Paradigms

Staci Griesbach returns to Paradigms to share her new record My George Jones Songbook .  Covering songs from the great Country singer/songwriter George Jones, Staci brings this music into the Jazz world with new arrangements, bringing her own emotions and meanings to this iconic material. This is Staci’s third “songbook” album.  First there was My Patsy Cline Songbook   and then...

Long time collaborators and Paradigms alums Katayoun Gardazi and Shujaat Hussein Khan have teamed up with Shaho Andalibi and Shariq Mustafa to bring us the album This Pale , a musical exploration of Rumi as experienced through the lens of modern events. This record was inspired by, and addresses, the polarization and “othering” we see in the human world nowadays.  Rumi is known for poe...

Jef Stott and Mah Ze Tar have created Zikr Project , a 4-EP (so far!) cycle of music that explores inner space, love and connection, through the fusion of Middle Eastern music with modern instruments and arrangements.  The first two EPs are available, Ishq and Dunya . Jef, Mah, and Baruch discuss the origins of this music, the intentions they share as the create and put out this music, and we hear...

Trevor Tchir has just released his first record in 12 years!  It’s called Sun & Moon .  This is a collection of songs that explore very personal themes like the love of one’s children, the loss of a parent, and more.  Trevor has honed his songwriting and guitar playing to a degree of virtuosity that will both soothe and kindly stimulate. Trevor is a Professor of Political Science,...

Wayne Alpern has a new record out called Frankenstein .  This is a follow-up to Skeleton and he’s just completing Bride of Frankenstein.  Yes there is a theme but it’s not what you might think.  Wayne explains in the interview. The new record is a collection of familiar tunes, but reimagined, revivified.  Very enjoyable to listen to. Wayne is an unusual person.  He shares some of his s...

Troy Roberts and Tim Jago have been playing music together since their college days.  They’re both in demand as session players, they both teach, have their own bands, and are part of a group of friends who jam together.  They’ve released a new record, recorded during lockdown in their hometown of Perth, Australia. In these sessions they explore some of the roots of Jazz, not by coveri...

Pete Davis is a writer and civic advocate from Virginia. He is currently working with the Democracy Policy Institute promoting democracy in the United States. Pete’s new book is Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing . The book discusses the pleasures and pains of “infinite browsing,” some of the fears which drive the culture of endless options, and the...

Sarah Aroeste returns to Paradigms to share her current  project. Sarah has been exploring her Sephardic roots for much of her life; the culture, the music and the nearly extinct language Ladino.  In this new record, and the subsequent videos, Sarah has gone to Macedonia, to the town once known as Monastir, to delve into that which survived the genocide of the early/mid 20th century.  While very f...

Richard X Bennett plays the piano.  He’s an extremely intelligent person, with an inquisitive mind, and it comes across in the music.  His new record RXB3 is a collection of pieces mostly written and all recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020.  This music, performed by a trio of piano, bass and drums, offers a substantial meal for your brain, your mind, your senses, your Self. Richard...

Britton Patrick Morgan hails from Eastern Kentucky where his family has lived, worked, and made music for generations. Inspired by the place, the people, and the music he heard, Britton has become a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter.  He’s just released his second album I Wanna Start a Band which is a collection of songs, recorded during Covid, featuring a group of talented musician fr...

Brian Woodruff has been inspired by music since childhood. He chose the drums as his instrument and never looked back. Brian is an accomplished composer working mainly in Jazz but integrating Rock and Blues into his music as well. The new record A Centering Peace is a collection of very different pieces all coming through Brian’s own practice of centering and finding peace. Brian is on the f...

Karin Stein and Ed East are Calle Sur . They’ve been playing together for 2 decades, bringing Latin American music together with mountain music of the global south and Jazz. Their new record Cancun adds keyboards and rhythm to create music for your inner landscape. Ed and Karin themselves come from completely different backgrounds, countries, musical traditions, and yet they have organically...

Dario Acosta Teich has been in love with music since childhood.  Growing up in Argentina with parents who encouraged him, a father who was a musician, Dario found himself drawn to numerous styles.  In his recent recordings Dario offers listeners different musical perspectives, some of which are surprising. Dario and Baruch discuss the music and the ethos of the music.  In these times of change, st...

David Howard hails from New Haven, Connecticut, where he grew up inspired by music at home, musicians he met through his Dad, fantastic players who came through town or were part of the local music scene.  David’s primary instrument is guitar though he also plays piano.  He composes and interprets standards and other people’s compositions. David just retired after 35 years teaching at...

Mina Blair has written a book about her healing journey after the death of her daughter, Francesca. The book Not for the last time starts with Francesca’s final illness and death, which is not depressing though it is sad. Mina then goes on to describe her experiences with clergy, friends, family, and her own inner journey, coming to terms with what has happened and finding ways to thrive aga...

James Amutabi and Amani Will of Hoodhippie Universe join Baruch to share their current project Decolonization for Dreamers . This is not so much an interview as an experience of poetry, altruism, and good old fashioned Hippie Love.  Whether you’re an elder or a young person or somewhere in between, these two humans will touch you with their exuberance and sincere desire to make the world a b...

Hannah Baiardi has a new record, Straight From The Soul , and it really is.  Between her composing, playing, singing and arranging, Hannah shows us her soul, her heart, her talent. The music inhabits a niche between Jazz and R & B.  Listeners will find a groove to ride as they feel this music.  The songs are personal and also transpersonal.  They are from Hannah’s life, and they speak to...

Susan Aglukark is one of those people whose mission in life is so inspiring, so focused and loving; the essence of the Paradigms mission. “Singer / songwriter Susan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique artists and a leading voice in Canadian music. She blends the Inuktitut and English languages with contemporary pop music arrangements to tell the stories of her people, the Inuit of Arctic...

Richard Ford is a bassist who has played with some of the biggest names in the Rock Music world. He’s spent the last decade or so scoring films. In 2018 he released an EP, and now he’s released the follow up album Basso Profundissimo 2 . This is instrumental music that offers listeners a journey within their own psyche. There is one song with lyrics on the album, originally recorded by...

Eleanor Dubinsky and Frank Ponzio play music together.  Frank’s sister Sally experienced the loss of her son through drug overdose. At a certain point in her grieving Sally wrote a poem which she “received” from her son.  Sally, Frank and Eleanor tell us about their process as they collaborated on what was to become the song Remember Me . The conversation is about loss and grief,...

GNL (Greatness No Limit) Zamba returns to Paradigms to share his new record The Spear .  Zamba’s latest album is a triumph of Afro Human Centric Hip hop and Rock with Punk undertones.  The message coming through these songs is a direct appeal to the listener to face what’s hard and focus on solutions.   Musically it’s got plenty of energy and great musicianship. You can really mo...

Rupert Wates was born and grew up in the UK where he started his musical life. He currently divides his time between New York City and Colorado.  He’s just released a new record called Lamentations , a collection of songs that come out of his life, including recently becoming a parent. Rupert is mostly a solo player. His guitar playing combines classical. folk, and blues.  His voice, singing...

Lyle Workman has a new record Uncommon Measures .  You’ve heard Lyle’s music in movies and TV shows, now he’s released this album of fantastic instrumentals that blend Rock, Jazz, Classical, and more.  It’s an amazing collection of music for your head and heart. Lyle has assembled an impressive diverse group of musicians, including an Orchestra, to bring us this music. Lyle...

Grammy-winning Singer, Violinist, Composer Lili Haydn is releasing a new album More Love featuring the powerful single  Sayonara .  Whether it’s a solo album, a record with her band Opium Moon , a score for a film or TV show, Lili is a person who moves through the world with intention and integrity.  This new album exemplifies these qualities.  Musically, lyrically, contextually, this is mus...

Matt McGinn is a musician from Northern Ireland.  A few years back he was inspired to make a record called Lessons of War .  He wrote and co-wrote the 10 songs on the album, and they are sure to move you.  The album came out in 2020 just as Covid hit the world, so the tour for the album was cancelled. Performers include Matt of course, but also John McCullough on piano and Hammond, Colm McClean on...