Brave Sound Podcast

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC's most artful and creative musicians.   Today's guest is pianist, composer, and bandleader Jason Moran. A native of Houston, Texas, Jason is a leading artistic figure of the day. He is a MacArthur Fellow who is on faculty at the New England Conservatory in Boston and the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen and also serves as the Musical Advisor and Artistic Director for the Kennedy Center, a position which he has held since 2011. He has recorded with musicians such as Greg Osby, David Murray, Charles Lloyd, Paul Motian, Archie Shepp, and Henry Threadgill and has composed the score for several films such as the heralded documentary 13th, Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me, and the movie Selma. His band, "Jason Moran and the Bandwagon"--which features Jason on piano, Tarus Mateen on bass, and Nasheet Waits on drums--has been touring and recording since their debut album in 2000 and has been praised by the New York Times, Jazz Times, and Downbeat Magazine. His inter-disciplinary collaborations with skateboarders, painters, and ballet dancers have distinguished Moran from other musicians and have proven him truly worthy of the title: Artist. 

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC's most artful and creative musicians. Your hosts are Michael Shapira and Austin Zhang, cofounders of digital music venue, bravesound.org.   Today's Guest:

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews 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 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

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...​ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpL...​ 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.   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.   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. 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...​ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ByvBpL...​ 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. 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 @michaelxshapiraAustin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscoversLearn more: https://bravesound.org/ Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians. Today's GuestsSaxophonist, 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/ashlandYour hosts: Michael Shapira: michaelxshapira.com @michaelxshapiraAustin Zhang: austinzhang.org @austindiscoversLearn 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.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 @michaelxshapiraLearn more: https://bravesound.org/ Instagram: @bravesoundnyc

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 @michaelxshapiraLearn 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/ 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 are often compared with blooming flowers. Arta is bonded with nature in her style of writing lyrics. Arta has performed internationally – Enjoy Jazz Festival (2018), Užutrakio Vakarai (2018) Montreux Jazz Festival (2017), Berne Jazz Festival (2016). She has sung in a funk band, jazz trio and as a backup singer for Sheila Ray Charles, daughter of Ray Charles. In March 2017 she took a part in Montreux Jazz Academy adventure featuring prestigious mentors like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Marcus Miller, Yaron Herman and etc. She was nominated for Best Concert Recording and Best Debut in Latvia’s Music Award of the Year “ Zelta Mikrofons” for her work and performance with Electric Combo (RDKS).  // 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 the 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 Grammys (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 includes it in his album entitled “Salsa Big Band". In late 2014 he was honored with the President Scholarship at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, where he has lived since early 2015. In this same year, he became a Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation ambassador, being awarded with The Gifted Scholarship, one of their most prestigious scholarships which supported and sponsored his studies in New York. Being already settled in the city that never sleeps, Baden Goyo has worked in several musical projects with artists from all around the world having the chance to play in the most prestigious musical scenes. In addition to this, since 2016 he has constantly participated both as a sideman and as a bandleader in several international festivals such as: Bern Jazz Festival, Nordic Jazz Festival, Nisville Jazz Festival, Jazz on the River Festival, Latin American Cultural Week, Harlem Summer Stage Festival, among others. Currently he is the Director of Music programs and workshops coordinator at the prestigious local company Music Makers NYC.   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

The show where we uncover the stories, processes, and worldviews behind NYC’s most artful and creative musicians. Today's Guest: Andy Clausen is a New York-based trombonist, composer, producer, and educator. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Andy has served as principal conductor and Artistic Director for Jazz at New York Youth Symphony since 2016. As a composer, Andy has worked in a variety of formats, from orchestral and large ensemble commissions, to classical and jazz chamber music projects, as well as numerous film, television, and media productions. An in-demand collaborator across genres, he has performed or recorded a diverse range of artists including: Common, Fleet Foxes, Big Thief, Feist, A$AP Ferg, Paul Banks, Vieux Farka Touré, Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Frank Wess, Gerald Wilson, Bill Frisell, Kurt Elling, Joe Lovano, Theo Bleckmann, Kate Davis, Celisse Henderson, Haley Heynderickx, Nico Muhly, Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas, Wayne Horvitz, John Zorn, and The American Brass Quintet. Find him at https://www.andyclausen.com/ and @aclausent 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. Today's Guest: Alto & Soprano saxophonist Jaleel Shaw has been a long standing member of the Roy Haynes Quartet, the Mingus Big Band and recently joined Tom Harrell’s Color of a Dream band. A bandleader in his own right, Jaleel’s solo recordings have been met with rave reviews from publications including The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, and Jazztimes Magazine. In Jazztimes Magazine’s 2011 Readers Poll, he was mentioned as Alto Saxophonist of the Year along with lengendary saxophonists Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Bunky Green, and Kenny Garrett. Jaleel is a force to be reckoned with and is noted as one of the most influential alto saxophonists of his generation. Jaleel has performed and recorded with the likes of Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, The Mingus Big Band, Christian McBride, Chick Corea, Jason Moran, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Arturo Sandoval, Nicholas Payton, Dave Holland, Jimmy Cobb, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Find him at https://www.jaleelshaw.com @jaleelshaw Your hosts: Austin Zhang - https://www.austinzhang.org/ Michael Shapira http://michaelxshapira.com/ @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.Back once again, after our first try was tarnished by a mistake in the audio. Please enjoy this conversation with Joe Giordano. Today's Guest: Originally from Albany, NY, Joe Giordano is a trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader based in New York City. He currently studies at the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Marshall Gilkes and Marc Cary. Giordano was inspired by his father, Mark, at a young age and became enamored with the sounds of JJ Johnson and Curtis Fuller. His list of heroes and influences has expanded to include literary geniuses such as William Blake, Carl Jung, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Since moving to New York City, Giordano has performed with many key voices on the scene, including Frank Lacy, Bobby Sanabria, Stacy Dillard, and Davis Whitfield Jr. He has performed at venues such as Smalls, Dizzy’s, Clement’s Place, Newport Jazz Festival, and with the Jazz Exchange. In addition to being a Vail Jazz Alumnus, Giordano was named a YoungArts Finalist in Jazz in 2018. Find him @joegiordano120 on Instagram TICKETS for Nov. 8 Concert: https://bravesound.org/shop/joegiordano/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.Some topics covered: his 10+ years of playing with NYC’s best, becoming a university professor, his numerous self-published ebooks, some hilarious tour stories, and adapting a music career to the world of the pandemic.Today's Guest: Adam Larson (b. 1990) is an American saxophonist, composer, educator and author currently residing in the Kansas City-area. Larson teaches music business, jazz pedagogy and applied jazz saxophone lessons at UMKC Conservatory, where he has been on faculty since 2019. Larson holds BM and MM degrees in jazz performance from The Manhattan School of Music and was a part of the vibrant NYC jazz scene for eleven years before relocating in 2019. Larson continues to perform in NYC with some of the greatest musicians in the genre. As a guest artist, Larson has been invited to present masterclasses on music business, improvisation and composition at more than fifty universities across the globe. Adam has recorded five albums and maintains an active touring schedule year-round playing his original music. Find him at https://www.adamlarsonjazz.com/ and @adamlarsonjazz Find his many awesome e-books at: https://www.adamlarsonjazz.com/store-1Your 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. Today's Guest: After finding a love for music at a young age, Long Island born trombonist Greg DeAngelis has been playing music for over a decade. Beginning with his roots in jazz and classical music, Greg branched out and has performed all styles, including pop, rock, ska, funk, afro-cuban, and New Orleans second line music. Greg has been performing professionally on trombone, sousaphone, and euphonium since 2014. Greg’s various groups have been playing around New York, Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania since 2015. He has penned over 40 original compositions and arrangements for quintet, sextet, big band, and brass band, as well as rock and ska bands. As a leader, Greg’s groups have performed at venues such as Tomi Jazz, Club Bonafide, the Central Jersey Jazz Festival, and the George Street Ale House. As a sideman, Greg has performed at The Jazz Loft, Swing 46, the Sands Resort and Casino, and the Heavy Rebel Music Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In May of 2018, Greg graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University. In his 4 years of college, Greg studied privately with world renowned trombonists Conrad Herwig and Ed Neumeister, as well as working closely with Ralph Bowen, Frank Lacy, Abraham Burton, Kenny Davis, Bill O’Connell, and Victor Lewis. Find him at https://www.gregdmusic.com/ and @gregdeangelis1 Purchase the Oct. 24 Concert: https://bravesound.org/shop/gregdeangelis/Your hosts: Austin Zhang - https://www.austinzhang.org/ Michael Shapira http://michaelxshapira.com/ and @michaelxshapira Learn more: https://bravesound.org/ Instagram: @bravesoundnyc