletter sign-up


Some other  episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you, with:

 Meg Okura

 Katherine Needleman 

  Anthony Brandt 

 Naomi Moon Siegel  

  Sarah Jeffery of Team Recorder 


Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:14) champion of new music, “Ourself Behind Ourself, Concealed” album with Dave Eggar

(09:05) Pascal Le Boeuf

(13:19) clip from Snapshots by Pascal Le Boeuf

(15:00) process of choosing composers for this project, expanding styles

(17:37) trip to India, Jennifer Heemstra

(25:07) experiences presenting concerts in different contexts and communities

(30:53) value of journaling, importance of self-awareness and practicing efficiently

(36:25) Martha Redbone, about Black Mountain Calling Cherokee stomp dance

(40:07) clip from Martha Redbone’s Black Mountain Calling

(41:19) Paquito D’Rivera, about African Tales

(43:26) clip of African Tales by Paquito D’Rivera

(44:37) embracing the risk of improv

(46:06) other episodes you’ll like and different ways to support this series

(46:55)study abroad program in Israel, Klezmer improv 

(49:29) husband clarinetist Guy Yehuda, balancing family life with careers

(52:08) dealing with gender bias as a mom and musician

(58:34) Cornelius Boots

(1:0:33) clip from Crow Cavern by Cornelius Boots

(1:01:55) Cornelius Boots

(1:02:35) Nathalie Joachim

(1:05:03) clip of Lalin by Nathalie Joachim

(1:06:25) the benefits of music competitions

(1:09:54) solo album the Naked Clarinet, about Wings by Joan Tower, music as creativity prompt

(1:13:55) engaging with different audiences



Mar 16, 202501:16:59
Tal Yahalom: Jazz guitarist and composer

Tal Yahalom: Jazz guitarist and composer

Tal Yahalom is an award-winning jazz guitarist and composer and you’ll be getting a preview of his compelling quintet album Mirror Image  with  refreshingly unique instrumentation: violin, cello, percussion, sax and flute and both nylon-string and electric guitar. You’ll be hearing excerpts from the album and hear about Tal’s creative process and collaborators including percussioninst Rogerio Boccato and David Leon on sax and flute. Tal told me about some great advice he got from Pat Metheny, whom he met  when Tal won the Detroit Jazz Festival National Guitar Competition, and the invaluable guidance of key mentors throughout his education and career. Tal recently came back from musically immersive travels in Brazil and Argentina, and it was inspiring to hear about his experiences their as well as hear about several of his collaborators,  including his band KADAWA, and we’re featuring a track from their new album as well. Towards the end of this interview, Tal shared some personal reflections on his new duo with vocalist Danielle Wertz, and some very wise insights into student-centered learning, which I think apply quite broadly, not just to music.  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/tal-yahalom

Tal Yahalom Website Mirror Image Album (pre-order link; releasing March 21, 2025)

KADAWA band

Buy me a coffee? Original Merch Newsletter

Other episodes you'll like:

Marc van Vugt Ariel Bart Gilad Weiss Edison Herbert

Roddy Ellias Daniel Ramjattan


Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:49) album Mirror Image

(07:00) clip of KIM from Mirror Image

(07:29) about Prelude, use of strings

(09:30) clip of Prelude from Mirror Image

(11:13) album set list, listening parties

(14:01)Argentian grandfather, trip to Brazil and Argentina, Vardan Ovsepian

(17:26) Rogerio Boccato, Brazil trip, Gian Correa

(22:43) clip from Chorinho for Tati from Mirror Image

(23:28) Brazil trip

(25:43) creative process, about Hymn for Tomorrow

(28:56) excerpt from Hymn for Tomorrow

(30:22) album art Linnea Lieth, Tal’s creative process

(35:09) other episodes linked to this one and different ways to support this series

(36:04) Tal’s creative process

(40:26) percussionist Rogerio Boccato

(43:50) clip of Dusk on Landwehr Canal

(45:10) David Leon sax and flute player 

(47:39) story of Sophianic Mess

(51:04) clip of Sophianic Mess

(51:47) band KADAWA Almog Sharvit, Ben Silashi

(55:58) KADAWA Salhov Syndrome from Post Graduation Fees

(01:02:11) Tal’s experience of student-led education, guitar teacher Shai Chen

(01:05:36) the importance of transcription 

(01:09:07) meeting Pat Metheny, winning Detroit Jazz Festival Guitar Competition

(01:14:09) solo guitar album Solo Standards

(01:16:32) duo with vocalist Danielle Wertz, arranging

(01:22:18) approach to teaching student-centered approach

photo: Adrien Tillmann


Mar 09, 202501:26:18
Rachel Eckroth and John Hadfield

Rachel Eckroth and John Hadfield

Rachel Eckroth and John Hadfield are wonderfully inventive musicians who have formed a duo. This podcast episode is shining a light on their recently released album “Speaking in Tongues”and you’ll hear some of this textured and dynamic music that really pushes the boundaries of a duo,  along with insights into their creative process and their varied career paths. 

  John Hadfield  is a phenomenal percussionist, drummer, and composer, for many years based in New York and now based in Paris. He’s collaborated on over 100 recordings including Grammy-award winning albums. He talked to me about performing with Kenny Werner, with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble, as well as John’s Paris Quartet.

 Rachel Eckroth was nominated for a GRAMMY for her album “The Garden” and she is very active as a keyboardist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger. She tours currently with St. Vincent, and she talked to me about her keyboards, and some of her formative experiences. 

Both Rachel and John love to explore new sound colours both acoustically and with electronic instruments and this album is a powerful, inventive and immersive listening experience. You’ll find this project linked in the show notes, and hopefully some of you can attend  their live shows on one of their tours. 

 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

Speaking in Tongues albumRachel Eckroth websiteJohn Hadfield website


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 I wanted to let you know about some other  episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you, with: 

 Ineke Vandoorn

Naomi Moon Siegel 

 Chuck Copenace   

 DeWitt Flemining Jr.  

 Lisa Pegher

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:45) duo project, Speaking in Tongues album

(07:45) clip from Speaking in Tongues

(08:27) Gamelan strips, John’s Gamelan studies in Indonesia

(10:50) Phase and Libration Part 1 from album Speaking in Tongues

(14:18) formative experiences Rachel and John

(19:54) God Particle, creative process of the album

(22:13) clip from God Particle 

(23:24) Rachel’s album One improvised piano music, her creative practice and challenges of touring

(26:35) Light Sleeper from Rachel Eckroth’s album One 

(28:59) Paris, Dennis Rowland,  Rachel’s keyboards, John’s collaborations Sara Caswell

(34:17) other linked episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series

(35:06) John’s Drum of Stories album, Collin Walcott, John’s use of electronics with acoustic

(38:25) Rachel’s touring career

(41:20) Kenny Werner, different performance experiences

(44:10) Women’s March 2017, life-changing opportunities

(48:19) clip from Andromeda from Speaking in Tongues

(49:53) New York City early career

(52:34)Silkroad ensemble, Yo-Yo Ma

(55:35) projects together with Rachel, upcoming tours, about Blood Moon

(59:53) clip from Blood Moon from Speaking in Tongues

(0101:23) conclusion

Mar 02, 202501:02:02
Fern Lindzon

Fern Lindzon

Fern Lindzon is a Canadian multi-style pianist, vocalist, composer and improvisor. She recently released a great album with her newjazz trio project Tryptique with Colleen Allen and George Koller ,and we’re featuring music from that album as well as some of her other work, including her Juno-nominated album Two Kites. We talked about her mother, the artist Rose Lindzon, many mentors and influences including Don Thompson, Alan Bern and Marilyn Lerner, and several of Fern’s projects including creating silent film music, Klezmer with the Sisters of Sheynville, and her new project of learning the expressive electronic instrument the Haken Continuum. In fact, what really struck me about talking to Fern was her thirst to continuously expand her knowledge, skills, and creativity. 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 mywebsite.Fern Lindzon websiteCould youbuy me a coffeeto support this series? Thanks! Another way to support this podcast and channel is to ordermy merchandise. Sign up formy newsletter to get access to information about upcoming guests! Some other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you: Colleen Allen Matt Zimbel Polina Shepherd Marilyn LernerKellylee EvansKait DuntonTimestamps:(00:00) Intro (03:08)Fern’s mother the artist Rose Lindzon(07:02) Tryptique, decision to focus on piano playing(12:29) studying jazz with Don Thompson, Fred Hersch(17:04) excerpt of Eucalyptus from Tryptique(18:45) creativity prompts, silent film music(22:28) clip from the Windmills of Your Mind from album Like a Circle in a Spiral(23:52) Tryptique, Bach chorale inspiration(25:37) clip from Do Look from Tryptique(26:53) Las Meninas project, Canarios, inspiration from visual art, Gaspar Sanz (29:50) clip from Canarios from Tryptique (30:39) how to get support for projects, Marilyn Lerner(32:46) Doug Wilde(34:19)clip from Wondering from Tryptique(35:24)silent films, musical evolution and education(42:24) Klezmer, Sisters of Sheynville, Alan Bern(45:49) other episodes you’ll like and different ways to support this series(46:42) Tryptique, George Koller(48:10) clip from Compassion Blues from Tryptique(50:23) Toronto jazz scene(54:27) Two Kites album(57:00) clip from Two Kites(57:59)singing, lyrics(1:04:19) To See Through Infant Eyes from Moments Like These(1:08:38)A Circle in a Spiral, Peter Bragg photographer(01:11:22) teaching, Fern’s childhood, listening parties(01:16:45) Haken continuum

Feb 25, 202501:21:04
Naomi Moon Siegel

Naomi Moon Siegel

Naomi Moon Siegel is an award-winning trombonist, improvisor, composer and educator. In this episode we’re highlighting her beautiful sextet album Shatter the Glass Sanctuary, and you’ll hear her reflections on the valuable mentorship process with Allison Miller and brilliant collaborators including Marina Albero and Ray Larsen. Naomi reflected on her journey finding a supportive musical community, overcoming injury, and how she’s advocated for intersectional gender justice for many years through her workshops for fellow educators and music students. We talked about some of her mentors including Kristen Strom, Wayne Horwitz, and her duo project the Syrinx Effect with Kate Olson. Naomi shared how her career path has been shaped by personal decisions and outlook, some of her experiences on several inspiring trips, as well as how she’s able to find grounding and inspiration in both her new physical landscape in Montana and her new emotional landscape as a parent. Like all my episodes, you can watch this also listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/naomi-moon-siegel

Naomi Moon Siegel website (with albums linked)

It’s a joy to be able to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my ⁠merchandise store⁠ or on my ⁠Ko-fi page⁠. For the merch, it features a unique design by artist Steffi Kelly and you can browse clothes, notebooks, mugs and more, everything printed on demand. ⁠Sign up for my newsletter ⁠where you’ll get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests.

If you’re finding this interesting, please text this episode to a friend! You may be also interested in some episodes I’ve linked directly to this one: J. Walter Hawkes Hillary Simms Katherine Needleman Meg Okura Colleen Allen EmmoLei Sankofa Renée Yoxon https://linktr.ee/leahroseman⁠

photo of Naomi: Rio Chantel Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:25) Shatter the Glass Sanctuary album, producer Allison Miller, pianist Marina Albero (09:37) clip of Shatter It from Shatter the Glass Sanctuary (link in show notes) (12:00) embracing a slower pace of life, move to Montana (16:29) excerpt from “Seep Into My Pores” from Shatter the Glass Sanctuary album (link in show notes) (19:48) sextet formation, listening party (25:05) finding supportive musical community, speaking out (30:11) other episodes you’ll like, different ways to support this series (31:03) move to Seattle, overcoming injury, Seattle Music Partners (35:17) trip to Costa Rica, material for first album Shoebox View, Wayne Horwitz, (40:07) experience at Oberlin Conservatory, Wendell Logan (41:13) New Standards, women and non-binary composers, Terri Lyne Carrington (43:14) Syrinx Effect duo with Kate Olson (46:11) Cameronathon from Syrinx Effect’s A Sky You Could Strike a Match On (link in show notes) (50:24) trips to The Gambia and Senegal, Thione Diop (53:22) workshops gender justice, also teaching improvisation (01:01:41) gender representation in jazz today (01:04:04) teaching improvisation (01:05:28) creative practice, artist residency Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

Feb 16, 202501:10:07
Exploring Creativity with Anthony Brandt

Exploring Creativity with Anthony Brandt

Anthony Brandt is an acclaimed composer who is also a multi-disciplinary researcher. Dr. Brandt is a Professor at Rice University and co-founder and Artistic Director of Musiqa. Like many people worldwide, I had first learned of his work as co-author with neuroscientist David Eagleman, of the amazing book “The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World”. We started this episode with an overview of that book, and Tony’s passion for the importance of encouraging creativity at all stages of life comes through in our discussion of his research, compositions, teaching and mentoring. You’ll hear about how he and other researchers are using mobile brain body imaging, and how research into the arts are so important to the development of neuroscience. You’ll learn about his unique childhood, his mentors and approach to composing and teaching composition, his valuable insights on presenting new music and how integrating art forms can help to connect with audiences. We’re also shining a light on his recent album of string quartet music Meeting of Minds and LiveWire which are both collaborations with the NobleMotion Dance Company and the University of Houston Brain Center. Central to this episode is the importance of creativity, and different ways to investigate and explore that. Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript, everything linked here Anthony Brandt website Meeting of Minds Scene 9 video It’s a joy to be able to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my merchandise store or on my Ko-fi page. On my Ko-fi page you can buy me one coffee, or every month For the merch, it features a unique design by artist Steffi Kelly and you can browse clothes, notebooks, water bottles and more, everything printed on demand. My newsletter where you’ll get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests. I have linked a few episodes that you may be interested in: Thomas Cabaniss Frank Horvat Dorothy Lawson of ETHEL Cheng2 Duo Nimrod Borenstein Ceara Conway Diane Nalini Please check out my back catalogue Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:22) book “The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World”, David Eagleman (15:48) project and album string quartet music Livewire and Meeting of Minds, brain body imaging, neural synchrony (23:21) Meeting of Minds: Scene 9 (links in show notes) (26:14) Anthony’s decision to become a composer, his process (31:52) Musiqa new music collective, diversity, community engagement, neuroscience (40:55) Anthony Brandt’s operas, librettist Neena Beber (47:32) connecting to audiences (47:55) other episodes linked to this one; different ways to support this series (48:50) connecting to audiences, mentoring composition students (56:43)the life of a composer, finding your voice, mentors Mel Powell and Earl Kim (01:04:11) research in Indonesia with Gamelan and neural synchrony (01:12:54) Chelsea de Souza, more research on improvisation (01:14:32) how the arts help science, advantages of mobile brain body imaging, research with elderly, the importance of mental flexibility (01:22:42) Anthony’s childhood, encouraging creativity (01:25:07) his course Creativity up Close

Feb 10, 202501:30:21
Samantha Ege

Samantha Ege

Samantha Ege is both a leading scholar and interpreter of Florence Price. In this interview, she talks about her recent book “South Side Impresarios: How Race Women Transformed Chicago’s Classical Music Scene”. I was fascinated to learn about this compelling history of Chicago’s Black Renaissance with women such as Nora Holt,  Margaret Bonds, and Katherine Dunham.  Dr. Ege shared how the scholarship side of her work informs both her identity as a pianist and also how this research and storytelling cause her to reflect on some of her own challenges. We also talked about some of her other recent recording projects, including the upcoming Avril Coleridge-Taylor piano concerto and chamber music with Castle of our Skins, and she reflected candidly on her personal creative life as a writer, performer and composer.

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

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You may be also interested in the following episodes: 

 Gerry Bryant

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser 

 Vahn Black

Rebeca Omordia

Omo Bello

DeWitt Fleming Jr.

 Destiny Muhammad

among so many https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds

from concert in Chicago for Crossing Borders Music

Fantasie Negre no. 1 in E minor by Florence Price:

from concert in Chicago for Crossing Borders Music

https://www.samanthaege.com/

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:11) book Southside Impresarios, Race women, Florence Price

(05:07) racism, Florence Price, John Powell

(10:50) Margaret Bonds “Troubled Water” from live performance (link to video in show notes)

(15:46) Southside Impresarios, Black Chicago Renaissance, Florence Price

(18:08) Wannamaker competition, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds

(21:47) Nora Holt, Florence Price

(30:43) Samantha’s practice diaries, Avril Coleridge-Taylor piano concerto

(38:03) other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series

(38:56) composing, identity and confidence

(41:17)the importance of storytelling, upcoming Chicago concerts, community of Black researchers

(44:59) Katherine Dunham, ballet

(47:05) Boston Six, Amy Beach, exclusion of Black composers

(48:55) excerpt from Fantasie Nègre by Florence Price from live performance (link to video in show notes)

(51:52) Chamber music album with Castle of Our Skins, Undine Smith Moore, Bongani Ndodana-Breen

(55:08) Cambridge Companion to Florence Price, Rae Linda Brown, Alexandra Kori Hill

(57:16) Southside Impresarios

(59:56) Samantha’s reflections on her career, Doreen Carwithen concerto

Feb 03, 202501:03:59
Ian Maksin

Ian Maksin

Ian Maksin holds a special place in the hearts of his fans worldwide,  with his unique concerts of cello and songs in over 37 languages. It was really interesting to learn about how he has forged a unique path as a solo touring performer, and he shared his insights on finding commonalities between cultures, mindfulness practice and how he stays healthy with such an intense touring schedule. You’ll hear about his childhood, his need to break out of a strict classical music career, how his love of languages started and some suprises, including how he became a pilot as a teenager. 

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

Ian Maksin website

Gelino video

Buy me a coffee?

Merchandise store to support this series

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I’ve linked some episodes to this one that you’ll enjoy, with Margaret Maria

Kelly Thoma

Raphael Weinroth-Browne

Colin Aguiar

Bad Snacks

Dorothy Lawson Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:23)Ian’s touring (05:55) Ian’s childhood, Georgian culture (13:45) singing in 37 languages, favourite song Gelino (15:38) “Gelina” Georgian song (video link in show notes) (20:44) Georgian food Shkmeruli, Phkali, sulguni (24:41) Ian’s love of languages, his dad’s wedding band (29:58) Ian’s albums and influences (35:48) excerpt from Amor Renatus (link in show notes) (38:42) music for peace and raising money to help Ukrainian refugees (42:16) other episodes linked to this one and ways to help this series (43:09) classical music education, and decision to follow a different path (44:52) mentors Suren Bagratuni, Michael Tilson Thomas (47:05) finding his musical voice, commonalities between traditional music worldwide (52:37) using pedals (55:58) how the internet has helped his career (01:02:29) Airplane Home, Ian’s love of aviation and how he became a pilot (01:09:36) social media marketing, finding your relevant audience (01:14:07) staying healthy mentally and physically (01:21:58) memorization

Jan 27, 202501:24:22
Jean Rohe

Jean Rohe

Jean Rohe  is an acclaimed song-writer and singer, as well as a devoted  mentor, working with incarcerated song-writers,as well as at the New School and privately. She writes powerful narrative songs, and is widely known for her "National Anthem:  Arise! Arise!" an aspirational alternative which has been performed extensively across the US. She shared with me her perspectives on love, grief, identity, community and creativity.   One of her beautiful collaborations is the wonderful album Beautalina with the band Eureka Shoes, with Skye Soto Steele,  Charlie Burnham and Rashaan Carter. We are featuring music from that project as well as with  Robinson & Rohe. 

 Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube 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/jean-rohe


Jean Rohe Website

Eureka Shoes album Beautalina

Robinson & Rohe

This weekly podcast is in Season 5 and I send out an email newsletter where you can get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests: Sign-up!

It’s a joy to be able to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my merchandise store 

or buy me a coffee Thanks!

You may be also interested in these episodes:

  Kavisha Mazzella

Ceara Conway

Renée Yoxon

Sophie Lukacs

Shakura S’Aida

Diane Nalini

Megan Jerome

among so many!  


photo: Krysta Brayer 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(01:48) Euraka Shoes, Looking Glass Arts, Marika Hughes, Charlie Burnham, Skye Soto Steele, Rashaan Carter

(04:28) Jean’s childhood and musical family

(07:19) Beautalina album, about the song “Go Easy”

(09:26) “Go Easy” with Eureka Shoes (link in show notes to album Beautalina)

(12:42) Eureka Shoes, creativity, dealing with grief

(18:35) excerpt from “Everyone Is Dying” Eureka Shoes

(19:05) Jean’s educational path, jazz at New School, Alexandra Montano

(22:47) Eureka Shoes, about “Barn Hymn”, Looking Glass Arts

(26:23) “Barn Hymn” Eureka Shoes

(28:30) The End of the World show, touring Brazil

(31:42) other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series

(32:29) Republic of Georgia, Ilusha Tsinadze

(34:50) teaching song writing, working with incarcerated people, New School

(48:03) Eureka Shoes, about “I Wanna Be”

(50:54) clip of “I Wanna Be”

(52:58) songwriting, touring

(56:56) Liam Robinson, Robinson&Rohe, Woody Guthrie

(01:03:46) “Where I’m Coming From” Robinson & Rohe from Into the Night (link in show notes)

(01:07:48) songwriting, the voice as instrument

(01:14:29) 74 Corridor, writing and visual art

Jan 20, 202501:17:46
Edwin Barker

Edwin Barker

Edwin Barker is recognized as one of the most gifted bassists on the American concert scene. In this wide-ranging interview, you’ll hear about how when he was still a student, he won a job with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and then at age 22, he was appointed to the position of Principal Bass of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a position he has now held for nearly 50 years. He shared memories of his mentors, and his valuable perspectives on learning and teaching the bass, playing in orchestra, conductors, auditions, acoustics and more. We’re featuring his wonderful recent album of solo bass music, Basso Profundo, both J.S. Bach’s Suite no. 5 and Weinberg’s Sonata Op. 108. You can also watch this on my YouTube, and I’ve also linked the transcript, everything linked here to my website. It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Please consider either buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, or ordering some of my merchandise. This weekly podcast is in Season 5 and I send out an email newsletter where you can get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests! Navona records link to album: https://edwinbarker.com Weinberg biography I think you may also enjoy these episodes: Mark Deutsch Thomas Cabaniss Jeeyoon Kim Rachel Mercer Hillary Simms Gail Archer Jessica Cottis and so many more !

photo of Edwin Barker: Sam Brewer Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:23) Ed’s start on the bass in school music program, Angelo LaMariana (05:33) Henry Portnoi, Peter Mercurio (09:25) New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony (12:37) David Perlman, different schools of bass playing (17:28) Basso Profundo album, Bach suite adaptation for the bass (21:58) Courante from Bach Suite no. 5, from Basso Profundo (link in description) (24:14)bass history, Dragonetti (27:53) Ed’s first week in Boston, Mahler 1 (30:28) Seiji Ozawa, orchestra conductors (34:26) composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg, solo bass repertoire (37:34) 3rd movement of the Weinberg Sonata op. 108 (link in description) (40:13) connection between the Bach Suite and the Weinberg sonata (42:01) excerpt of the 5th movement, Lento, of Weinberg sonata (42:56) Weinberg’s life (46:43) excerpt of the 6th movement Weinberg sonata (47:22) other episodes you will find interesting, ways to support this series (48:14) the joys and challenges of orchestral playing (56:59) the influence of the acoustics of the hall on an orchestras sound (01:03:13) orchestra auditions (01:10:32) teaching the bass, playing Principal

Jan 13, 202501:16:07
Brittany Haas

Brittany Haas

Brittany Haas is widely regarded as one of the most influential fiddlers of her generation. In this wide-ranging conversation you’ll be hearing about her early career, touring with Darol Anger at age 14, the bands Croooked Still, Hawktail and Punch Brothers with Chris Thile. She reflected on the challenges and thrill of a touring life, the Nashville scene, her teaching through Artistworks, and dynamics of being a woman in Bluegrass. We talked about mentors Bruce Molsky and Tony Trishka, her time at Princeton studying Evolutionary Biology, and the need for self-care and boundaries. 

We are featuring music from several of her albums, including her recent projects with sister Natalie and the Swedish musician Lena Jonsson.

 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/brittany-haas

See below for other suggested episodes, linked for your convenience, along with links for newsletter and support pages! 


 Brittany Haas website

Hawktail

The Snake with Lena Jonsson

Haas with sister Natalie

Impromptu Sessions (banjo album)

Brittany Haas debut album

the Punch Brothers website (Energy Curfew Music hour podcast)


 I’m sure that you’ll enjoy my conversations  with Adam Hurt

Janie Rothfield

 Joe K. Walsh

 Martin Hayes

  Tracy Silverman

 Alexis Chartrand 

 Gina Burgess 

  Guy Donis

 and  Kirsty Money

It’s a joy to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my merchandise store or buy me a coffee on my Ko-fi page

For the merch, it features a unique design by artist Steffi Kelly and you can browse clothes, stickers, notebooks, water bottles and more, everything printed on demand https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Why not sign up for my newsletter where you’ll get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests?

 Please check out my back catalogue, with episodes going back to 2021.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:31) Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School, childhood mentors Bruce Molsky Darol Anger, Alasdair Fraser, family support

(05:43) sister cellist Natalie, new album Haas

(08:26) The Rose Gardener from the album Haas (link in description)

(11:23) gardening, creativity, debut album at 17, touring with Darol Anger at 14

(15:16) Ora Lee from album Brittany Haas (link in description)

(19:48) Darol Anger 

(24:53) early career, Crooked Still, challenges of touring life

(27:46) Princeton, decision not to go to music school, Tony Trishka

(29:11) band Hawktail, album Place of Growth

(30:31) Antilopen from Hawktail’s ablum Place of Growth (link in description)

(34:46) new album with Väsen and Hawktail

(36:21)Punch Brothers, Energy Curfew Music Hour

(37:49) other episodes you’ll love, different ways to support this series

(38:37) Punch Brothers, balancing creative time, Nashville scene

(43:29) Lena Jonsson, new album The Snake

(45:49) Låt efter Bach: Vals, from The Snake with Lena Jonssen (link in description)

(48:15) jazz, teaching Artistworks, self-awareness and injury prevention

(53:27) self-care, boundaries, touring life

(56:45) women in Bluegrass

(01:01:07) Steve Martin, love of banjo, Impromptu Sessions album, Adam Hurt, composing versus interpreting

(01:04:30) Lost Girl from album Impromptu Sessions (link in description)

(01:07:23) learning music, Bruce Molsky

(01:09:26) finding balance in life

(01:10:32) upcoming projects

Jan 06, 202501:12:13
Dorothy Lawson of ETHEL

Dorothy Lawson of ETHEL

Cellist and composer Dorothy Lawson is one of the founding members and Artistic Directors for ETHEL, a string quartet celebrating 25 years of setting the standard for contemporary concert music. In this episode, you’ll hear about many fascinating and meaningful collaborations with musicians including Alllison Loggins-Hull, Robert Mirabal, and Layale Chaker. It was really inspiring to hear how they got started with adapting the concert experience into something less-predictable, and ways to connect with new audiences. Dorothy also shared her insights into playing and teaching the cello and staying healthy. We also talked about many of the long-term relationships with the Metropolitain Museum, Denison College and the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s Native American Composer Apprentice Projecct. You’ll be hearing excerpts from 3 of ETHEL’s recent albums, including wonderful music by Leilehua Lanzilotti, Sam Wu and Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima, and everything is linked to ETHEL’s website: https://ethelcentral.org/

Transcript and YouTube video of this episode:
https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/dorothy-lawson-ethel

This is my final podcast for this year, Episode 51 of Season 4, and Season 5 starts in a couple of weeks in January. Please check the links for different ways to support and follow this independent podcast. I really do need the help of my listeners; I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Can you buy this podcaster a coffee to support this series? ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ Thanks! Follow me on Social Media: ⁠https://linktr.ee/leahroseman⁠ Merchandise: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful... Newsletter sign-up Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about Transcript and podcast on all the platforms linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... You may be also interested in my episodes with: the Euclid Quartet https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... the Cheng2 duo https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... Meg Okura https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... Martha Mooke https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... Rebeca Omordia https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... Pat Irwin https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/... Frank Horvat https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/...

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) ETHEL string quartet, Persist project Allison Loggins-Hull

(07:29)how and why ETHEL got started, Mary Rowell, Todd Rundgren, Joe Jackson

(13:32) Persist album, Sam Wu composer

(14:56) excerpt from Terraria by Sam Wu on the Persist album

(16:54) composer Leilehua Lanzilotti, Hawaii history and culture

(19:14) excerpt from We began this quilt there by Leilehua Lanzilotti from album Persist

(20:33) composer Migiwa Miyajima

(23:18) clip from Reconciliation Suite by Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima from album Persist

(24:11) Allison Loggins-Hull, about Persist

(26:41) excerpt from Perisist by Allison Loggins-Hull

(28:50) multi-media shows, Docuamerica

(33:02) collaboration with Ringling museum for Circus: Wandering City show

(37:21) other episodes that will interest you and different ways to support this series

(38:06) the name ETHEL, members

(46:09) Robert Mirabal, Grand Canyon Music Festival

(56:41) excerpt from trailer for the Red Willow project with Robert Mirabal

(58:46) Layale Chaker violinist composer, new album Vigil

(01:01:58) excerpt from Vigil with Layale Chaker

(01:05:07)Dorothy’s approach to teaching cello, avoiding injury, strategies for staying healthy

(01:10:45) Metropolitan Museum collaboration

(01:17:47)Denison University residency, city universities in New York Macaulay Honors

Dec 22, 202401:22:57
Katherine Needleman

Katherine Needleman

Katherine Needleman is a wonderful oboe player, who has been the principal oboist of the Baltimore Symphony since 2003. She’s also active as a solist and chamber musician, and is on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music. She is a champion of music of our time and you’ll find her recordings and many projects on her website. To many listeners in the Classical Music world, she’s probably better known for her Substack articles and posts on social media that address misogyny, sexual misconduct and assault, and the lack of diversity and equity in the Classical music world. In this conversation you’ll hear about some of her activism and advocacy work , and different aspects of Katherine’s life as a musician, including her work as a composer and educator, and mentors including Jennifer Higdon. Please note the timestamps to navigate the episode. I regret that I didn’t get into improvisation with her, because she’s also an excellent improvisor and has put out an album of improvised chamber music “The Marmalade Balloon”. Perhaps we can get into this next time she comes on the podcast! You can watch this on YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/katherine-needleman Katherine Needleman website

“Land Where My Fathers Died” Aria for oboe and piano by Jennifer Higdon (sheet music available on the composer’s website) It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Please look at the links for different ways to support this independent podcast. Original Merch for sale Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? In January 2025 I’ll be releasing Season 5 of this series. I’ve linked some other episodes that may interest you: Anna Petersen, Gail Archer, Omo Bello, Karen Donnelly, Renee Yoxon and Jessica Cottis, among many others! Newsletter sign-up

Linktree for social media ⁠ Timestamps (00:00) Intro (03:20) Katherine is also a composer and improvisor, her feminist posts (05:54) fund for new music, Fatima Landa (12:40) parenting, performance anxiety, oboe reeds (18:46)activism, starting to write about lack of diversity, etc (21:44) Katherine’s experience at Curtis as a student, her approach as a teacher (26:02) Katherine the composer (27:00) excerpt from “Land Where My Fathers Died” (link in description to complete performance) (32:26)challenges of performing as an introvert (34:13)other episodes you’ll like, different ways to support this series (34:53)solo broadcast concerts, importance of exercise (37:22) auditions (43:02) reactions to her posts (44:39)orchestra musicians as soloists with their orchestras, Kevin Puts oboe concerto (47:06) Marin Alsop, lack of gender diversity in the conducting world (51:21) Queen of Filth digest (55:52) the mandatory dress story and gendered dress codes (59:22) Jennifer Higdon (01:01:24) excerpt from Aria for oboe and piano by Jennifer Higdon with Jennifer Lim on piano (link in description to complete performance) (01:04:37) what Katherine has changed her mind about, presentation and tone, need to prioritize (01:07:50) orchestra playing, chamber music, music education (01:11:50) Katherine’s determination to continue Substack and activism, and need to compartimentalize for mental health

Dec 16, 202401:14:52
Shakura S'Aida

Shakura S'Aida

Shakura S'Aida, acclaimed Americana roots soul singer and songwriter has thrilled global audiences in 31 countries over many years. Donna Grantis who performed with Prince for several years, is Shakura’s longtime co-producer and co-writer. Donna praises the three-time Juno Award nominee as a "powerhouse vocalist whose artistic vision continually inspires me.” I trust you’ll find this week’s episode an inspiring and uplifting conversation, in which we’re highlighting Shakura’s new album Hold on to Love. We also talked about her career in acting, and she shared some of her experiences on the set of Schitt’s Creek. Shakura shared many valuable insights in this wide-ranging interview, and you can also watch this on my YouTube and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website, where you'll also find direct links to other episodes you may enjoy (listed below): https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/shakura-saida

You may be also interested in my episodes with Kellylee Evans, Vahn Black, Colleen Allen, Jah’Mila, Kat Raio Rende, Cliff Beach and Edison Herbert, among so many. (linked above to my website or look in your podcast player).

It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Could you buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! You can also support this series and channel through my merchandise store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Season 5 of this podcast starts very soon in January 2025 and I send out an email newsletter where you can get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests. Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Shakura S'Aida website: https://www.shakurasaida.com/ You'll find Hold on to Love on your favourite streaming platform, and you can also buy it here on Bandcamp: https://shakurasaida.bandcamp.com/album/hold-on-to-love Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:05)album Hold on to Love, Donna Grantis (05:53) activism through music (07:46) clip of Takin’ it to the Streets (09:14) Shakura’s early career, album Blueprint, International Blues Challenge (13:17) high school Theatre Arts teacher Marly Kadak (16:42) how acting training helps (18:39) Schitt’s Creek (21:20) intro to Doodun (23:06) Doodun (27:01) Shakura’s youth (29:20) Canadian cultural diversity (32:17) aha moment Montreal Jazz Festival (34:41) Hold on to Love (39:02) other episodes you’ll like, ways to support this series (39:55) Shakura’s black Russian terrier (41:22) Nina Simone project, Kellylee Evans, Jackie Richardson, Salome Bey (49:31)parenting, being a role model (53:45) Hold on to Love (57:53) Her Music Award, the feeling of not having to prove yourself, wisdom (59:50) Kigali Up festival in Rwanda (01:04:19) importance of connections with people, about Heart of Gold (01:06:05) excerpt from Heart of Gold (01:07:56) youth songwriting workshops and Authentic Stagecraft (01:09:49) the importance of pre-concert rituals (01:11:30) music marketing and genres, next album

Dec 09, 202401:13:37
Yann Passabet-Labiste

Yann Passabet-Labiste

Yann Passabet-Labiste is a French violinist with a beautiful warm intensity to his playing, and in this episode we’re focussing on his album “Robert Schumann et son univers” with pianist Bertrand Giraud. Yann talks about some of his mentors in France and Switzerland, many interesting and inspiring musical highlights and his perspectives on how music has helped him through some difficult challenges.  

YouTube video of this episode, and Transcript linked here on my website:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/yann-passabet-labiste

Video of Sonata No. 1 “A mon fils Yann pour sa Maman” by Gérard Passabet-Labiste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBUxSJjXeM

Yann Passabet-Labiste website: https://www.yann-passabet-labiste.com/

Schumann et son univers album (also on your favourite streaming service): https://www.fnac.com/a20143665/Robert-Schumann-Robert-Schumann-et-son-univers-CD-album

Brahms Scherzo video from Paris concert: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stk09FVUh7w⁠


It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. You can support this independent podcast through both the unique collection of merchandise: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Sign up for my newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

You may also be interested in my episodes with: Nimrod Borenstein, Omo Bello, Julia MacLaine, the Euclid Quartet, Jeeyoon Kim,  and many more going back to 2021. 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(01:33) album Robert Schumann et son univers

(04:51) Clara Schumann 1st Romance

(04:49) Yann’s childhood, the death of his mother, father composer

(13:11) Sonata No. 1 “A mon fils Yann pour sa Maman” by Gérard Passabet-Labiste

(16:13) Yann’s parents, his start on violin

(22:21) teachers Lilian Rossi Monique Voisin-Vallet

(25:55) Brahms Scherzo from F.A.E. Sonata, live performance 

(31:25) studies in Geneva, member of the Tonhalle orchestra in Zurich

(39:40) Japan, Madagascar

(43:18) collaborating with his father composer Gérard Passabet-Labiste

(44:45)practicing violin technique, yoga

(46:55) other episodes you may enjoy, and different ways to support this series

(47:40) favourite musicians and musical memories

(53:54) living for the moment and need to play for people

(58:07) Second Romance Robert Schumann op. 94

(01:02:09) music education in France

(01:05:18) challenges with a solo career, memorable performance highlights

(01:20:43) favourite concertos

(01:27:51) concert memories Alfred Brendel Concertgebouw, Butterfly Lovers in China

(01:37:13) concert preparation

Nov 30, 202401:40:20
Ida Gillner: her moving and inspiring musical path

Ida Gillner: her moving and inspiring musical path

Ida Gillner is very special musician based in Sweden, and in this episode you’ll hear the powerful story of her personal journey, embracing different cultures, and also the comforting power of music.  Ida is a multi-instrumentalist and composer; her main instruments are soprano saxophone, piano and voice.  In the first part of this episode we focus on her project Shtolstse lider, her songs set to the poetry of some of Yiddish’s greatest women writers. You’ll hear about Ida’s childhood on the island of Asperö, forging her own path in different world music traditions, and  the Finnish tango group Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell. 

We also talked about her solo album “Anna” dedicated to her sister, and how the process of writing and recording this healing music comforted her through the shock of her family’s loss. I have included detailed timestamps for all the topics covered and for the music, and you’ll find links to Ida and her musical projects below.

Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on YouTube; that's linked here with the transcript on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ida-gillner

The recommended episodes below are also linked directly on my website link to Ida's episode! You may also be interested in my episodes with:  Polina Shepherd, Marilyn Lerner,  Kavisha Mazzella, Ceara Conway, Kirsten Agresta Copely, Sophie Lukacs,  and Yale Strom, among so many.

Ida Gillner Website https://idagillner.se/

Klez Canada complete video Mayn Heym: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_moFp3o_ho

Sign up for my Podcast Newsletter!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Very Cool Merch⁠⁠

Buy me a coffee? ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠⁠ Thanks!



Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:11)Gothenburg, Sweden, 

(3:09) Sholtse lider project songs Yiddish poetry women writers

(12:06) excerpt from Mayn Heym by Anna Margolin

(16:03)Anna Margolin’s life

(23:50) Shtoltse Lider with Livet Nord and before with Louise Vase

(25:55)Celia Dropkin

(29:17)  Ickh hob dikh nokh nit gezen from the Shtoltse Lider album with vocalist Louise Vase, poem by Celia Dropkin

(31:37) Rachel Korn, Holocaust survivors in Sweden, Yiddish

(35:08) how Ida got interested in Klezmer and Yiddish

(38:21) Ida’s childhood, the Södra Archipelago,  Asperö island Sweden

(42:15) music education and family encouragement

(48:01) Finnish war children in Sweden, Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell quartet

(51:38) Apeltango with Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell quartet, from the album Omenatango

(55:11) other episodes of interest, ways to support this series

(56:11) Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, learning Yiddish

(01:06:32) Anna, grieving her sister

(01:12:05) “Sommersång it stilla tid och barfotadans på klippor” from Anna

(01:15:21) healing process of creating the album

(01:19:30) Flyga from Anna

(01:23:34) balancing a career in music with family life, working with El Sistema

(01:27:29) upcoming projects, new piano album, collaborations

photo: Ellika Henrikson

Nov 25, 202401:31:04
DeWitt Fleming Jr.

DeWitt Fleming Jr.

DeWitt Fleming Jr. is a multi-talented and brilliant performer, renowned for his tap dancing, choreography and acting, and is also a singer and drummer. As he said to me in this interview “when I’m tap dancing I’m drumming”. You’ll hear about his experience growing up in the Projects, the importance of attending an Arts high school, the usefulness of theatre training for musicians, and insights into memorization, mindset and performing. He shared his experiences working with Wynton Marsalis, meeting his wife the actor and singer Jennie Harney-Fleming, with whom he’s presently performing A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,  his experiences with Cirque du Soleil and touring internationally with Riverdance, and most recently playing both drums and performing tap with the Hot Sardines in Tokyo. 

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, everything linked here : https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/dewitt-fleming-jr

DeWitt Fleming Jr. Website: https://www.dewittflemingjr.com/bio

Sign up for my Podcast Newsletter!⁠ ⁠Very Cool Merch⁠

Buy me a coffee? ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ Thanks!

You may be also interested in my episodes with ⁠J. Walter Hawkes,⁠ ⁠Vahn Black⁠,⁠ Mike Essoudry⁠, ⁠Destiny Muhammad⁠, ⁠EmmoLei Sankofa⁠, ⁠Kellylee Evans⁠ and so many ⁠others. ⁠ 

“Doxy” highlighting DeWitt’s tap dancing with saxophonist Erica von Kleist; Sax & Taps’ this video which was recorded live at The Red Room in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6-xm8DZY6c

Sax & Taps’ album Intersplosion!

https://saxandtaps.bandcamp.com/album/intersplosion-live-at-dizzys-club

clips of DeWitt dancing with  Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGl6svIDzNc

 Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:48) history of tap, African roots 

(09:26) DeWitt’s youth Projects of Washington DC, Hoofin’ out of the Hood show

(17:54) meeting his wife Jennie Harney-Fleming, parenting

(22:16) A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical

(23:30) choreography, Broadway 

(26:56) benefits of drama training

(29:31) clip from Doxy, Sax & Taps with Erica von Kleist

(32:28) other episodes you may like, and different ways to support this series!

(33:15) drummer, Blue Note Tokyo with The Hot Sardines

(36:47) Cirque du Soleil experience, Broadway Underground

(43:06) meeting and working with Wynton Marsalis

(50:24) tap dancing, mentoring and teaching youth, the importance of theater

(56:10) connections with music, acting, dancing

(59:38) touring internationally with Riverdance

(01:02:35) Alicia Keys

(01:04:57) balance between playing drums and dancing, being in the moment, tap is music



Nov 17, 202401:07:52
Yale Strom: Klezmer Ethnographer-Artist

Yale Strom: Klezmer Ethnographer-Artist

I was honored to be able to record this wide-ranging interview with violinist Yale Strom, who is the leading ethnographer-artist of Klezmer music and history, and also has done many years of research among the Roma communities. He speaks to us about some of his many inspiring experiences during over 75 research expeditions to Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. To prepare for this episode, I read several of his books, including his 400 page The Book of Klezmer: The History, The Music, The Folklore, some of which we touched on during this conversation, and he also spoke about two of his upcoming books and other projects. Yale is an energetic and prolific creator; he’s also a filmmaker, photographer, educator, playwright and composer, and we spoke about many of his projects during this wide-ranging interview.  Timestamps below.

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/yale-strom

Video Transcript

Yale Strom Website

To support this series, please either buy me a coffee

or shop at my merchandise store

Newsletter sign-up

You may be also interested in these episodes:  Alicia Svigals (both episodes linked) Polina Shepherd, Josh “Socalled” Dolgin, and Marilyn Lerner.  

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:29) Yale’s career as ethnographer-artist

(04:03) Stoliner shul concert in Detroit Victory Fellowship Baptist Church

(10:44)  Oberek Palota, Klezmer music from Slovakia, from the album “Borsht with Bread, Brothers” with Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi

(14:34) ethnographic research, Wandering Feast book, Yiddish, meeting Holocaust survivors

(24:43)The Witches of Lublin

(27:26) Dire Gelt from The Devil’s Brides with Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi, vocals with Elizabeth Schwartz

(31:10) Yale Strom’s films The Last Klezmer, A Great Day in Eldridge Street, the Man from Munkasc, An American Socialist, the Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs

(35:09)Leopold Kozlowski, The Last Klezmer, Naftuli Brandwein

(39:33) Rom musicians, book Uncertain Roads, Searching for the Gypsies, connections with the Jews

(49:46) Klezmer loshn secret language and culture

(58:46) the lost Stoliner Weinstein manuscript, upcoming book 

(01:07:02) other episodes with Klezmer musicians and ways to support this series

(01:07:42) Yale’s compositions and commissions

(01:17:28) Dave Tarras

(01:22:19) Influences of Klezmer and Romani on Russian school of violin playing, Oistrach, Auer

(01:29:25) Shimmering Lights album, Sara Caswell, influences of prayers on Klezmer

(01:33:53) excerpt from Bashir Mizmor, Shimmering Lights album Yale Strom’s Broken Consort, with Sara Caswell improv 

(01:35:56) The Expulsion of the Jews, Sephardic communities research

(01:43:33) Schlomo books, new musical about the Chagalls, Sweet Fragrance of Life

Nov 12, 202401:47:34
Nimrod Borenstein: Composer and Conductor

Nimrod Borenstein: Composer and Conductor

Nimrod Borenstein is a brilliant composer, who was a child prodigy as both a composer and performer. His often complex music is beloved by performers and audiences alike, and has been widely recorded and performed internationally. He is also a renowned conductor, and he spoke to me about his difficult decision to cut short his career as a violin soloist in order to find alternate career options as he developed his career as a composer. Vladimir Ashkenazy has been an active champion of Nimrod’s music, and you’ll hear the charming story of their first meeting.  Ashkenazy first conducted Borenstein’s orchestral work The Big Bang and Creation of the Universe op. 52 to great acclaim, and the Chandos label released a very successful album devoted to Borenstein’s music conducted by Ashkenazy featuring his Violin Concerto and orchestral works.  


Nimrod shares his insights about interpreting music for performers and conductors, the development of his compositional style and his views on creativity in general. Nimrod has an infectious energy in his enthusiasm for the pursuit of beauty.  Nimrod has exceptional parents, and you’ll hear how they met, and we start with Nimrod’s close relationship to his father the renowned painter Alec Borenstein. 

You’ll be hearing excerpts from a couple of recordings, with thanks to both SOMM recordings and Naxos; links to Nimrod Borenstein's compositions and recordings below

This episode is also a captioned video on YouTube, and you can read the transcript at this link as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/nimrod-borenstein

Nimrod Borenstein website, for his discography, compositions and current projects: https://www.nimrod-borenstein.com/recordings

To support this series, please either buy me a coffee

or shop at my merchandise store

Newsletter sign-up

Catalog of Episodes

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:27) father Alec Borenstein, sharing ideas about great art and creativity

(10:44) Un moment de sérénité Shirim, op. 94, no. 5  performed by pianist Clélia Iruzun with thanks to SOMM recordings

(13:24) the importance of contrast

(15:06) importance of dynamics, notation, interpretation

(18:04) evolution of Nimrod’s compositions,  decision to give up career as a violin soloist 

(22:37)Concertos

(24:51) piano Etudes

(30:11) Tango Etude. op. 66 No. 3 on the Naxos label with pianist Tra Nguyen

(32:32) piano Etudes, first symphony

(35:24) Chopin performed very little, Nimrod’s decision to prioritize composition

(36:41)decision to conduct

(43:47) excerpt from the 3rd movement of the Borenstein Concerto for Piano and Orchestra op. 91, performed by Clélia Iruzun and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Nimrod Borenstein conductor

(47:11) conducting, composition and interpretation

(55:35)past episodes you may enjoy, different ways to support this series

(56:20) English Chamber Orchestra 2025 collaboration Shakespeare Songs

(57:16)how Vladimir Ashkenazy became a champion of Nimrod’s compositions

(01:06:38) evolution of Nimrod’s compositional style, use of polyrhythms, finding his voice

(01:24:09) excerpt from the 2nd movement of the Borenstein Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, op. 91, performed by Clélia Iruzun and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with Nimrod conducting.

(01:27:31) Nimrod’s childhood in France, then move to the UK, musical influences, rating composers

(01:37:32) Nimrod’s family 

(01:42:55) piano pedagogy books and approach to teaching

(01:48:42) great art separate from the creator

photo: Sonia Fitoussi 

Nov 01, 202401:55:55
Mark Growden: Living an Adventurous Life in Music

Mark Growden: Living an Adventurous Life in Music

Mark Growden is a brilliant, curious, and expressive American multi-faceted musician.  He’s a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, music educator, conductor, and visual artist. In this episode we focus on his large and varied instrument collection and he demonstrates several unusual instruments, including different jaw harps, biclycle handebars, and overtone flutes. He shares his unique journey, and how he developed new skills in response to different challenges and opportunities. I was fascinated to hear about his inspiring recent trip to Kyrgyzstan, about many of his mentors and collaborators, and his expressive approach to musicianship training.   Mark has devoted his life to making music for other people and to helping other people make music for themselves, and he is an advocate for openess about respect and understanding for people with neurodivergence and mood disorders. Mark  is the founder and Artistic Director of The Calling All Choir, The Chromatic Community Music Center, SF SingFest, and The SF Jaw Harp Choir. He has released several critically acclaimed albums and has toured the US extensively. He has composed original musical scores for dozens of dance and theater companies and scored several films. We are featuring music from 3 of his albums during this episode and you’ll find his discography linked below. 

This episode on YouTube, and the transcript:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mark-growden

Mark Growden website: https://markgrowden.org

To support this series, please either buy me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

or shop at my merchandise store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

You may be also interested in my episodes with other wide-ranging musicians involved in community music, instrument-making and exploring, such as with Linsey Pollak, Kavisha Mazzella, Philip Griffin, Polina Shepherd, Jesse Stewart, Sarah Jeffery, and Gary Muszynski.

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(03:16) Kyrgyzstan, Irina Bogatyryova, jaw harp music, Kutman Sultanbekov

(08:25) overtone flutes, bicycle handlebars, selijefloyte

(14:06) jaw harp history and demo

(17:32) jaw harp technique 

(21:21)clip from bicycle handlebars improvisation on Mark’s  album Saint Judas

(22:02) in-blown flutes, interdental embouchure, Central Asian flutes

(28:23) Mark’s childhood, music education, bands 

(31:24)Orff Schulwerk,  Blues

(35:05) New Orleans, writing for choirs, leading Community Sings

(42:36) Mark’s early music education

(46:53) Driving into the Sunrise, from In Velvet with the New Orleans Heavies and Mark Growden

(50:20) other episodes you may like and different ways to support this series

(51:07) Juggling, busking, bands, digeridoo, studying art, jazz

(53:04) Kodaly method

(55:11) Mark’s approach to teaching musicianship, hearing intervals according to function

(59:11) how Mark got into singing and choral direction, claw hammer banjo, album Lose me in the sand

(01:04:26) Shady Grove from Lose me in the sand

(01:08:53) move to Portland, show for the Getty museum Edyth Eyde

(01:16:15) Aron Szilagyi jaw harp festival World Vibes Hungary

(01:17:53) bass jaw harp demo

(01:19:06) Lithuanian psaltery tuned in whole tones, Veljo Tormis Tabu, kankles psaltery

(01:22:07) video music art new projects

(01:25:47) mentors Vance George, Alice Parker, Michael Kaulkin

(01:31:50) living and creating with bipolar type 2 and ADHD

Oct 28, 202401:41:59
Omo Bello: Celebrating African Art Song

Omo Bello: Celebrating African Art Song

Omo Bello is an acclaimed French-Nigerian operatic soprano , and in this episode we are focussing on her newly-released album “African Art Song” on Somm recordings with pianist Rebeca Omordia. Many of you heard my episode this past summer with pianist and curator of the African Concert Series, Rebeca Omordia, and I’ll be linking that episode below for you.  

Omo talked to me about overcoming shyness and stage fright,  her childhood and university years in Lagos, Nigeria, and some of her mentors including Grace Bumbry and Thomas Quasthoff.  I was fascinated to gain insights from her life as an opera singer, and to learn about many of the composers from Africa and the African diaspora featured on this wonderful album, including Ayo Bankole, Fred Onovwerosuoke,  Ishaya Yaron, Chirstian Onyeji and Shirley Thompson . 

 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/omo-bello

Episode with Rebeca Omordia: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/rebeca-omordia-african-pianism

African Art Song album: https://somm-recordings.com/recording/african-art-song/


Omo Bello website: http://www.omobello.com/about.html

Omo Bello instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omo_bello

Merch store to support this series: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Linktree Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman

photo: Vincent Pontet

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:53) African Art Song album with Rebeca Omordia

(09:12) Ayo Bankole

(10:40) Ayo Banko’s Adura fun Alafia Prayer for Peace

(14:22) Ayo Bankole

(17:00) Omo’s childhood and university years in Lagos

(32:22) Fred Onovwerosuoke, cultural context to interpret this music

(39:13)  excerpt of “Ngulu” by Fred Onovwerosuoke 

(40:11) the voice as instrument

(44:49) other episodes you may like, and different ways to support this series

(45:33) Grace Bumbry

(53:44) Shirley Thompson

(58:15) excerpt from  Shirley Thompson’s "Psalm to Windrush”

(59:44) Omo Bello Music Foundation in Nigeria

(01:07:47) Ishaya Yarison

(01:10:26) excerpt from Ishaya Yarison’s Ku zo, mu raira waƙa 

(01:11:54) Christian Onyegi, African Art Song album themes

(01:15:34) Giri Giri by Christian Onyegi

(01:17:31) percussionist Richard Olatunde Baker on the album, transmitting oral tradition of the music

(01:20:46) challenges in music education in France

(01:28:17) Thomas Quastoff, Des Knaben Wunderhorn album

(01:34:21) challenges and joys of an opera singer

Oct 21, 202401:40:43
Gilad Weiss: Moving Strings

Gilad Weiss: Moving Strings

Gilad Weiss takes us on a visit to his music studio and improvises on several of his instruments, including the fretless guitar, and some of the instruments from Turkey and Central Asia, such as the kopuz, the baglama and the Turkmenistani dutar. He also spoke to me about his duo project with the Anatolian kamanche player Melisa Yildirim and we’re including a track from their beautiful album, which is linked below, along with Gilad’s album Improvisations on Fretless Guitar Volume 1, and the ways to connect with Gilad. He shared his valuable insights about teaching music, and teaching the guitar, improvisation and interesting details about the modes and tuning systems for the various instruments he demonstrates. This episode has a lot of improvised music; Gilad spent much of the interview with an instrument in his hand; please use the detailed timestamps (below) to navigate the episode, which like all my episodes you can either watch on my YouTube or listen to on all the podcast platforms, and the transcript is here too: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/gilad-weiss


https://giladweiss.bandcamp.com/album/improvisations-on-fretless-guitar

https://www.youtube.com/@TheShfanfan

https://www.facebook.com/giladweis

https://www.instagram.com/gilad.weiss.hadad/

https://talus.info/

It’s a joy to be able to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my merchandise store or on my Ko-fi page:
https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Here's the merchandise store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

You may be also interested in my episodes with lutenist Elizabeth Pallett, guitarists including masters Derek Gripper, Daniel Ramjattan, or Marc van Vugt, along with many episodes featuring traditional and improvised music from around the world.  Catalog of Episodes: ⁠https://www.leahroseman.com/about⁠

photo: Daria Perelmuter 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:24) saz, dutar, guitar, fingernails

(06:31) intro to “Late Night” from Improvisations on Fretless Guitar, Volume 1

(07:16)fretless guitar “Late Night” from Improvisations on Fretless Guitar, Volume 1

(11:50) Gilad’s fretless guitar, Erkan Oğur 

(14:29) fretless guitar improvisation

(16:30) album with kamancheh player Melisa Yildirim

(24:49) Yeldeğirmeni Zeybeği | Windmill Zeybek from Talûs with Melisa Yildirim and Gilad

(28:11) musical experiences in Turkey, Engin Topuzkanamış

(33:40) kopuz (tambur) history and demo, tuning system

(36:50) kopuz improv

(39:37) huseyni mode and tuning systems 

(43:18) kopuz improv

(44:00) kisa sap baglama 

(46:23) other episode you will enjoy, different ways to support this series

(47:15) different playing techniques, history of microtonal frets

(55:48) tambur 

(58:46) Turkmensitani dutar 

(01:04:08) Gilad’s early musical influences

(01:11:07) Gilad’s approach to teaching music and guitar

(01:18:25) improvising and different approaches to learning 

(01:28:35) different guitars, approach to tuning and teaching guitar

(01:34:44) next recording project

Oct 14, 202401:41:39
Sara Caswell: Jazz violinist

Sara Caswell: Jazz violinist

I was honoured to have this opportunity to record this conversation with the phenomenal violinist Sara Caswell, who is a GRAMMY Nominee for the Best Improvised Jazz Solo. We focused on the recent 9 Horses album, Strum with mandolinist and composer Joseph Brent, and she also spoke to me about some of her other collaborators including esperanza spalding, Chuck Owen, Nadje Noordhuis, and mentors including David Baker, Mimi Zweig and Josef Gingold. She shared how she started playing the 10 stringed Hardanger d’amore, her rich early musical life in Bloomington, and how she is grounded and inspired from her family and friends. 

You can read the transcript or watch the video, both linked here on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/sara-caswell

 https://9horses.bandcamp.com/album/strum

https://saracaswell.com/

Merchandise store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

photo: Shervin Lainez

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) 9 Horses album Strum, Joe Brent

(07:12) clip from The House that Ate Myself, 9 horses album Strum

(08:30) 9 horses trio and different recording projects

(11:50) clip from Americannia from 9 horses ablum Strum

(13:09) acoustic versus electric violin

(15:06) about Sara’s Hardanger d’amore fiddle

(23:00) clip from Long Time Away 

(25:27) Sara’s approach to teaching jazz

(28:33) GRAMMY nomination, Chuck Owen the Jazz Surge

(32:59) Sara Caswell quartet The Way to You, Nadje Noorduis

(34:26) excerpt from South Shore  Sara Caswell quartet The Way to You by Nadje Noorduis

(37:30) early musical life in Bloomington, David Baker, supportive parents, Mimi Zweig

(40:55) Josef Gingold

(48:14) related episodes and ways to support this project

(48:57) Bloomington years with David Baker, Jamey Abersold, Janis Stockhouse, Stanley Ritchie

(53:32) New York early years, John Blake, Sylvia Rosenberg

(56:47) clip from Jennie Pop Nettle-Eater

(57:22) meeting Joe Brent

(59:18) esperanza spalding

(01:02:54) the joy of collaboration

(01:04:31) clip from Strum

(01:05:19) work-life balance and self-care

Oct 05, 202401:08:19
Mark Deutsch and his Bazantar

Mark Deutsch and his Bazantar

Mark Deutsch is a brilliant and unique musician who has devoted the last 3 decades of his life to his instrument the Bazantar, which is unique to him. There is only one Bazantar, which is a double bass hybrid with elements of the sitar:  it has 6 main strings, 4 drone strings, and 29 sympathetic strings. Mark grew up as a multi-instrumentalist, but primarily a classical, jazz and rock bass player, and gave up a successful career as a performer to devote himself to the Bazantar. While studying sitar with Ustad Imrat Khan, Mark begin delving into the universal fundamentals of music and its underlying frequency structures. The nonlinear mathematical patterns that exist in sound are found universally in the natural world, includeng seashells, and Mark goes into some of the math of the overtone series in some detail, as well as fascinating specifics of how the Bazantar and his playing of it have evolved.  You’ll hear Mark talk about how he developed his patented engineering solution to construct a separate housing for the sympathetic strings. In this episode, Mark demonstrated live, and also is sharing not only excerpts from previously released recordings, but a preview from an upcoming album. 

Mark Deutsch website https://bazantar.com/

Podcast website with Transcript and Video link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mark-deutsch-and-his-bazantar

Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Merchandise store to support the podcast: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter


Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:16) Mark’s background, sitar, and inspiration for creating the Bazantar

(10:52) Bazantar music: excerpt from Lahja from the Picasso Tunings

(12:13) studying sitar with Imrat Khan

(14:10) Alain Danielou’s book Music and the Power of Sound, the math of frequencies and music

(18:14) building the Bazantar

(22:17) excerpt from Avodah from the album Fool

(23:32) Prehistoric Planet

(25:09) 8Dio samples, different tunings and playing techniques

(34:19) Bazantar demo

(39:37) Other episodes you’ll like and different ways to support this series!

(40:54) sympathetic strings with demo

(44:09) excerpt from The Crooked Road from The Picasso Tunings

(45:04) prototypes and the patented engineering solution to the Bazantar

(55:55) different bridge designs 

(58:46) improvisation plucked Bazantar

(01:04:13) cross-country tour stories with the Bazantar, Mark’s musical interests

(01:08:38) different approaches to improvisation, learning to play what you’re hearing

(01:14:05) Mark’s approach to teaching and playing

(01:21:50) first album “Fool” with both sitar and Bazantar

(01:25:40) excerpt from Painted Bird on Fool

(01:26:58) fasting

(01:29:00) Picasso Tunings albums

(01:31:45) Antique Slippers, 8th movement from the Picasso Tunings

(01:35:25) decision to move to San Franciso, different tunings

(01:39:18) special effect with just the sympathetic strings with demo from unreleased recording Bardo

(01:42:29) Jaron Lanier, Quincy Jones disbelief

(01:44:13) more Bazantar demos, ideas about improvisation, background to Kundalini Rising

(01:51:54) excerpt from Kundalini Rising from Fool

(01:52:55) more demos and the math of the harmonics and frequencies, developing the Bazantar

(02:08:25) Mark’s approach to improvisation


Sep 30, 202402:12:45
Stephen Burns

Stephen Burns

Trumpeter, composer and conductor Stephen Burns is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Fulcrum Point New Music Project in Chicago. He has been acclaimed on four continents for his virtuosity and interpretative depth in recitals, orchestral appearances, chamber music, and multi-media performances.In this interview you’ll hear him talk about some of his mentors including Arnold Jacobs, and Pierre Thibaud. Stephen Burns won several important competitions and awards which helped launch his solo career at a young age,  the Maurice André Concours International de Paris, but touring internationally brings challenges which he discussed candidly with me. Stephen has worked closely with Madeline Bruser and is a certified teacher in the Art of Practicing. 

We talked about mindfulness, the importance of a  student-centered approach to teaching, the deep connection to your audience, programming innovative programs, and specific advice for not only brass players and musicians, but for all of us. See Timestamps below for the topics covered.

 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/stephen-burns


Stephen Burns Fulcrum Point: https://www.fulcrumpoint.org/founder

Episode with Madeline Bruser: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/madeline-bruser

Telemann: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m5b5ZQtTEQjEfrDUAsQv6qjxLVALKEV0E

Hindemith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHwJbYls5Y&list=OLAK5uy_nUp5ihSm80-NXa1Zk5nGGEqvsh7PvWQ6o&index=5

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

photo: Josh R Zepka


Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:13) Madeline Bruser, The Art of Practicing, Buddhist principles

(07:05) Fulcrum Point New Music Project, programming concerts

(16:02)  Hindemith Sonata for Trumpet 2nd mvt Maessig bewegt with David Korevaar on piano

(18:45) middle school band teacher Dan Riley

(26:13) making the decision to pursue music as a career

(33:33) moving to New York

(35:03) Telemann Concerto in D Major, 1st mvt Adagio

(35:18) overcoming injury, Armando Ghitalla, Vince Penzerella

(41:44) realistic goals for musicians, finding what makes you happy

(44:51) the personal challenges of an international touring career

(48:48) moving to Indiana then Chicago

(53:33) teaching Mindfulness for Musicians

(55:48) other episodes of interest and ways to support this series

(56:37) Arnold Jacobs

(01:01:26) Telemann’s Trumpet concert  in D Major; the  last mvt Allegro

(01:01:24) the importance of body awareness, working with dancers Martha Clarke, Ruby Shang, overcoming injuries

(01:07:54) advice for brass players, Pierre Thibaud, Madeline Bruser

(01:15:44) Stephen’s teaching, online challenges

(01:18:40) stage fright, performance anxiety, Arnold Jacobs, Brass playing concepts of sound, building trust

(01:32:58) a life of travel

(01:39:22) the most important aspects of mindset, Bobby Shew, George Zan, Madeline Bruser


Sep 23, 202401:47:12
Alicia Svigals: Fidl Afire Catch-Up Episode

Alicia Svigals: Fidl Afire Catch-Up Episode

This episode is a special short Catch-Up episode with the Klezmer violinist and composer Alicia Svigals. I first spoke with her in 2021 in Season 1 of this podcast, and that wide-ranging in-depth conversation is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e15-s1-alicia-svigals-klezmer-violinist-and-composer

Today we are focusing on Alicia’s new album Fidl Afire https://borschtbeat.bandcamp.com/album/fidl-afire, with several excerpts from the album with her insights. 

Alicia Svigals website: https://aliciasvigals.com/home

I have many episodes featuring klezmer musicians such as Polina Shepherd https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/polina-shepherd

and Marilyn Lerner https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/marilyn-lerner, and many artists in the folk and world music scene, so please check out my catalog of episodes. https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on YouTube, or read the transcript, everything linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/alicia-svigals-catch-up-fidl-afire

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 Thanks!

Newsletter sign-up: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter⁠

Linktree for social media: ⁠https://linktr.ee/leahroseman⁠

Timestamps

(00:00)Intro

(01:18)Fidl Afire album

(05:17)excerpt from Alician’s Patsch Tants

(10:38) excerpt from Mayn Mame Ver Ikh featuring Vira Lozinsky

(15:57) excerpt from Dybbuk Honga

(18:57) excerpt from South Fallsburg Bulgar

(21:36) excerpt from Fidl Afire Fantasy

(23:44) excerpt from Levitt Bulgar

Sep 19, 202425:06
Meg Okura: Jazz Violinist and Composer

Meg Okura: Jazz Violinist and Composer

Meg Okura is an award-winning Jazz composer and brilliant Grammy-nominated violinist, and the leader and founder of the  Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. This episode features several excerpts from Meg’s wonderful recent duo album “Lingering” with the Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and composer  Kevin Hays. This  was a wide-ranging conversation, including Meg’s musical tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto, her experiences playing for Cirque du Soleil,  some of the challenges she’s faced, and about her search for a new spiritual community.  She shared with me her thoughts on mentorship and the power of music to create real understanding and connection. 

 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/meg-okura

Album Lingering: https://megokurakevinhays.bandcamp.com/album/lingering

Meg Okura Website https://www.megokura.com/home

Phantasmagoria: https://open.spotify.com/track/4YG1HjeJF3qgK2AsmiqcXh

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

(02:19) meeting Kevin Hays, album “Lingering”

(06:49) Again and Again

(10:18) intro to Maim Korim 

(11:25) Maim Korim

(15:07) Meg’s classical training, early interest in composing was discouraged, Pan-Asian Youth orchestra experience

(19:56) commentary on Will You Hear My Voice 

(21:56) excerpt from Will You Hear My Voice 

(23:06)  finding her own path into jazz in New York, influences and opportunities

(27:41) BMI Jazz composers workshop

(29:30) founding the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble 

(40:38) excerpt from Tomiya Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble from album Ima Ima

(42:09) Ryuichi Sakamoto tribute project

(47:02) Michael Brecker, new album with Randy Brecker

(48:54) ISJAC prize, Silent Screams: an Anthem for the Unheard 

(50:18) commission to write trio Phantasmagoria for Tasha Warren and Dave Eggar, writing for classical ensembles

(56:00) excerpt from Phantasmagoria 

(57:23) parenting decisions, importance of education and community, decision to convert to Judaism

(01:08:42) changes with education and music online

(01:11:36) coommentary on Shamaim 

(01:13:28) excerpt from Shamaim

(01:15:50) different ways you can support this independent podcast

(01:16:43) the importance of intuition and emotion in musical composition and improvisation

(01:23:06) commentary on Lingering, nostalgia and changing sense of self as we age

(01:26:10) excerpt from Lingering

(01:28:02) use of electric violin as a tool for composition and in performances

(01:29:54) Scorchio Quartet, David Bowie, Sirius quartet, Pharaoh’s Daughter

(01:35:10) Cirque du Soleil, decision to return to New York, marriage to Sam Newsome, learning jazz

(01:43:19) the importance of mentorship, community, the healing power of music

Sep 16, 202401:50:45
Julia MacLaine: Cellist

Julia MacLaine: Cellist

I have known the Canadian cellist Julia MacLaine for many years in her role asAssistant Principal Cello of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, of which I am also a member. In this episode we’re highlighting her gorgeous album Preludes which pairs the Preludes of J.S. Bach for Cello solo and with newly commissioned works for solo cello by Canadian composers.  Julia and I talked about many things, including how best to address  the challenges of maintaining high levels of playing and inspiration, studying the craft of songwriting with the legendary Ian Tamblyn , the intricacies of putting together ambitious projects,  her childhood in Prince Edward Island,  and strategies to cope with performance anxiety. It was really inspiring to hear some of the wisdom Julia gained from her mentors including Timothy Eddy and the late Antonio Lysy. This episode features excerpts of music from Preludes including that of J.S. Bach, Airat Ichmouratov, Carmen Braden, Roy Johnstone and Nicole Lizée. 

 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 here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/julia-maclaine

Julia MacLaine website: https://www.juliamaclainecello.com/bio

Preludes album https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9309403--preludes?srsltid=AfmBOoop593ZT29pz3RSsEMawTjbiHPF_8oMICuS2ruzUn1Qo2dkujCn

Preludes album on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC80c6WS5jNMk-L5RhXOknCA

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

My episode with Rachel Mercer, Principal Cellist of NACO: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s2-rachel-mercer

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:02) J.S. Bach solo Preludes, Julia’s childhood in Singapore and Prince Edward Island

(10:59) Prelude in D minor, Suite number 2 J.S. Bach

(14:43) Antonio Lysy, bow control, intonation

(20:03) boundaries with technology, Julia’s childhood no TV

(22:48) Bonnie Hampton, Julia’s career trajectory, staying in good playing shape

(28:08) commissioning Airat Ichmouratov’s Praeludium with excerpt

(29:30) excerpt from Airat Ichmouratov’s Praeludium

(31:33) commissioning new works inspired by Bach, securing funding

(34:30) Carmen Braden collaboration on interpretation

(37:44) excerpt from Play Time by Carmen Braden

(39:01)more discussion about interpretation and editions

(39:59) Timothy Eddy, Julliard and New York experience

(44:22) different ways you can support this independent podcast!

(45:15) Roy Johnstone

(46:36) clip of No. 6 Post Bach by Roy Johnstone

(47:52) PEI, Matt Zimbel

(48:51) multi-disciplinary project in New York Voice of the Whale

(54:38) songwriting with Ian Tamblyn

(57:48) mental game, perfectionism, performance anxiety 

(01:04:33) Nicole Lizée with clip from Prayers for Ruins

(01:06:44) balancing family life as a musician

(01:10:53) choosing repertoire

(01:14:09) performance anxiety (stagefright), Don Greene

photo: Stewart MacLaine

Sep 09, 202401:21:04
Ineke Vandoorn: Dancing on Water

Ineke Vandoorn: Dancing on Water

This special Catch-Up episode with the Dutch singer Ineke Vandoorn focuses on her album with Jasper van ’t Hof, “Dancing on Water”, with lots of music from the album. You’ll also get to hear of her inspirational experience learning from Betty Carter. 

When Ineke Vandoorn won the prestigous Edison Jazz Award for her album ‘Love is a Golden Glue’ the jury wrote:"Ineke Vandoorn distinguishes herself as a singer with her adventurous way of singing. First of all because of her exceptional, striking voice with an extreme range with which she can do anything. Her voice control enables her to cross her limits. Every note is placed at the right spot. Apart from that the singer has a huge amount of guts." I couldn’t agree more! It was such a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak with Ineke again. My 2023 episode with her is here, during which she sang live for the podcast: 2023 Interview https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ineke-vandoorn

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, everything linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ineke-vandoorn-dancing-on-water

Ineke's website https://www.inekevandoorn.com/

Dancing on Water album https://baiximrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dancing-on-water

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

(01:54) about the album “Dancing on Water” with Jasper van ’t Hof

(03:17) Paul Simon song “Quiet” with excerpt

(05:59) process of creating the album

(07:40) meeting Betty Carter

(11:30) Marsch Fur Oelze with excerpt

(13:03) Yayapriya with excerpt

(16:35) please support this indepedent podcast!

(17:18) Quiet American with clips

(21:04) challenges of writing lyrics, The Way She Looks with clip

(24:30) about Dance on the Water, with complete song

(31:27) the satisfying challenge of this project

Sep 05, 202433:41
Joe K. Walsh Mandolinist

Joe K. Walsh Mandolinist

Joe K. Walsh is an acclaimed master of bluegrass mandolin and a professor at Berklee College, and in this episode you’ll hear about many of his inspiring collaborations including with Darol Anger, Mike Block, Grant Gordy, Alex Hargreaves and Mike Marshall. We are also featuring some music from some of his albums inluding “If Not Now, Who?” We talked about Joe’s approach as an educator, the challenges and joys of the touring life, the importance of innovation and taking chances musically. Joe’s love of music and the mandolin shines brightly in this candid conversation.

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/joe-k-walsh

Albums featured in this episode: https://garrisongordyhargreaveswalsh.bandcamp.com/album/bluegrass-and-the-abstract-truth

https://joewalsh.bandcamp.com/album/if-not-now-who

https://joewalsh.bandcamp.com/album/borderland

Joe K. Walsh website: ⁠ https://joekwalsh.com/⁠

Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

Merch store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:28) Aaron Weinstein, Joe’s search for a different approach, “If Not Now, Who?” album

(07:23) Tom from “If Not Now, Who?”

(11:48) recording the album, Joe’s student days at Berklee, teaching approach

(19:01) songwriting

(20:41) Innisfree from “Borderland”

(24:10) Gibson Brothers, experience of touring

(28:40) mandolin family, David Grisman, Daryl Anger, Mr. Sun, Ger Mandolin Ensemble Mike Marshall

(36:12) Joy Kills Sorrow, maturing and working with different generations in the music business

(39:20) Daryl Anger, dangers of perfectionism in recordings

(41:43) please support this independent podcast

(42:35) healthy mindsets, Adam Hurt, creativity, teaching

(50:42) decision to pursue music professionally, early influences

(53:09) Grant Gordy, Mike Block, the value of music for community

(57:31) practicing the mandolin, transcribing, dealing with injuries

(01:02:07) mandolin demo Chinkapin Hunting

(01:04:02) Steve Gilchrist luthier, Bluegrass and mandolin community worldwide

(01:09:47) “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth”, Alex Hargreaves, memorizing music

(01:15:07) Mahjong from “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth”

(01:18:03) meeting Joe Walsh story

(01:19:18) reflecting on the mental game

Sep 02, 202401:21:55
Bad Snacks

Bad Snacks

This episode features Bad Snacks, a producer and multi-instrumentalist known for the use of violin, with lofi and dance influences. We talked about her experience when she went viral on Andrew Huang’s “4 Producers Flip the Same Sample” challenge with over 4.5M views, dealing with online boundaries, with sexism, finding inspiration, and  enjoying the learning process. Bad Snacks is also an educator; she coaches fellow producers privately, runs a successful YouTube channel where she posts content related to music technology and beat breakdowns. Due to her love for cutting-edge music tech, she has worked as a key demonstrator with several of the industry’s largest names like Ableton, Roland,  and Moog. She has also taught as an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music for Electronic Production & Design. We talked about her unique educational path and choices she’s made along the way to carve out a successful career, and in fact what success really means. She spoke thoughtfully about important topics such as music education, developing creativity, imposter syndrome and keeping a healthy perspective. Video and transcript link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/bad-snacks

Bad Snacks Website: https://www.lilbadsnacks.com/

Bad Snack’s My Pedals for Synth Violin video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2thGDywkg18&t=1s

Original Merch to support the podcast: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! ⁠

Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (03:01) Bad Snacks path into making beats, developing her sound with violin demo (10:49) Google Audio Library with excerpt (12:45) Andrew Huang’s 4 Producers Flip the Same Sample (19:36) name Bad Snacks, Home Music EP hybrid style (24:57) clip from iiwannabe (25:47) collaboration with chromonicci like u do with clip (31:38) decision not to go to Berklee college (35:06) different ways to support this independent podcast (35:58) making difficult life decisions, bathtub bumps clip, using different sequencers (43:11) cassette tapes (45:14) imposter syndrome, healthy mindsets, interacting with online community (51:35) finding her own path in music, early education (58:31) Brainfeeder’s The Hit, Flying Lotus (01:02:11) Dot mentorship, creativity exercise, dealing with sexism in the industry (01:09:34) teaching violin, teaching production (01:12:37) different ways of releasing and marketing music (01:16:57) neat tape 1, learning curve for each project, music clip (01:18:30) using the violin, sampling, festival circuit (01:26:42) expanding Home Music into a series, building community

photo of Bad Snacks: June Jameson

Aug 26, 202401:28:28
Maryanne Moodie Interview

Maryanne Moodie Interview

This is a special stand-alone bonus episode featuring the the inspiring Australian artist, educator and author Maryanne Moodie who’s woven art graces the cover of the Collected Strands album Volume 1, which is being celebrated in the main episode connected to this one. I decided to release this stand-alone bonus for those listeners who are passionate about weaving and want to dive into the interview with Maryanne right away, but I have included a clip of our improvisation Solace as part of this episode, and you will find all the links in the description of this episode to listen to this music, and of course the links to Maryanne Moodie’s art, workshops, and books in the show notes as well. I feel that all my listeners who love music and creativity will find that Maryanne’s personal journey and perspectives will resonate strongly with them, and I hope some listeners in the weaving and art world will also be inspired by the musicians! 

https://maryannemoodie.com/

Transcript https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/maryanne-moodie-interview

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUiiflQLnjM

Collected Strands listen here: https://collectedstrands.bandcamp.com/album/volume-1

Streaming:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/collectedstrands/volume-1

Collected Strands mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/5bbfa0f0e271/collected-strands-updates

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


https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/collected-strands-interview-with-maryanne-moodie

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 

(00:45) excerpt from Solace, from Volume 1 by Collected Strands improvising ensemble (which has Maryanne Moodie’s art on the cover)

(01:26) more information

(02:34) interview with Maryanne Moodie: her start in weaving, writing her books, nurturing our creativity

(11:39) creating commissioned pieces, how the audience takes in art, the community of weavers


Aug 19, 202417:60
Collected Strands Interview with weaver Maryanne Moodie

Collected Strands Interview with weaver Maryanne Moodie

This is a special episode of my podcast, celebrating Volume 1 with my improvising ensemble Collected Strands. The other musicians in the group have all been featured previously on this series, and you’ll find the links to those episodes below, with cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne, pianist James McGowan and drummer Mike Essoudry. I’m also delighted that you will get to know the inspiring Australian artist, educator and author Maryanne Moodie who’s woven art graces the cover of this album. You’ll find the links to her work as well. I am also releasing the interview with Maryanne as a separate stand-alone bonus episode connected to this episode. I feel that all my listeners who love music and creativity will find that Maryanne’s personal journey and perspectives will resonate strongly with them, and I hope some listeners in the weaving and art world will also be inspired by the musicians! 

We are including excerpts from the album during this episode, and you’ll find all the links to buy and stream this music below.

You can listen here:

⁠https://collectedstrands.bandcamp.com/album/volume-1⁠

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/collectedstrands/volume-1

Artist Maryanne Moodie: https://maryannemoodie.com/

Collected Strands mailing list https://mailchi.mp/5bbfa0f0e271/collected-strands-updates

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 Thanks!

Video and transcript: ⁠https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/collected-strands-interview-with-maryanne-moodie⁠

The musicians in Collected Strands have all been featured on previous episodes of this podcast, linked below:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/raphael-weinroth-browne

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/james-mcgowan

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mike-essoudry-drummer

Websites:

https://jamesmcgowan.ca/

https://raphaelweinrothbrowne.com/

https://mikeessoudrymusic.com/bio


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) cold open with Raphael Weinroth-Browne  

(00:48) excerpt from Solace, Volume 1 Collected Strands

(01:44) intro about the episode, Maryanne Moodie

(03:45) James and Leah talk about recording the album, the process of improvising

(07:27) intro to Unsettled Night with excerpt

(10:13) group discussion, Mike Essoudry using bass bow, creative process in improvisation

(12:14) percussive, random textures intro to Chaotic Kittens with excerpt

(15:15) Mike and James on creative process 

(19:25) James and Leah on putting the album together, choosing titles, intro to Baroquinerie with clip

(23:52) Raph’s perspectives on improvisation, group discussion 

(34:51) Leah and James genres, improvised chamber music, intro to Summer’s Eve with clip

(38:02) Interview with artist Maryanne Moodie: her start in weaving, writing her books, nurturing our creativity

 creating commissions, how the audience takes in art, the community of weavers

(55:08) ways you can support this podcast

(56:02) group discussion, audiences

(01:00:36) comments on  The Long Journey Home and Summer’s Eve, A Simple Magic

(01:03:10) A Simple Magic

photo of Collected Strands: Curtis Perry

Aug 19, 202401:08:05
Hillary Simms Trombonist

Hillary Simms Trombonist

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

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

(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

Jul 27, 202401:29:59
Rebeca Omordia: African Pianism

Rebeca Omordia: African Pianism

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

Jul 20, 202401:12:16
Sarah Jeffery of Team Recorder

Sarah Jeffery of Team Recorder

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!

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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 

Jul 13, 202401:14:56
Lisa Pegher: Percussion Pioneer

Lisa Pegher: Percussion Pioneer

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/music Original 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

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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


Jul 06, 202401:38:23
Cliff Beach: You Showed Me the Way

Cliff Beach: You Showed Me the Way

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


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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

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

Jun 29, 202401:44:28
Jessica Cottis: Hearing in Colour

Jessica Cottis: Hearing in Colour

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

Jun 22, 202401:26:06
Vahn Black: Celebrating Gladys Bentley

Vahn Black: Celebrating Gladys Bentley

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


Jun 15, 202401:07:44
 Martha Mooke: Electro-Acoustic Violist, Producer, Composer and Educator

Martha Mooke: Electro-Acoustic Violist, Producer, Composer and Educator

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

  


Jun 08, 202401:43:59
James McGowan: Musical Fusion

James McGowan: Musical Fusion

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

Jun 01, 202401:22:12
Rachel Mercer, Cellist: re-release with added music!

Rachel Mercer, Cellist: re-release with added music!

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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May 25, 202401:13:49
Linsey Pollak: Maker and Adventurer (re-release)

Linsey Pollak: Maker and Adventurer (re-release)

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


May 18, 202401:43:45
Cheng² Duo

Cheng² Duo

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

May 11, 202401:19:06
Ariel Bart: Harmonica Player and Composer

Ariel Bart: Harmonica Player and Composer

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

May 04, 202401:04:30
Gail Archer: GRAMMY-nominated trailblazing organist

Gail Archer: GRAMMY-nominated trailblazing organist

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/leahroseman photo: 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

Apr 27, 202401:36:23
Gerry Bryant: a Unique and Inspiring Life in Music

Gerry Bryant: a Unique and Inspiring Life in Music

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



Apr 20, 202401:56:51