This interview is also linked to the podcast and video versions. I met Coleman Itzkoff when he was on stage playing cello and dancing for the contemporary ballet “Procession” with the National Ballet of Canada; he’d also curated the music and I was immediately curious about his path. I was also aware that he performed quite a bit with a previous guest of mine, Clay Zeller-Townson of Ruckus Early Music. I got into a chat with Coleman backstage about his interest in new music, baroque music, dance and theatre.  When we got to this interview several months later I was intrigued to learn about his youth as a serious skate boarder, and you’ll hear us explore several connections between that athleticism and both playing the cello and dancing. You’ll hear Coleman share how he became a co-founder of AMOK, insights about some of the ways he’s been able to access higher levels of creativity, and tributes to many of his mentors including Ralph Kirshbaum, Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber. We start the conversation with some beautiful connections with his very musical family. 

Leah Roseman hosts composer Jesse Jones on Conversations with Musicians. Discover his unique path from classical works to the bluegrass-fusion group EZRA. This episode explores how an accident changed his career, his love for microtonality, instrument building, and music featuring EZRA, Jacob Jolliff, and pianist Xak Bjerken. This transcript is linked to both the podcast and video. 

The award-winning pianist Donna Weng Friedman enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, curator, producer, and filmmaker.  She spoke to me about many of her inspiring projects, including the Joy Luck Trio, Microvids with composer Stefania de Kenessey and collaborators including violinist Curtis Stewart. You’ll hear how she got into film making and her award-winning personal film Never Fade Away about her parents, featuring  Chun Wai Chan, the New York City Ballet's first Chinese principal dancer. Donna shared great advice for fellow music educators and students, how she came to be mentored by Radu Lupu, and perspectives on her career choices as a parent and many initiatives to amplify women composers and conductors. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video.

I was honoured to record this interview with Boman Desai, whose wonderful recent novel “Brahms Comes to Dinner” I highly recommend. You’ll hear how this work came out of Boman’s larger novel “Trio” and he shared stories about several of his other acclaimed novels including “The Memory of Elephants”,  “Portrait of a Woman Madly in Love” and his book about the Lennon-McCartney Beatles songs “Dancing About Architecture”. Some of Boman’s writing comes from his Parsi family history and the life of his grandmother, and you’ll hear about several life-changing moments including with the legendary editor and writer Diana Athill. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions, with full show notes.

Violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen discusses her sister Freya’s new concerto, "Permutations," and the "Reflection" album with Huw Watkins. She opened up  about postpartum anxiety, depression,and also the creativity parenting requires, and her role as Artistic Director of the Two Moors Festival, and “Dreamscapes and Lullabies” with Cordelia Williams. Available via podcast, video, and transcript.

 Mary Beth Orr is a wonderful award-winning horn player and folk vocal artist. Throughout this moving episode you’ll be hearing short excerpts from her album “The Singing Horn” which celebrates traditional Appalachian songs with Mahler and contemporary works composed for Mary Beth through Vox Novus’ Fifteen Minutes of Fame Project. Mary Beth is currently 3rd Horn of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and she shares the best advice I’ve heard about succeeding at orchestral auditions. Mary Beth also experienced a serious accident that threatened her life and then her ability to play the horn and she shares many other difficult personal challenges.  I was so moved to hear her story and wisdom and I encourage you to come back and listen to the end. This transcript is linked to the podcast, video and show notes.

My third conversation with the Grammy-winning producer and author Ian Brennan. Discover his journey recording rare music globally, from Azerbaijan's oldest voices to the Malawi Mouse Boys. We discuss his work on violence prevention, the impactful Parchman Prison albums, and his Grammy-nominated album with Ramblin' Jack Elliott. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions as well as show notes with many links.

This interview features British Ivor-nominated composer, violinist, and sound artist Ruby Colley. Discover her beautiful album Hello Halo, with the Exaudi vocal ensemble, created alongside her non-speaking brother, Paul. Explore her use of field recordings, Bach, folk music, and art collaborations. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions of this episode, with complete show notes.

Duo FAE violinist Charlene Kluegel and pianist Katherine Petersen join me with a focus on their album Dissidents of the Gilded Age with music of Dame Ethel Smyth, Cécile Chaminade and Amy Beach. We got into conversations around education, what a path to a career in classical music can look like, and how they have dealt with challenges including becoming mothers. This interview transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions.

Jayne Dent is a British interdisciplinary artist, singer and composer and I was absolutely delighted to explore ideas around  a creative and playful life with her. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions of the interview. You’ll be hearing clips of music from Me Lost Me, with inspirations from folk culture old and new. She opened my mind to what folk creativity and community can mean in the 21st century. You’ll also hear about community music making,  collaborations with dancers,  experimentation with e-textiles, and the challenges and joys of her career path.  I was really struck by her creative and curious spirit and you’ll be hearing about some of her chance-based writing tips and her varied interests from creating costumes to medieval sword fighting. 

I was fascinated to meet PJ Adzima, and learn about his path from his childhood on a farm to his career as a Broadway performer in the Book of Mormon. A chance encounter with a legendary composer changed his life forever and now as the CEO of the production company Stage Time, he’s paying that forward by discovering and curating talent across genres through many projects. He talked about how embracing vulnerability and studying drag has been transformative and helped him take up space, challenge norms, and create with purpose.

A joyful and deep appreciation for the performing arts certainly has driven his excellence and helped him transform his side project into his full-time business, and I’m sure you’ll find PJ’s energy infectious. This transcript is linked to podcast and video.

NYC-based Dutch singer, educator, and psychologist Vivienne Aerts joins Leah Roseman  in this inspiring podcast.  Discover her upcoming album "Current," recorded on a 1951 sailboat blending jazz, electronics, and vocal loops. Learn about her interdisciplinary approach, mindfulness, her teaching at Berklee, and the project "Typuhthâng." This transcript is linked to the podcast and video.

I was so honoured and delighted to have this opportunity to have this conversation with Nancy Shear, whose diverse career in classical music will fascinate you. I loved reading her memoir “I knew a man who knew Brahms” which is very much a book about appreciation for great music making as well as the importance of reflecting on the legacies our elders. You’ll hear about insights gleaned from her close releationships with many luminaries including Leopold Stokowski and Mstislav Rostropovich. Nancy was a troubled teenager when she began working as part of the Philadelphia orchestra library staff, and her brave determination, sensitivity and brilliance have led her to many unexpected opportunities. Whether or not you are currently a fan of classical music, I’m sure Nancy’s wisdom and storytelling will inspire you. We’re also including Nancy’s suggested listening links in the show notes, as well as other episodes you’ll enjoy. 

This transcript is linked to both the podcast and video versions of this interview, along with show notes.

This is my second conversation with Grammy-winning producer Ian Brennan, whose work continues to make a meaningful impact around the world. If you missed Part 1 of our interview, be sure to check the link in the show notes.

In this episode, we explore Ian Brennan’s remarkable approach to recording music in some of the most remote and overlooked places on Earth. You’ll hear stories from his travels to Ghana, where he recorded in witch camps, as well as projects in Bhutan and within unhoused communities in Oakland, California—near where he grew up.

This ongoing series highlights more than 50 albums Ian Brennan has produced, many of which have helped local musicians gain international recognition and perform outside their home countries for the first time.

In addition to his work in music production, Ian Brennan is also an accomplished author and a respected expert in nonviolent crisis resolution. In this conversation, we also discuss his book Peace by Peace and the philosophy behind his work.

The excerpts the albums featured in this episode are linked in the show notes. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video.

Max ZT of House of Waters shares insights on improvisation, global music, and creativity in this in-depth interview. He discusses his new album with Manu Delago, his journey studying in Senegal and India, and his approach to the hammered dulcimer. Featuring behind-the-scenes stories, collaborations, and mindfulness practices that shape his unique musical voice.

This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions with complete show notes.

Trombonist Jeff Albert joins me for a two-part conversation exploring the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition at Georgia Tech and his multifaceted career. Hear innovative instruments, stories from New Orleans, and insights into improvisation, technology, and experimental music, with all music and links in the show notes. This transcript is linked to both video and podcast versions.

Musician and disability rights advocate Gaelynn Lea returns to discuss her memoir It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect, inclusive music-making, and the power of connection, community, and disability advocacy. This transcript is linked to the podcast, video and show notes. Also: “Crip Camp”, Judy Heumann,  Denis Huna and inclusive music making, the importance of ASL and other sign languages, music education, sexuality in disability community, her next book.  

This interview transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions of this episode: You may know Scott Nygaard from his career as a guitarist in the bluegrass and acoustic scene for more than 30 years, his work as former editor and writer with Acoustic Guitar Magazine, or as one of the co-founders of Peghead Nation. You may not know his novel Evergreen, based on his transformative first year at Evergreen College in 1973. I love a coming of age story, and this is very much a tale musical growth and about the loss of innocence during a time of societal changes . We also explore Scott’s most recent album, Flown South which was recorded after a serious accident, when Scott had to relearn to play guitar.

 You’ll also be hearing music from his wonderful album Rosco with the Swedish guitarist Roger Tollroth, best known as a founding member of Väsen. Another collaboration you’ll be hearing about is Crow Molly, which features mandolinist Joe K. Walsh (a previous guest of this podcast). Scott shared his experiences recording with Chris Thile, touring with Joan Baez, and his move to Chile. I really enjoyed this opportunity to hear Scott’s wise observations on what really matters in a creative and connected life well-lived. 

Discover fiddler, songwriter, and producer Carolyn Kendrick in this in-depth feature. Explore her upcoming podcast “Don’t Call Me Darlin’” with Tristan Scroggins, her project “Each Machine,” and research into the Satanic Panic. Learn songwriting tips, memory techniques, and insights on building a balanced life in music. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video version of this interview!

This episode  is Part 1 of my new series with the Grammy-winning producer, author, and musician Ian Brennan who seeks out musicians from remote corners of the world.He has produced over fifty remarkable international records since 2009 across five continents with his wife the Italian-Rwandan filmmaker, photographer and author Marilena Delli Umuhoza. In this episode you’ll hear excerpts and stories from  the Tanzanian Albinism Collective, documenting the descendants of the last slave ship in Mobile, his first trip to Rwanda and meeting The Good Ones, the trip to Comoros with Comorian and the Zomba prison project in Malawi. You’ll also hear about Ian’s work inside locked psychiatric institutions and his development of violence-prevention methods that emphasize empathy. 

As a producer, he has become known capturing performances with minimal equipment, with the goal of bringing the listener directly into where the music is happening with a sound that feels intimate, warm, and immediate. The links for all the music you’ll hear are in the show notes. This transcript is linked to the podcast and video versions of this interview.