Pablo Held Investigates

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PABLO HELD INVESTIGATES is a series of interviews led by renowned jazz pianist Pablo Held. Talking to his musical heroes and peers, he zooms in on their creative process, the inspiration behind the music and memorable moments in their careers. Just like musicians picking each other's brains on the r…

Pablo Held

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    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 30m AVG DURATION
    • 105 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Pablo Held Investigates podcast is a truly remarkable show that captivates listeners with its thoughtful and thought-provoking conversations. Hosted by Pablo Held, this podcast strikes the perfect balance between allowing guests to fully express their thoughts and guiding the conversation towards incredibly insightful discussions. Each episode is eagerly anticipated, as it promises an exploration of various topics that are both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

    One of the best aspects of The Pablo Held Investigates podcast is its ability to create an atmosphere where guests feel comfortable enough to ruminate and make their full points. Pablo Held has a unique talent for creating a space where individuals can share their perspectives without feeling rushed or interrupted. This allows for a deep exploration of ideas, fostering compelling conversations that delve into the heart of important subjects. As a result, listeners are treated to hours of rich content that invites them to reflect on their own beliefs and expand their understanding of the world.

    Additionally, Pablo Held's skill in guiding the conversation to incredibly thoughtful places greatly enhances the overall experience of the podcast. His questions are carefully crafted to elicit profound responses from his guests, leading to discussions that offer valuable insights and perspectives. Held's genuine curiosity shines through in every episode, highlighting his passion for exploring complex topics in a meaningful way. By seamlessly navigating between different themes and ideas, he ensures that each episode remains engaging from start to finish.

    While The Pablo Held Investigates podcast possesses numerous strengths, there are also some areas that could be improved upon. One possible drawback is that the show may not appeal to those who prefer faster-paced or more lighthearted content. Since each episode focuses on deep contemplation and discussion, some listeners may find it too intense or slow-paced for their taste. However, for those who appreciate intellectual discourse and crave content that challenges them intellectually, this should not be seen as a negative aspect but rather as part of the podcast's unique appeal.

    In conclusion, The Pablo Held Investigates podcast is an absolute gift to the world. Through his incredible interviewing skills, Pablo Held creates an environment where guests can express themselves fully while also guiding the conversation towards incredibly thoughtful places. The result is a podcast that offers listeners hours of engaging and enlightening content, inviting them to reflect on their own beliefs and expand their understanding of various topics. Whether you are a music lover or simply someone who enjoys deep conversations, this podcast is not one to be missed. Thank you, Pablo, for sharing your gift with the world.



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    Latest episodes from Pablo Held Investigates

    Unity (audio commentary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 43:39


    Pablo Held shares memories from the recording session of his latest album “Unity”, which features longstanding Pablo Held Trio mates Robert Landfermann & Jonas Burgwinkel,  guitarist Nelson Veras and Pablo on piano, mellotron, celesta & synths. ‘Unity' is Held's 19th album as a leader and the 7th on his own label ‘Hopalit Records'. Check out the album … Continue reading Unity (audio commentary)

    Albert Sanz

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 110:35


    Pianist and composer Albert Sanz sits down with Pablo Held for an in-depth piano hang. They talk about Albert's compositional process, the art of comping for singers, memories from working with Billy Hart, Lee Konitz and Perico Sambeat, the importance of leaving space, Albert's new Jobim album with Sara Dowling, their shared heroes Gil Evans … Continue reading Albert Sanz

    Eric McPherson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 87:23


    Master drummer Eric McPherson sits down with Pablo Held to discuss his idea of flow on the drums, lessons learned from jazz legends Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill & Pharoah Sanders, his relationship to bassists Ben Street & John Hebert and memorable moments in the studio / on the road. ___ • Support ‘Pablo Held Investigates' … Continue reading Eric McPherson

    Elders (audio commentary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 49:04


    Sharing memories from the recording session of my album “Elders”, which is dedicated to my parents. “Elders” came out on Pirouet Records in 2013 and features my trio mates Robert Landfermann – bass, Jonas Burgwinkel – drums and three guests: Jason Seizer – tenor saxophone, Domenic Landolf – alto flute & Ronny Graupe – acoustic … Continue reading Elders (audio commentary)

    Ashley Kahn

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 95:41


    Talking to writer/jazz historian Ashley Kahn was an honor. We first met in 2024 when Ashley interviewed me as part of the Bologna Jazz Festival. We had such a good time on and off stage together, that we decided to continue our conversation on my podcast. In the weeks leading up to this I revisited … Continue reading Ashley Kahn

    Ella Feingold

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 186:22


    It was a great pleasure to talk to the amazing guitarist, orchestrator & educator Ella Feingold on the podcast. She contacted me a couple of years ago after I released the Blake Mills/Chris Weisman episodes and said she'd love to talk. I started checking out her amazing work and became an instant fan. I've learned … Continue reading Ella Feingold

    Tineke Postma

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 110:19


    I'm very thankful to be on the the road with Tineke Postma quite often. She is an amazing saxophonist & composer, I'm learning a lot from her and she's so much fun to be around. We talk all the time when we're on tour with the band Re:Calamari and this conversation actually happened between gigs. … Continue reading Tineke Postma

    Eddie Henderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 79:05


    Talking to the legendary Eddie Henderson was a dream come true for me. As I tell Eddie in the beginning of this episode, I've been listening to him for all my life: My father played Herbie Hancock's “Mwandishi” albums for me as a kid and when I was 13 I saw Eddie with Herbie's “Gershwin's … Continue reading Eddie Henderson

    Kanoa Mendenhall

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 142:20


    The day before our interview I had the big pleasure of playing with Kanoa Mendenhall for the first time. After a long time of admiring her from afar, I finally got to know her through making music and hanging out together, which was really special for me. We zoomed in on Kanoa's creative process, we … Continue reading Kanoa Mendenhall

    Guillermo Klein

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 187:23


    A few years ago I took inspiring composition lessons with pianist/composer/arranger Guillermo Klein, which still resonate with me to this day. Guillermo helped me to break free from habits and find new pathways to starting the compositional process. Now I finally got to interview on the podcast, which, in a way, turned out to be … Continue reading Guillermo Klein

    Anders Jormin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 129:26


    Anders Jormin is one of my favorite bassists and composers. I got the chance to play with him in 2016, where we celebrated the music of my late teacher, the great John Taylor. Now, we continue where we left off and talk in-depth about his life in music. It was so great to pick Anders' … Continue reading Anders Jormin

    john taylor anders jormin
    Jen Shyu

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 168:00


    Talking to singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and interdisciplinary artist Jen Shyu was immensely inspiring and invigorating! After admiring Jen's work for a long time from afar, getting to pick her brain for almost 3 hours was a big deal for me. As you know, I always love it when the artists bring there instruments and perform … Continue reading Jen Shyu

    jen shyu
    Joe Lovano

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 158:39


    Talking to Joe Lovano was a dream come true. After so many years of listening to him I finally got to ask him about his process and get deeper insights into his musical journey. When our conversation ended I felt totally inspired and eager to dive into music– that's exactly like we feel after we've taken … Continue reading Joe Lovano

    John Scofield 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 77:40


    The great John Scofield returns to the podcast – and this time he brought his guitar! I absolutely love talking with Sco. To get ask him about his time with Paul Bley, Miles Davis, Elvin Jones and Jaco still is like a dream come true for me. And when he then takes out his guitar … Continue reading John Scofield 2

    Savannah Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 137:51


    Savannah Harris is an incredible drummer & great person. I not only admire her musicality & playing, but also her honesty and her rare no-BS-mentality, which is so apparent both in her playing and when you talk to her. We bonded right away when we first played and hung out in 2023. (Both of us … Continue reading Savannah Harris

    Mark Turner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 141:18


    What an absolute joy to nerd-out with saxophonist & composer Mark Turner about music after all these years of listening to him! As I tell Mark during this episode, his tune “Jacky's Place” was my ring-tone for a while in the early 2000s

    Joseph Branciforte

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 90:28


    This my conversation with recording engineer & multi-instrumentalist Joseph Branciforte. I had been a fan of his work on albums by Ben Monder, Caroline Davis, Matt Mitchell, Jen Shyu & Kate Gentile and loved his duo work with Theo Bleckmann. So naturally I was excited when Joseph reached out to me and said that he … Continue reading Joseph Branciforte

    Robert Hurst

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 169:42


    Talking to master bassist Robert Hurst was a big highlight for me. My earliest memory of listening to him goes back to my childhood where I often picked out the ‘Mo Better Blues‘ soundtrack from of my parent's record collection. While listening to the record I stared at the pictures of the musicians in the … Continue reading Robert Hurst

    Isabel Hagen

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 110:19


    About a year ago I saw Isabel Hagen‘s appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show became an instant fan, quickly diving into as much of her work as I could find. I love her standup and her incredible web series „Is A Violist“. The way Isabel combines comedy & music is really something else. I've been … Continue reading Isabel Hagen

    jimmy fallon show isabel hagen
    Fuensanta

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 164:14


    Here's my conversation with singer, bassist & composer Fuensanta – one of the most original artists that I know. We reflect on her life in music, her creative process, challenges and important lessons, band leading, composing methods, influences and also we relive our own musical encounter with Louis Cole and Shannon Barnett. This is episode has … Continue reading Fuensanta

    Buster Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 73:16


    Legendary bassist & composer Buster Williams came on the podcast to talk about Sarah Vaughan, the role of the bass, patience in music, playing with the Miles Davis Quintet, his record ‘Something More' … and much more! Such an honor to talk to him! I'm glad we get to learn from him together.

    Blake Mills + Chris Weisman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 226:47


    Here's my in-depth conversation with Blake Mills & Chris Weisman about Blake's “Jelly Road” album. We talk about each track and Blake & Chris often take out their guitars to show specific things in the music. It was so great to talk with them! Deepest gratitude to Blake & Chris for letting me study this … Continue reading Blake Mills + Chris Weisman

    Gonzalo Rubalcaba

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 201:13


    A conversation between Cuban pianist & composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba and German pianist Pablo Held

    Ella Zirina

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2023 100:53


    Guitarist & composer Ella Zirina in conversation with Pablo Held.

    Ethan Gruska

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2023 141:23


    Producer, composer, singer, and songwriter Ethan Gruska in conversation with Pablo Held

    Percy Pursglove

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 120:53


    Percy Pursglove is not only an incredible trumpet player, he's also an adventurous composer and educator, a great musical mind, a great bassist and… he's also my friend. I've been a fan of him ever since we first met during a little tour with Chris Potter in 2013. We bonded right away and a few … Continue reading Percy Pursglove

    Caroline Davis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 120:27


    The album Portals, Vol 1: Mourning was my entry point into the wonderful music by saxophonist & composer Caroline Davis. It was exactly what the title entails: I felt transported right away! It led me to check out so many other beautiful albums, videos and articles, which impressively show Caroline's exceptional talent and vision. My … Continue reading Caroline Davis

    Charles McPherson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 22:39


    Saxophonist Charles McPherson is a living legend, a musician of the highest order. I've learned a lot by listening to him play (and speak!) over the years. When I got the chance to interview him as part of the Mingus100 Festival at the Stadtgarten in Köln, I was delighted! Since this happened in between sets … Continue reading Charles McPherson

    John Patitucci

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2022 163:03


    It was a dream come true to talk with master bassist & composer John Patitucci. Easy going, inspiring and deep! Plus he played lots of bass, some piano and we went through several of his compositions- as you know, I always hope for these things to happen and John was totally open for it. I … Continue reading John Patitucci

    Jason Seizer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 60:13


    Jason Seizer brings people together. As saxophonist and bandleader, but also as a producer & engineer of 100+ albums for the great German label Pirouet Records. He has big ears and an open heart, a personal sound on the saxophone and a distinct vision for the music. Jason and me go way back. What started … Continue reading Jason Seizer

    David Virelles

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2022 47:57


    I first noticed David Virelles' name in 2011. I was checking out which bands were playing at the Village Vanguard, which is when I saw that Chris Potter had a new pianist in his group. I had been following Chris' music heavily for quite some time back then, so naturally I was curious about a … Continue reading David Virelles

    Danilo Perez

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2022 142:47


    Pianist Danilo Perez is one of my biggest heroes. Ever since I first heard the magical album “Footprints Live” by the Wayne Shorter quartet two decades ago I became an instant fan. I still remember having NO clue what these guys were doing. They played the songs I thought I knew, but in a way … Continue reading Danilo Perez

    Madison Cunningham

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 101:22


    Madison Cunningham is a natural. A master singer/songwriter with incredible abilities on the guitar and a singular voice. To me, everything she does sounds effortless and passionate at the same time – that's a rare combination! I just love her music and I'm thrilled that I got to talk to her. Madison generously shared insights … Continue reading Madison Cunningham

    Jorge Rossy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2022 145:29


    Who are You? This is the leitmotif of my musical discussion with drummer, pianist and vibes player Jorge Rossy. He shares his journey as a multi-instrumentalist, how working with Wayne Shorter forced him to escape his comfort zone, what it was like to work on odd-meters with the iconic Brad Mehldau Trio, how Guillermo Klein … Continue reading Jorge Rossy

    wayne shorter jorge rossy brad mehldau trio
    Ben Solomon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2022 150:39


    Ben Solomon is an incredible saxophonist who I first heard through the music of the late Wallace Roney. I was immediately struck by his sound, the energy and his love for the music. In fact, that was the only note I wrote down prior to this interview: Love. You can often tell when people are … Continue reading Ben Solomon

    Melissa Aldana

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 78:08


    I had been admiring Melissa Aldana's playing and music for many years, when I suddenly received a message from her, saying that she really liked the podcast. I was flattered and amazed that she would reach out to me. We made plans to do an interview and here it is! We talked about learning from … Continue reading Melissa Aldana

    Jochen Rueckert

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 121:38


    Master drummer Jochen Rueckert is a personal hero of mine. I've been checking him out since my teenage years, when I discovered Achim Kaufmann's “Weave”, Paul Heller's “Kaleidoskop” & Jochen's own “Introduction”, three massively influential records for me. He is an outstanding drummer and a great guy who always speaks his mind, and this conversation … Continue reading Jochen Rueckert

    Kurt Rosenwinkel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 101:10


    I still remember when I first heard Kurt Rosenwinkel's epic album “The Next Step”. In the early 2000s I was visiting my guitar friend Riaz Khabirpour in his apartment in Amsterdam. When he went out to practice, I stayed in his place, going through his record collection. I can still tap into the feeling I … Continue reading Kurt Rosenwinkel

    Gil Goldstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2022 93:56


    What a pleasure it was to talk to composer/arranger/pianist/accordionist Gil Goldstein! I've been in awe of his work with Michael Brecker, Milton Nascimento, Jim Hall, Wallace Roney and of course his own music (check out his album “Under Rouseau's Moon”). Furthermore, his book “Jazz Composer's Companion” was a great help to me, especially because of … Continue reading Gil Goldstein

    Laura Mvula

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 77:44


    Sometimes you can't predict in which direction an interview will go. When I spoke with Laura Mvula we didn't nerd out about theoretical stuff. In the beginning you can notice me wanting to go in this direction. But instead we get something much deeper and more meaningful: Laura opened up about her life as an … Continue reading Laura Mvula

    Ralph Towner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 65:03


    Ralph Towner is my hero. He's a musical pioneer, a poetic and lyrical storyteller, always searching for something new, a giant of jazz & improvised music. I have childhood memories of listening to his records in my parents collection — His duo recording with Gary Peacock “Oracle” always comes to mind. So do his solo … Continue reading Ralph Towner

    Scott Colley

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 144:09


    Scott Colley is an amazing musician. He always serves the music in a very engaging and creative way, never letting his incredible facility on the instrument getting the best of him. This is one of the many things I admire about him, so naturally I am glad I could talk to him about that. We … Continue reading Scott Colley

    Mike Gibbs

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 83:43


    I heard about Mike Gibbs through my good friend Sebastian Gille, who invited Mike to arrange his music for a special project with the NDR Bigband. I was amazed by Mike's writing right away. Everything he does sounds so rich and full yet very open at the same time. He's a true master who has … Continue reading Mike Gibbs

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    Larry Goldings… again!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 182:42


    When Larry Goldings told me that “we should do another podcast where we talk about our classical influences”, I was beyond excited. In this 3-hour conversation about our musical upbringings and influences we also play a lot of piano for each other. As you can imagine, this is exactly what I was dreaming of all … Continue reading Larry Goldings… again!

    Embracing You (audio commentary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 41:03


    Pablo Held talking about the creation of his solo album “Embracing You”. Supported by NICA artist development, a program funded by

    Marilyn Mazur

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 88:42


    Percussionist & composer Marilyn Mazur is like a magician. Through her imaginative playing and her rich palette of sounds she casts spells on the music, her bandmates and us as listeners. When I listen to her I feel transported into places that I didn't know existed and that's something I'm fascinated by. How does one … Continue reading Marilyn Mazur

    percussionist marilyn mazur
    Kevin Hays

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 66:00


    Kevin Hays is one of my absolute favorite piano players, period! The first time I saw him live was in 1996 on a concert of John Scofield‘s Quiet Band and this made a deep impression on me. I've been following Kevin's playing very closely since then. Out of his own records “Andalucia”, “Seventh Sense”,“El Matador” … Continue reading Kevin Hays

    Peter Erskine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 50:02


    Master drummer Peter Erskine is on so many of my all-time favorite recordings that it's almost ridiculous! I love everything that he's done with Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, Joni Mitchell, John Abercrombie, Joe Henderson, Marc Johnson, Vince Mendoza, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker and SO many more! Of course, let's not forget his own records!! Especially … Continue reading Peter Erskine

    Sam Amidon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 151:34


    Sam Amidon is one of the most open minded artists I know. Right away I was struck not only by his beautiful music, I was also amazed by the vast range of things he welcomes into his world. Every Sam Amidon album is a winner. They build on top of each other and yet each … Continue reading Sam Amidon

    Forest Of Oblivion (Audio Commentary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 59:38


    My dear friend and trio colleague Jonas Burgwinkel and I went into the studio to talk about the recording process of my first-ever album Forest Of Oblivion.  It was pure time-travel and I stayed in nostalgia-mode for the following days, reminiscing about the past and our journey as a trio. As I often tell, it's … Continue reading Forest Of Oblivion (Audio Commentary)

    Johanna Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 76:37


    I had been following Johanna's playing for quite a while, ever since my buddy Robert Landfermann told me to check her out. – If you don't know Johanna's music yet, a great place to start is her album “Schumann Kaleidoskop” , where she interprets Robert Schumann's music in her very own adventurous ways. To me … Continue reading Johanna Summer

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