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. For the first episode in season 20, I am joined in conversation by pianist Chris Gall . We discuss his brand new album Impressionists Improvised , a solo piano exploration of works by Debussy, Ravel and Satie alongside some original tracks. This is a beautif...

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 the highly talented jazz singer and songwriter Mette Juul . I interviewed her in September 2023 for episode 174 , discussing her previous album Celeste. Her new album - Thank You & Other Stories - is essentially about luck. It´s als...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. I was fortunate in meeting this week's guest - saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael - before we spoke for the podcast. He was performing as part of Ensemble C with my guest from episode 263 Claire Cope and hearing him live and with a different group...

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 good to speak to artists at the start of their musical journey - Emily Masser is still studying, while performing professionally around the UK. In this conversation, we discuss her album Songs With My Father , which is out now. There is a ma...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. A few months ago, I interviewed composer Peter Boyer in a second conversation, this time about his composition Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue . The man behind that recording - and the 50-state 'Rhapsody National Initiative' - is the fabulous piani...

Welcome to a special International Women's Day 2025 episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. I'm delighted to be joined by pianist and composer Claire Cope - her Ensemble C has a new album out today, called Every Journey .  Thanks to Claire for allowing me to play tracks from Every Journey alongside our conver...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. Guitarist Pritesh Walia joins me today from California, to discuss his debut album - Hopetown . This is an impressive first album, with original compositions and an inventive arrangement of The Beatles' Blackbird , a clip of which you can hear as we dis...

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...