Harmonious World

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It's always interesting to talk to someone with a passion for a specific musical topic and I'm joined here by Thomas J Morris , who has an incredible history alongside some of the world's finest orchestras: his book Always the Music: How a Lif...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I was joined by bassist Adam Ben Ezra , who has a new album out at the end of February. Heavy Drops is a fascinating creative collection of ten original tunes that focus on the double bass. Thanks to Adam for allowing me to share tracks fro...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It was a delight to chat with violinist and composer Petra Onderuf for this episode, and I love her new album - An Odd Time of Day . Thanks to Petra for allowing me to share tracks from her album alongside our conversation. Get in touch to let me know what y...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. From New Orleans, I'm joined for this episode by Barcelona-born jazz pianist Marina Albero . Her story is fascinating and her latest album - A Nomad of Sound - is gorgeous. Thanks to Marina for allowing me to share tracks from her album alongside our co...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. In this case, it's a clarinettist who also helps many of us hear more great music - Chris Newstead is festival director of the Watford Jazz Junction Festival . Chris goes through the many musical delights that are on offer from 10 to 18 May 2025 and if...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It was a pleasure to interview Ineza , discussing her latest album, Women's Words, Sisters' Stories with pianist, composer and arranger Alex Webb and a great band. I first saw Ineza and Alex perform this repertoire back in October 2023  and you can...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. In this episode, I chat with singer-songwriter Avery Hill about her latest album: The One Who Remembers . The art of storytelling is important to Avery and that comes across in her music. Thanks to Avery for giving me permission to play extracts from her The...

Happy New Year! Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. This first episode of season 19 features a conversation with saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz , who I saw twice at the end of 2024 - once with her own band at Kings Place and once at Ronnie Scott's with Laila Biali (who you can also...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It is a real pleasure to end 2024 with this interview featuring Pete Chambers , journalist and curator of the impressive Coventry Music Museum . I'm a great believer in the need to both embrace the music that influences us and to celebrate emerging arti...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. This conversation took place in the lobby of London's Kings Place concert hall and it was great to chat with Catriona Bourne about her jazz, classical and folk influences. Her debut album Triquetra came out in October and features her on harp, flute and...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. This episode offers something a little different - a snapshot of the world of songwriters and an insight into an international music competition. The International Songwriting Competition is an annual song contest that offers aspiring and established songwri...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. I can scarcely believe that I have reached 250 episodes (not my 250th guest, as there have been some duplications) but I am delighted that this special edition features guitarist, composer and singer Rosie Frater-Taylor . I've seen and heard Rosie sever...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. This conversation took place between sets at Cambridge Jazz Festival a couple of weeks ago, when Dennis Rollins was working as composer, conductor and artistic director with the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra . It was a real pleasure to chat with Dennis...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. I've known about Kim Cypher - sax player, composer and vocalist - for several years, but we've never actually met. It was a delight to chat with her  about her new album, Catching Moments . Thanks to Kim for allowing me to play clips of tracks from...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. With apologies for the background noise (including the sound-checking of Roberto's piano while we chatted a few feet away) this is the live chat I had with Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca . It was a real pleasure to chat with hijm and then to hear hi...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For the third time, I enjoyed chatting with pianist, composer and vocalist Laila Biali , who has just released Wintersongs . I'm very much looking forward to catching up with Laila when she brings her tour to London next week. Thanks to Laila for lettin...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It was a joy to chat with pianist Joel Lyssarides . His latest album is Arcs and Rivers , in collaboration with bouzouki player Georgios Prokopiou : as usual, this is a classy album from ACT Music. You can read my review of Arcs and Rivers here . Thanks to J...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. Although I don't usually mention Christmas until December, there are a couple of great albums out that will help us all get into the spirit of the season. My first features an old friend, trombonist, singer and composer Ashley Slater . His album Merry J...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this epiosde, I was joined by drummer Tom Bancroft from Playtime , whose album Morse Code Through The Lights I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. It's a brilliant album and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation. Get in touch to let me know wha...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. This episode features an extended conversation with my dear friend Michael Shapiro , who I wouldn't know if it wasn't for an introduction from Crossover Media 's Amanda back at the start of Harmonious World. As well as our previous two intervi...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I interviewed jazz vocalist Patrisha Thomson about her recent album Wild is the Wind and especially about her extraordinary and inspirational project Imagine and Uplift . There is lots more in the pipeline from Patrisha - as we discuss - so...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I interviewed bass player and composer Matt Booth . I spoke to Matt as part of Extended Trio in 2022 for episode 120 and it was good to chat with him this time about his own album of tracks, many of which were written during lockdown. Along...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I interviewed singer, songwriter and pianist Philippa Healey . A successful and impressive  performer on London's West End stage and in classical crossover, Philippa has new recordings out now that show her funky side . There's a...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I interviewed Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin for the second time. The first was way back in August 2020, and she's been busy since then, creating wonderful music and working tirelessly with the Aspen Music Festival , which this...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I visited club owner Steve Rubie at the fabulous 606 Club in London's Chelsea. Steve is also a sax player, and I have known him for MANY years, since he kindly allowed me to practise in the basement club when it was originally on the K...