Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

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

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman is a society podcast hosted by Leah Roseman, with 255 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Leah Roseman hosts Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman, a society show with 255 episodes published.

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  Episode #30

  The Art of the Unwritten: Creative Pedagogy and Improvisation with violinist Rupert Guenther

  Sep 30, 20261h 31mS6

  Rupert Guenther is an Australian improvising violinist and pedagogue. Some of the music you’ll be hearing is excerpted from his 5 albums commissioned from the ABC. You’ll hear stories from his varied career, in both Australia and Vienna, and influences and mentors from Melvyn Cann, Terje Moe Hansen, Igor Ozim and Allan Zavod. He shares his approach to creating fully improvised music as a classically trained violinist and how he teaches his students to ground their playing with his reflective approach. You can also watch the video on my YouTube. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast, and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links! photo: Anne Errey (00:00) Intro (01:43) Guildhall experience with clip of track 2 from New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I (07:09) Terje Moe Hansen, Rupert’s first teachers (11:50) ABC commissions, remembering Melvyn Cann with clips track 3 and 1 from Sonata I The Moxbournienna Sonatas (19:03) playing with amplification with clip Sticks and Branches from Amplified Soundscapes for solo violin, benefits of improv (24:30) Igor Ozim, Brian Finlayson, Helfried Fister, Vienna (39:17) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (40:30) Rolling Stones, Melbourne exposure to global music with clip of track 2 The Moxbournienna Sonata I (46:33) how busking helped connect with audiences with clip “Meeting Lao Tau from New Sacred Music vol. 2 (52:03) approach to teaching, getting over stage fright through improvisation, Conservatorium of Intuitive Music, with clip of track 4 New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I (01:07:32) Allan Zavod (01:23:52) Cosmology projects, teaching improvisation (01:23:52) meditation and teaching

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  Episode #29

  Ashley Kahn on “Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland”

  Sep 22, 20261h 20mS6

  Ashley Kahn is a Grammy-winning music historian, author, professor and producer. He joins me to discuss his wonderful new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland . You’ll hear about Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with whom Ashley toured, and many of the musicians who helped define the Graceland sound, including Bakithi Kumalo, Ray Phiri, producer Ray Halee and insights into Paul Simon’s songwriting process . You’ll hear Ashley read several excerpts from the book and reflect on how Graceland the album and later as a touring project affected the musicians living under Apartheid, and also those in exile like Hugh Masekela. He also speaks about several of his other projects including his books about the music of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane and as co-writer of Carlos Santana’s award-winning autobiography “ The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light “. A recipient of many awards and honours, Ashley has a broad and fascinating career in the music industry and is a professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU TISCH. In the show notes, there’s a gallery of photos , so you may want to check those out. All the links in the show notes! You can also watch the video on my YouTube, the show notes also linked several suggested episodes. (00:00) Intro (03:17) Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala (11:37) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about Paul Simon’s songwriting process (13:56) Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Isicathamiya, Apartheid (20:01) defining sounds of Graceland, Bakithi Kumalo fretless bass, Isaac Mtshali, Vusi Khumalo, Ray Phiri (24:34) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about what makes an album a classic (26:42) Paul Simon’s lyrics (33:14) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about Paul Simon (34:00) Verna Gillis (37:11) Lorne Michaels, Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Saturday Night Live, Ray Halee (47:54) suggested episodes and ways to support and follow this podcast (49:11) cultural boycott, anti-Apartheid movement and Graceland (58:40) Ashley’s career as a music historian and author, Miles Davis, John Coltrane (01:05:50) Carlos Santana with Ashley reading from “The Universal Tone” (01:14:13) professor at NYU, advice for his students and young musicians

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  Episode #28

  JoVia Armstrong: Shaping the Future of Sound through Innovation and Education

  Sep 13, 20261h 22mS6

  JoVia Armstrong is a an award-winning percussionist, composer and educator whose work blends rhythm, technology, and experimental composition. This year she was voted as one of the best percussionists in the world by DownBeat Magazine’s 74th Annual Critics Poll. She leads the electroacoustic ensemble Eunoia Society which explores sound as a healing tool and you’ll be hearing music from their first two albums, The Antidote Suite and Inception , which are linked in the show notes for you. In fact, I found out about JoVia when I interviewed Leslie De Shazor a couple of years ago for this podcast, and my episode with her is linked for you along with a few other suggested episodes. Today you’ll learn about JoVia’s collaborators and mentors including Nicole Mitchell and Francisco Mora Catlett as well as her development as a musician with the encouragement of her family. JoVia spoke with me about the importance of mentoring youth, self-reflection and self-care. She is currently Assistant Professor of music at the University of Virginia, where she teaches in the Composition and Computer Technology Program while researching the intersection of Black contemplative music, technology and urban space. You can also watch this video on my YouTube, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It'ss a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including JoVia Armstrong, the albums featured in this episode, how you can support this podcast, podcast merch and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links! (00:00) Intro (03:10) keyboards, Leslie DeShazor, her teaching at the University of Virginia, managers (14:09) Eunoia Society, elements of contemplative music with clip of Meditations on Oya from The Antidote Suite (18:38) Nicole Mitchell, Black Earth SWAY (24:00) The Antidote Suite, Bridget Cooks, with clip of Breathe (29:44) grad school in California, sisters, remembering Joyce (37:30) cajon, Francisco Mora Catlett, suggested episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (37:41) Elizabeth Catlett, Francisco Mora Catlett, cajon, Musique Noire (45:20) The Antidote Suite, about Shades and Shapes with clip of the music, Herbie Hancock influence (50:49) working with women, self-reflection, reverb and caves, self-care (01:05:08) Inception album, Eunoia Society, problem with audiences in classical music concerts, clips of track 1 and 2 (01:13:16) supportive parents, mentoring youth

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  Episode #27

  Sound and Motion: Cellist Coleman Itzkoff

  Sep 3, 20261h 22mS6

  Cellist Coleman Itzkoff joins Leah Roseman to discuss his multi-disciplinary career spanning baroque music, contemporary ballet, and theatre . Discover the surprising links between his youth as a competitive skateboarder and his physical artistry on stage. He shares insights into co-founding AMOC , accessing peak creativity, and how family and mentors shaped his unique path. You can also watch the video on my YouTube - Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links. CLICK for ALL the LINKS! photo: Titilayo Ayangade (00:00) Intro (02:12) musical family, aunt Kris Yenney, PACO (07:46) AMOC Matthew Aucoin, with clip of “Dual” from live performance with Lizzie Burns (13:56) first dance experience with Or Schraiber, AMOC (19:38) Procession, dancing, Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, Lost Mountain, NACO (33:44) Dall’Abaco caprices, baroque cello with clips of No. 6 and 1 (39:24) other linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (40:27) experimentation with endpins and standing, skateboarding (48:22) Coleman’s youth with musician parents, Greenwood Music Camp, skateboarding skills and music (55:54) accessing more creativity and ease, earplugs, polyvagal theory, meditation (01:04:48) Ruckus early music, 12th Night (01:07:53) variety in his career, Cerrone concerto, Anthony Marwood (01:10:06) Sonic Alchemy album, Peteris Vasks, Mina Gajič (01:12:42) Broken Theater, Or Schraiber (01:15:21) teachers Eric Kim, Desmond Hoebig, Ralph Kirschbaum, Timothy Eddy

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  Episode #26

  Jesse Jones: Luthier, Composer, and EZRA Bluegrass Fusion

  Aug 20, 20261h 18mS6

  Internationally renowned composer and Oberlin professor Jesse Jones joins host Leah Roseman. Jesse has been awarded the Guggenheim and Rome Prizes, he also thrives in bluegrass-fusion with the group EZRA, and we're featuring music excerpted from several albums. We explore Jacob Jolliff ’s album of Jesse's music—including his recent mandolin concerto—and also feature clips from Xak Bjerken’s performance of Variations on Oklahoma Rooster . Jesse discusses building instruments , his personal approach to microtonality, and how a sudden accident completely transformed his musical path. You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links. There you can sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests, consider buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, or buying some unique podcast merch. I've linked several suggested episodes for you with Banjo player Adam Hurt, mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, instrument innovator, and improvisor, creator of the Bazantar, the late Mark Deutsch, Irish composer Karen Power, who uses nature recordings from some of the most remote places on earth, Jesse Stewart the Canadian composer, percussionist, visual artist, researcher and educator, and composer and pianist Michael Stephen Brown, among so many episodes since 2021. You can also review this podcast, share it with your friends, and follow on your podcast app, YouTube, and social media. Click here (00:00) Intro (01:55) connecting to his roots, Ezra Froggy’s Demise, Craig Butterfield clip of McLaughlin (06:41) Ezra, discovering Bluegrass, learning different instruements, Jacob Joliff, Max Allard, clip of Sobreandando from Froggy’s Demise (15:12) Jacob Jolliff, mandolin with clips of Jolliff Plays Jones, Prelude, Tune Book Finale (18:26) development of Jesse’s compositional style, clip of Tamborine from Tune Book (24:08) Lutherie (31:49) love of banjo, clip of Golden Hill (34:47) Xak Bjerken with clip track 6 Whippersnap (39:09) Commissions, Xak Bjerken Variations on Oklahoma Rooster with clips of Procession and Riffing with Xak Bjerken, video linked in show notes (44:42) Whippersnap with clip of My Point eXAKtly from Whippersnap by EZRA (45:45) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (46:45) Whippersnap, clip of Milk on Tap, Max Allard (48:56) need for contrast, Gossamer with a clip, why the band hasn’t performed much (53:41) Professor at Oberlin, fascination with microtonality, Mark Deutsch Bazantar (59:55) musical memories, Jesse’s youth and family, String Helix (01:09:04) vocal music, Sharon Harms, first symphony (01:12:08) Rome Prize experience

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