Category Archives: All Interviews

ARCHIVED list of my interviews/conversations with people/artists.

Here To There: Goldberg Sickafoose Amendola

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For friend of the proGram, Scott Amendola, the drum kit isn’t so much an instrument as a musical portal. As an ambitious composer, savvy bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist & capaciously creative foil for some of the world’s most inventive musicians, Scott applies his wide-ranging rhythmic virtuosity to a vast array of settings. His closest musical associates include guitarists Charlie Hunter, Nels Cline, & Jeff Parker, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, violinist Jenny Scheinman, saxophonist Phillip Greenlief, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, bassists Trevor Dunn, & Todd Sickafoose, all players who have each forged a singular path within and beyond the realm of jazz. While rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area scene, Scott has woven a dense & far-reaching web of bandstand relationships that tie him to influential artists in jazz, blues, rock and new music. A potent creative catalyst, the Berkeley-based drummer is the nexus for a disparate community of musicians stretching from Los Angeles and Seattle to Chicago and New York. Whatever the context, Amendola possesses a gift for twisting musical genres in unexpected directions. Over a career spanning more than 3 decades, he has forged deep ties across the country, and throughout the world. As an ambitious composer, savvy bandleader, electronics explorer, first-call accompanist, and capaciously creative foil for some of the world’s most inventive musicians, Mr. Amendola applies his wide-ranging rhythmic virtuosity to a vast array of settings.

Ben Goldberg played jazz on the saxophone and classical music on the clarinet. While getting a B.A. in music from the University of California at Santa Cruz, studied clarinet with Rosario Mazzeo, the dean of 20th century clarinet teachers. Mr. Goldberg started playing and studying klezmer music, which has a virtuosic clarinet tradition. He pondered how to use the clarinet in jazz & improvised music as he was getting tired of the search for “authenticity” through note-for-note reconstructions of old recordings. In Sweden he met Ziya Aytekin, a traditional zurna player from the Caucasus and felt/heard how much his music had in common with, for example, the late work of John Coltrane. He wondered if he could use klezmer music to explore this connection between the traditional and the “avant-garde.” One day he got together with some cats with whom he’d often played traditional klezmer music with and he suggested they take a familiar tune and cut loose on it to see where it might go. The result was exhilarating and had a powerful, lasting effect on him. It was his first taste of music as a transformative, liberating force. This was the beginning of his creative musical path; in the years since then, Mr. Goldberg continued to work with and cultivate the musical forces that were present at that time – research, education, musical fundamentals, diligence, attention to detail, and a relentless pursuit of truth.

Todd Sickafoose is a Tony & Grammy award-winning composer, producer, arranger, orchestrator, bandleader & double bassist. He has performed on hundreds of recordings, toured internationally, appeared at music venues/festivals from Carnegie Hall to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and played on national television & radio programs including the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with Conan O’Brien, The Artists Den, & NPR’s Mountain Stage. He is known known as a musical cross-breeder who stretches across genres. In 2004, he began performing/recording in a duo format with folk poet, activist & cultural icon Ani DiFranco. Their relationship has developed for nearly 2 decades and have made 7 albums, 2 concert DVDs, and performed over 1000 shows together. In 2007, he began working on Anaïs Mitchell’s folk opera, ‘Hadestown’, as arranger/orchestrator & music producer. After years of development and regional productions, the show opened at the Walter Kerr Theater on Broadway in 2019 and won 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical & Best Orchestrations for Mr. Sickafoose and collaborator Michael Chorney. He produced the Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording which won a 2019 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Recording. ‘Hadestown’ continues to run both on Broadway and a North American Tour. Straddling the worlds of folk, indie rock, jazz & chamber music, his own band Tiny Resistors has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Stern Grove Festival, Angel City Jazz Festival and been featured on many “Best-Of” lists including the Village Voice & JazzTimes. Writing for Tiny Resistors, he recently composed Bear Proof, a long-form chamber jazz hybrid commissioned by the Doris Duke Foundation.

I had the chance to catch up with Scott ahead of the November 9th record release event here in Madison at the North Street Cabaret. We get into how much he enjoys coming to Madison and specifically playing a spot that has an audience that’s there for it! I have to dsay, it does me/us good to know how welcoming some of our hometown haunts are to people doing the hard work out there of traveling and sharing their art. We get into the new record of course. On ‘Here to There’, Ben Goldberg, Todd Sickafoose, & Scott Amendola play music inspired by the bridges of Thelonious Monk compositions. We dissect one of the tracks that really called me into it. We will hear things off this record for sure, other things (including anything new one of these minds may have brought to the team before the show) and improv. Scott and I also compare/contra=st this project to another recent project with the group SticklerPhonics and I think there’s more room for more projects of Scott’s to come to Madison and play with us.

Photo by Lenny Gonzales

Luke Of lespecial with a lehanG

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lespecial is redefining the term “power trio”. They sound & feel more like a heavy Prog-tronic Power Trio. The multi-instrumentalists from Connecticut continue to push the boundaries of what a three-piece band is capable of both live and in the studio with their their latest full-length album that dropped Autumn 2023, “Odd Times”. The band’s signature blend of “heavy future groove” combines headbanging metal riffage & surgical rhythmic precision with bone shaking 808s, sub synths and ethereal vocal stylings for a dance floor that welcomes moshing, dancing and hip swaying alike. Listeners are taken on a journey to the musical netherworld through esoteric soundscapes punctuated by raw, primal power. Odd Times, lespecial’s darkest and heaviest record to date, is an enigmatic and compelling musical project that explores the ever-changing nature of time amidst isolation. With heavy riffs, tribal drumming, and hints of levity, it’s a captivating journey crafted in collaboration with Havok‘s David Sanchez. An intriguing blend of old-school metal and modern djent-inspired riffage awaits in this haunting sonic experience.

Band Members:

Luke Bemand – Bass, Synth, Percussion, Vocals
Jonathan Grusauskas – Guitar, Synth, Sampler, Percussion, Vocals
Rory Dolan – Drums, Sampler, Percussion, Vocals

I had the chance to hanG out with Luke before this party rolls into Madison on November 8th at the Majestic. We got into what this tour and this event with Doom Flamingo is shaping up to be, including some of the special treats for not only your ears from lespecial, but prepare your eyes for some serios effects/lights. We go deep into their latest full-length mentioned above ‘Odd Times’ and how for me as a listeners, the heaviness of it came at a time when that rawness was needed, so we got into how if felt to create it, working with David and it felt like they too really got to enjoy being back together in the same space working as this is a band meant to be in a live setting creating the moods and supporting the grooves. We also talk a little bit about the conclusion of legetaway V, what this festival errr retreat err hang out, yes all of this, is all about. Sounds like a place to be a part of for the cool kids for sure. I have listened to this band for a few years and I just really enjoy the space within their music to invite others in and we get into one of those artists, the incomparable and friend of this program, Mike Dillion. We get into what kind of energy he brings, a project they created together and the coolness of playing with some like Mike that he grew up listening to and learning from since kidhood.

All Species Parade by Jenny Scheinman

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Jenny Scheinman, acclaimed violinist & composer, for many years a stalwart of the New York jazz and creative music scenes, returned to her native Humboldt County, California in 2012. There she has continued her artistic evolution. For years, Scheinman nursed the idea of a musical homage to Humboldt, in particular the area known as the Lost Coast, a remote, earthquake and mudslide-prone region of coastal northern California, where she was raised. She considered the project from many angles. She wrote a song cycle based on the “crusty characters” from her hometown and sketched out a surrealist multimedia project based on the county’s namesake, Alexander Von Humboldt. She collaborated with filmmaker Ai Aiwane on a video installation about the Mattole River (Cojo Come Home) and immersed herself in the sounds & cultural history of the region, with hopes of conjuring, in music, the extraordinary diversity of life in the Pacific Northwest. Her epic new release, ‘All Species Parade‘, is the result of these meditations. The all-original program is brought to life over the course of a double album, by pianist Carmen Staaf, guitar icons Bill Frisell, Nels Cline, & Julian Lage, and the revered rhythm team of bassist Tony Scherr & drummer Kenny Wollesen. It was recorded by Eli Crews, mixed by Tucker Martine, and mastered by Greg Calbi. Though ‘All Species Parade’ offers a brimming 72 minutes of music, it only contains 10 songs, several of which are over 11 minutes long, and 3 of which (“Jaroujiji,” “The Sea Also Rises” & “All Species Parade”) comprise an Ellington-inspired suite that clocks in at 20 minutes. This long-form approach is a departure for Scheinman, whose 10 previous albums tend toward a more concise, song-like aesthetic. Jenny’s playing is radiant, soulful, stamped with jazz vernacular and old-time fiddling tradition and anchored by her superb lyrical poise & masterful technique. In addition to her extensive work in jazz & improvised music with Jason Moran, Brian Blade, Ron Miles, Allison Miller, Vinicius Cantuaria and many more, she has toured and recorded with songwriting legends such as Lucinda Williams, Bruce Cockburn, Robbie Fulks, Rodney Crowell, Lou Reed, Ani DiFranco & Joni Mitchell. She is featured on the original cast recording of Anais Mitchell’s hit musical Hadestown, and has written several feature length movie scores, including the forthcoming Avenue Of The Giants.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Jenny on release day of this epic tale, ‘All Species’ Parade’ out now on Royal Potato Family and I quickly shared just how this album made me feel (Mycelium or yourcelium?). We got pretty deep into the how this album came together from the garden to the table, including dissecting a track or two and certainly getting into the involvement of that 3 headed guitar monster. Jenny has 2 friends of the program, Mr. Julian Lage & Mr. Bill Frisell as well as Nels Cline on this album, all have a place and reason to share the story as it goes down. We touch on just how and why the song length on this album increased for a few of the tunes, and what memory/comment did she old with her that kept her ear/mind open for just the moment to let things spill over. The album is an incredible story that as a listener, I found myself being welcomed in and not truly wanting to leave until I soaked it all in, thought about it and then wanted to share.

photo by: Kory Thibeault

Biscuit & Buddy from James BISCUIT Rouse

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James “Biscuit” Rouse, a native of Philadelphia, is a highly sought-after drummer with a remarkable track record. Not only has he showcased his drumming prowess, but he has also served as the musical director for renowned artists such as Miss Lauryn Hill, Vivian Green, & Syleena Johnson. Biscuit’s musical journey has encompassed a diverse range of genres, from collaborating on House music projects with producer Kenny “Dope” Gonzales to touring alongside notable figures such as Living Colour, Ashanti, Kelis, Nile Rodgers, Vernon Reid, & the Screaming Headless Torsos. Biscuit has also proven himself as a skilled producer & songwriter, collaborating with a multitude of exceptional artists. Noteworthy among these collaborations is his work with the award-winning Haitian producer and film scorer Jerry Wonda (of Fugees fame). Biscuit’s collaboration with the rising artist “The Violin Diva” resulted in the production of the enchanting track “Bethlehem,” featured in the 2022 film “Miracle Before Christmas.” Biscuit is now preparing to release his debut album “Buddy and Biscuit”, which celebrated its worldwide release in the Autumn-time of 2024 on German funk/jazz label Leopard Records, part of Broken Silence Distribution. For this release, Rouse has taken the repertoire from Buddy Miles, re-imagined it in his own style and created the first ever Buddy Miles Tribute Album. It features songs that are Buddy’s classics such as “Life is What You Make It” and the Neil Young penned song “Down by the River”, which Buddy made popular. Biscuit chose to make this project because George ‘Buddy’ Miles has inspired him as a musician. ‘Buddy’ is the blueprint for what Biscuit is as a musician & musical director. The Tribute album is very timely, as the underrated soul funk legend is finally being recognized and was inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 6th at a ceremony where Biscuit will accept the award on the family’s behalf with an acceptance speech.

I had the honor of chatting it up with Biscuit to get a little deeper into the way this album came toGether. I had no idea that we’d get into talking about family to the program, Mr. Greg Tate of our Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber family, and how his words are part of this journey. We dive into a couple of the tracks that it turns out where the first to be worked through, “Down By The River” and “Them Changes”, both of which show off a foundation that is recognized but a new groove to enhance that feeling of nostalgia. Vernon Reid‘s part in this is a fun story that sounds like the way it would go and just what was one of the best things Biscuit picked up by working and creating with friend of the program David FUZE Fiuczynski. It was words that I think we all need to hear at some time in our lives. Frankly speaking, I do believe THIS is one of the hottest album of 2024 and I sure hope all the right ears get to it to recognize it.

The Arab Blues Present Saba

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The Arab Blues traces a trajectory between tradition and innovation, embodying the call of tradition and the response of the diaspora. The synthesis Rami & Karim create is an auditory expression of not only the power & persistence of tradition but equally the validity of its transformation under the unique cultural conditions they inhabit. The basis of their work is the Turath, the canon of classical Arab compositions & improvisational techniques. This rich heritage consists of melodic & rhythmic exposition and instrumental interaction at countless levels of depth. They interpret these forms in the context of the sounds of the contemporary North American metropole. In this project, the equally lush traditions of Blues & Jazz in Chicago provide the context of how the two approach and assimilate the Turath. This marriage of forms is fruitful because of the emotional range of the Blues and the improvisational flexibility and ingenuity of Jazz. The Arab Blues was developed by Lebanese-Egyptian oud & guitar player Rami Gabriel through a research fellowship at the Center for Black Music Research, 2 Illinois Artist grants, and a decade of experience as a jazz and blues musician in Chicago. Native Egyptian percussionist Karim Nagi, a 2-time beneficiary of the Doris Duke Building Bridges grant for Muslim Artists, a TEDx speaker, and accomplished teacher completes this duo with his energetic & lyrical rhythms on Riqq, Tublah and alternatively assembled drum-set. Chicago inspires this duo to amplify & expand the sound of their Arab folk traditions – discovering the trajectory of their community’s music; the future of their past sound. They are participating in this city’s musical possibilities by celebrating and embodying the potential of the immigrant experience. On their debut full-length album, Saba, The Arab Blues growl & romp their way through original Arabic themes & arrangements in the blues traditions of Chicago, Mississippi, & Mali. Drawing from their acoustic & electric repertoire, the album reflects the anger, protest, and dislocation of our cultural moment. In the hands of The Arab Blues, traditional forms such as the Sama’i (‘Sama’i Kurd guitari’) and Levantine folk music (‘Golan’) are transformed into electrifying journeys. On Saba, an Egyptian and a Lebanese musician make a definitive statement of their sound crafted in Chicago. Forged in the diaspora, this sound bellows freedom, longing, & defiance.

I was very excited to get to spend a little time with Karim & Rami ahead of The Arab Blues October 17th album release event in Madison at the North Street Cabaret. We dive deep into the new album, dissecting a few tracks and not only how they came toGether to form the songs, but the true, human feelings within these tracks that at times smack you right in the face. We talk about humanity, trying to get a solid footing as a group steeped in a traditional music whose people have been vilified in the U.S.. So much of this music and these feeling resonated with me form the moment I hit play, I could FEEL this music and the emotions that clearly went into creating it. There is talk about the influences of both Black Sabbath & Led Zeppelin, where they recently found themselves rocking the same stage the mighty Zep first played. They are in the middle of the Venn Diagram where tradition holds hands with the possibilities of the future and some heavy grooves to help wake people up and open their senses. This show..This album..These people!

OVK Bach Melharmony Festival 2024

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The two day Twin Composer Festival in Madison on October 19 & 20 will showcase the works of two trailblazing composers Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi (OVK) from India, who lived from 1700-1765 and his no less illustrious Western contemporary Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). This Entertainment Extravaganza seeks to not only raise appreciation for the contributions of these two great composers, but also aims to raise funds for Planet Symphony for Environment’s Collective Micro Climate Action Movement (CMCAM) initiatives such as Roof and Land Greening and Rainwater Management across the world. The festival will feature concerts by icons of Western & Eastern cultures, dance and theater performances, as well as Emerging Artists’ programming. The rare jewel in the crown will be the Melody, Harmony & Melharmony concert on Oct 20th at 4PM in the Oakwood Auditorium featuring ace Carnatic Violinist V V Subrahmanyam and his son V V S Murari, Chitravina N Ravikiran, the inventor of Melharmony, Apollo Chamber Players (a popular String Quintet from Houston), the iconic Mrdangam player Prof Trichy Sankaran and renowned percussionists Patri Sathish Kumar & K V Gopalakrishnan. Band students of Memorial High School will also present a composition of Maestro Ravikiran arranged by Ben Jaeger, Band Director of Memorial High School. The festival will felicitate Maestros Trichy Sankaran and VV Subrahmanyam with Lifetime Achievement Awards and honor Apollo Chamber Players for their many distinguished contributions. Art Patrons Dr. C M Venkatachalam and Shekar Viswanathan get special awards for supporting and promoting music, dance and culture in North America. Talent promotion: An important highlight of the event is morning to night concerts on the opening day by emerging talents from all over the United States, as well as from India, with eminent artistes such as Bhargavi Balasubramanian, Krithika Natarajan and Rajeev Mukundan. The second day starts off with a musical on the “Life of Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi” by a Chicago based team led by C Ranganathan followed by short recitals by various students of Meenakshi Ganesan’s Kalaanjali Dance Company. The festival will culminate in a choral rendition of select compositions of OVK by artists of North American Melodic Ensemble.

I had the complete honor of speaking with Maestro Chitravina N Ravikiran ahead of this incredible event. We got into a little bit about what Melharmony is and how it will be showcased. Maestro Ravikiran did a wonderfully succinct job of filling us in on each performer and their impressive backgrounds. He was able to easily paint the picture of what the energy they each will provide during these unique performances. Each artist heading to Madison for this festival is/are a master(s) in their subject field, and together, they will work to open minds, history books and the possibilities to a successful path forward thinking about each other and the planet we all reside upon. Not only will the music be uplifting, spontaneous and downright a one of a kind offering, this type of scene would not be complete without the focus on our planet and the initiatives we as individuals can do for our small part to help cool the planet’s warming, ease Mother Nature’s aches and provide stability to a world spinning with daily turmoil, that we just cannot wait for other’s to act on. All the information you need on the festival is here including dates/time/location.

Corey Harris & Cedric Watson: True Blues

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Corey Harris & Cedric Watson: True Blues

Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center

Hosted by friends of the proGram, Corey Harris, a MacArthur Grant recipient, and featuring renowned Creole/blues musician & friend of the proGram, Cedric Watson, True Blues chronicles the extraordinary living culture of the blues in an evening of music and conversation.

Corey Harris was featured in Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey, which followed Harris on a roots journey to West Africa. Cedric Watson has an apparently bottomless repertoire of songs at his fingertips; he plays everything from forgotten Creole French melodies and obscure Dennis McGee reels to more modern Cajun and Zydeco songs. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he is also a prolific songwriter, writing almost all of his songs on his double row Hohner accordion. Watson’s songs channel his diverse ancestry (African, French, Native American, and Spanish) to create his own brand of sounds.

Blues is at the center of their artistry, and the blues takes center stage in True Blues, the concert.

Think Forward With Brandon Seabrook

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Brandon Seabrook is a guitarist/banjoist/composer living in New York City where he has established himself as one of the most forward-thinking & versatile guitarists of his generation. He has also made a name for himself as an influential banjo innovator, described by the New York Times as “a man apparently hellbent on earning the title of World’s Least Rustic Banjo Player.” His work focuses on the juxtaposition of hallucinatory soundscapes, angular composition, and a massive dynamic range that can change in a nanosecond. He has released several albums as a leader covering everything from pulverizing art-metal to chamber music bridging the realms of extreme rock & the classical avant-garde. Rolling Stone Magazine noted, “The fiercely dexterous musician has lunched a number of bands combining serious chops with manic intensity and a left- field compositional vision.” Seabrook honed his guitar skills at the New England Conservatory in Boston. He has since performed extensively in North and South America, Mexico and Europe, as a solo artist, bandleader, & collaborator. He has been called upon by titans such as Anthony Braxton, Nels Cline, Cecile McLorin Salvant, So Percussion, & Joey Arias for his idiosyncratic physical performance style , hyperreal technique & impeccable articulation . He has been profiled in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Premiere Guitar, Downbeat Magazine, Rolling Stone, NPR, The Chicago Reader, and The Wire. Brandon is an accomplished solo artist, named Best Guitarist in New York City by the Village Voice 2012. In 2014, New Atlantis Records released his first solo album titled “Sylphid Vitalizers.” Noisey called the album a “dissonant guitar army…(with) mind-blowing prog-rock complexities – all at mind-numbing breakneck speed.” Brandon has presented his solo work at Pioneer Works, Sonic Transmissions Festival, Secret Project Robot, NK Berlin, Lima Jazz Festival, Dither Extravaganza, The Smell, Lawrence University, and the Ruidismos Festival in Lima, Peru.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Brandon ahead of his upcoming set on October 12 at the North Street Cabaret, performing along with Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric. We get into the possible outcomes of the sonic exploitations could be when he is doing his thang with guitar (and hopefully banjo). We get into his soon to be released (10/18) new album ‘Object Of Unknown Function‘ on Pyroclastic Records, and dissect one of my favorite tracks from the collection. I could not letr my momet with Brandon go without hearing form him how it felt to be a part of one of the most cool events I watch, the ‘Sculpting Sound with Bertoia’ event last December, and just how being/doing within that landscape opened new avenues.

Photo: DIE-TROMMEL-FATALE-BY-REUBEN-RADDING

The Now Within A Love Electric

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An explosive trio of 3 nationalities, A Love Electric, hailed as the tomorrow of creative rock by Mexico City’s leading newspaper, La Jornada, performs at some of the world’s finest rock festivals, jazz clubs, & cultural landmarks. Led by guitarist/vocalist Todd Clouser, a voice recognized as at the forefront of a new generation of genre redefining artists, A Love Electric carries the sonic legacies of psychedelic rock, New York City’s downtown scene, and introspective song into new territories. Having performed all over the globe, ALE has gained praise from critics and fans of rock, jazz, & experimental musics alike. A Love Electric is Todd Clouser (guitar and vocals), Aaron Cruz (bass), and Hernan Hecht (drums), Hecht a Latin Grammy winner for his work as drummer and producer. The three musicians have performed with Steven Bernstein, Anton Fier, Billy Martin, Cyro Baptista, members of Dire Straits, Keb Mo, Tim Berne, Ely Guerra, and more. In there years of aggressive touring throughout the United States, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Argentina, A Love Electric have documented their evolution into creative rock supergroup on three records from Brooklyn, NY’s The Royal Potato Family and a solo Clouser album Billy Martin‘s label, Amulet Records. A Love Electric now sits with a sound and approach all its own, defying category & inspiring audiences with their impassioned and prolific approach to creating. A new generation of idea is here. With many more recordings and sonic journeys under each other’s musical belts, now here we find ourselves dodging weirdness in 2024 and there’s more new music and opportunities to see Todd and A Love Electric to aide in making it all seem better.

The best thing about catching up with Todd is that it usually means he is coming to town. This time around it is going to be October 12th at the North Street Cabaret with A Love Electric. I have been ready for this for a long time!! We get into some of the possibilities the night of music could bring and dive head first into the newest album he put out with JT Bates and friend of the proGram, Mr. John Medeski. It’s a ‘surf’ music album titled ‘New Flamingo Magic’. The week Todd and I chatted it up, another friend of the show, Carnage the Execution was in Mexico for a few nights of making differences and making a difference. One of the things Todd does is the give back, so we talk about one of the ways he does it through an annual festival called ‘Lakeside Guitar Festival‘ and his Music Mission Foundation. He and his pal, Molly Maher, who Todd does a lot of his giveback work with, are going to have an opportunity to open for Los Lobos coming up soon as well, so, why not put a little notice on that spectacular event. To hit the old refresh button, Todd took some time off from performing (which does not sound normal to me…for him), so we talk about where he may have found some inspiration or new feelings.

Look At Brass Queens Now

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Brass Queens is a female-led New York-based brass band w/an all-female horn section that has been dominating the scene since 2019. Finding they shared similar frustrations about the emerging brass band scene in New York City, co-founders Alex Harris & Ally Chapel came together to form a group dedicated to showcasing the talents of female musicians in a landscape that was dominated by male musicians & bandleaders. After debuting in March 2019, Brass Queens grew to be a fixture in the local music scene and was dubbed “the hardest working band in town” by their peers. They gained a dedicated following thru outdoor performances on the streets of Brooklyn and playing pop-up events in their community through the pandemic. A core value of the band is to play for as many audiences as possible to increase the visibility of female bands in the brass band scene. Brass Queens regularly tour across the country & internationally, performing on festival stages including the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Northlands Music Festival, MusikFest, Duck Jazz Festival, and multiple appearances at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival. They have played major events like The Met Gala and for many notable clients including New Balance, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Bombas, Perrier, Instagram, & Pinterest. They have also performed on national T.V. (Good Morning America) and at iconic venues like The Capitol Theater with multiple shows at the historic Blue Note Jazz Club & Brooklyn Bowl. They are also the 2023 winners of We Love NYC’s Rider’s Choice Award, after the people of New York voted them as their favorite of the MTA’s Music Under New York’s roster of subway performers. The band has developed a signature style that sits right at the intersection of the Big Apple and the Big Easy. Their sound is deeply inspired by and pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while injecting the upbeat, multifaceted energy of their New York home into each performance. The result is a nonstop party: a Brass Queens show will have you singing along to classic pop hits, dancing your heart out to reggaeton, and feeling like you’ve been transported to Frenchman Street. In February 2021, Brass Queens released their debut EP ‘Royal Street’, which takes listeners on a six-song journey beginning in the heart of New York City with a cover of Cameo’s Candy, down to Royal St. with their take on a New Orleans traditional, Little Liza Jane. In 2023, the band released their first full-length album titled ‘Black & Gold’, which is an ode to the Brass Queen’s incredible early fan base who supported the band from the virtual performances & socially-distanced street corners during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the crowded clubs & packed venues of today. On October 18, 2024 they will release their second full-length album titled ‘Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I’.

I had the pleasure of spending a little time with Ally Chapel ahead of the Brass Queens making a stop through Madison on October 11th at the High Noon Saloon. They will be sharing the stage with Madison’s own, Mama Digdown’s Brass Band and the story of the bands relationship is touched on (and you can hear the excitement in Ally’s voice) as soon as we start talking about this event. We get into what this show will feel and sound like, but it is this relationship between the two bands that is going to set this particular night ablaze. We dive brass first into the soon to be released album, ‘Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I’ and even dissect one of Ally’s tracks. It is unfortunate but, being an incredible all female band, is still a thing of surprise for some people, so we definitely touch on that experience and how that drives this group. We find time to have Ally build a quick setlist – not a lot of surprises, but you can tell where the party would be at if she was in charge of the music. Don’t miss out on this band.

Sam Grisman Project Spreads The Joy

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The music that Sam’s father and friend of the program, Mr. David Grisman and his close friend, Jerry Garcia, made in the early 90s (in the house that Sam grew up in) is not only some of the most timeless acoustic music ever recorded, it also triggers his oldest and fondest musical memories. What Sam finds most inspiring about this material is the way their camaraderie and their love and joy for the music, simply oozes out of each recording. It is also impressive how deeply they get beneath their favorite songs—whether they are originals, covers or traditional/old time tunes—and how expertly that material was curated. The goal in starting Sam Grisman Project is to build a platform for his friends and himself to showcase their genuine passion and appreciation for the legacy of Dawg and Jerry’s music. By playing some of their beloved repertoire and sharing the original music that their own collective has to offer, they will also show the impact that this music has had on their own individual musical voices. Ultimately, there is nothing that makes Sam happier than playing great songs with his best friends and the true hope is to share that happiness with audiences all over!

I had the pleasure of hanGin’ out with Sam ahead of the September 21st event at the Stoughton Opera House when he brings over the Sam Grisman Project for a little good time acoustic music. We get into the music, the love for and of it, the love and friendship between his friends who help him make the sounds go for the rest of us and how they all gained a deeper respect for the music over the years. We talk about the relationship between his dad and Jerry Garcia, and how playing some of the tunes they worked on has enlightened him as an artist and frankly, we just had a good time, like we were sitting out on the back porch catching up. Sam had recently both PHIL’d in for Phil Lesh and played with Peter Rowan, so I had to find out about those times. As I suspected, cool cool cool. I have a good, maybe grateful feeling that anyone who goes to see Sam and his pals live, or finds a way to get their hands on the new music when it comes out, will be reminded of times gone by and friends that will always be near and dear.

All That Is The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra

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The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, originally founded in 1999 by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, emerged as a vibrant expression of the city’s rich musical diversity until the end of its initial run back in 2004. Helmed at the time by Willy Schwartz, the orchestra brought together musicians from Chicago’s immigrant communities, showcasing a global array of musical traditions. Though its initial run ended after five years, its influence lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the local music scene. Fast-forward to 2019, a new chapter unfolded when the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events enlisted guitarist Fareed Haque and oud player Wanees Zarour to revive the orchestra for the 2020 Chicago World Music Festival. Despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the orchestra persevered, delivering a lauded virtual concert in September 2020. Today, the rejuvenated Chicago Immigrant Orchestra comprises a 20-piece ensemble drawn from Chicago’s immigrant communities, representing an eclectic mix of musical heritages from across the globe. Under the artistic direction of Haque & Zarour, musicians hailing from the Far East to Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas collaboratively shape the orchestra’s musical narrative. Embracing a fresh perspective, the New Chicago Immigrant Orchestra delves into the interplay between diverse musical traditions, weaving a rich tapestry that celebrates both their shared connections and distinctive differences.

I had the complete pleasure of hanGing out with family to the program, Fareed Haque and Wanees Zarour ahead of their September 20th event in Madison at The Bur Oak. We get way deep into all the possibilities and ways this spontaneously diverse orchestra will create new textures and not only sound neighbors, but sound families (doing the creating at the exact same moment). There is mention of all the different styles, places people representing the music and how they piece together the colorfully shaped glass of each, into that together at-one-time mosaic. This is truly an amazing experience. The mission to provide a platform for musicians in the immigrant community to collectively explore, research, create and perform music encompassing all global musical traditions will spill out and touch each participant in the audience as well. The discussion around the differences, the blend of those and how it ends up creating almost a new weather pattern is simply amazing to try and understand. I did ask if even in the middle of ALL these differences, is there still something missing? I can’t feel it myself, but I imagined they had thought of a respectful newness, an addition perhaps that just finds it’s own way there. We also get into a little conversation about how this scene, this orchestra is or is not jazz music. I hope you’ll find your way on the 20th in Madison, but moreover, explore this group in any way that can help you take it all in, the oneness is contagious.

THE esperanza spalding

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The Brazilian legend, Milton Nascimento & the ever-evolving, esperanza spalding have released their collaborative album, Milton + esperanza, recently. Recorded in Brazil throughout 2023 and produced/arranged by spalding, the record is a dream-come-true collaboration. It serves as a beautiful musical expression of a friendship that began nearly 15 years ago. Milton + esperanza features 16 tracks that celebrate and reimagine Nascimento’s beloved classics, new pieces written by spalding with Nascimento in mind, and interpretations of The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” & Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song.” Guests include Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, Elena Pinderhughes, Shabaka Hutchings, Guinga and more. The album features spalding’s core band of Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), Corey D. King (vocals, synths), and several Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva & Lula Galvão. Milton + esperanza sparkles with duets between these 2 voices, exquisite musicianship and what esperanza identifies as a central theme of the album: the importance of younger generations creating with, learning from, and building new worlds with elders. A guiding spirit for the project was Wayne Shorter, whose collaboration with Nascimento, Native Dancer, was released nearly 50 years ago. The genesis for this album goes back to the very first time spalding heard a Nascimento recording, at a dinner party when a friend put on Native Dancer. “I get chills even thinking about it,” she says.” “Ninety percent of things I write, I’m thinking of him. He’s a very present part of my creative imagination.” They would finally meet (thanks in part to an introduction made by Mr. Herbie Hancock) and began to collaborate, record & perform live together. In 2022, Nascimento, now 81, embarked on a farewell tour, and invited her to perform on a couple of shows. At dinner on the eve of her participation in Nascimento’s Boston performance, his son asked her to produce Nascimento’s next album. A dream had come true. She worked in Brazil throughout 2023 recording/producing the album. Milton + esperanza is esperanza’s first new album release since 2021’s Songwrights Apothecary Lab, which along with 2019’s 12 Little Spells, both won GRAMMY Awards (Best Jazz Vocal Album). Last year she released a protest song entitled “Não Ao Marco Temporal” that was recorded in Rio and addresses the Temporal Framework, an initiative in Brazil that threatens Indigenous Brazilians’ land rights and poses a major risk to the Amazon rainforest. A 5-time GRAMMY winner and 11-time nominee, esperanza spalding has previously released 8 full-length albums and in addition to working with her heroes including Nascimento and Wayne Shorter, she has collaborated with Prince, Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monae, Robert Glasper, Terri Lyne Carrington and so many others. As a composer, her credits include writing the libretto for the opera “…(Iphigenia)” with Wayne Shorter, which premiered in 2021. She is also a philanthropist and advocate, and currently co-directs a non-profit BIPOC artist sanctuary in her hometown of Portland, OR.

I had the complete honor and thrill of spending a little time with esperanza spalding before she brings the show on the road to this part of the world. She will be here with her incredible band on September 19 at the Wisconsin Union Theater. We go from A-Z on creative a mental mosaic of what is about to go down in Madison, the ins and outs and side to sides of the possibilities and get into some of the ‘who’ that will try and tame that evenings sounds. Here’s a little scoop – there will even be dancers! I could feel the happiness on my face when we started to get into the new album ‘Milton & esperanza’, a recently releases dream come true kind of album with her ‘on many levels’ mentor, the legend, Mr. Milton Nascimento. We go seed to flower on their relationship as well as the construction/development of the album. Can you imagine having an opportunity like this within the world you’re living in? Of all the songs on the album, find out which one was the only one he commented on as being a ‘has to be’ on there. A large amount of her experiences putting this album toGether have been captured almost like a part of the conversations by the ever-talented Reva Santo. I wanted to make sure folks are aware of this part of the art equation too, since eventually some of these moments will get to our eyes. Of course I volunteered my services to weed through each frame to find the goodies. Just like everyone else, esperanza too deserves time away from the things that try and get to us, so we find out a little bit about where she goes to unwind….to be. Towards the end of our time, I was almost part of a true pied piper moment as someone is playing a sax outside her window and for just a moment, I thought we might get treated to an improvised sharing. I heard it in my dreams I think. Pinch me.

Marquis Hill: Composers Collective

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From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer & bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary & classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. That mission to bring styles together, complemented by his absolute mastery of his instrument, is a through line connecting his many achievements. Born in Chicago in 1987 and raised on the city’s culturally rich South Side, Marquis began playing drums at age 4, before switching to trumpet in the 6th grade. He attended high school at Kenwood Academy, excelling in its revered jazz-performance program, and was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program. He earned his bachelor’s in music education from Northern Illinois University and his master’s in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University. During college he made gigs & sessions around Chicago, jamming with and absorbing wisdom from the likes of Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins & Von Freeman. Even then, he was known in town as a stunningly gifted trumpeter with a soulful, highly textured tone. His sound is now somehow both deeply distinctive and a tour through jazz-trumpet history, evoking the high-drama stillness and space of Miles; the undeniable virtuosity of Clifford Brown & Freddie Hubbard; the groove- savvy phrasing of Lee Morgan & Donald Byrd; and many more of the known greats. Well before Marquis won the Monk prize—arguably the most important jazz competition in the world—his reputation for brilliance was firmly established in the Midwest, as a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, an in-demand sideman and a bandleader. He also developed into a precocious, determined young label owner, and has released 5 acclaimed discs—New Gospel, Sounds of the City, The Poet and Modern Flows Vols. I and II and more, through his Black Unlimited Music Group imprint. Throughout his journey, he has supported and guested with a who’s who of jazz that includes Marcus Miller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Boney James, Kurt Elling, Joe Lovano and Hill’s trailblazing Chicago peer Makaya McCraven. Just this last week, the award-winning trumpeter, composer and bandleader who is widely acclaimed for his soulful, eclectic modern jazz sensibility, is proud to present Composers Collective: Beyond the Jukebox, a new album celebrating the compositions of others: in particular, a group of cherished colleagues & friends, many of them fellow Chicagoans, invited by Mr. Hill to compose a piece for the album with him specifically in mind. In addition to 6 of Hill’s compositions, the program includes pieces by Ernest Dawkins, Gary Bartz, Jeff Parker, Marcus Strickland, SABA, Geof Bradfield & Matt Gold, as well as the members of Hill’s core quintet: vibraphonist Joel Ross, pianist Michael King, bassist Junius Paul & drummer Corey Fonville.

I had the pleasure of getting to spend a little time with Marquis Hill ahead of his September 19th event in Madison at Cafe Coda when he and the Composer’s Collective will put on two shows (7pm and 9pm). I was pleased to both discuss who will be coming with him as part of the collective, and was not disappointed to hear who is going to be with him in Madison creating in real time. We even talk a little about the vibes man! He paints the scene a bit as to what folks in attendance can expect to be a part. I found it really interesting when we talked about the making of the new record and how something about other’s music clicked in. When we got toGether, the new album, ‘Composers Collective: Beyond The JukeBox’ had yet to even drop and I was able to soak come in early and we not only go seed to flower on the who & what, but we go deep in to see how that genre-less music created, gets discovered, explored and put out to the universe. We do find out a little bit about how that open-mindedness became a part of who he is, in what I am assuming, everything he does and why he is able to challenge himself into where the music lives with such diverse people;.

Marquis Hill
Composers Collective: Beyond The JukeBox

Album Credits:

Marquis Hill, trumpet
Joel Ross, vibes/marimba
Michael King, piano
Junius Paul, bass
Corey Fonville, drums

Guests:

Gerald Clayton, piano
Makaya McCraven, drums
Jef Parker, guitar
Josh Johnson, Caroline Davis, alto sax
Samora Pinderhughes, Manasseh, Christie Dashiell, vocals

Takin’ A Trip With Jed And Company

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Jed and Company is Madison’s new hard-rippin’ Grateful Dead tribute band. With high-level high-energy jamming, experimental setlists, soulful vocals and fresh takes on the catalog, Jed and Company will impress any discerning Wisconsin Deadhead.

Erik Anderson- keys, vocals
Devin Geary- guitar, vocals
Becca Reynolds- vocals
Jeremy Snow- drums
Ben Johnson- bass, vocals
Jed Heckman- guitar, vocals

I had the chance to catch up with Becca Reynolds recently as Jed and Company prepare for their very first ticketed event on August 30th at The Bur Oak. Becca shares a little about what she expects that evening will brinG, including a fantastic sounding light show (Cosmic Flights Liquid Lights) that will certainly add to the night’s psychedelic feel and presentation. We talk about the mission of the band at a live event, how they choose setlists and one of the more fascinating things shred was thinking about how Becca (who is taking on more of a lead singing role), goes about finding her way as a female vocalist on tunes that were not written for nor sung originally by a female artist. I share my personal thoughts and findings from their recent performance at Atwoodfest, an event that band happily accepted a fill-in role for but did not have a ton of time to prep for, here’s a clue…they killed it. Come on and clap your hands.

Long Beach Dub Allstars Soon Come

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After making their triumphant return in 2020 with their self-titled album, Long Beach Dub Allstars have taken it all the way back-to-basics on their latest album “Echo Mountain High”. The album will take listeners on a trip through a psychedelic mountain range of musical madness filled with reggae, rock, ska, hip hop, hard dub, & soul. Long Beach Dub Allstars have always taken chances and have never been afraid to chart into unknown musical territory. “Echo Mountain High” sees them experimenting with some heavy psychedelics and finds the band playing some hard classic dub anthems along with some wild experiments, showcasing the band’s free spirit & fearlessness to venture into the unknown. Joining the Dub Allstars on this mind-altering musical journey are Chris Dowd (Fishbone), who adds his trombone flavor to a track, some sweet vocals on another and some of his iconic keys on 2 others. Devin Morrison (Expanders/Man Like Devin) and Jesse Wagner (Aggrolites), lend some singing on a few tracks. Philieano (Doobie Raider) jumps on two tracks to rap and sing some harmonies, and local Long Beach ripper, Travis Goertz, plays a little slide guitar on one track. Today’s generation of reggae-rock fans may not fully understand how critical this group was to the reggae-rock genre, following Sublime’s conclusion in 1996. They played at a time when social media was non-existent. Live-videos of their early performances are mostly of grainy VHS quality, while most live-photos shot by fans were with those cheap throw-away cameras. There was no Youtube, Facebook, and this was before Myspace or even iTunes. They were the torch bearers of a genre that Sublime introduced and the original ‘Dub Allstars lineup included most of the players who were involved in cultivating that Reggae-Rock sound with Brad Nowell. 25 years later the band has found its resurgence with Opie Ortiz(vocals), Miguel Happoldt (guitar), Tim Wu (horns) joined by Roger Rivas (keys), Ed Kampwirth (bass) and Gil Sharone(drums).

I have to say, when Sublime and Long Beach Dub Allstars first made their way to me I found both to be a something I never heard quite like that before. Maybe it was that West coast flavor that adds its own something to it, but I dug it. I was happy to see that LBDAS are heading to Madison on September 19th along with The Movement at the Majestic to give us some of that West coast good time. I had the chance to chat with Ed Kampwirth to go through what the event will godown like. I wanted to get more insight on the latest album, ‘Echo Mountain High’, so we dive in seed to flower, talk a little about a couple of the tracks and from what went from a session in the yard to this finely assembled group of interesting & diverse tunes. For me this is soul’s music. Taking risks and getting the rewards should be how this album plays out for this band. We do touch a little on how the 562 (Long Beach) plays into the way the music grooves and grows as well as the lineage of the band from the then to now and all points between. HR is definitely an important figure in many a life, our included so we chat briefly about a tune he is actually singing on on their 2020 self titled record. Of course, no time would be complete without building some kind of setlist and that is just what Ed did. Some kind.

Photo by: Matt Farrington @maxfarenhite

Being Dessa

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Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations—her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100-voice choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and top-200 entries on the Billboard charts. She contributed to the #1 album The Hamilton Mixtape and the RBG documentary; her track, “Congratulations,” has notched over 20 million streams. As a writer, she’s been published by The New York Times & National Geographic Traveler, broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio, and published a memoir-in-essays (My Own Devices, 2018) in addition to 2 literary collections. As a speaker, Dessa has delivered keynote speeches and presentations on art, science, & entrepreneurship; guest lectures at universities/colleges across the US; and a TED Talk about her science experiment on how to fall out of love. She also hosted two seasons of Deeply Human, a radio program created by the BBC and American Public Media. Dessa has been covered by Pitchfork, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal amongst others. The LA Times says she “sounds like no one else.” NPR’s All Songs Considered calls her “a national treasure.” On the stage and on the page, Dessa’s style is defined by ferocity, wit, tenderness, & candor. Plainly put, Dessa is dope.

I had the chance to catch up with Dessa before she headlines the 2024 Orton Park Festival in Madison on August 25th. Firstly, I am honored to have such a keen observer and sharer on the proGram. We get right into what the show will be like sonically, as in who will be doing what, and their are some surprises I think for many a listener to wrap their heads around. A harp? Of course, Dessa turns the plan on nme and asks me some questions as she prepares herself for the uniqueness Madison will offer her. We get into her latest album on Doomtree, ‘Bury The Lead’ and talk about the music, the risks and the rewards within the industry and life for that matter, when you stretch into the unknown. We say a lot of things to each other, as our foreheads were opened…but I really wanted to hear more about her TED Talk/science experiment/really freakin’ cool idea, so we get into her ‘Brain Skin Rug’ a bit. I could spend the time writing more about our conversation, but that’s not going to pinpoint the spots that will engross you, personally. I think a live performance will do that, just like this time we spent together.

Afghan Youth Orchestra Is Courage

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The Afghan Youth Orchestra returns to the Kennedy Center more than a decade after its groundbreaking U.S. debut in 2013. This group of brave young musicians were forced to leave their homes in 2021 after the Taliban’s return to power. Today their performances are a symbol of defiance against the Taliban’s enforced silencing of Afghanistan’s rich musical heritage. The orchestra works tirelessly to defend musical rights, women’s rights, and gender equality in their native land through performance of Afghan traditional songs and classical works played on both Western and Afghan instruments. This was a moment in time I shared goosebumps with the many who watched.

BALTHVS Has A Harvest

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BALTHVS is a Colombian psychedelic funk trio formed in 2020. Best known for their eclectic style, which fuses elements of Middle Eastern Music, Disco, House, Funk, Psychedelia, Indie Rock, Surf & Cumbia into a cohesive whole. The band is notable for their energetic shows, live improvisation and prolific output. Since their formation, the band has released over 39 singles and 3 full length albums, accumulating over 15 million streams worldwide. The group has performed in the biggest rock music festival in Colombia, Rock al Parque, has toured extensively in the United States, gracing SXSW 3 times in row as well as 7 countries in Europe. They will perform at major festivals such as Outside Lands & Austin City Limits this year. Summer 2024 is proving to be the Season of ‘HARVEST’, with all eyes on BALTHVS. After selling out several shows on its N.A. & European tour, including its very first L.A. show at the tastemaker venue the Lodge Room in Highland Park, BALTHVS has quickly gained a passionate audience following. As the rise of psychedelic music popularity gains steam, BALTHVS is at the forefront. They just dropped a new album, their 4th, ‘Harvest’. In support of the new album release, BALTHVS will be embarking on a U.S. Tour this August. Released on Mixto Records, ‘Harvest’ was composed by all 3 band members, Balthazar Aguirre, Johanna Mercuriana & Santiago Lizcano. This album is a reflection of where the band is currently. The trio spent a month at a tropical summer house in La Mesa, Colombia to record. The tropical landscape served as more than just a backdrop, it was the wellspring of inspiration for BALTHVS. Unlike their previous albums, where Balthazar took the lead in recording, composing, producing & arranging, the music emerged as a collective effort. All 3 contributed equally to the creation of every song. Harvest features vocals that harmonize like instruments, weaving lyrical poetry into a tranquil groove. Most evident in songs like “Like Coconut Water,” an effervescent song that captures the essence of a tropical escape. “Anouk” is a gorgeous groove that is dedicated to the house cat at La Mesa, the sphynx-like guardian who set watch during the recording sessions. “Mango Season” a laid back, funky and soulful instrumental groove that is perfect for relaxing, skateboarding and looking at clouds. ‘Harvest’ is a sonic testament to the last 4 years of artistic & personal growth and building a musical family across borders.

I was so psyched to see that part of the Summer Harvest 2024 tour would brinG BALTHVS to us here in Madison. On August 24 at the Orton Park Festival, we will be able to hang out with this group of rising stars. I had the chance to catch up with Johana, Santi & Balthazar while they were in Colombia, to help get to know the people and the what’s’ possibly heading our way. We get into their sound merging many grooves with the spirit of the Grateful Dead and that feel your way into the music way. We get into the creation of and dropping of the new album ‘Harvest and how working with a label, Mixto Records and the combination of all three bandmates’ ideas made for what I would say is a aura-filled album for me. I truly feel their music. We talk about how Mother Nature was a close second to the honorary band member during the albunm’s creation and provided many an opportunity to expand during the process. They really made yet more exciting noise recently at their L.A. debut on the Jazz Is Dead stage and were introduced by the coolth that is friend of the proGram, Mr. Adrian Younge. Of course, we get a little time to build a little setlist – all of this time together left me even more ready to find a brand new groove and way with BALTHVS. Take some time and found yours.

Bernard Allison Back In Madison

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For over fifty years, music has been Bernard Allison’s essence. As the youngest son of the much-missed Chicago bandleader Luther Allison, he was a bluesman from birth, naturally drawn to this ancient music that seemed to heal deep wounds, and held spellbound by early encounters with heavyweights like Muddy Waters, Albert King & Hound Dog Taylor. Shuttled between Florida & Illinois as a child, but never separated from his guitar, by 12, Bernard was a fireball player himself, and at 18, he commanded instant respect as his dad’s guest at the 1983 Chicago Blues Festival. One week after graduating high school, Bernard cut his teeth on the road with Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine lineup and ended up staying for most of the ’80s. By the close of the decade, however, he assumed a twin identity, leading & writing for his father’s band, while forging a solo career that exploded in Europe off the back of early albums like The Next Generation (1990), No Mercy (1994) and Funkifino (1995). Across his respected career, Bernard has certainly tasted the highs. Just ask him for his memories of jamming with Stevie Ray Vaughan on his 16th birthday.“He contacted my mom and said he and Double Trouble were going to surprise me after their show.” Or being given a lesson by the Texas tornado himself, “Johnny Winter sat me down and taught me how to play slide in open tuning.” But even when the lows bit, like losing Luther to cancer in 1997, just as his career was peaking, Bernard has defied his circumstances. That same year’s solo album, Keepin’ The Blues Alive, might as well have been his mission statement, and Bernard has spent the last quarter-century both honoring his father and exploring his own voice during a constantly flourishing solo career.

I had the honor of spending a little time with Bernard Allison to get into what his set at The Sessions at McPike Park on August 10 here in Madison will be like. We talk about the real fun that he and his band are having while playing with and for folks. Bernard is sure to remind that this is all about representing the Allison name. We talk energy and style, his and what his father was known for. Bernard and mates had just gotten back from a European tour, which led naturally into discussing how his father Luther was beloved overseas and that family/community feel is still alive and rockin’ whenever he shows up for a gig/festival. Madison Wisconsin holds a special spot for Bernard as his dad hung out here as a place to fish and set the stage for more business, music business that is. So, this welcome back to Madison is going to be one for the books, just like the latest album on Ruf Records (a label created with/by Luther & Thomas Ruf) aptly titled ‘Luther’s Blues’ and how playing his dad’s songs, some with a recreated sprit, serves to keep a legacy alive from the past, into the present and through the future. The entire conversation seems to revolve around not only the music, but family, community and the recognition and acknowledgements of forward progress from the places and people that have touched/taught him as a person AND as an artist. I mean this cat was shown certain things from Johnny Winter & Stevie Ray Vaughn (we touch on some of this as well – how could we not?). I will Guarentee that if you are open to having a good time, Bernard Allison and his band will give you more than you can handle.