Episodes

As ETHEL prepares for their first Carnegie Hall performance, Dorothy Lawson reflects on decades of mixing classical precision with popular music's spirit.

Through her latest project with Septet+, the accomplished flutist transforms works by Adrienne Rich, Naomi Shihab Nye, and other poets into conversations between words and improvised music.

Fresh from a three-week European tour with Quartetinho, the accomplished clarinetist discusses how she transforms everything from Thelonious Monk to Brazilian choro into her own musical language.

The acclaimed pianist discusses her musical evolution from Barcelona to New Orleans, where she recorded her latest album on Ellis Marsalis's personal piano at his namesake center.

The music scholar and author discusses Jazz Revolutionary, his groundbreaking biography of Eric Dolphy, and how the revolutionary multi-instrumentalist navigated artistic boundaries from 1940s Los Angeles to the avant-garde jazz scene of the early 1960s.

Percussionist and digital innovator Lisa Pegher discusses her mission to modernize classical music through AI technology while preserving the deep emotional core of human artistic expression.

The acclaimed jazz critic discusses his updated biography of Marian McPartland, revealing how the Piano Jazz host's complex personality and vast musical connections created both challenges and opportunities in documenting her remarkable life.

The Philadelphia-based hip-hop artist and classically-trained harpist discuss how they're bridging musical worlds and bringing healing performances to communities from urban yoga studios to the Alaskan wilderness.

The veteran music journalist joins the podcast to discuss his book Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock and how a disparate group of musicians shaped a distinctly German sound in the shadow of World War II.

Innovative bassist and composer joins us to discuss his album 'Bab Bhar,' which deftly puts Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical traditions into the hands of a contemporary jazz quartet.

The acclaimed mandolinist and composer joins the podcast to discuss the history of his chosen instrument, the philosophy behind his Adhyâropa Records imprint, and the radical chamber music of his ensemble 9 Horses.

From The Rolling Stones to Sesame Street, Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden pull back the curtain on how they bring the stories of legends to exhibitions and beloved characters to the stage.

The two renowned experimental musicians, mastering engineers, and label owners discuss how a classic electronic album guided and inspired an acoustic masterpiece.

The legendary Danish B3 player chats about his early days in the band The Savage Rose, memories of playing the Newport Jazz Festival in '69, and his recent album with drummer Brian Blade and his son Benjamin, Time Again.

The universally acclaimed bassist, bandleader, artistic director, and prodigious collaborator joins the podcast to discuss his many ongoing projects, the evolution of jazz education, and how bass players are like baseball catchers.

The author and 'countercultural icon' discusses his latest book, Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium, which details a fascinating intersection between art and the illicit drug market.

The Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, and Grammy-winning producer discusses the creative philosophies and inspirations that led to his unique album, Unusual Object.

The renowned Canadian percussionist, tabla player, and educator discusses his lifelong embrace of Indian musical traditions and the fusion with synthesized textures that inspires his project Temporal Waves.

With Smoke Jazz Club celebrating its 25th year, co-owner Paul Stache joins us to discuss the challenges and rewards of maintaining an essential venue for Manhattan's jazz community.

Author Shain Shapiro, trumpeter Thomas Marriot, and DJ collective Seattle House Mafia join the podcast to shed light on the past, present, and future states of local music scenes.

The innovative jazz drummer discusses the beautiful islands of Maine, approaching music with sincerity, his connection to Berlin, and experiments with solo percussion on the album Most Definitely.

The founder and CEO of Inveniem and Definitive Authentic talks about the importance of an artist's archive, the notion of pre-nostalgia, unexpected discoveries in lost boxes, and curating virtual museums for music's biggest stars.

The Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark frontman chats about art movements, political treachery, Kraftwerk's impact, and the brilliant album Bauhaus Staircase.

The JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist discusses the joy of partaking in a musical melting pot, the avant-garde scene in Vancouver, and his many projects, including recent albums with his ensemble The Marrow and drummer Christian Lillinger.