Harmonious World

When I interviewed Jerod Tate for this episode  of Harmonious World, we discussed everything from Greek Mythology, folk traditions within classical music to the colonisation of Mars. Jerod's latest album is the stunning Lowak Shoppala (Fire and Light) , which features a libretto that depicts Chickasaw culture and history. There's narrators, soloists, the Chickasaw Nation Children's...

In a change of direction, this episode  of Harmonious World features an interview with the remarkable Dr Christina Teenz Tan, who co-created the Lim Fantasy of Companionship for Piano and Orchestra. Recorded at London's Abbey Road studios, the project was inspired by Drs Tan and Lim's earlier 'ALAN the Musical' and it is both stunning music and a wonderful concept. You'll...

This episode of Harmonious World features Marion, from the rather wonderful Marion & Sobo Band . You'll love the infection music of Histoires , their new album which is out now. It's a mixture of jazz improvisation, impressionism, chanson and Balkan music. All combined with a spirit of joyful exuberance. Thanks to Marion for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our c...

When I interviewed drummer and composer Ulysses Owens Jr , little did I know that he was about to return a call to an old friend of mine, the supremely talented trumpeter and band leader Guy Barker MBE. It's a small world. Ulysses's new big band album is out now on Outside In Music and you should definitely take a listen to it. I finish the podcast with an extract from the title track -...

Grammy-nominated violinist Curtis Stewart joined me for the latest episode of Harmonious World. His new album - Of Power - conveys much that history needs to know about the Covid-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and what it means to be alive in 2021. I'm tipping this for a Grammy nomination, but, as Curtis and I discuss in our conversation, the category it would sit in would need...

I had the immense pleasure of speaking to pianist, composer, band leader, educator and truly inspirational Arturo O'Farrill for the latest episode of Harmonious World. Virtual Birdland brings to your ears 10 compositions from over 50 online concerts recorded from the safety of the musicians' homes during the pandemic. This album is a sure-thing for a Grammy in 2022 and it brings to life...

The latest episode of Harmonious World features an interview with trombonist and bandleader Nick Finzer . Cast of Characters is the recording of a live set recorded immediately prior to the pandemic in March 2020. It's a beautiful collection of compositions and such a delight to hear a band playing live in front of an appreciative audience. If you're fortunate enough to live on the East...

Thanks to Andrew Burashko from Art of Time Ensemble (who features in episode 52 ), I managed to have a conversation with Gavin Bryars , a British composer I have long wanted to interview. It was a delight to speak to Gavin and I have also managed to book my ticket for his concert in as part of Cambridge Summer Music Festival . We managed to discuss Gavin's background in music as well as sever...

This is a double interview - I spoke first to Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refosco , and then we were joined by American drummer Joey Waronker . Together, they make up JOMORO . Blue Marble Sky is a fascinating album, not least because it comes from rhythm-driven minds. Both Joey and Mauro have played with some incredible artists and this album features some great guests. Thanks to Joey and Mauro...

The latest episode of Harmonious World features an interview with Matteo Finali, guitarist and band leader of Final Step . The fifth album from Matteo's band is Disconnections  and it's well worth a listen. It has been described as post-Miles electric jazz,  but if that means nothing, just know that this is funky and full of energy. Probably what we all need right now. Thanks to Matteo f...

I was delighted to interview Jane Roman Pitt for the latest episode of Harmonious World. Jane has written and performed several albums of lullabies, and we were specifically talking about an earlier one - Midnight Lullaby.   Although we tend to think of lullabies as useful for getting babies to sleep, there's more to the musical form than that, as Jane and I discuss. Thanks to Jane for allowi...

The first full episode of season five features Swiss pianist and composer Nik Bartsch . This was a fascinating interview, around Nik's playing and his new album - Entendre . I've selected two tracks to begin and end the podcast and I hope they give you a flavour of Nik's playing, which beautifully and profoundly confounds ideas of composition, interpretation and improvisation. Enten...

Welcome to season five of Harmonious World! This trailer contains a request just for you, dear listener. Could you please leave me a review and a rating wherever you find your podcasts? It would really help me - I'm getting lots more listeners, but I have a target and I'm not even close! Also, don't forget you can buy me a virtual coffee by clicking on the link below. And season fiv...

It was a pleasure to interview East London sax player Sam Braysher for the latest  episode of Harmonious World. Sam's second album is called Dance Little Lady, Dance Little Man and Sam explained where  that title came from, as well as how he selected the tracks.   Thanks to Sam for allowing me to play extracts from  Dance Little Lady, Dance Little Man alongside our conversation. Follow me on...

The latest  episode of Harmonious World features UK singer Jo Harrop . After a critically acclaimed album - Weathering the Storm - with guitarist Jamie McCredie, Jo's next album is due out in the autumn and it promises much. The first song from the album is If I Knew and it's released now. Our conversation covers both albums, lockdown, gigs and especially the prospect of 'Jazz On a...

It's not just because Richie Hawley is a great clarinettist and has some fascinating ideas and techniques for bringing music to our ears, but this was a great conversation for the latest  episode of Harmonious World. Richie's latest album is with pianist Conor Hanick . A Gentle Notion includes the clarinet sonatas of Aaron Copland, Jennifer Higdon and Pierre Jalbert, together with Joan T...

There's a great story behind Drew Angus 's latest single - Made to Love You . We discuss Drew's background. lockdown, and how the song got written in this episode of Harmonious World. Apart from a catchy tune that might become your ear-worm for the day, there's some beautiful cello in this arrangement, too. Thanks to Drew for allowing me to play the start and end of Made to Lov...

Andrew Burashko is a pianist and Artistic Director of  the Art of Time Ensemble, which fuses high art with popular culture, exploring where classical music intersects with an array of other styles of music. I thoroughly enjoyed the imaginative and inspirational tracks on the Art of Time latest album - Ain't Got Long . I'd highly recommend this as a download and there are videos to watch,...

The latest episode of Harmonious World features a brief but fascinating interview with guitarist Ryan Michael Richards . Ryan's latest album is More Than Time , and it features Ryan's beautiful guitar playing and compositions, but also renowned musicians like Premik Russell Tubbs, Michael Manring, Jully Haley and Charlie Bisharrat. The album is produced by Will Ackerman, with co-producti...

In a double interview, I chatted with conductor Tom Hammond and composer James Francis Brown , co-Artistic Directors of Hertfordshire Festival of Music . Tom and James give some insights into this year's festival, which runs from 4-10 June 2021. Principal Artist is Chloe Hanslip and Featured Living Composer is Judith Weir CBE, Master of the Queen's Music. This is an exciting - if challen...

This time on Harmonious World I'm joined by composer and pianist Carl Lord. If you're in need of relaxation, you won't go far wrong with Carl's latest album,  Stillness ,  which brings moments of peace. In our conversation, Carl talks about the writing and performance of these tracks, and goes into detail on two of the tracks that are featured. Many thanks to Carl for allowing...

I was delighted to be joined for this episode of Harmonious World by pianist and composer Lynn Tredeau. Lynn's latest album -  A Quiet Path  - is out now and it features a collection of reflective tracks that somehow sum up the fragility of life as it has changed in the last twelve months or so. All the music is composed, performed and produced by Lynn. Many thanks to Lynn for allowing me to...

This episode of Harmonious World features composer Craig Hella Johnson, who is also Artistic Director of Conspirare. Conspirare have a new album out, called The Singing Guitar . It details an unusual musical journey combining voices, guitars, cellos and women's stories. Many thanks to Craig and Conspirare for allowing me to feature clips from The Singing Guitar  alongside our conversation. To...

Another of my heroes allowed me to interview him. This time it's sax player Joe Lovano. Joe tells tales about playing in London, with some true legends of the international jazz world. We could have gone on for hours and there's a false ending, followed by more insights into his new album - Garden of Expression  - which features pianist Marilyn Crispell and Carmen Castaldi on drums. No b...

Acclaimed guitarist Todd Mosby joins me for the latest episode of Harmonious World. We all need perspective right now, and there's a lot of that in Todd's latest album - Aerial Views . Todd's comment about creating music that musicians will love to perform on is very apt and I finish with Aether , one of my favourite tracks of 2021. Many thanks to Todd for allowing me to feature cli...