Category Archives: All Interviews

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

The Rumble Bring NOLA To Marquette Waterfront Festival

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On Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate & elaborate beadwork of the Indians as they dance down the street, but the first thing you’ll hear when they make their way toward you is the back line, known as “the rumble”. Featuring 6 Grammy-nominated musicians, The Rumble is more than just a band — it is an opportunity to be immersed in a wholly unique facet of New Orleans culture. Composed of Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Golden Eagles, trumpeter Aurélien Barnes, trombonist José Maize Jr., bassist TJ Norris, guitarist Ari Teitel, keyboardist Andriu Yanovski, and drummer Trenton O’Neal, the group fuses iconic New Orleans funk in the vein of The Meters & The Neville Brothers — but updated, modern & vibrant befitting the next generation with electrifying brass and the singular visual splendor of the Black Masking carnival tradition. Their live show is a symphony of rich color & propulsive sound, with each member sharing vocal duties and engaging the audience in the classic Mardi Gras Indian-style call-and-response chanting. The group pays homage to trailblazers like Wild Magnolias & Golden Eagles, both of which featured the vocal stylings of Boudreaux’s father, Monk Boudreaux. The Rumble continues the fight to preserve the legacies and traditions of the community for the next generation while bringing new layers of depth to their live performance. The Rumble provides audiences with not only a top-tier musical event, but a chance to participate in a culture that, while deeply rooted in centuries-old tradition, is thriving and evolving through the active work of this next generation of bold and passionate culture-bearers.

I had the pleasure of connecting with Aurélien Barnes ahead of The Rumble’s June 10th headlining set at the Marquette Waterfront Festival. We get deep into what the party this band will be bringing with it to Madison should look and sound like. We dive head and ear first into the band’s debut album, “Live At The Maple Leaf” and how the band went from being within the entity know as Cha Wa to to where they are proudly representing the past, present and future of the complete NOLA scene as The Rumble. We talk a little about a couple of the many cool traditoions that come with this world that we get to share in stories of. Aurélien makes up a setlist that would definitely keep the listeners tuned in and wanting more, just like we will feel when The Rumble do their thanG on June 10th.

Photo by Tiffany Anderson

The Big Ideas With Kassa Overall

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Kassa Overall is a Grammy-nominated musician, emcee, singer, producer and drummer who melds avant-garde experimentation with hip hop production techniques to tilt the worlds of jazz & hip hop on the sides of a whole different shared space. The now Seattle-based musician’s latest album, ‘Animals’, soon to be released as his Warp Records debut, features a bevy of underground hip-hop legends (Danny Brown, Lil B, Shabazz Palaces) and jazz musicians (including pianist Vijay Iyer and trumpet player Theo Croker).

I had the honor of getting a little time to discuss Kassa Overall’s upcoming set as part of the 2023 Madison Jazz Festival, with his performant landing at the beautiful terrace on July 17th. We got into what people can close their eyes and open their minds to as part of what his set is sure to bring in that shared time. This time toGether, on the lake in Madison reminded Kassa of his younger days heading to Madison to visit family (a surprise twist for most Wisconsin folks perhaps) and how he knows the openness of a Madison crowd. We talked about how the new album, ‘Animals’ came together from idea through the soon to bloom for all sonic flower, and also dissected a track “The Lava Is Calm” which features Kherek Bischoff & Theo Croker. After I peeped the video/documentary The Drums Will Protect You, I was left a little speechless and Kassa helps word form in my mind. Before letting him go, I was sure to get his thought on his recent hangs and shows with Digable Planets, now…that’s something to think about. Kassa is so real in his worlds as a entertainer and that as a human…I am honored he took a little time to let me in and share a tiny bit. #Respect.

Xiomara Laugart: The Voice Of Cuba

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Originally from the Guantanamo province of Cuba, Xiomara Laugart began her career at the age of 15, performing several different expressions of traditional and contemporary Cuban music. She had an extensive career performing nueva trova music in Cuba and has recorded over 17 albums. Xiomara’s remarkable fluidity allowed her to interpret musical genres from the traditional to contemporary Cuban music. Her son, the versatile human/artist, Axel Tosca benefitted from a wide range of musical experiences growing up in Cuba, winning several piano competitions before moving to the U.S. in 2005 where he continued his education at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Together, they’ve become two of the most globally recognized musical representatives of Cuban culture and song. Those who have entered Cuba through Jose Marti International Airport in Havana will know that upon arrival, they are greeted by beautiful video images of Old Havana on TV screens and the sultry voice of Xiomara Laugart singing “Hoy mi Habana”. This is not a coincidence. Xiomara is known as the “Voice of Cuba.” She has been representing her country and her people at venues aroundAt the turn of the millenium, Xiomara moved to New York City and became the lead vocalist of the band Yerba Buena. The group received a Grammy nomination in 2003 for their first album President Alien. Music from the album can be heard in the film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and in Pepsi commercials. In 2007, Xiomara left Yerba Buena and embarked on an adventure that held the enormous responsibility of representing one of the most important figures in Latin culture, Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa Music, in the first ever theatre production of CELIA: The Life & Music of Celia Cruz.

I had the honor and pleasure of catching up with Xiomara Laugart ahead of her headlining set on June 17th at The Sessions At McPike Park. She helps convey a little pre-show image of what emotions and styles we can expect in the Madison sunshine from her and her son Alex’ trio. Xiomara shares a bit of a personal story of her dad and how she recalls getting the ‘music’ in her from bedtime songs and we talk about how she keeps up with the times to be able to blend the old with the new. She credits her son Axel for a lot of that. We talk about her/his open mindedness towards all sounds and the experiences of working with others (Roy Hargrove, Louis Vega etc.) gives the assist in being able to do so for both of them. This is going to be one to remember on the lawns of McPike Park as Cuba and beyond come to Madison.

Behind Some Scenes Of The Sessions At McPike Park

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Located in the heart of the isthmus in Madison, WI, McPike Park is a nearly six-acre park, formerly known at Central Park and was officially renamed in April 2018 at a dedication ceremony honoring longtime East High School principal, Milton McPike. The Sessions at McPike Park are free events that benefit seven non-profits in the local community. Each of these non-profit organizations have a day to promote their programs and this amazing festival of events funnel funds to these organizations through their raffles, auctions, and profit-sharing plans. Not only is there a wide variety of musical entertainment to satisfy most attendees tastes, the Sessions features a fine array of local food and product vendors to keep the tastebuds alive and keep a body fueled for fun. This event is family-friendly!

I had the chance to catch up with the Sessions’ creator, CEO and Events coordinator, Bob Queen to talk a little about how the Sessions At McPike Park was born into pour community and how every step, each year is always an adventure.. Bob shares his beginnings from a goat farmer thrust into some uncharted territory, including a neighborhood festival to operate. Years and stories later, here we are. Bob shares a little about how he has surrounded himself with people who help bring high quality acts from out in the world to us here in Madison and how a blending takes place with local artists and entertainment. At the heart if everything really feels like a shared pursuit of happiness and community. As we all sit, stand, dance and groove to the performances on stage, we remind festival goers that there are so many steps to keep an event like this not only afloat, but prospering. Take a peek at some of the vendors and partners that help make such an event go and hey, come on over for a little found happiness.

The Intuition Of Brooklyn Funk Essentials

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Across a career that stretches thirty years & seven albums, Brooklyn Funk Essentials have established themselves as an audacious project, combining soul, hip hop, spoken word, jazz, Latin & of course, THA’ funk. The band have built up a loyal international cult following on every continent since inception in 1993 by iconic producer Arthur Baker and bassist Lati Kronlund. BFE was born out of New York’s buzzing hip hop, jazz & slam poetry scenes in the early 90s, rotating some of the finest musicians, DJs, poets, rappers and singers. BFE’s celebrated debut album ‘Cool & Steady & Easy’ (Dorado/RCA 1995) scored an underground hit with the version of Pharoah Sanders & Leon Thomas’ ‘The Creator Has a Master Plan’, while tracks like ‘Take The L Train’ & ‘Big Apple Boogaloo’ became DJ favorites. Brooklyn Funk Essentials have just served up their 7th long player ‘Intuition’, as they tour the UK & Europe. It is a master-crafted collection of R&B, discofunk, poly-riddims, infectious funk stompers with pop-laced hooks & the true, real, good vibes as we’ve come to digg, on Dorado Records. Brooklyn Funk Essentials’ first long player since 6th album ‘Stay Good’ in 2019, ‘Intuition’ sees BFE lay out their new ‘all killer no filler’ collection across 8 tracks of laid back grooves & arrangements that still remain cool, steady & easy. Alison Limerick (vocals), Desmond Foster (guitar, vocals), Ebba Âsman (trombone, backing vocals), Hux Nettermalm (drums, percussion), Kristoffer Wallman (keys, vibraphone and synths) and bandleader Lati Kronlund (bass, guitars, keys and producer) deliver a confident and vibrant set of originals. The release day focus & title track ‘Intuition’ is a hook-laden jam with hints of Brubeck, Chaka Khan & Nino Rota, featuring Alison Limerick and guitarist Desmond Foster on soulful vocals and Hux’s funky drummer beats It follows up the recent 4th single from the album ‘Rollin’, which was playlisted by Jazz FM for four weeks. Both of which, Lati & Alison discuss in our below conversation.

I had the honor of chatting with Alison and Lati about the creation of this perfectly timed new record. A little notice. Brooklyn Funk Essentials has been a mainstay on my person turntable for years – just a sound that stuck with me early and never let go. We got into how the natural flow of the sound sort of took over when this album was born and raised up. We dissect a couple of tracks and that’s where the real insight almost always lies finding out some of the hows and what went downs that only those who are in that know, knew. I found the discussion on how these new tunes are being playe dlive, and where the nuances are showing up and what the audience does to enhance an already really cool experience. And, Lati builds a setlist that Alison totally agrees with. What a time, what a band, what an album.

Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit

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Featuring two of Joe’s musical heroes, bassist George Porter Jr. (The Meters) and keyboardist Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), ‘Dead Funk Summit’ is the 7th album of original music by JOE MARCINEK BAND and is available through the label, Vintage League Music. Although the JMB studio albums have focused more on jazz and rock, Joe is also known for his “Dead Funk Summit” concerts, which mash-up influences from Funk and the Grateful Dead. According to Marcinek, “The concept started at a show we did together in 2018. Since then the ‘Dead Funk Summit’ has become much more as I’ve used the name to throw some crazy lineups together. Naturally, that lead to me wanting to do an album of original music with Melvin and George. So I wrote the songs on our new release with them in mind, trying to honor the spirits of those two musical worlds while bringing my own vision into the equation.” In February of 2022, Joe traveled to New Orleans to record with George Porter Jr. and his trio of Michael Lemmler (keys) and Terrence Houston (drums). Melvin Seals recorded his parts in San Francisco, and vocals (and a horn section) were added by Tony Hall. The mixing, mastering & artwork were all handled by friend of the proGram, Alan Evans (Eric Krasno, Soulive, The Motet).

Joe and I go way back now, and so it is always a pleasure to catch up with him on his latest accomplishments, but this one is something I personally have been rooting for. Joe’s unique way of getting people together has been something I admire as a person who diggs into the spontaneous nature of things, so I really couldn’t wrap my head around how it must ‘feel’ now that this music is out there. We get in there about how this whole process sorta went down – from live shows and relationship building to writing tunes for these two leGends. The music only tells part of the story so it is really exciting to share in the obvious glow of Joe as this album just dropped for all to share in. You can hear in his voice the thrill of this entire chapter of his life, and well, that shows in the sounds captured on the album – just imagine working with and in the service of two of your ‘idols’. The dreams are real!

To celebrate the album’s release, Joe threw a special album release party down in New Orleans on May 2, featuring another all- star cast of musical characters including: George Porter Jr., Dennis Chambers, Tony Hall, Jennifer Hartswick, Nikki Glaspie, & others.

Dead Funk Summit Musicians (Album)
Joe Marcinek – Guitar
George Porter Jr – Bass
Melvin Seals – Hammond Organ
Terrence Houston – Drums
Michael Lemmler – Keys
Tony Hall – Vocals on Tracks 1-2
Taylor Galbraith – Drums on Track 7
Ashley Galbraith – Bass on Track 7

Hangin’ With Corky Siegel & Ernie Watts

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Corky Siegel and Ernie Watts, two like-minded friends, bringing people together across different traditions. Corky Siegel is known internationally as one of the world’s great blues harmonica players, blues pianist, singer, and writer of unusual songs, a Chamber Blues progenitor, and sole pioneer/composer of award-winning revolutionary works that weave blues and classical forms together. Corky’s has a catalog of recordings on RCA, Vanguard, Alligator, and million-selling blues/classical recordings on the iconic classical label Deutsche Grammophon. Siegel learned his craft – personally – at the feet of such legendary first-generation bluesmen as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, and Otis Spann. Ernie Watts has been featured on over 500 recordings by artists ranging from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa and even the Rolling Stones. He was a featured soloist on many of Marvin Gaye’s albums on Motown during the 1970s, as well as on many other pop and R&B sessions. In 2014, Mr. Watts received the prestigious Frankfurt Music Prize. Watts has performed and/or recorded with a long list of who’s who in Jazz including Pat Metheny, Billy Cobham, Kurt Elling, Arturo Sandoval, and Jack DeJohnette to name just a few. His saxophone can be heard on countless television and film scores, and recordings too numerous to list. These are legends!

A few years back I had the pleasure and honor of chatting with both Mr. Watts and Mr. Siegel, separately about an upcoming performance they were putting toGether in Madison. Once again, we are back at it…this time a conversation as a trio. This time around they are heading back to the North Street Cabaret on May 20th, as a duo. We get into a lot of what will go down both musically and personality-wise as a true night of entertainment awaits. We also discuss some of the possibilities of the unknown that always seem to happen when there is a spontaneous shared spreading of joyous moments. Since this tour is made possible by the Johnny Carson Tonight Show Foundation, we get into stories of historical importance of both Ernie’s and Corky’s as it pertains to Doc Severinsen, the Tonight show and even, Mr. Carson. Classic. We go back to their first meeting and the humorous way the two share in how that “you only get one time to mae a first impression’ introduction went down. We talk about some of the new music Corky has been working on and putting out as a solo artist as well as MORE Different Voices, even….And well, we have a whole lotta fun, which, afterall….is the goal.

Jeff Pevar With The Gilmour Project

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Jeff Pevar is a guitarist, composer, producer, performer & multi-instrumentalist who has brought his unique style on stage and/or in the studio to such world renowned artists as Ray Charles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bette Midler, Joe Cocker, James Taylor, Jimmy Webb, Carly Simon, Kenny Loggins, Jefferson Starship, Phil Lesh and Friends, Marc Cohn, Jennifer Warnes, Laura Nyro, David Foster, Rickie Lee Jones, Jazz Is Dead, CPR (w/ David Crosby & James Raymond) and so many others. Jeff is a sought after session musician who composes movie scores, music for television shows and advertisements, in addition to composing original music for his own releases. This legendary name in the business has co-written many songs that have appeared on recordings of David Crosby, Graham Nash and other artists. He is heading to Madison this time around as part of The Gilmour Project. ‘T.G.P.’ is Jeff Pevar (guitar); Prairie Prince (co founder of The Tubes, & drums with Todd Rundgren, Jefferson Starship, Phil Lesh); Kasim Sulton (bass with Utopia, Meatloaf & Blue Oyster Cult): Mark Karan (guitar with Bob Weir/Ratdog, The Other Ones, Phil Lesh) & Scott Guberman (keyboards with Phil Lesh). These cats come together for this heavy, psychedelic lift of audacious & beloved ‘Gilmour-centric’ Pink Floyd songs & rarities from David’s solo catalogue.

On May 18th at The Barrymore Theatre, The Gilmour Project will be celebrating the 50th (that’s riGht 50) anniversary of the iconic “Dark Side Of The Moon” album. I had the pleasure of getting together with Mr. Jeff Pevar to talk about just what could be going on at The Barrymore. We talk about the music, the space for exploring the places within the music as ‘T.G.P.’ does, how different the same can/will be on a nightly basis. Sure left me wondering about the specialness about to happen inside the Barrymore’s walls. We spoke about one of my old memory places for cutting teeth with names and faces of music, a one and only place, The Shaboo Inn and how it fits into the pages of Jeff’s history. There’s great moments in this talk, what Ray Charles called out to him in rehearsal and what he thinks it is about him that people are possibly drawn to for the many projects he’s serviced. Of course, I give him a chance to talk about his recently departed buddy, David Crosby, and the impact there is clear. WOW!

Rudy De Anda’s New Record And Visit to Madison

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In 2020, Rudy De Anda moved his homebase out of California for the 1st time. He was headed East. Somewhere in the back of the U-Haul, among the boxes and stuff, was a mostly finished record. Once getting to Chicago, Rudy quickly found the final pieces of his new LP, ‘Closet Botanist’. It’s due out April 28th on Colemine/Karma Chief Records. The album was recorded in Austin, Texas at the Electric Deluxe recording studio, owned & operated by friend of the proGram Adrian Quesada, who helped produce & engineer this new LP. Rudy’s previous releases have grown synonymous with California sunshine. He was born in Los Angeles and spent most of his formative years in Long Beach. ‘Closet Botanist’ isn’t a total departure from Rudy’s beachy, psych-rock roots, but it does sound more mature. Most of the songs were written back in California with the help of Rudy’s previous bandmates. “Tu Mirada” was one of the first songs he wrote in Chicago. Then, a local friend helped him find “Hey Mr. Sun.” Rudy connected with Blake Rhein (Durand Jones and the Indications) during the final weeks of writing and the two worked on Blake’s tune, another step of maturity as this was something Rudy previously had not done to date. To get the sound just right, Rudy called his California bandmates to the studio. Jon Rivera played bass, Daniel Villareal laid down the drums, and Kyle Davis took care of the organ, piano & synth leads. Adrian Quesada produced the album & Aaron Glembowski engineered the sessions. The band recorded directly to tape to channel a classic rock n’ roll sound. Rudy points to The Velvet Underground & The Kinks for direct inspiration. Rudy dedicates the album to those who love so hard that they neglect to water their own garden. Even in a much colder climate, the closet botanist continues to grow.

I had the pleasure of spending a little time talking with Rudy ahead of his April 26th event in Madison at The Bur Oak. We painted a little scene of what event goers should expect when in that space together. We got pretty deep into the new album – learning how things got accomplished, how Adrian and he worked and how the final product, in my humble opinion, is a step into the future of this psych soul sound. With that, Rudy takes the question on of building a setlist with a track off ‘Botanist’ and as usual, I feel the listeners would not mind if another artists took over the driver’s seat of the show. HA!

Ghost Funk Orchestra’s Seth Applebaum

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Ghost Funk Orchestra is the brainchild of composer/multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum. What started as a one-man recording project has now evolved into a powerhouse live band. It’s a sonic kaleidoscope that defies genre specification, but draws heavy influence from the worlds of soul, psych rock, salsa, and beyond. Their unique blend of genres has attracted praise from the likes of NPR, Bandcamp, KUTX, Brooklyn Vegan, Earmilk, and more. Local NY blog Post-Trash described their sound as a ‘psych odyssey of traditional sounds delivered in a non-traditional fashion.’ Bandcamp’s Editorial Director J. Edward Keyes praised the band’s ability to ‘leave no funk-adjacent genre unexplored.’ Experimentation is the key, and unpredictability is what has been attracting folks from all corners of the globe to see what GFO pulls off next…

I had the chance to catch up with Seth ahead of the April 26th show at The Bur Oak here in Madison. We talked about the differences between what is hear don one of GFO’s albums versus a live show. We got into the making and process of the latest album ‘A New Kind Of Love’ out now on Colemine Records. Within the conversation about the record, we explore how this group of people is on the cusp of many genres, and how that widens the pool of ears, and makes them a perfect fit for greenarrowradio. We take the talk of that latest album into what songs Seth would choose to build a setlist around and he gives a few tracks for consideration budling on top of those. Get ready to stretch with GFO wherever you can catch them. Which reminded me actually of the recent shows Ghost Funk Orchestra had a chance to be a part of with the legendary Brazilian Tropicalia group, Os Mutantes. I had to listen to how Seth’s voice changed a little bit while going into what that experience was like.

The Infamous Live with Benny Reid

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NYC-based Benny Reid is a producer, composer, saxophonist, & educator. He is a Fatbeats & Concord Recording Artist, as well as an endorser of Selmer Saxophones, Vandoren, Novation, Focusrite, & Applied Microphones. He has held the #1 Billboard spot for “Follow the Leader Re-Imagined”, a partnership with legendary hip-hop artists Eric B. & Rakim. Mr. Reid has performed with numerous acclaimed artists including Frankie Valli, Bon Jovi, Fergie, The Temptations, Buddy Rich Band, among others. As a composer, his music has been featured in Major Motion Pictures and on networks including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, HBO, Showtime, Netflix, Amazon, and MTV. Reid has composed and performed music for a variety brands such as Subway, Gevalia Coffee, and Mercedes. Currently, Reid produces and scores music for both picture and recording artists, as well as leads his various ensembles in performances worldwide. His most recent work, THE INFAMOUS LIVE: BENNY REID & HAVOC, is an amazing rebuilding of Mobb Deep’s iconic 1995 opus ‘The Infamous’. This ambitious new project is a collection of acoustic, sample-free renditions, built entirely from the ground up & performed entirely by the multi-instrumentalist. ‘The Infamous Live’ comes on the heels of that Billboard-charting take of Eric B & Rakim’s ‘Follow The Leader’. From this, Mobb Deep’s Havoc discovered his work and authorized him to reconstruct the timeless Mobb Deep album, giving his input and working with Mr. Reid in the studio to complete the project. His limited 7″ of “Shook Ones Pt. II” previewing the project, sold out quickly upon release in December 2022.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Benny Reid about this latest project after airing a couple of tracks and the phones lit up. We got into how this project with Havoc’s blessing on a legendary record that many hold near to their ear. We discuss the almost scientific approach her took while rebuilding this iconic sound from the bottom up as an instrumental. The how Havoc got wind of what was going on and gave the thumbs up on a push forward with this new feel of an old sound. Its the original source material that started the thrill, creating the allure to do other versions of the first track he rearchitected. This path was a long and difficult one, so we get a look into what’s next, and even get a peek under the hood of some of the ‘soon to happen’ projects being discussed and thought through. This album will give you both a nostalgia and a path forward to a brand new listening spot.

Fire Illuminations With Wadada Leo Smith

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Legendary trumpeter/composer and family to the proGram, Mr. Wadada Leo Smith debuts his new ensemble Orange Wave Electric with an exhilaratingly hot new album “Fire Illuminations”, available as a digital album on March 31, 2023 via Kabell Records. Joining Wadada are an electric band with guitarists Nels Cline, Brandon Ross & Lamar Smith; bassists Bill Laswell & Melvin Gibbs; electronic musician Hardedge; percussionist Mauro Refosco; and drummer Pheeroan akLaff. He recorded the album in a series of sessions and configurations, compiling the final product through extensive post-production. He sure had an embarrassment of riches to work with: Orange Wave Electric, as shown spelled out above, is an all-star electric band that brings different parts to stoke the flame. Wadada shares history with many of these musicians; Mr. akLaff in particular has been a vital collaborator for more than 4 decades and he has recorded with Mr. Ross & Mr. Gibbs in the formation of their bold trio Harriet Tubman, while Laswell joined the trumpeter along with the late percussion master Milford Graves for 2021’s inspired Sacred Ceremonies. Both Mr. Cline, famous as a member of the band Wilco, and Lamar Smith have been members of Wadada’s Organic group. Only Mr. Refosco is a new layer, though he’s long been an acclaimed percussionist best known for his work with David Byrne and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Mr. Smith crafted the 5 expansive compositions on ‘Fire Illuminations’ in the studio from a series of recording dates conducted and edited over the course of nearly 4 years. He cites such precedents as the groundbreaking work of Jamaican reggae and dub innovator Lee “Scratch” Perry & Miles Davis classics like Bitches Brew & On the Corner.

It is always a pleasure to have Mr. Wadada Leo Smith join in on the proGram. He always adds new ways to think about music’s being, and how it gets to the people. Before we got into the new album, “Fire Illuminations”, we talked briefly about his recently being elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. We did dive head first into the creation of the new album and how the process beGan and the space in the in between. Wadada shares a few ways in which the sparks flew to be where they landed, and how each collaborating energy adds to the vibrance of the pieces. Dark Matter. What matters. We touch on so much, but discussing how the piece on the record that really keeps a good burn on for me, “Tony Williams” came to exist and be it’s own, made me relisten and refocus when relistening to the times around the heard. And….this track sounds great on the radio. The honor is always mine to learn more about the how, of the music the changes me. Find some change with this one.

Við Kjalveg – Jarlhettur, 2000.
Photo: Einar Falur Ingolfsson

Fishing For Accidents With Wax Tailor

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Critically acclaimed French producer and DJ, Wax Tailor has released ‘Fishing For Accidents’ via his own label LAB’ORATOIRE. The album explores cinematic landscapes by sampling a world of vinyl, exploring with his sampler a world of vinyl and cinematographic references. A multi-recidivist talent scout he gathers a prestigious cast of talent from folks in the HipHop world like Mick Jenkins, Mr. Lif, Kuf Knotz, Mattic, and from the indie rock scene (Jennifer Charles, singer of the legendary band Elysian Fields and Victoria Bigelow). With one eye on the past and the other on the horizon Wax Tailor has made an album with one foot in the past and one foot in the present, the result is a unique and beautiful dance. Wax Tailor instills the incandescence of an organic sound and distills his art of sound anachronism in a wide gap between nostalgia and modernity that has made him one of the leaders of the international electro hip hop scene for over twenty years. Going to a live event where you are automatically taken from where you stand and are brought to a new space and place without moving…that’s the experience of a Wax Tailor shared in the moments together time brings.

I had the opportunity to catch back up with family to the program, J.C. (Wax Tailor) ahead of his March 24th performance at the Majestic in Madison. We reel in what the performance could be like for those in the there of the moment. We spend a good amount of time discussing the shaping of the new record “Fishing For Accidents” that he is out in support of. Once aGain, this is another artist that I find to be able to really find the perfect fits when it comes to collaborations or pairing…we get into how that sometimes goes about, and a few examples of other recent artists that have been examples of relationships that have worked out, including Mr. Lif and Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise. All I now is there is no accident with how this music fits together and certainly how I feel lie a different person after a live hang with Wax Tailor.

Unify With Lettuce

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Lettuce is bringinG their UNIFY tour to Madison. It’s needed everywhere!! Unify, their 8th studio album and 3rd consecutive record made at Denver’s Colorado Sound Studios, completing a loose trilogy starting with 2019’s Grammy-nominated Elevate, and continuing with 2020’s Resonate. It’s also a benchmark moment for the sextet: Adam Deitch (drums), Ryan Zoidis (saxophone), Adam Smirnoff (guitar), Erick Coomes (bass), Nigel Hall (keyboards/vocals), Eric ‘Benny’ Bloom (trumpet). Approaching 30 years since its humble Boston beginnings, the relentlessly soulful funk outfit has essentially lived on the road, embodying, night after night, the sly wink of its moniker: Let us play! And now, endorsed on Unify by none other than the legendary icon of funk, Bootsy Collins, singing & playing bass on “Keep That Funk Alive”. The roots of Unify took hold several years back, when Lettuce assembled at Colorado Sound to begin work on Elevate. Armed with dozens of songs, the band tracked enough material for that record, its successor, and then some (including a vinyl-only, 45-minute, live-in-the-studio, one-take improvisation, Vibe). A pandemic-abbreviated European tour schedule in 2021 further inspired, as the group traded ideas for more new material. A totally collaborative effort, there were exciting cuts full of brilliant lyrics & arrangements from Hall. And fiery horn parts from Bloom. Plus, the tantalizing prospect of unveiling it all on the upcoming tour. Epitomizing the funk and the fun, it’s impossible for “Keep That Funk Alive,” not to be a focus track, even on a 16-song album full of highlights. Inspired by a buoyant Bootsy Instagram post and an irrepressible groove crafted around it. The venerable Parliament-Funkadelic bassist dug the hybridized creation, laying down low end and vocals on the proper track. “It’s such a dream to have one of the inventors of funk music bless this album. We are all STILL in awe!” exclaims the band. This album is an expression that is pure Lettuce. Unify will teleport you to a funky galaxy far, far away, where all life coexists as one in peace, love, harmony, and music!

I had the pleasure of catching up with Adam Deitch ahead of the maGical night of March 23rd when Lettuce brings that thang they do to Madison at The Majestic. Adam and I get into what any newbie to their scene could expect from heading out for this Unity tour event. We spend a good amount of time discussing how the album took shape and how the stretching out of these tracks live has taken new shapes after the pandemic. I am always interested in artists that play well with others and Lettuce, Adam, these cats seem to fit that mold, so we get into a recent opportunity they had to work on a track for the upcoming album “Late Night Basie”, celebrating some of the tunes of Count Basie. That focus track from Unity featuring Bootsy is so cool, we had to talk about how that went down and the cool it has kept going. Adam and I share a mutual brother in Mister Rourke, so we take the time machine back to a group they were both in called Fatbag. Oh yes we did!! EarGrab this chat and go check out Lettuce live – its healthy for you.

Photo: Jeremy Elder

A Little Time With Sona Jobarteh

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Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to come from any of the West African Griot dynasties. Her lineage carries a formidable reputation for renowned Kora masters, most notable amongst these are her grandfather Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and her cousin, the legendary Toumani Diabaté. Sona is reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, her distinctive voice, infectious melodies and her grace onstage, and she has rapidly achieved international success as a top class performer. The demand for her live performances has rocket in recent years, and 2019 saw her perform at some of the world’s most renowned festivals & venues such as the Hollywood Bowl in LA, WOMAD in Australia & New Zealand and Symphony Space in New York City. Sona has the unique ability to touch audiences globally and from all backgrounds & cultures, while also commanding the attention of sitting presidents & royalty alike. Her captivating stage show has proved to be popular everywhere, and with a repertoire that exudes accessible sophistication, her audience demographic is constantly expanding. Sona’s dedication to spreading powerful humanitarian messages through her songs and her stage performances makes her much more than a regular musician; she is in fact a compelling social activist, speaker, & change-maker who believes in leading by example. Her achievements in setting up a pioneering Academy in The Gambia, alongside her dedication to social change has gained her invitations to deliver speeches at high profile events around the world, including summits for the UN & the World Trade Organization. Sona founded the Gambia Academy in 2015. This pioneering institution is dedicated to achieving her mission of educational reform across the continent Africa. According to Sona, Africa faces the crucial & urgent challenge of addressing its education systems. Children who are fortunate enough to be able to attend school spend most of their waking hours in school, however in most cases the environment, culture, approach & curricula content within these schools are invariably oriented around a post-colonial value system and subsequently a foreign perspective. For Sona, it is detrimental for future generations of the continent whose values and concepts are shaped during their school years, to continue to be trained within a system where African culture, African history, African traditions and their intrinsic values are either non-existent, or at best relegated to the position of extra-curricular ‘activities’. This Academy is therefore the first of its kind in The Gambia to deliver a mainstream academic curriculum at a high level, while also bringing the culture, traditions and history that belong to students, to the front and center of their everyday education.

I had the honor of catching up with Sona ahead of her March 21st event in Madison at the Garver Atrium. Fresh off her 60 Minutes interview that certainly opened more doors and windows to what she has been doing and where she is heading, Sona and I discuss a little about what a newer person to her music can expect at a live event such as the one here in Madison. We learn about some of the music we may here from here latest release, “Badenyaa Kumoo” and how she feels while presenting the music live – the conversation. I could not spend time with Sona without touching on the powerful work she has dedicated as her purpose in life, The Gambia Acadamy. We touch briefly on a few aspects of the what that is happening to help achieve a new model of education in Africa and try and find the middle points in her life’s Venn diagram to see how/where/if/when the two marry. I am honored to have had this opportunity to discuss only a few aspects of what makes Sona go…and go she does, as you can tell by her answer to the final question about where she Goes to find a little ‘Sona time”. Do yourself a favor and find a way to start a conversation of your own by listening to her music, supporting her missions and or both, as forward is the way she is heading.

Masa Ogawa and Yamato the drummers of Japan

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YAMATO is a Japanese Taiko drumming group based in Asuka-mura Nara Prefecture which is well known by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan. They call themselves “YAMATO, the Taiko drumming group that travels all over the world”. They have given more than 4,000 shows across 54 countries since their formation in 1993. YAMATO’s Taiko work cannot be fully described by the word “performance”. Their motto is “We go everywhere when somebody needs YAMATO! And bringing energy to the people living in the world!”. On stage, they are standing with more than 40 Taiko drums and all of them are having different characters. For example, their largest drum called “Odaiko”, produced from a huge tree over 400 years old, is approximately two meters in diameter and weighs 500 kg. All other Taiko drums are different sizes and have different sounds. The members of the group have trained their bodies to the limit to beat these massive Taiko drums. The acoustic pressure far surpasses what one could ever imagine. They do not simply make their Taiko drums explode with sound; they produce delicate music that provides the listener with a palette of meticulously crafted sound. This is why YAMATO’s original performances are known as “Physical music”, and continue to receive high acclaim globally. YAMATO is sometimes intense, sometimes sad, sometimes comforting, and in the next moment comical on stage. The audience is more than a group of bystanders, they are engulfed in the sound of the Taiko, and sweat, cry, and laugh and become one with the performers. All types of people gather around the sound of the Taiko, interweaving their lives, and feeling the power of each other’s inner passion and heart.

I had the honor of discussing the upcoming event on April 2 at the Overture Center with the founder and artistic director, Masa Ogawa, when Yamato – the Drummer of Japan come to share energy with Madison. We get into what this audience can expect when they present the World Tour 2023-2024 「火の鳥」”Hinotori” – The wings of Phoenix. Masa does a beautiful job reflecting on how the group and audience share in the created moments of energy and how the travels around the globe help to gain new energies to share with others at the next stop on the journey. We talk about the give back that YAMATO believes in, sharing knowledge that was shared with them and pass it on to the next generations as both a group and as individuals as well as what music he is currently listening to and well…baseball. There is not many “shows’ lie a Taiko drumming “show”, the formation of new lands discovered together in a moment in time is marked with a lifetime of felt emotions and new rhythms to walk the days with.

YAMATO 2019 – 2020 – Masa Ogawa (c)

More Times With Stephane Wrembel

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Stephane Wrembel is easily one of the most highly regarded guitarists in the world specializing in the style of legendary composer/guitarist Django Reinhardt. Born in Fontainebleau, France, He learned his craft traveling the French countryside before graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has had a remarkable career, touring the world, while releasing 16 albums under his name and the nom de plume, The Django Experiment. His original compositions have been featured in Midnight in Paris (“Bistro Fada”), Vicki Cristina Barcelona “Big Brother”) and Rifkin’s Festival (original score). Midnight in Paris received the Grammy Award® for “Best Compilation Soundtrack.” Stephane was selected by award-winning composer/producer Hans Zimmer to perform at the 2012 Academy Awards® as part of his “All Star Band” which also included Esperanza Spalding, Pharrell, and Shelia E. Stephane recorded Gypsy Rumble and toured nationally with famed mandolinist/composer David Grisman. He has opened or performed with Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, The Roots, Medeski Martin & Wood, Me’shell Ndegeocello, John Scofield, Larry Keel, Stochelo Rosenberg, Sam Bush and the amzing and diverse list goes on. In 2019, Stephane released the highly regarded “Django L’Impressionniste”, featuring seventeen of Reinhardt’s preludes for solo guitar, followed by a book of his transcriptions in 2021. He is currently the only guitarist in the world to perform these seventeen preludes in their entirety. Ever since 2003, he has produced the Django-a-Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall.

I had the chance to get back on a call with Stephane to talk about the upcoming event back here in Madison at Cafe Coda on April 2nd. Stephane’s world-class band includes: Josh Kaye on guitar; Ari Folman-Cohen on bass; and Nick Anderson on drums. We get into a deep space about the feelings, creation and moments within the shared event such as the one upcoming in the MadCity. The music definitely acts as a vessel for me and many I witness in the crowd as the strings vibrate and the grooves form. Over the years, I have watched the Django A Gogo Festival event go from there to here and this year’s here is an amazing array of talent: playing, teaching and sharing. So, we stay on this topic for a bit and it is always special to hear someone like Stephane dish out proper praise of/to others. We also discuss what is this gypsy jazz thing?!. Within the deep, there are hints of ideas about new music coming this Fall, an upcoming trip to Switzerland and Billy Strings. This is always a ride worth taking.

Photo By: Irene Ypenburg

Mike Dillon & Punkadelick Inflorescence

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Together, Mike Dillon & Punkadelick have conjured Inflorescence, an album of heady, post rock and punk jazz highlighting a band deep in the throes of creative freedom, road-tested and wild. The ten track collection is expansive, focused & fearless, representing a world where Duke Ellington & Augustus Pablo rub shoulders with crate-digger exotica, the freak-funk of Parliament and the ‘anything fits’ outsider ethos of acid-fried punks like The Meat Puppets. This is one powerful trio featuring: Mike Dillon (Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool) on vibraphone, marimba, Prophet 6, congas, and bongos, family to the proGam, Mr. Brian Haas (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog and melodica and Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Nth Power) on drums, cymbals and vocals, Punkadelick is the unified vision of six hands creating a world that often sounds like the work of an ensemble three times the size.

It is always nice to get a chance to talk with family to the proGram, Mike Dillon, especially when he is brining one of his projects to town. This time around he comes to Madison March 18th at the High Noon Saloon with the trio Punkadelick. Also on the bill is another pal to the show, Marco Benevento. The day we were chatting is the day of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl championship parade and well..it’s in there. Perfect vibration of the day moments. We get into the who and the what of the event and then we get deep into the coming toGether of Punkadelick’s new record Inflorescence (out now on Royal Potato Family), including dissecting the track & Video (put together by Mike’s wife Peregrine Honig), “Pandas“. We even have time for some real talk and Mike builds a setlist around one track he choses off the new album. Priceless time spent talking music.

Family Time With Larry Campbell And Teresa Williams

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There is no place on earth that Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams feel more comfortable than onstage at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. For almost 10 years, Larry & Teresa were staples of Helm’s Midnight Ramble band, playing countless shows at “The Barn.” So when it came time to record their own live album, it was a no brainer as to where to set up shop for 2 nights to record. Recorded on September 20 & 21, 2019 after returning to Woodstock from months of touring, Live At Levon’s! [out now on Royal Potato Family] gathers the best performances from those 2 shows on a sonically pristine live collection that crackles with both energy & spirit. The album gives us Larry & Teresa delivering originals like “Angel Of Darkness,” “Surrender To Love,” & “It Ain’t Gonna Be A Good Night,” along with their renditions of songs like “Darling Be Home Soon” (The Lovin’ Spoonful), “Caravan” (Duke Ellington) & “Big River” (Johnny Cash).

Of course, Larry was a member of Bob Dylan‘s “Never Ending Tour” band from March 31, 1997, until November 21, 2004. Through his association with Dylan’s bass player Tony Garnier, Campbell joined the band, replacing John Jackson as a guitarist, and expanded the role to multi-instrumentalist, playing instruments such as cittern, violin/fiddle, pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, and slide guitar. We don’t have enough room to discuss all the great folks he, and they have worked with or produced, but in our conversation this time around, we do talk about our mutual friend, Mr. Jorma Kaukonen – as one of the new tunes has a story behind it, of course it does and we also discuss Larry & Teresa’s participation on the new tribute album to the great Eric Andersen. We spend a bunch of time discussing the new album, as a live album with these two really shows off all you get when they are in a room sharing music. That’s part of this chat as well. Being toGether. Folks here near the Madison, WI area will get to hang with Larry and Teresa March 21 at the Stoughton Opera House with Shawn Mullins. WOW., so we paint a tiny picture of what that could look and feel like. We have talked many times over the years, but this time on the heels of this live record makes me feel complete. The true experience is out there to go get SUM of.

Some Stories With Cécile McLorin Salvant

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Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning composer, jazz singer and musical storyteller Cécile McLorin Salvant will blend sounds that reimagine the jazz genre when she performs at Shannon Hall in Memorial Union on Feb. 7. This concert is part of the Wisconsin Union Theater’s 2022-23 Jazz Series. During her Feb. 7 concert, Salvant will perform a 90-minute set featuring songs from her 2022 album “Ghost Song,” which explores themes of love, loss & life, as well as selections from her previous discography. The New York Times recently named “Ghost Song” the Best Jazz Album of 2022.

She discovered her passion for music at a young age, beginning piano lessons at 5 years old, joining a children’s choir at the age of 8, and enrolling in classical voice training as a teenager. Since her early music education, she has shifted her focus from classical music to jazz and has established herself as one of the most highly acclaimed jazz singers of her generation. Stylistic experimentation, heartfelt storytelling and velvety vocals characterize her unique sound. She considers herself an “eclectic curator,” as she draws connections between genres and time periods usually considered distinct, including vaudeville, blues, jazz, baroque & folkloric music. Salvant’s repertoire contains new takes on jazz standards along with many original compositions. Over the course of her extensive career, Salvant has received an array of prestigious awards, including the MacArthur Fellowship, the Doris Duke Artist Award, & GRAMMY Awards for best jazz vocal album.