Podcast

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and world views behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

Purchase Charles McPherson's Jazz Dance Suites: https://charlesmcpherson1.bandcamp.com/album/charles-mcphersons-jazz-dance-suites

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-sound-podcast/id1537645722
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpLEwvf1FkyZr40d11

TOPICS:
0:00​​ Intro Music
1:10 Introduction
3:45 Inspiration for Song of Songs (first suite of Jazz Dance Suites)
7:00 Covering a wide range of emotions in suite
10:45 Techniques to conveying particular emotions in music
21:00 Favorite film scorers/scores
26:30 Music written for older audience in 40’s and 50’s
29:20 Disenchantment with the American Songbook
33:30 Value in American Songbook
37:30 Using what’s appropriate for moment
42:40 Advice for ii-V playing in jazz improvisation
47:00 Bird on thinking of ii-V’s
49:00 Discovering jazz music for first time
53:30 Pop music of the 40’s/50’s
55:50 Meeting Barry Harris for first time
59:00 Cultivating group of people that are into jazz
1:02:00 Being mindful of how music is perceived by audience
1:07:00 “Written music should sound improvised and improvised music should sound written”
1:11:20 Telling a story while improvising
1:16:30 Having right intention of expressing human condition in art
1:20:00 Playing with feeling you want to transmit to audience
1:21:20 Importance of age/developing maturity
1:23:00 Learning about other art forms/sciences
1:27:27 Focus, consistency, energy towards scholarship
1:32:40 Reaching new audiences
1:42:00 How Camille got interested in ballet
1:46:00 Learning from Mingus
1:48:00 Writing for ballet
1:49:30 Writing process for ballet
1:53:00 Discussing Mingus
1:58:30 Recording process for Jazz Dance Suite

Today's Guest:
Charles McPherson was born in Joplin, Missouri and moved to Detroit at age nine. After growing up in Detroit, he studied with the renowned pianist Barry Harris and started playing jazz professionally at age 19. He moved from Detroit to New York in 1959 and performed with Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1972.

Mr. McPherson has performed at concerts and festivals with his own variety of groups, consisting of quartets, quintets to full orchestras. Charles was featured at Lincoln Center showcasing his original compositions 15 years ago, and once again joined Wynton Marsalis and J@LC Orchestra in April, 2019 honoring his 80th Birthday where they arranged and performed 7 of Charles’ iconic original compositions. Charles has toured the U.S., Europe, Japan, Africa and South America with his own group, as well as with jazz greats Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderly, Jay McShann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, and others.

McPherson has recorded as guest artist with Charlie Mingus, Barry Harris, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. He has recorded as a leader on Prestige, Fantasy, Mainstream, Discovery, Xanadu, Arabesque, Capri and several smaller labels in Europe and Japan.

Charles was the featured alto saxophonist in the Clint Eastwood film “Bird,” a biopic about Charlie Parker. Charles has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from California State University San Marcos. Charles performed this past April at the NEA Jazz Master’s 2019 performance during Stanley Crouch’s tribute. Widely recognized as a prolific composer, Charles is now Resident Composer for the San Diego Ballet, where he has written three original suites for chamber music and jazz combos. In the summer of 2019, Dr. Donnie Norton will compile the entire book of Charles’ compositions for publication.

McPherson remains a strong, viable force on the jazz scene today. Throughout his six decades of being an integral performer of the music, Charles has not merely remained true to his Be Bop origins but has expanded on them. Stanley Crouch says in his New York Times article on Charles, “he is a singular voice who has never sacrificed the fluidity of his melody making and is held in high esteem by musicians both long seasoned and young.” Charles is a frequent guest at universities all over the world and also teaches privately. Many of his former students have gone on to have careers of their own in jazz, and have earned National Jazz Student Awards. Charles had the honor of being the subject of the Ph.D. candidate Dr. Donnie Norton’s Doctoral Dissertation: “The Jazz Saxophone Style of Charles McPherson: An Analysis through Biographical Examination and Solo Transcription.”

Find him at https://charlesmcpherson.com/

Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TOPICS:
0:00​ Intro Music
1:22 Introduction of Nick Creus
3:30 Music that Nick has released
5:30 Nick’s introduction to audio production
8:00 “Again and Again”- Nicholas Creus
15:20 Relationship to musicians in band
17:30 Synth sound in music/electronic vs. human
20:22 Emotion/message of “Again and Again”
22:30 Influences of track
25:50 Allan Holdsworth influence
30:10 Studying with Mike Moreno
32:50 Study of American Songbook
35:15 “You don’t know what love is” study
40:00 Comedians logging observations/writing
42:10 Daily practice routine
43:40 Mike Moreno/Shai Maestro Dedication to craft
46:10 Music for Sunday’s performance
48:00 Brazilian music influence on jazz musicians
49:20 Influence of Brazilian music on Nick
50:20 Iberian culture influence on Nick
52:15 Picking guitar as instrument
54:00 Exposure to technology
56:50 Key to “Chillness”
1:00:05 Why don’t you make a chopped cheese at home?
1:01:00 Plans to move out of NYC
1:05:00 Achieving excellence: Alex Honnold
1:09:50 Better to go 1 inch, mile deep vs. mile far, 1 inch deep
1:11:30 Experiences gained at Manhattan School of Music
1:13:20 Favorite classes at MSM
1:17:55 Experience moving as a kid
1:21:30 Music pedestal of NYC
1:27:40 Hedonic Treadmill concept
1:34:00 “Perfect day” idea
1:35:40 Breaking overwhelming questions into small chunks
1:36:50 Nick interviewing Pat Metheny
1:38:40 How mindset affects music career
1:40:50 Tim Ferriss “Specialized Generalist”
1:43:50 Passion for soccer
1:45:22 Specialized Generalist concept in music
1:50:40 Biggest influences on guitar
1:53:10 90-Second fire round

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-sound-podcast/id1537645722
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpLEwvf1FkyZr40d11

Today's Guest:
Nicholas Creus is a guitarist, producer and composer based in New York. He was born in Milan, Italy to American and Spanish parents. He moved around a lot as a kid, but mainly grew up in Madrid, Spain. After taking piano and drum lessons, he finally settled on the guitar at age 8, which he fell in love with immediately. Eventually Nicholas moved to New York where he expanded his interests to include production and mixing. Nicholas is currently attending the Manhattan School of Music in Harlem, New York City. There he has studied with and learned from incredible musicians such as Mike Moreno, Stefon Harris, Marc Carey and more. He has played at venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Bar Next Door, and Neidorff-Karpati Hall. Nicholas is currently working on releasing new music scheduled for February 2021, which features other incredible musicians living in New York, and has Nicholas on guitar, synth overdub, as well as mixing and mastering.

Find him at https://www.nicholascreus.com/
Nick's single, "Again and Again": https://found.ee/nicholascreus
Instagram: @nicholascreus

Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TOPICS:
0:00​ Intro Music
1:25 Introduction for Shai Maestro
3:30 Meaning behind album cover of “Human”
5:05 Why name it Human?
6:50 Writing in a tower in France vs. NYC
11:00 Shai on Film Scoring
18:30 Developing language on stage
23:15 Writing music for “GG” and “In a Sentimental Mood”
34:30 Influence from Ornamental, Arabic and Balkan music
37:30 Utilization of pedals in music (sonic trust)
40:30 Pop music of Israel Yoni Rechter and Matti Caspi
44:00 “Hank and Charlie” and Steal Away record
49:20 Creating title or music first
51:15 The Dream Thief music/context
58:50 Process of recording album Human
1:06:00 Joining ECM record label
1:10:50 Posting on social media as musician
1:14:10 Motivations behind composing music
1:18:00 Communicating with band members about compositions
1:21:30 Sensitivity to sonic registers
1:27:30 Value of relationships in music
1:31:00 Shai’s future projects
1:34:20 How does improvisation relate to arrange and composed music?
1:40:00 How much did you work on your ears?
1:42:40 Shai on Chick Corea
1:44:00 90 Second fire round


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-sound-podcast/id1537645722
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpLEwvf1FkyZr40d11

Today's Guest:
Shai Maestro (1987) is one of the most promising and talented pianists of his generation. Since his debut with his own trio in 2011, Shai has shaped a strong and unique personal identity and has portrayed an incredible musical fluidity, making Shai and his band one of the most powerful and harmonious groups in the jazz today.

2018 marked an important year for Shai, signing with major jazz label ECM and recording his first album “The Dream Thief” there, featuring his trio, but also him as a solo-pianist. Introspective, lyrical, virtuosic and differentiated.
In its review of ‘The Dream Thief’, All About Jazz spoke of “a searching lyrical atmosphere, emotional eloquence and communal virtuosity that serves the music.” All of which also applies to ‘Human’, Shai’s latest release on ECM, where Maestro’s outgoing, highly-communicative band with fellow Israeli Ofri Nehemya on drums and Peruvian bassist Jorge Roeder becomes a quartet with the inspired addition of US trumpeter Philip Dizack. Shai’s expansive pianism is well-matched by Dizack’s alert, quick-thinking approach to improvising. And, as ever, Maestro is taking the music forward while also respecting its sense of tradition. ‘Human’ was recorded at Studios la Buissonne in the South of France in February 2020, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Purchase a CD of Shai's new album "Human": https://www.ecmrecords.com/shop/1603275985
Stream it here: https://ecm.lnk.to/HumanFP
Instagram: @shaimaestro

Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TICKETS for Robert's February 21st show with his RB Grupo:
https://bravesound.org/shop/buonaspina/

TOPICS:
0:00​ Intro Music
1:25 Introduction
4:00 Defining roles of arranger and music copyist
9:50 As a composer, communicating ideas to musicians
15:55 Composing music for educational contexts
19:15 Understanding technicality of different instruments
21:30 Favorite orchestral pieces
27:30 Developing an interest in a multitude of styles
32:00 Separating yourself from the piece you write
39:00 Checking up on yourself while writing a piece of music
47:00 Strategy for Composing music by Austin and Michael
55:15 Mandala- Creating just to create
1:05:00 Making a living as musician other than creating personal brand
1:11:00 What capitalism values?
1:25:30 Music for Sunday
1:30:00 Inspiration for instrumentation
1:32:30 Study of Brazilian music
1:35:00 Presenting scores for music Sunday
1:55:30 Influence/Advice from mentors
2:00:00 Advice for young musicians
2:01:45 90-Second fire round

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-sound-podcast/id1537645722
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpLEwvf1FkyZr40d11

Today's Guest:
Robert Buonaspina is a New-York-City-based composer, arranger, pianist,
organist, violist, and educator. Robert recently received his Master’s degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Jazz Composition from the
Manhattan School of Music, where he was a student of Jim McNeely and Phil Markowitz.

As a composer and arranger, Robert has had the honor of having his work
performed around the world, whether in Hamburg, Germany or at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
in New York. In January 2021, Robert was the recipient of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC) Chuck Owen Prize in Jazz Composition, where his work for jazz ensemble, "Smile Pretty," will be soon recorded and performed by the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany.

Whether as an arranger or a music copyist, Robert has collaborated heavy hitters across the scene — such as Joel Ross, Candice Hoyes, Grammy-winning producer Larry Klein, and Steven Feifke.

Robert also maintains a schedule as an active pianist and violist in the greater New York City area, sharing the stage with several key figures in New York, such as Lalah Hathaway, Vince Mendoza, Ralph Lalama, Melissa Errico, Alice Ripley. Between piano and viola, he has performed at seminal venues in New York such as Lincoln Center, 54 Below, and Riverside Church. Currently, Robert holds a full-time position as Director of Music and Organist of St. Pancras Roman Catholic Church in Glendale, Queens, and runs an arranging, production, and education studio out of his apartment on the Upper West Side.

At St. Pancras Roman Catholic Church he manages a network of volunteer and professional cantors, two choirs, and several professionally produced events/concerts during the year. Robert is based on the Upper West Side where he freelances in music arranging, production, and education to a studio of motivated students.

Find him at https://robertbuonaspina.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: @rbuonaspina

Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TOPICS:
0:00​ Intro Music
1:41 Introduction for Johnathan Blake
4:00 Ideas that inspired music for Trion record
8:00 Music preparation for Trion (Trust factor)
13:45 Relationship with Chris Potter and Linda Oh
18:55 Inspirations for compositions
21:10 “No BeBop Daddy” Story
25:45 Creating memorable moments in music
28:25 Goal of “transporting” people from their lives through music
30:50 Having messages vs. providing an escape for people
34:50 Records important to Johnathan
41:35 Conveying a non-lyrical song to express a message
46:30 Listening to livestreams vs. in a venue
51:40 Approach to listening now compared to growing up
59:20 Getting music to impact/reach more people
1:15:00 Mindset before playing music (especially with message)
1:21:30 Finding specific emotion for piece of music
1:36:00 Reaching out to people in times of need
1:41:00 Emotions inside blues music
1:48:30 What defines a blues?
1:53:00 Making music memorable to audience
2:07:50 Making a cover song your own
2:09:30 Joel Ross and Immanuel Wilkins absorbing new music
2:17:00 Influence from Brazilian music
2:21:00 Writing music with preconceived idea/message?
2:27:30 90-second round


Today we discuss our divided nation, American racial tensions, police violence... and the power of artists' to speak out.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-sound-podcast/id1537645722
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpLEwvf1FkyZr40d11

Today's Guests:
“the vertiginous sensation of being both slightly behind the beat and hurtling into the next measure.” - JazzTimes on Johnathan Blake

Johnathan Blake, one of the most accomplished drummers of his generation, has also proven himself a complete and endlessly versatile musician — "the ultimate modernist," as John Murph of NPR has dubbed him. Blake's gift for composition and band leading reflects years of live and studio experience across the aesthetic spectrum.

Through years-long memberships in the Tom Harrell Quintet, the Kenny Barron Trio and other top ensembles, Blake has reaped the benefits of prolonged exposure to the greats of our time — arguably of all time. Through his powerful, evocative drumming and fully rounded artistry, he's also left a huge imprint on the music of such rising figures in jazz as Hans Glawischnig, Alex Sipiagin, Donny McCaslin, Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital, Patrick Cornelius, Michael Janisch, Shauli Einav, Jaleel Shaw and more. To date, Blake has appeared on over 50 albums.

Find him at https://www.johnathanblake.com/
Instagram: @johnathanblakedrums
Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TOPICS:
0:00 Intro Music
1:29 Introduction
3:00 What wouldn’t people know about Joe?
5:30 What different influences has Joe had in his music?
10:20 Defining moment that influenced his music/outlook
11:40 Why Joe was drawn to how Ambrose Akinmusire conducts himself/his band
13:30 Wynton Marsalis’s impact on Joe
18:00 Would Joe rather be considered innovator or rooted jazz musician
19:00 Wynton’s evolution of his playing style
20:00 Joe’s thoughts on “innovation”
21:40 Practicing mindsets (being original vs. absorbing all influences)
23:25 Joe on his writing process
28:30 What artists affect Joe emotionally?
31:30 Importance of group dynamic/groove music
33:35 Jimmy Cobb playing such a solid groove
34:45 Practicing playing in a “group” by yourself
37:00 Relationship with Christain McGhee (drummer) and Jack Aylor (bass)
39:00 Joe on music he’s playing Sunday (tickets here)
40:50 Approach of playing with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Peter Bernstein, Joe Farnsworth
43:40 Joe on preparing for Kurt Rosenwinkel gig
45:40 audience question- has Joe done any remote live recordings?
49:00 Austin on Jacktrip technology for remote playing
51:30 Advice for acquiring jazz language
55:20 The stuff we practice can be different from what we play
59:00 Joe on growing up in Philly
1:04:30 Joe on Frank Kimbrough
1:10:00 Staying motivated to create while lacking creative ideas?
1:15:30 Joe’s approach to finding self-discipline
1:17:50 Finding self-discipline through defining your identity

TICKETS for their January 31st, 2021 concert (recording available after): https://bravesound.org/shop/joeblock/

Today's Guests:
Joe Block is a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He began playing classical piano at the age of two before switching to jazz in middle school. While growing up in Philadelphia, a city with a rich jazz and musical tradition, he was fortunate to learn and study from older musicians on the scene and in jazz education programs at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, the Kimmel Center, and Temple University. Joe currently resides in New York City where he attends both the Juilliard School (MM ‘22) and Columbia University (BA ‘21) as part of their highly selective and vigorous dual-degree exchange program. His has studied with Geoff Keezer, Marc Cary, Ted Rosenthal, Bruce Barth, and Frank Kimbrough.

Joe has had the opportunity to work and play with many esteemed musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Leslie Odom, Jr. Ari Hoenig, Eric Alexander, Seamus Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Hannibal Lokumbe, Justin Faulkner, and The Captain Black Big Band. As a bandleader and sideman in New York and Philadelphia he has performed at numerous venues including Dizzy’s, The Django, Birdland, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Bar Next Door, Symphony Space, Alice Tully Hall, Shapeshifter Lab, Cafe Bohemia, Chris’ Jazz Café, South Jazz Parlor, @exuberance, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia Clef Club, Hilbert Circle Theatre (Indianapolis) and the Black Cat (San Francisco). He has also performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Belize Jazz Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Next Generation Jazz Festival, and Telluride Jazz Festival. He leads his own quintet and trio, and is the co-leader and founder of the Philadelphia Ambassador Big Band.

In addition to being an instrumentalist, Joe is an avid and experienced composer and arranger (ASCAP). Hailed by Jazz at Lincoln Center as one of "jazz's most promising young composers", he has been commissioned to write or arrange music for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (2019, 2020), the Philadelphia Ambassador Big Band, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, the Wynton Marsalis Septet, and the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, for which he arranged part of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” in 2018.

Find him at https://www.joeblockmusic.com/

Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TOPICS:
0:00 Intro Music
1:15 Introduction
3:45 How Adam and Odin’s duo project Ashland developed into an album
5:40 Meaning of song titles in album, (“Apricity”, “Arcturus”, “Blossom”)
10:15 How Odin developed love for nature/monitored population of snakes in his hometown
13:05 Adam’s love for gem stones
13:35 Composition process for Ashland (“Arcturus”)
15:45 Improvisation vs. composition in “Arcturus”
17:45 Thinking compositionally while improvising (Linear Composition)
18:40 Mindfulness/presence while improvising
19:50 Odin on studying with Craig Weinrib and meditation
21:20 Adam on long tones and studying with Craig
24:00 Craig Weinrib at Jazz Gallery with Matt Brewer and Aaron Parks
25:35 Reggie Workman’s influence on Adam
28:20 Odin’s experiences with Reggie Workman
32:20 Engaging an audience while performing
35:00 Visual appearance while performing
36:40 Meaning/context bringing meaning to music
39:00 Odin’s passion for poetry/his grandfather’s prolific visual art output
44:15 Influence by other art forms- music created by art
45:45 Adam’s Decision for making music, creativity and art his career
52:00 What music provided Adam that other subjects weren’t
54:00 Odin’s exposure for music from young age
56:50 Advice for starting late on instrument/experiencing pressure from it
1:02:55 When sense of validity/confidence came for Odin and Adam
1:09:20 Being a varied person (more goals than just musical)
1:14:00 Hella “The Devil isn’t Red” off of Acoustics album
1:19:00 Reactions to song
1:24:45 Favorite Duo Records of Adam’s and Odin’s and Austin’s
1:29:20 Adam’s reason for choosing alto sax/growing love for bassoon
1:36:25 Challenges faced being in a duo project musically
1:41:50 Odin on Kora music (music from Africa)
1:45:15 Music that will be premiering Sunday on live-stream concert
1:49:15 Odin’s creation of solo record/playing with a drummer
1:51:10 Adam’s study of counter-point and learning guitar/releasing quintet project
1:55:10 90-Second Flash Round
1:57:00 Information about concert Sunday

TICKETS for January 17th, 2021 live show (recording available afterward): https://bravesound.org/shop/adamxodin/

Today's Guests

Saxophonist, composer, educator, environmentalist, and multi-instrumentalist Adam Cordero is based in Brooklyn, New York. He has two projects going on, a duo project with Odin Scherer as well as a quintet, and both groups are quite environmentally-conscious. His quintet "Arcadia" holds fall/spring benefit concerts and they helped raise money for the Amazon Rainforest and Australian Wildlife respectively. Adam is currently a senior pursuing a BFA degree at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music

Odin Scherer is a guitarist, composer, and improviser from Katonah, New York. At the age of 22, he is now based in Brooklyn, New York. His diverse research interests include West African and Cuban folkloric music, wildlife and ecosystems, Black American music, and impressionist classical music and visual art. He also has poetry published in Volume 9 of Eleven and a Half, Eugene Lang College’s literary journal. 
Odin plans to graduate from The New School this spring with a BFA in Jazz Guitar Performance.

Find Adam at https://www.adamcordero.com/
Ashland album: https://adamcordero.bandcamp.com/album/ashland

Your hosts:
Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapira
Austin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscovers

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

Today we have with us a real pioneer of not only electronic music, but a major influence on the sound of American popular music as a whole. See below for more details.

TOPICS:
0:00 Intro Music
1:30 Introduction
3:30 Music inside Ballad of Don Lewis
4:40 What sparked Don’s interest in the synthesizer?
8:10 Don being influenced by his general science teacher, William Young *
9:00 Wendy Carlos “Switched-on Bach” influence on Don
12:40 Don’s first synthesizers
13:30 Concept of LEO
17:50 How synthesizers were first embraced by musicians
19:30 What the word “orchestra” meant to Don Lewis growing up
22:20 Don Lewis’ explanation of synthesizers
24:00 Synthesizer’s role in modern music
25:15 How synthesis has changed sonically over time
29:25 Process of sampling
31:35 Don’s relationship with Roland’s founder Ikutaro Kakehashi
37:20 Roland programmable rhythm units Don had influence in creating (CR-68, CR-78, TR-808)
43:00 Roland TR-808 level of success compared to Linn drums*
46:15 Reasons and methods that Don used to tinker with his first drum machine
53:00 Don’s interest in the way the instrument is made
55:45 Don’s contribution to developing the Yamaha DX7 and Digital synthesis
1:01:00 Iconic records with the DX7 (“St. Elmo’s Fire”)
1:01:55 Working with Michael Jackson on Captain EO
1:04:00 Meeting the Jackson 5 in Tahoe, 1974
1:06:45 WIN (Whip Inflation Now) Gerald Ford and the economic pandemic 1974
1:11:00 Don’s work with Quincy Jones (implementing the ARP 2600 with the rhythm section)
1:21:20 His conception of triggering synthesis with analog sounds
1:23:00 Dealing with frustration while toying with electronics
1:24:00 Don’s outlook on life
1:32:00 “The universe is an interacted, living art form”*
1:37:20 Don experience teaching The History of Gospel Music at UC Berkley
1:38:25 “Breathin, Eating, Music-all the same” professor of African Polyrhythms course
1:40:45 Difference between cultures that embrace music together compared to performer and audience
1:46:30 Thoughts on different types of schooling, What should be emphasized
1:48:00 Bach’s education
1:53:00 Whether art is important in education
1:56:30 Acquiring music in the same way as language
1:59:15 Performances at Carnegie Hall on Organ bill with Jimmie Smith, Larry Young, Shirley Scott
2:08:00 Importance of kindness and love

Today's Guest:
Don Lewis is a visionary who believes that music makes a difference in the world. As a child in Dayton, Ohio, music became Don's "magic carpet" transporting him out of the projects into a world filled with possibilities of concerts, recordings, and collaborations. Don’s career in music has led him to perform in a variety of venues such as Carnegie Hall, touring with the Beach Boys, playing concerts in European Cathedrals, jazz clubs, and school assemblies. Don’s music always brings a message of hope, peace, and inspiration.

In the studio Don has worked with the likes of Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez, Michael Jackson, Brothers Johnson, and Marvin Hamlisch. He also has scored and produced music for television, film, and commercials.

An electronic music pioneer, Don designed LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra) in 1974 and completed the project in 1977 with the help of Richard Bates. LEO and Don are credited by Ikutaro Kakehashi as being his "inspiration for MIDI.” LEO will be returning to NAMM's Museum of Making Music in 2020 where it will be on display until 2030.

Don has taught "Gospel Music; A Passionate Heritage" at UC Berkeley Extension and participated in music technology seminars at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and San Jose State University.

With a passion for children and arts education, Don began a school assembly program Say "YES" to Music! in 1987. Throughout the years, Don has encouraged and inspired thousands of children to include music in their lives and to pursue their dreams.

A feature length documentary entitled “The Ballad of Don Lewis” telling the story of Don’s influences in the music industry will be released and distributed in 2019.

Find him at https://donlewismusic.com/
PURCHASE the Ballad of Don Lewis documentary film: https://amzn.to/38hFlAu

Your hosts:
Austin Zhang - https://www.austinzhang.org/
Michael Shapira http://michaelxshapira.com/ and @michaelxshapira

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TOPICS:
0:00 Intro Music
1:13 Introduction
2:28 How Evan got into jazz and the drums, early influences
7:28 Meeting Jimmy Heath, bombing in front of him
15:20 Being "different" as musical youth. (meeting Bernard Purdie)
20:20 Sacrifices we make for music, as a kid
26:30 First favorite records
28:25 Discovering early drummer, Sonny Greer, Baby Dodds, Big Sid (dancing beat)
35:13 Copying, how to study and be an individual, what is original?
38:22 Evan Sherman Big Band Crazy Musical Play, being daring
51:00 Using innovative ideas to bring more people into jazz. Storytelling to audiences
56:58 How scarcity has affected jazz musicians
1:00:14 Roy Hargrove Gems, Stories, Appreciation
1:11:25 Playing with Ron Carter. Tons of music gems. Balance, Criticisms, Energy, "carpet"
1:20:35 How to convey nuance, subtlety to an audience. Jazz for general audiences
1:26:55 Charity Concert, Jazz for Jennings history and cause
1:31:25 Nurturing, fostering young musicians. Caring for the scene. Musical integrity. Lessons from elders
1:39:55 Evan's evolution as drummer, in taste
1:44:00 History with cymbals, sticks, drums. How gear, touch, tone affects the music. Real nuanced drummer insights.
1:54:00 Swing as a platform for expression and communication
1:55:20 Volume of bands getting louder with time, acoustic volume and balance. Playing with acoustic bass and amped bass
2:01:10 Daily life of Evan Sherman, plans for future
2:09:45 Playing for the gig, project, deadline. Using them for growth
2:13:30 90 Second Fire Round


Today's Guest:
Born into a musical family in New Jersey, Evan Sherman (b. 1993) began playing the drums at age 5 and had his first professional gigs at 13. Since then, Evan has been spreading musical enthusiasm all over the world, touring with the likes of Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Roy Hargrove, Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars, Cyrus Chestnut, Branford Marsalis, and more.

In 2014, he formed the Evan Sherman Big Band, a 16-piece group for which he writes and arranges, of up-and-coming young lions alongside a rotating cast of seasoned veterans and guests such as Roy Hargrove, Johnny O’Neal, & Jon Batiste. The big band continues their residency at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola's late night dance parties as well as frequent appearances at the Perth International Arts Festival (Australia), The Rainbow Room (Rockefeller Center), Ginny’s Supper Club (Harlem), The Django (TriBeca), Midsummer Night’s Swing (Lincoln Center), Caramoor Jazz Festival, SteelStacks (PA), and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

In 2017, Sherman co-produced and performed on a live trio recording with longtime friend and bandmate, Emmet Cohen, flanked by the legendary bassist, Ron Carter. The album continues to receive critical praise citing Sherman as “a beacon of taste”, “who, though in his mid-20's, plays here like an old master”.

In addition to performing, Evan loves to present clinics/workshops, educating people all over the world about jazz. He is honored to be the artistic director for the second year in a row at "Jazz for Jennings", a charitable concert founded by the late ABC world news journalist, Peter Jennings with jazz pioneer, Max Roach.

Find him at https://www.evanshermanmusic.com/

Your hosts:
Austin Zhang - https://www.austinzhang.org/
Michael Shapira http://michaelxshapira.com/ and @michaelxshapira

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians.

TICKETS for their December 6th live streamed concert: https://bravesound.org/shop/artabaden/

TOPICS:
0:00 Intro Music
1:15 Introduction
3:45 How Arta and Baden discovered their musical chemistry
5:50 How Arta was first exposed to Brazilian rhythms
10:35 Arta’s story of how she met Liz Rosa (Excellent Brazilian jazz singer)
12:35 Baden’s exposure to different rhythms growing up in Venezuela
17:20 Baden on why Venezuelan musicians are so adept in many musical contexts
19:55 Arta on Latvian folk melodies
22:00 Arta on strong choir culture in Latvia
23:00 Background of how Austin met Arta
24:30 Latvian National Song and Dance Festivals
26:45 Arta on Latvian Dances
29:15 Arta on going back to Latvian Roots
32:00 Baden on creating music influenced by his Venezuelan roots
34:45 Where do I belong?/Who am I?/Finding my roots
42:30 David Fiuczynski and inspiration from Chinese scales/inspiration from different sources
45:20 Baden on playing with Simon Bolivar Big Band and discovering his true voice with composing
46:10 Baden on his album Magenta
48:30 Arta on her debut album “Light”
51:20 Arta on her song “Shadows and Light”
54:00 Arta on her rendition of “Four”
57:55 Baden on choosing Magenta as his album name
59:40 Synesthesia and its effect on musicians
1:01:00 Arta on how she got exposed to Jazz/American Songbook
1:06:00 Baden on Gerry Weil on being a key mentor in his life
1:08:00 Arta on her first teacher, a classical trumpet player
1:10:00 Arta and Baden on their mentor Reggie Workman
1:14:10 How Covid has affected musicians’ livelihoods
1:17:05 Baden on recording Venezuelan music through his project in Bronx Music House
1:19:00 Arta on recent projects and school life vs. outside school life
1:22:40 Baden on a video he made with Gerry Weil
1:26:30 Arta on receiving her masters in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship
1:30:00 90-Second Flash round

Today's Guests:
New York City-based Latvian singer, composer and arranger Arta Jēkabsone is recognized by her velvety tone. Arta engages listeners with an emotional and honest, adventurous and joyful expression of music. Recently Arta was awarded 1st prize at Montreux Shure Jazz Voice Competition in Switzerland (2016), 2nd prize at Mid- Atlantic Jazz Voice competition (2017) 3rd prize at Ella Fitzgerald International Vocal Competition (2019). At the end of the year, 2017 Jēkabsone released her debut album ”Light”. Recently her album with Erik Leuthäuser “Yesterday Still Lies Between the Floorboards” came out with support from the record label Unit Records.

The bound with nature is significant in Jēkabsone’s original music. She comes from a small countryside town Kandava, surrounded by forests and rivers, hearing and singing folk songs about nature- sun, moon, birds and Latvian females often compared with blooming flowers. Arta is bonded with nature in her style of writing lyrics.

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Pianist, composer and arranger, Baden Goyo graduated from Lino Gallardo Music School and specialized in Jazz and Popular music with the Master Gerry Weil. He was the principal pianist of the Simon Bolívar Big Band Jazz, (one of the most prominent jazz Project in Venezuela in last decade) performing in several festivals and prestigious stages both nationally and internationally such as: Jazz al Parque (Colombia), Dizzy’s Club Jazz at Lincoln Center (New York) and New England Conservatory (Boston). After putting together his own Jazz Trio, Baden performed in several national festivals and theaters as a band leader: Noches de Guataca, Festival de Jazz de Paraguaná, Festival de jazz de Barquisimeto, etc. By 2014 he was considered one of the most important pianists of his home country, which allowed him to play and collaborate with most of the relevant Venezuelan artists: Pablo Gil, Rafael “el pollo” Brito, Aquiles Baez, Eddy Marcano, C4 Trio, Kiara, Mirna Rios, Primate, etc.

His successful career both as a pianist and composer in Venezuela is reflected within the important Book of Banesco entitled "A New Musical Country" which includes him as one of the youngest and most promising figures in Venezuelan Jazz, dedicating an entire section to his career. Furthermore, his work as composer and arranger has been acclaimed both in the Venezuelan audiences and internationally as well, reaching the peak recently in 2017 when he was awarded with 2 Latin Grammy (Best Album of the Year & Best Album of Salsa) and 1 Grammy (Best Latin Tropical Album) through his collaboration (as composer) with Ruben Blades, who wrote lyrics for one his compositions (¿Adónde?) and include it in his latest album entitled “Salsa Big Band"

Find them at https://artajekabsone.com/ and http://www.badengoyo.com/

Your hosts:
Austin Zhang - https://www.austinzhang.org/
Michael Shapira http://michaelxshapira.com/ and @michaelxshapira

Learn more: https://bravesound.org/
Instagram: @bravesoundnyc