Jazztopia

Trombonist and composer Sam Blakeslee discusses his new release, "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," the origins of his band Wistful Thinking, and different approaches to writing for large and small ensembles. https://www.samblakesleemusic.com/ https://www.outsideinmusic.com/artistsandreleases/how-a-rose-sam-blakeslee IG: Sam: @Sam_Blakeslee Bob: @bobspellman Jazztopia: @Jazz.topia

Saxophonist Kazemde George and vocalist Sami Stevens discuss the making of Kaz's new album “I Insist!” as well as their stylistic influences, their compositional collaborations, and the importance of community in jazz. Good times are had by all. https://kazemdegeorge.bandcamp.com/album/i-insist

Trumpeter Eddie Henderson discusses his experience playing with Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi band, the process of recording his own albums Realization and Sunburst, balancing life as a jazz musician and medical doctor, and his return to acoustic music in the 1980's. New album "Look Out!" by the Cookers out now. http://www.thecookersmusic.com/about/eddie-henderson/

Trumpeter, slide trumpeter, composer, arranger, bandleader, and rogue historian of jazz Steven Bernstein discusses his new album "Community Music Vol. 1: Tinctures in Time," as well as the history of territory bands, traversing many genres of music, and the importance of community in music. Good times are had by all. https://stevenbernstein.bandcamp.com/album/tinctures-in-time-community-music-vol-1 www.stevenbernstein.net

Drum legend, composer and conceptualist Ra Kalam Bob Moses discusses his musical upbringing among jazz giants, his highly personal approach to composition and improvisation, and his ongoing musical and spiritual journey. Good times are had by all.

Pianist and composer Steven Feifke discusses his new album Kinetic, his approach to composition and arrangement, and leading a big band in New York. Good times are had by all. www.stevenfeifkemusic.com IG: @stevenfeifke https://www.outsideinmusic.com/artistsandreleases/kinetic-steven-feifke

Bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton discusses her band Bonegasm, her new album "Not A Novelty," her path to jazz, and the essence of the trombone. Good times are had by all. jenniferwharton.com https://jenniferwharton.bandcamp.com/album/not-a-novelty

Drummer and composer John Hollenbeck discusses his sources of inspiration, cellular composition, the wide influence of Bob Brookmeyer, and writing new music for the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, the Claudia Quintet, and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.

Grammy-winning saxophonist and composer Michael Thomas discusses his new album "Natural Habitat," as well as his approach to the saxophone and his experience working with Brad Mehldau and Miguel Zenon. Good times and good beer are had by all. www.michaelthomasjazz.com

Bobby speaks with composer and bandleader Ayn Inserto about creating new music for large ensemble, her experience studying with Bob Brookmeyer, and ways of practicing composition. Good times are had by all. www.ayninserto.com

Bobby speaks with composer and educator Dave Rivello about techniques for composition, working with Bob Brookmeyer, the Dave Rivello Ensemble, and the lost art of music copying. Good times are had by all. https://www.artistshare.com/projects/experience/?artistID=22&projectId=499

Vocalist and songwriter Allegra Levy discusses her new album "Lose My Number: Allegra Levy sings John McNeil," as well as the process of writing songs and lyrics, branching out into new styles, collaborating with trumpeter John McNeil, and working with organizations including the Women in Jazz Organization, the International Society for the Performing Arts, and ECPAT USA. Good times are had by all! https://www.allegralevy.com/

Cornetist and improvising composer Stephen Haynes discusses working with his teacher and mentor Bill Dixon, the properties of "free music," performing with Butch Morris and George Russell, and the importance of organizing and curating movements in new music. Good times are had by all. More info: https://www.schilkemusic.com/stephen-haynes/ https://newatlantisrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pomegranate https://balancepointacoustics.bandcamp.com/album/theory-of-colors-umland-lc5284 https://firehouse12records.bandcamp.com/album/pillars https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/in-search-of-a-sound-remembering-bill-dixon/

Award-winning trombonist, composer, and arranger Dr. Javier Nero discusses his latest album, "Freedom," his approach to recording, rehearsing a band, and trombone in the modern age. Good times are had by all.

Bobby speaks with vocalist Michael Mayo about the voice as an instrument, touring with Herbie Hancock, performing with a loop pedal, Star Wars, and life in coronaworld. Good times are had by all! Follow Michael on Instagram at @merker_merr and check out his new single, "The Way" on your favorite music platform.

Bobby speaks with Brooklyn-based trumpeter and composer John Lake about his new album "Seven Angels," as well as the best places in New York to get a pastrami sandwich, balancing lead and solo trumpet, and the way John's synesthesia influences his choice of titles. Good times are had by all. Find the new album at www.johnlakejazz.com

Bobby speaks with Professor Mike Titlebaum about his circuitous route through the world of music, the pursuit of an original path, and teaching jazz in the season of coronavirus. Good times are had by all!

Bobby speaks with Brian Krock about his band Big Heart Machine, their new album, "Live at the Jazz Gallery," approaches to composition, and a life of jazz in the modern world. Good times are had by all.

Bobby speaks with composer, saxophonist, and educator David Schumacher in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Pentucket High School Jazz Program. David discusses leading a big band in New York, philosophies on high school jazz education, and methods of teaching during coronavirus. Good times are had by all.

In this week's episode, Bobby drinks coffee, introduces himself to the audience, and rambles for nearly hour about his love for jazz and the mission of the show.

Bobby speaks with professor Ben Schwendener about George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, Jazz education, and philosophy. Fasten your seatbelts, theory nerds! It's gonna be a wild ride! Ben's work can be found at: www.benschwendener.com www.gravityarts.org ben@gravityarts.org

Bobby speaks with saxophonist and composer Russ Gershon about his band Either/Orchestra, his transition from philosophy to jazz, Ethiopian music, touring with a little big band, and his label, Accurate Records. Good times are had by all!

Bobby speaks with Moppa about his band "Mostly Other People Do the Killing," his philosophy behind naming tunes after towns in Pennsylvania, meticulously recreating "Kind of Blue," and the nature of the jazz industry. Good times are had by all.

Bobby Speaks with free jazz guitar icon Joe Morris about his path to the dark side, the properties of free music, and free jazz education. Good times are had by all.

Bobby speaks with New York-based saxophonist, composer, arranger, and dynamic bandleader Ed Palermo. The Ed Palermo Big Band is a sensational New York institution that specializes in performing the music of Frank Zappa alongside prog rock and swing classics, as well as Ed's original compositions, all strung together in an outlandish and unpredictable stage show. Ed discusses his transition from saxophonist to composer/bandleader, his approach to improvisation, and whether humor belongs in music.