Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman show

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Summary: 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: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

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 Pierre Chrétien: Vintage Keys and an Unexpected Career Path | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:08:15

Pierre Chrétien is a Canadian bandleader, multi-instrumentalist and composer who has had international success with his bands The Souljazz Orchestra, Atlantis Jazz Ensemble and his project Cinephonic, and in this episode you’ll learn about all of these and hear highlights from some of these albums on the Marlow Records label. http://www.marlowrecords.com/artists.html Pierre shares how left his career as an Engineer to devote himself to a full-time career as a performer. He also demonstrates some rare vintage instruments at the beginning of this episode, which he’s also an expert at repairing. Pierre is so creative and some of his gorgeous album covers are linked to the episode notes on my website, which of course links to Marlow Records. Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pierre-chrtien Did you know that this podcast is in Season 4, and that I send out a weekly email newsletter where you can get access to Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and be inspired by highlights from the archive? https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Speaking to such a diversity of people shines a light on the persistence required to attain mastery in any field. I try to constantly improve every aspect of this podcast, since I take care of all the many jobs of research, production, and publicity. I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this project going; please can you buy me a coffee (which is linked to Paypal)? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Mike Essoudry (drummer with Atlantis Jazz Ensemble) episode: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mike-essoudry-drummer Please follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:14) marimba (05:33) Vintage Vibe electric piano, Mellotron (10:01) Cinephonic albums (13:05) Le Combat from Visions, the second Cinephonic album (17:01) film score influences (18:09) Musser Ampli-Celeste  (19:52) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, vintage keyboards (21:45) Pierre childhood and youth, Engineering degree (25:07) Souljazz orchestra, tours, graphic design (29:09) Kingdom Come from album Inner Fire Souljazz orchestra  (33:20) harp (34:14) please buy me a coffee to support this series? (34:52) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble (37:46) Joyful Noise from Celetial Suite Atlantis Jazz Ensemble (42:48) Mike Essoudry drummer (43:06) Atlantis Jazz Ensemble (47:10) Blue Nile Atlantis Jazz Ensemble (52:15) Marlow Records, recording to analog tape (53:43) writing process, musical influences (55:47) changes in music distribution, benefits of Bandcamp, problems withSpotify (58:19) decision to leave Engineering and become full-time musician (01:00:57) other projects, Tezeta for orchestra (01:04:26) Pierre’s teen years  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Edison Herbert Guitarist: Influences and Career Opportunities | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:07:42

This week’s guest is the British guitarist Edison Herbert, who plays melodic and soulful groove-based music that will lift your mood.  We are featuring his compositions from a couple of his albums and you’ll learn about his personal journey in music that has led to his career as a full-time performer. He talked to me about some of his mentors and influences including George Benson, and his perspectives as a Black artist navigating the music scene in the UK. I found him to be warmly engaging and candid and we circled around to topics that impact all of us, such as dealing with self-knowledge, creativity,  and the need to be persistent and keep true to what’s important to us .  Edison Herbert Website: https://edisonherbert.com/ Can you buy me a coffee through Paypal to support this channel and this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website (link here takes you to Video, Podcast and Transcript): https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/edison-herbert Video of I Wanna Wake Up with You on Edison Herbert's YouTube: https://youtu.be/_vJk8MNuFSA?si=1VyD8fjZd7AiemEi 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? Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:26) Edison’s start in music (05:12) Edison’s albums (07:21) I Wanna Wake Up with You (13:39) Unforgettable Nat King Cole, US tour, grant funding (19:11) touring life in the UK, different aspects of music business (23:18) intro to Is She Is She Not (24:29) excerpt from Is She Is She Not (26:12) George Benson (31:35) musical influences Wes Montgomery, Grant Green (33:23) Loves in Need of Love Today (38:09) please support this independent podcast! thanks (38:47) Black musicians in the UK, African diaspora Black music traditions, racism (45:13) Edison’s family (46:17) musical influences in Edison’s style (48:55) Edison’s guitars (50:10) Guildhall school, Randy Brecker, London jazz scene, Guildhall (54:36) school teacher experience and deciding to pursue music (56:51) staying healthy as a musician (01:01:57) advice for learning a musical instrument and creating a music career --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Diane Nalini: Archive highlight! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:47:24

This week I’m highlighting an episode from the archive, with the brilliant multi-talented  Diane Nalini who is an incredibly nuanced jazz singer, and composer. She performs in 4 languages and teaches jazz ukulele as well. I hope you’ll join me in my fascination with the incredible range of Diane’s interests and expertise. Besides being a phenomenal musician she also is a Rhodes scholar with Phd in Applied Physics from Oxford university and presently works in environmental science policy for the Canadian government. Not only is she a great lyricist, but she has also written songs inspired by great literature including Shakespeare, in jazz, blues, gospel, folk and bossa nova styles. During this conversation, she performs some of her original songs for us.  We recorded this in early in 2022, and as I release this again in 2024, I want to remind you that we’re in Season 4 of this podcast, and if you love jazz singers, you may want to check out my episodes with Kellylee Evans,Ineke Vandoorn , and Renée Yoxon, among well over 100 episodes you may have missed. I’m an independent podcaster who really needs the help of my listeners to spread the word about this podcast, and if you can buy me a coffee to help out: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ Diane Nalini website: https://www.dianenalini.com/ Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube or read the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s2-diane-nalini Did you know I send out an emailed podcast newsletter, where you can get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests? https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter This podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn: my Linktree https://linktr.ee/leahroseman photo: Adrian Cho Timestamps (00:00)Intro ( 00:53 )Shakespeare “Songs of Sweet Fire” ( 03:30 )Rhodes scholar, and Chinese calligraphy and watercolour painting with Virginia Chang, Bill Evans ( 08:07 )paintings for “Songs of Sweet Fire”, role as album producer (10:55) Diane’s experience as a dancer and also starting to sing jazz songs at 3 years of age, also her experience of strict piano lessons ( 14:18 )National Ballet School summer program experience ( 15:49) first professional jazz gigs ( 16:57) Science mentors at Dawson College Richard Shoemaker and John Mohamed ( 17:58 )intro to her baritone ukulele and “Winter Eclipse” (19:04 )Song “Winter Eclipse” ( 23:13) discussion of her song “Kiss Me Like That” and astronomy ( 26:18 )Diane’s work for Environment, Climate Change Canada (28:13 )discussion of her song “The Last Hurrah” ( 29:50) discussion of the challenges for individuals to limit consumption ( 34:48 )jazz ukulele, Diane’s YouTube Ukulele for Jazz Singers, her (39:48 )teaching and performing online, connecting with people worldwide ( 41:37 )learning Portuguese (47:23 )Syncspace Live with husband Adrian Cho ( 56:00 )some advantages to online teaching ( 58:02 )introduction to song “Le Tournesol” ( 58:58 )Song “Le Tournesol” ( 01:02:01 )discussion about languages, etymology, Diane’s father ( 01:06:13) singing Schubert Lieder, learning German ( 01:10:52 )turning down a recording contract offer, balancing a life in Science and Music ( 01:14:39) producing her first album, the process of putting together albums ( 01:16:34 )making new musical connections in England, joining a salsa band ( 01:22:04 )Diane’s ukulele made by Luis Feu de Mesquita, also history of the ukulele (01:29:36) Future Perfect album, pandemic challenges, new songs (01:33:42 )Diane’s creative process and memory for music ( 01:38:19) Diane’s music in movies and tv shows ( 01:41:01) how listeners interpret songs so differently, including her song “After Dusk” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Marc van Vugt and The Curious Badger | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:07:11

This week’s episode is a special Catch-Up episode with the Dutch guitarist and composer Marc van Vugt, who was previously featured in Season 2 with his album The Lonely Coyote. Today you’ll hear a selection of highlights from his new solo guitar album, The Curious Badger. We caught up on some of his recent projects, and he also shared some wonderful insights into his creative process, and different ways for independent musicians to find audiences for their music. Like all my episodes, this is available on your favourite podcast player as well as a video on YouTube, and the transcript is linked here as well on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/marc-van-vugt-the-curious-badger Please consider buying me a coffee to support this independent podcast - you can do that through Paypal on my support site: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! If you missed the episode with jazz singer Ineke Vandoorn, Marc's partner: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ineke-vandoorn Marc van Vugt website: https://www.marcvanvugt.com/ Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:37) The Curious Badger album (08:06) excerpts from 2 versions of Liefde (09:59) intro to Back to the Market Square, Zen story (15:15) Back to the Market Square (20:21) lowden baritone guitar (22:13) Marc’s advice about PR work, getting gigs and album reviews (30:53) please support this series! (31:30) intro to Dancing in the Wind, layering of different guitars (33:20) excerpt from Dancing in the Wind (33:18) playing on different guitars (35:55) intro to The Coyote and the Badger (37:08) excerpt from The Coyote and the Badger (37:06) influences of different guitarists, Bill Connors (39:39) intro to The Curious Badger (42:53) The Curious Badger (45:33) 2023 Canadian tour (52:00) Sound Makers Project Christine Duncan (55:35) Marc’s creative process (01:01:16) teaching composition photo of Marc: Jiri Büller --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Euclid Quartet | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:31:05

This week's episode is unusual because 4 musicians are featured, the members of the Euclid Quartet. They are a world-class string quartet celebrating their 25th anniversary with a fantastic album of short pieces, entitled Breve, and we are featuring several pieces from that album as part of this episode. Breve album: https://breve.hearnow.com/ You’ll get to know each member of the quartet, which is in residence at Indiana University South Bend: Jameson Cooper, violinist and founding member originally from England; you’ll hear about his experiences as a student of Dorothy Delay, and Roland and Almita Vamos. He also talked about the formative years of the quartet and the nuts and bolts of learning repertoire. The other violinist in the quartet is Aviva Hakanoglu, who holds degrees from Harvard, Indiana University and Stony Brook university and was a student of Philip Setzer, and it was really interesting to hear about her experience auditioning for the quartet and her perspectives on community outreach and as an educator. Violist Luis Enrique Vargas is a long-time member of the Euclid quartet, and started his life in music in Venezuela at the age of 14, and spoke about introducing Latin American composers to his colleagues. Finally cellist Justin Goldsmith is the newest member of the quartet. When he was completing his Master’s degree at Indiana University he formed the Vera quartet which held residencies at both IU and the Curtis Institute of Music, where he was also a Community Artist Fellow. I was curious to learn more about the many roles the quartet plays in their capacities as performers, educators and collaborators, and to hear them speak about the special joys and challenges of being members of a full-time quartet.   Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/euclid-quartet Euclid Quartet website: https://www.euclidquartet.com/biography Please support this independant podcast! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Did you know that I send out a weekly email newsletter with Sneak Peeks of upcoming guests and lots more? Sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Timestamps:  (00:00) Intro (04:46) Jameson Cooper, getting into chamber music, putting the album Breve together (08:12) Luis Enrique Vargas Latin Amercian composers (10:07) Metro Chabacano by Javier Alvarez (14:05) American Masterpieces grant, diversity of representation in programming, youth outreach (16:50) the career of a string quartet incorporating outreach and education, Rehearsing Philadelphia (21:22) intro to Italian Serenade, Aviva on the challenge of recording (22:29) excerpt from Italian Serenade by Hugo Wolf (23:45) rehearsal process (25:20) Jameson the early years of the Quartet, Aspen (29:58) James Cooper studies with Dorothy DeLay, Roland and Almita Vamos, Masao Kawasaki (33:45) intro to Shostakovich Polka (36:18) Shostakovich Polka (36:16) Aviva audition experience joining the quartet (42:18) Aviva’s advice for dealing with nerves (43:40) orchestral auditions and chamber music auditions, Jameson Cooper’s experience as a conductor (47:48) please support this series!  (48:27) Luis conducting project, his love of whistling (51:55) Aviva intro to Four, for Tango  (53:22) Four, for Tango by Astor Piazzolla from live performance (58:23) Hugo Kauder (01:00:56) Luis Enrique Vargas how he became a violist  (01:03:15) Justin Goldsmith experience of joining the quartet (01:04:48) Schubert Quartettsatz Jameson Cooper (01:07:28) excerpt from Schubert’s Quartettsatz (01:09:00) importance of chamber music in music education (01:12:23) Anna Clyne Fischoff Quarter Days (01:13:54) new audiences and different projects (01:20:11) string quartet life (01:26:26) Aviva Hakanoglu on teaching (01:28:54) the advantages of variety and versality for performers  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Chuck Copenace Healing and Community | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:39:19

Chuck Copenace is a Winnipeg-based Ojibway musician and we talk about Chuck’s excellent album Oshki Manitou, which expands his work as a trumpet player, arranger, and composer. He’s woven together ceremonial sweat-lodge melodies with jazz, funk, dance and electronica and this episode features tracks from that album. He’s such a powerfully lyrical trumpet player, and you’ll be deeply touched to hear his inspiring story of moving through trauma and addiction to helping others through counseling and music. Chuck talked to me about his experience of growing up Indigenous, how intergenerational trauma from the residential schools affected his life, and how he was able to get sober and find healing in Indigineous ceremonial traditions.  You’ll hear about his university experience at Brandon university studying with Alan Ehnes, how he became a counselor through the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, and found his way back to a life in music. He spoke of his hope for the future of Indigenous youth, working with Julia Keefe’s Indigenous Big Band, and his upcoming projects. Please check out Chuck’s website: https://www.chuckcopenace.com/ Can you help support this series? I really do need the help of my listeners to keep this going: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ Thanks! Like all my episodes, this is also available as a video on my YouTube, and the transcript is linked as well to my podcast website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/chuck-copenace You can sign up here for my newsletter and get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter My Linktree for social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:16) Creator, getting back to music, sweat lodge ceremony (06:26) Creator from Oshki Manitou (10:26) learning ceremonial songs, recording the album (14:12) Indian Act, suppression of Indigenous spiritual and cultural practices like the sweat lodge (15:45) intro to Nothing Simple (17:03) Nothing Simple live video from Revelstoke (21:36) Indigenous peoples in Winnipeg (22:56) the origin of Oshki Manitou (26:12) Oshki Manitou (30:13) Chuck’s son (30:53) check out past episodes and support the show (31:31) school music programs (35:00) how music helped Chuck deal with inter-generational trauma, getting sober (46:53) growing up Indigenous, the way history is taught  (50:27) residential schools and hope for the future (58:22) excerpt from Little Sunflower from Oshki Manitou (59:20) Indigineous mentorship, Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band  (01:07:29) Chuck’s music education, Alan Ehnes Brandon (01:16:47) Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, recovery and burnout  (01:24:36) finding a path in music again (01:35:18) next projects, sharing his story, youth workshops --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Frank Horvat: Discovering Meaning and Fellowship Through Challenges | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:17:51

Frank Horvat is an acclaimed Canadian composer and pianist whose music has been featured on over 20 albums. In this episode you’ll hear how he has forged meaningful collaborations with a wide range of musicians internationally, and found and given solace to audiences through his focus on themes of mental health, the climate crisis, and social justice. We start this episode with his Arctic Circle Residency. Frank Horvat is so prolific and involved in so many diverse projects, with music in many styles, that we could only focus on a few of his works in this podcast episode, including with the SHHH!!! Ensemble, the Odin Quartet, flutist Christopher Lee and soprano Meredith Hall.  We talked about his Music for Self-Isolation, and  his wonderful initiative, the  Piano Therapy Virtual Tour, that pairs his music with his personal mental health challenges and coping strategies. I also asked him about The Green Keys Tour, in which he performed his work Earth Hour in dark halls across North America, travelling in a sustainable way. We also got into some of his current projects,  Trees.Listen with Sharlene Wallace inspired by the work of Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger , and  More Rivers,  commissioned by Christina Petrowska Quilico and inspired by the work of Ann Southam.  I need the help of my listeners! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Frank Horvat website: https://frankhorvat.com/ Follow this podcast on social media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman You can also watch this podcast on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ViolinLessonOnline Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:22) Arctic Circle Residency (15:00) SHHH!! Ensemble  Auditory Survey of the Last Days of the Holocene, creative process and excerpts (24:51) Frank Horvat composing in different styles, finding new inspirations (28:48) Music for Self-Isolation, music performed by Christopher Lee (40:50) please support this podcast! Thanks (41:26) Piano Therapy Virtual Tour, talking about mental health (54:54) Odin quartet excerpt from the Four Seasons in High Park (55:07) Frank’s start as a composer  (58:00) The Green Keys Tour (01:01:13) excerpt Orbital Tour of CIties at Night from album Fractures with Meredith Hall (01:04:140) new project Trees.Listen with Sharlene Wallace, Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger  (01:11:19) More Rivers, Christina Petrowska Quilico, Ann Southam --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Guy Donis: Banjo Adventurer | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:39:56

Guy Donis grew up in Belgium, where he had fallen in love with the banjo and proceeded to dedicate his life to it. In this episode, he describes how he taught himself 5 string banjo, learned about Bluegrass, and expanded his musical horizons by collaborating with jazz and classical musicians. He immigrated to Canada many years ago, and is well-known in the Montreal music scene. He has toured Canada extensively with Notre Dame de Grass and other bands, and in this episode he talks about his newest project, the Montreal Bluegrass League, and a track from their latest album is included in this podcast. Some tracks from his two trio albums are also included earlier in this episode, in which you can hear Guy’s progressive jazz-influenced  original music.  Can you buy me a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much! Like all my episodes, the YouTube video, Transcript, and show notes are linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/guy-donis Guy Donis website: https://www.guydonisbanjo.com/ Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Follow the podcast on my socials: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:03) Guy’s discovery of the banjo in Belgium (04:35) Tchestou Guy Donis Trio from Paroles d’arbre (04:40) banjo demo, evolution of bluegrass style (21:12) Béla Fleck (25:05) Paroles d’arbre album  (29:16) title track from Paroles d’arbre Guy Donis Trio (33:51) Roots, Risks and Rêveries album Guy Donis Trio (35:33) Grenouillages Guy Donis Trio (36:36) Guy’s youth in Belgium, learning banjo (45:47) could you buy me a coffee to support this series? (46:26) the challenge of continuing to improve  (47:29) Sam Bush (49:39) how Guy learned banjo and found his style (54:04) decision to leave Belgium (59:49) Tony Trischka, Béla Fleck, networking challenges, focus in playing (01:06:36) the Montreal Bluegrass League (01:14:59) career choices (01:19:46) teaching banjo (01:23:59) Guy’s banjo Nechville Phantom (01:29:49) the Montreal Bluegrass League album, intro to One Way Track (01:31:51) One Way Track with the Montreal Bluegrass League  (01:34:05) love for winter in Quebec as an immigrant from Belgium (01:36:04) distractions of the internet (01:38:05) learning music therapeutic photo of Guy Donis: David Roseman --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Jeeyoon Kim: Building Beautiful Bridges | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:36:19

Jeeyoon Kim is a very special concert pianist who has opened meaningful connections to new audiences through her innovative concerts, albums, podcast, and now her book “Whenever You’re Ready”. You’ll learn how she sold out her Carnegie Hall debut recital without knowing one person in New York, without an agent or winning a competition. She’s generously shared 3 tracks from some of her albums that punctuate this episode. Her website is linked here: https://www.jeeyoonkim.com/about I was so honoured when Jeeyoon agreed to be part of this series, because I knew her wisdom, personal story and her music making would resonate strongly with you.   Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jeeyoon-kim Please buy me a coffee to support this podcast? I really do need the help of my listners to keep this going: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Here you can sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes. https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:31) book “Whenever You’re Ready”  (04:34) podcast “Journey Through Classical Piano” (08:26) intro to Brahms’ Intermezzo (11:28) Brahms Intermezzo op. 118, number 2 (18:04) Jeeyoon’s childhood in Korea (23:10) burnout challenges (26:48) decision to pursue Master’s in Pedagogy after Doctorate (30:28) please support this podcast (31:07) adapting teaching to each student (35:00) private teaching versus academic setting, creating your own path (39:46) Jeeyoon’s innovative concerts, 10 More Minutes crowdfunding and Carnegie Hall debut (53:07) Kapustin Concert Etude op. 40 number 6 Pastoral from Jeeyoon Kim’s album Sium (55:59) Sium project, 17 concert tour (01:02:42) Debussy (01:05:21) La plus que lente by Debussy from Jeeyoon Kim’s album Sium (01:09:49) the challenge of adapting to different pianos (01:15:14) Allen T. Brown, pairing photography and poetry with music (01:21:51) lifelong learning (01:25:15) surfing (01:31:35) great advice from David Bremmer --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 J. Walter Hawkes: Adventures in Music | File Type: audio/x-m4a | Duration: 01:48:48

J. Walter Hawkes is a 4-time Emmy-winning composer for the PBS series Peg + Cat and Wonder Pets, is a renowned jazz trombone player, and also performs as a jazz vocalist, ukulele player, and pianist. As a young man, he survived a horrible accident which changed the course of his life. We talk about this and his mentors including the legendary Slide Hampton, how he got into composing for Blues Clues, and many hilarious and heart-warming personal stories. Those of you who listened to my episode with Pat Irwin will remember his album Wide Open Sky with Walter, and we’re featuring two pieces from that album in this episode along with an impromptu performance of Cole Porter’s Get Out of Town. Walter’s love of adventure really comes through in this conversation, and it’s really inspiring to hear how he’s built such an interesting  career in music.   You can use the timestamps (listed below) to navigate, and like all my episodes, you can listen to this on your podcast player, watch the YouTube video, or read the transcript, all linked here to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/j-walter-hawkes  Pat Irwin episode: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pat-irwin J. Walter Hawkes website: https://jwalterhawkes.com/about Can you buy me a coffee to support this channel and this podcast? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Please do sign up for my newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter DeWitt Fleming with The Hot Sardines: https://youtu.be/Va68n60B3js?si=ida_ujyhVvRXG_iJ The February video on Walter's YouTube is here: https://youtu.be/XJOeV0mVcgA?si=IZpS8B1MzXa6CEUV My Linktree with social media links: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman Timestamps: (00:00) Intro ( 01:45) Wide Open Sky album with Pat Irwin, story of February and old family film (10:17) February (12:06) the story of the accident  (24:05) please support the podcast! Buy me a coffee? Thanks!  (24:43) intro to For a Dance (26:03) For a Dance from Wide Open Sky (29:44) piano,  The Hot Sardines (32:32) North Texas experience (39:40) Emmys, composing for children’s tv Peg+Cat, Wonder Pets, Blues Clues (48:49) ukulele stories (01:00:00) intro to Cole Porter’s Get Out of Town (01:00:50) Get Out of Town by Cole Porter (01:02:55) Nora Jones, career regrets, dealing with stagefright (01:14:33) Slide Hampton, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band (01:22:29) early NYC days, traditional jazz scene (01:26:24) memorization skills (01:28:31) electronics, old computers, instruments (01:35:40) importance of mentorship, Duncan Goff, Jerry Ball, Sol Yaged, balancing his career between playing and composing (01:45:42) how Walter started composing for Blues Clues, how the accident affected his career --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Jennifer Roig-Francoli: The Art of Freedom | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:22:49

Welcome to Season 4 of Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman. For this first episode in 2024, I welcome the violinist, author and coach Jennifer Roig-Francoli. We talk about her newly released  book, Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life, and  her Art of Freedom Method which incorporates the mind-body skills of the Alexander Technique. This episode also features excerpts from her solo violin album, Solo Con Spirito, with music of Kreisler, Enescu and Bach.  Jennifer had the opportunity to study with Nathan Milstein, Josef Gingold and Stanley Ritchie  and has had an interesting career as a performer, including with Appollo’s Fire. We talk about performing barefoot at Carnegie Hall, travels to India, and in Jennifer’s words” how you do one thing is how you do everything”. I myself have been very influenced by different mind-body practices like the Alexander Technique,  and the power of thought to help me address habitual tensions in my own life has really helped me, and I trust this inspiring and helpful episode will be of help to you, both musical performers and not, because the content of this discussion addresses universal challenges for all of us.  This conversation is punctuated by some excerpts from Jennifer’s solo album, and I hope you’ll listen to the whole album which you’ll find both on streaming services, or better yet for purchase on her website: https://artoffreedom.me/meet-jennifer/ Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jennifer-roig-francoli Here you can sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter I have had several interviews talking about some of the same issues as this episode. My interviews with  Julie Lyonn-Lieberman, Madeline Bruser, Stephen Nachmanovitch, Derek Gripper and Daniel Ramjattan will be good places  to start if you missed any of those.  Finally, I’m an independant podcaster, and I truly need the help of my listeners to keep this project going: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman photo of Jennifer Roig-Francoli: Tina Gutierrez Timestamps:  (00:00) Intro (04:16) album Solo con Spirito! Celebrating 50 (05:27) excerpt from Kreisler’s Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice (07:07) excerpt from Enescu’s Sarabande (07:47) Stanley Ritchie  (10:03) Jennifer’s studies at Indiana University, learning baroque violin (12:58) Apollo’s Fire (15:11) studies with Nathan Milstein (18:43) Alexander Technique and Primal Alexander touch-free approach (32:58) please support this series! Thanks.  (33:15) the importance of transitions and mindset, performance anxiety, The Art of Freedom Method (41:43) music education, pressure from teachers, competitiveness in the music industry (46:36) excerpt from Ysaye’s Ballade (46:34) challenges in parenting for musicians (52:44) music education, letting go of the focus on goals (58:41) excerpt from Bach’s Chaconne (01:00:12) performing barefoot (01:02:56) decisions around pitch and more for Solo con Spirito (01:07:25) How you do one thing is how you do everything (01:11:32) India meditation retreat Amma’s ashram (01:16:31) connections made through Art of Freedom online coaching --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Mohamed Assani: Sitar and Tabla, History and Innovation | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:03:17

This podcast is also a video on my YouTube and the transcript is also linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mohamed-assani Today’s guest is the genre-defying sitarist and composer Mohamed Assani. In this conversation a couple of compositions from his album Wayfinder are featured. Wayfinder incorporates a range of stylistic influences, including South Asian Classical, Middle Eastern, jazz, funk, Western Classical, ambient & electronic music. It was produced by Juno and Emmy nominated producer Adham Shaikh and in the show notes you’ll find links to the complete music videos and to his albums. Mohamed is also a wonderful educator, based in Vancouver Canada, also teaching online, and I’m so grateful to him for being so gracious in agreeing to demonstrate on both sitar and tabla some basics of these instruments, and of stylistic elements in South Asian music, for this episode. I’m an independent podcaster, and I truly need the help of my listeners to keep this project going. https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Remember you can sign up for my weekly newsletter to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming episodes: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter This is the final episode for Season 3, and season 4 launches January 6th, so do check out episodes you may have missed from the first 3 seasons: https://www.leahroseman.com/about Mohamed Assani website: https://www.mohamedassani.ca/about/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:37) Mohamed’s path in music, South Asian music and history (08:56) introduction to the sitar with musical examples (13:34) history of the sitar, the Mogul rule (20:20) tabla, rhythm in South Asian music (25:28) tabla demonstration (28:51) please support this podcast (29:31)music education (32:12) Wayfinder album, Lullaby for Guli, Transit (41:07) Solace, understanding beat cycles (49:58) the intuitive versus analytical (51:28) Shahbaz Hussain tabla player (54:06) Aga Khan 80th birthday concert (56:22) reflections on learning music and self-development --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Ceara Conway: Roots and Wings | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:21:54

Ceara Conway is an Irish contemporary vocalist and visual artist, and this episode features music from her album CAOIN as well as excerpts from some of her other projects. I find Ceara’s curiosity about so many important topics around arts and culture really inspiring and this conversation  circled around to her explorations of different languages and cultures as well as her rootedness as an Irish speaker. She has had many interesting commissions dealing with history, illness, grief, and the natural world. She uses traditional and contemporary song, performance and visual art to explore social issues such as the ecological crisis, migration and feminist concerns. She also spoke to me about some of her roles working with the Clare Arts office with artists with disabilities, and how she started her career as a glassblower in Rome and how her upbringing has helped her navigate the world as a freelance artist. Like all my episodes, this is also a video and the transcript is also linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ceara-conway Can you support the podcast with a virtual coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much! I need the support of my listeners to keep this going. https://www.cearaconway.ie/about photo: Julia Dunin photography Are you curious about upcoming episodes? Sign up for my newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter Timestamps (00:00) Intro (02:36) Ceara’s background, the album CAOIN (17:03) Anach Cuain (18:10) more about CAOIN An Caoinea dh (20:52) singing in different languages, Oumou Sangaré (23:56) Ceara’s childhood (27:56) support this independant podcast! (28:35) glassblowing, start in art and music, Matthew Noonan (33:03) books (35:28) Veriditas project (41:23) Plant Chant (43:01) Clare Arts Office Embrace arts and disability program (49:18) CAOIN, intro to Seoith í n Seothó (51:59) Seoithín Seothó (56:00) Georgian song, choirs (1:01:40) Dochas (1:06:17) Hanna Tuulikki, corncrake (1:09:05) Time to Say Goodbye (1:13:14) Irish language  (1:16:50) new projects --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 EmmoLei Sankofa: Morse code and Living Creatively | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:23:32

Like all my podcast episodes, you can watch the video on my YouTube and the transcript is linked here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/emmolei-sankofa EmmoLei Sankofa https://www.e-sankofa.com/ is a an American composer, producer, musician, and artist whose work spans music, visual media, and fine art. Detailed show notes below with timestamps! You can sign up for my weekly newsletter ⁠https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter⁠to get access to Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests on my website ⁠https://www.leahroseman.com/about⁠ where you can explore past episodes and support the show through my Ko-fi page: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ My socials are in my Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/leahroseman⁠ In this episode we focused on EmmoLei's original music for Hulu's The Other Black Girl, the film score for Three Ways and her project Geometry, and we talked about her unique use of Morse code in her compositions, and the benefits of limitations in creative work. I asked her about her experiences in HBCU marching band culture, at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and being part of a positive community of mentors and peers through the Composers Diversity Collective. With her background as a percussionist and her use of Morse code, I was interested to hear about her creative process, and also about some of her visual art projects and collaborative installations. EmmoLei’s discography encompasses many albums and singles, and often integrates soul, jazz, classical, and rhythm and blues. Her single, Don’t Fight, was included on Adult Swim’s OPUS compilation album. EmmoLei has collaborated with many award-winning filmmakers, and through her creative audio company, Bèl Son, has worked with brands like Nike, Buzzfeed and Kamala Harris for the People. At the beginning of this episode, we dig into EmmoLei’s unique score for The Other Black Girl, which I watched and recommend. It’s based on a best-selling novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris, and the show is an edgy thriller that’s a social commentary with humourous twists, and shines a light on the expeirence of Black women in corporate America, specifically in the publishing industry. Here's the link to the official Triangles Video (which is excerpted in the episode) ⁠https://youtu.be/5YGSMD547VE?si=1LS-y6EoFKP-SqGA⁠ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro(03:01) The Other Black Girl(11:49) using Morse code in EmmoLei’s compositions(17:10) marching band culture HBCU(20:52) SCAD Sound Design Masters(23:25) please help support this independant podcast!(24:04) Mentors and mentoring, the Composers Diversity Collective(33:37) African diaspora, Sankofa(36:33) Emmolei’s instruments and creative process(44:44) visual art, trip to South Africa(56:26) Geometry, filmmaking, producing(01:00:49) Three Ways(01:04:13) The Other Black Girl, Tonality vocal group, graphic scores(01:12:23) In Pursuit of Silence(01:17:30) EmmoLei’s well-rounded musical background --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

 Kirsten Agresta Copely: multi-style Harpist, Composer, Arranger | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:16:04

Welcome to Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman: This podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts, or as a video on my YouTube. This week’s episode is with the award-winning GRAMMY-nominated harpist and composer Kirsten Agresta Copely. The video and transcript are linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/kirsten-agresta-copely Kirsten has had a really diverse career, starting with rigorous classical training as a young child, an illustrious career as an internationally touring solo harpist, and then a contrasting career performing with pop and rap icons such as Beyonce, JayZ, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and so many more famous artists, lots of studio work, and as a composer and arranger. In this wide-ranging conversation we talked about dealing with grief, ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, and many insights from Kirsten’s unique path through the music industry, including as an educator and mentor. Very shortly after we recorded this episode, Aquamarine was nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album. Kirsten has shared several tracks from Aquamarine and some of her other projects that are excerpted in this podcast, and if this music draws you in, please click on the link to her website: https://www.kirstencopelymusic.com/ Could you support this independant podcast with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Follow the podcast on social media, all those links are on the top of my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman photo: Joseph Cartright Timestamps (00:00) Intro (01:57) clip from I Am Water (03:15) the creation of Aquamarine, Kirsten’s mother (06:41) Kirsten’s musical education (09:32) intro to Naids (10:12) clip from Naids (11:06) production of Aquamarine (13:12) Kirsten’s development as a harpist, career choices (19:57) please support the podcast!  (20:35) the isolation of being a harpist, career advice (24:44) clip from Aquamarine (26:58) high school in Michigan, Star Age piano music (29:28) clip from Threads Star Age piano music (30:46) Nashville scene, move to Brooklyn (34:44) Suzanne McDonald (36:41) intro to Into the Mist (37:50) Into the Mist (41:46) dealing with stress, movivation for creating New Age music, Kirsten’s mother’s death (46:30) Tanzania trip witnessing the Great Migration (48:27) the Sphere Las Vegas  (52:16) performing with Beyoncé for President Obama  (54:12) Live 8, playing pop arrangements (57:47)how a pedal harp works (01:04:01) different aspects to Kirsten’s career: soloist, different albums, arrangements  (01:06:40) clip from Kirsten’s arrangement of Radiohead’s Creep  (01:08:10) arranging for harp (01:10:00) mentoring younger musicians, career advice --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

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