Soundboard

Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington, is a choreographer and dancer as well as the founder, CEO and Artistic Director of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts in New York City. She joins us to talk about the enduring music of her grandfather and her own journey as an artist.

Pianist Alexandre Kantorow discusses his musical family, piano as orchestra, what to practice, creating a recital program, and what he's learned so far.

Steinway Artist Sullivan Fortner joins Soundboard to discuss coming up in jazz, ancient practices, the greats, urgency, and showing up to battle with a plan.

Reflections on Van Cliburn, on the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and on the legacy of classical music in America.

Jazz pianist and Steinway Artist Kris Davis takes us through her process, her love of Herbie Hancock, and what she gained from listening to other instruments.

Chopin International Piano Competition winner and Steinway Artist Yulianna Avdeeva discusses her most recent recording project for Pentatone: Dmitri Shostakovich’s Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87.

The songwriter Sunny War talks about her eclectic influences, when less is more, her Americana dream, and taking inspiration from her racist neighbors.

Ambient and electronic music composer Steve Roach discusses his musical philosophy and process.

Guitarist Nels Cline talks about having no fixed voice, Wilco, pretension, and going down with the set list.

Saxophonist Joe Lovano joins Soundboard live from Big Ears Festival to discuss influence, tone, sound, improvisation — and what's in a name.

Steinway Artist John Paul Jones, live from Big Ears Festival, talks about his influences, his sound, and his process.

Jazz bassist Christian McBride, live from Big Ears Festival, talks post-bop, remaining a bass-player-for-hire, bass-on-bass action, preparation, and jazz as democracy.

Jazz pianist and Steinway Artist Jason Moran, live from Big Ears Festival, talks hip hop, the next generation, the algorithm, Monk & Duke, visual art, and creative approach.

Grandmasters Aman Hambleton and Eric Hansen, the principal hosts of Chessbrah, talk techno and chess and what makes Magnus Carlsen the GOAT.

Steinway Artist Ádám György will play his own transcription of the Union of European Football Associations Champions League Anthem at the UEFA Final Saturday June 10 in Istanbul. György joins Soundboard to discuss football and Franz Liszt.

Steinway Artist Alexander Krichel joins Soundboard to celebrate Sergei Rachmaninoff's 150th birthday.

Anthony McGill takes us behind the scenes in his role as Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic and speaks to the wonders of chamber music.

Steinway Artist Gerardo Teissonnière discusses the wonder of Beethoven's Last Sonatas.

Steinway Artist Andrew Rangell discusses the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach. His latest — of many — Bach releases is The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II on the Steinway & Sons label.

Steinway Artist Dr. Karen Walwyn speaks to the legacy and vibrancy of African American composer Florence Price.

Steinway Artist Rufus Wainwright takes us behind his live album with Amsterdam Sinfonietta.

Steinway Artist Jean-Yves Thibaudet discusses his latest album, CARTE BLANCHE, his ultimate goal of making the piano sing, and the utility of the sostenuto pedal.

Steinway Artist Kristhyan Benitez discusses the rich diaspora of Latin American piano music.

Branford Marsalis joins Soundboard to discuss his Emmy®–nominated score for the History Channel documentary TULSA BURNING: THE 1921 RACE RIOT.

Pianist Tiffany Poon discusses bringing humanism back to classical music via YouTube — and expresses her love for Robert and Clara Schumann.