Valerie June Is One Of Kind

Valerie June has opened her deepest channel yet to create her 4th studio album, Owls, Omens, and Oracles. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter & 3-time Americana Music Honors & Awards nominee weaves fresh medicinal downloads of love, sweetness, goodness, & joy together w/songs that have flowed through her for many years. Halfway through a decade of immense and rapid global change, she asserts a multidimensional Blackness steeped in laughter, truth, magic, delight, & interdependence. The opening track & 1st single, “Joy, Joy!”, gives us an irresistible &playful invitation to surrender to the light always available in our souls. This album is a radical statement to break with the skepticism, surveillance & doom scrolling to let yourself celebrate your aliveness. Connect, weep, change, open. Rooted in the belief that what we focus on is what we manifest, Valerie June dreams a songpath forward that leaves no one behind. She has been softening & clarifying her sound since the 2013 release of Pushin’ Against A Stone. From the Kennedy Center and opening for The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park to supporting Tyler Childers, Trevor Hall, Brandi Carlile, Gary Clark Jr., & John Prine, she offers us a root system spanning Earth’s magma core to the cosmos. This newest work shows her own spiritual growth, her deepening, the opening of ancestral channels into both her glorious voice and her tender lyrics. Valerie is not alone in crafting this sacred field for the contemplation of love and being human. Her dynamic & distinct voice centers an incredible circle of collaborators, including producer M. Ward and special guests Blind Boys of Alabama, Norah Jones, & DJ Cavem Moetavation. In this vast realm, we can follow June’s singular sound, a north star as steady and undeniable as any true love story, telling us to “trust the path.” She is inviting us out of the small boxes that keep us apart from each other, her music creating a space where we are already together, already one. She wants everyone who listens to this music to want to be alive, to love, co-creating a future together. Mavis Staples, Newport Folk Festival, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival were the auspicious forces that led June & Ward to record 14 original songs at 64 Sound in Los Angeles. Backstage is where the magic happens. Musicians often find themselves traveling to similar festivals. With a spirit of togetherness circling her at every turn, in summer/fall 2023, June joined Ward for spontaneous guest appearances during his sets at Newport Folk Festival & Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, setting the plan in motion to work together in the studio. The rest is an adventure for you to listen, hear, feel and share. This album, not unlike Valerie herself, is not made for one…this art is made for all.

I had the honor of spending a little time chatting with Valerie ahead of her May 30th show at the Majestic Theater. We talk about her amazing band and what is bound to take place once they all get thinGs going. It’s gonna be a rockin’ and rollin’ time it sure sounds like and video evidence on the interwebs proves it. We go for a stroll through the new album ‘Owls, Omens and Oracles’ and how it made its way into the world and we specifically call out the ever-so-upbeat tune ‘Joy Joy’ so the feelings can slide off onto all of us. I felt like it was important to do a compare and contrast between her recent time at the Grand Ole Opry and the time before – you can hear the deeper feelings/emotions she felt this time around. Valerie is no stranger to the give back, so I make sure to let her talk about being a supporter of the arts in education and of course, she let’s us know which tune is kinda sorta her fav. Truly a star in our universe, the genreless and brilliant, Valerie June.

Javier Santiago’s Warrior Energy

Pianist, composer, & popular sideman Javier Santiago is one of the most promising voices in the international music scene today. As an accomplished producer/beatmaker, arranger and educator, Santiago has become a notable force in both the beat and hip-hop scenes as well as in the jazz world. The Minneapolis-born Santiago was exposed to a myriad of great music and talented musicians in his early years. Taking his inspiration and career endeavors to the next level, he furthered his path by relocating to New York City to attend The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music, then later moved out West, first to the Bay Area in 2017, and then to Los Angeles in 2021, which remains his home base. Santiago is an alumnus of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA & The Brubeck Institute Fellowship Program. He was a finalist in the American Jazz Pianist competition in 2015, a recipient of the 2016 McKnight Fellowship for Musicians, and was selected to participate in the 14th Annual Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program in 2011. Javi has had the distinguished opportunity to play with many celebrated musicians on today’s jazz scene including Mr. Herbie Hancock, Terrace Martin, Louis Cole, Alex Isley, Jonathan Kreisberg, Braxton Cook, Kassa Overall, Azar Lawrence, Kenneth Whalum, Aja Monet, John Raymond, Sheila Jordan, & Yosvany Terry. His debut album, ‘Phoenix’ on Ropeadope Records was named the “#1 Jazz Album of the Year” by Vinyl Me, Please. As he pursues his path as a solo artist, he describes his style as “my usual brand of lo-fi, psychedelic rock jazz fusion.” His self-produced project, “Warrior Energy,” released in December of 2024. The album features jazz greats Justin Brown, Gene Coye, & Benjamin Ring on drums, Sharada Shashidar on vocals, & Devin Daniels on saxophone. Javier plays all of the keyboards & synthesizers on the album, and this is also his debut as a trumpet player. He will be performing 2 shows at Madison’s premier jazz club, Cafe Coda on May 17th and participating in a minds-on workshop. For this performance, as well as the other Midwest dates on his 2025 tour, he will be joined by drummer, Corey Fonville (Kurt Elling, Butcher Brown, Christian Scott) & bassist, Zach Brown (Paquito D’Rivera, Willow Smith). The performance at Cafe Coda will feature special guest, saxophonist/composer and Madison native Pawan Benjamin.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Javi ahead of the special May 17th event(s) in Madison at Cafe Coda. We dive right into the who and what of that event. His trio is one that all three players could actually have their own successful groups. The treat for us here will be Pawan Benjamin opening the show and we learn he will in fact sit in with Javi’s trio. More one off maGic for us. The ‘Warrior Energy’ tour is one that will leave an imprint on those in attendance. There is power guiding this new music, and I believe it will join you as you go about the rest of your days. We talk about the creation of and the releasing of the new album of the same name out into the world with that very intention. Of course a part of me wanted to talk about his working with and learning from Mr. Herbie Hancock, but I went another route and talked about time spent with Theo Croker, who I believe possesses a similar forward marking path into the universe. I didn’t let him escape without finding out which track off the new release he’d play on greenarrowradio and what other artist’s tunes he’d share.

Night City Glowed

The final part of this week’s proGram was driving at night with eyes wide.

Journey Through Life- Femi Kuti
Think My People Think- Femi Kuti
Move (Keep Moving Version)- Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Ft. Kamasi Washington


Thadoukli- Les Abranis
Thassousmi- Les Abranis


Now I wanna Sniff Some Glue- Dubmones Ft. Keith & Tex, U Brown
Evil Empire (2025 TRUMPENSTEIN REFIX)- Dubblestandart
An Autumn Sun- The Flying Hats


Dristi- Gwen Laster’s New Muse 4tet
Vento Eterno- Collettivo Immaginario Ft. Dwight Trible & Isaiah Collier
Yalla- Nadav Schneerson
Good News Blues!- The Quantum Blues Quartet

Popped For Ups

The middle part of this week’s proGram was not and then it was.

Stormy Night at a Moroccan Blues Bar- Johnny Iguana
For Dancers Only- Johnny Iguana
It’s Alright-Jeffery Broussard & The Nighttime Syndicate w/Jamie Lynn Fontenot & K.C. Jones
Swing- Jeffery Broussard & The Nighttime Syndicate
Dans les Pins- Louis Michot


Memory- Luke Stewart & Silt Remembrance Ensemble Ft. Daniel Carter & Chad Taylor
VROOOM- Ed Palermo Big Band
Black Hole Sun- Ed Palermo Big Band
My Now- Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto


Liminal Event- Joe Marcinek Band
Liminoid- Joe Marcinek Band
You Are The Revolution- Peyoti for President


Dreaming- Taylor Williams
Guzelim Benim- Romano
Discomania- Calibro 35
Italian Traffic- West Riviera
Biggest Creep in America- The Jack Moves

Garden Getting

The first part of this week’s proGram just grew about right for eyes to feel more.

Froggy’s Demise- EZRA

Witness- The Wood Brothers
Stay All Night- North Mississippi Allstars
Drop In The Bucket- The Lucky Strokes & Shelby Kemp
Big Yellow Taxi- Raina Krangle
Yes We Can Can- Davis Coen (Live)


Turning The Same Ole Corner- Trudy Lyn
Hold It In The Road- Mr. Sipp
Worry Be Gone- The Ripcords
Baggage- Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival
Up In the Air- Tad Robinson


Set Me Free- Frank Catalano & Lurrie Bell
**pre-recorded conversation with Frank Catalano**
Shakin’ – Frank Catalano & Lurrie Bell

Getting Set Free by Frank Catalano & Lurrie Bell

Legendary saxman Frank Catalano consistently headlines world-class festivals and sells-out venues throughout the USA, Europe, & Japan. Thanks to his signature sound & renowned reputation, Catalano averages 150 concerts a year with his jazz quartet. As a coveted guest artist, Frank often lends his sax stylings to high-profile rock groups. Recent highlights include playing a 7-minute improvised sax solo at The Hollywood Bowl with The Smashing Pumpkins, closing out the Chicago Blues Festival with Los Lobos, and performing with Les Claypool, Sean Lennon, and the Violent Femmes. He also teamed up on a unique version of the Jane’s Addiction hit “Jane Says” w/Perry Farrell, Billy Corgan, & Jimmy Chamberlin, Frank’s longtime friend & collaborator. A Belgian documentary about Frank entitled “Sugar Jazz” premiered at the Tokyo Liftoff Film Festival and has since screened worldwide. The film captures Frank’s musical essence and reveals his candid musings with the backdrop of iconic Chicago locations in the city where he was born. While just a teenager, Catalano signed to Delmark Records and released a string of critically acclaimed recordings with jazz greats including Randy Brecker, Ira Sullivan, Willie Pickens, Paul Wertico, and his mentor Von Freeman. His co-led album with Freeman, “You Talking To Me” remains a cult classic. Catalano is the only known saxophonist to perform with Miles Davis, Charles Earland, Elvin Jones, Junior Wells, Randy Brecker, Stan Getz, Betty Carter, Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, & Louie Bellson while still in high school. As a sideman, Frank has been heard by millions thanks to his collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Maurice Joshua, Destiny’s Child, John Legend, Tony Bennett, Seal, and countless others. Frank’s numerous accolades include an IMA award at Lincoln Center and induction into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame. He has featured on 3 Grammy‐winning & 11 Grammy-nominated recordings and received a Tech Grammy Award for his numerous patents & developments. At 19 years old, Frank was the youngest sax player to be voted into the Downbeat Critics Poll. Head to his website to find pout more about all he does/did. Amazing cat!

Lurrie Bell is bonified blues royalty and was recently inducted into the Blue Hall of Fame in Memphis. He started playing with his father Carey Bell at age 7 and went on to play with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, and many other blues giants. Bell’s career was on a path to stardom when his undiagnosed bipolar and schizophrenia go the better of him. Initially, he failed to receive the medical treatment he needed and unfortunately experienced periods of homelessness and other adversities. Thankfully in 2016, Lurrie’s album “Can’t Shake This Feeling” received a Grammy nomination and his career was again on an upward trajectory. It is clear that Mr. Bell has some soul in his blues and the music he and Frank present, shows that off from the first note.

I had thre chance to play catch-up with friend of the proGram, Frank Catalano ahead of the event with him and Lurrie Bell (bringing along the quintet as well) on May 24th at the North Street Cabaret. We get into what the creation of this project and new album has them doing since late last year. The Summer sounds super busy and as we spoke, he was playing the next day with Mr. Randy Brecker. Frank is one of my favs because of that versatility you’ll hear him mention during this call. Know so much as a jazz guy, not a single avenue would not be neglected by him, I think. The people that call him to be a part of things is wide and wild. We find out who is the band joining them here and Madison and we spent a good chunk of time getting to know the new Set Me Free record. All the things he did, from producing to playing, the soul of this album is felt throughout. Frank tells the tales of the album and some of the tunes – not be be missed, as the feelings are true and need to be heard. Frank also does the same while building a setlist around a track or two from the new record. Absolutely always a good chat (and concert) with Frank Catalano.

Around You Always

The final part of the proGram reminded us that the beauty is in the natural.

Gone (In the Morning)- M Ross Perkins
There Ain’t Enough Roses- Thee Baby Cuffs with Cold Diamond & Mink
Research- Omar Ft. Honey Larochelle


NgeMbombela- Awa Khiwe Ft. Mokoomba
The Queen- Rosettes
Sweetie- Kokoroko
Asia- Ouzo Bazooka
Leyenda- Ojorojo Project
Chaal Baby (omgcornelio, Jonaton Wright & Adreal Remix)- Red Baraat


Smoke & Mirrors- Polyrhythmics Ft. Adryon de León
Baby Is Back- Bitter:Sweet
Boarding Pass- Sonova
I Predict a Riot (Vocal Version)- Dub Pistols
Spoonful (Victor Rice Dub)- Eddie Skuller
The Walk- Commonsur


Tell Me What You Feel- Steve Gregory

Off The Paths

The middle part of the proGram blazed it’s own zones.

Suddenly- Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe
Said Soul- Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto
Sick 8- Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto


Masterpieces- deerlady
*pre-recorded conversation with Mina & Magdalena of deerlady*
Lamplight- deerlady

That’s How It Was- The Whimbrels
Make It- Parker Barrow
Eat You to Survive (Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows Version)- The Dwarves


I’m Free- Jessie Wagner
Be Thankful For What You Got- Smokey Robinson
Memphis Underground- Geoff Mann Ft. Herbie Mann/Chico Mann & Victor Axelrod


Vegas Nights- Joe Marcinek Band
*pre-recorded convo w/Joe Marcinek and Manny & Ronnie Sanchez of Groovesession*
Funky G Sus (Fast)- Joe Marcinek Band

In The Pines

The first part of this week’s proGram tried to follow a trail.

Hammer Down- Charles Wesley Godwin Ft. Scott Avett
Counting the Days- Blue Cactus
Kansas- The Waterboys Ft. Steve Earle
Ten Years Gone- The Waterboys Ft. Bruce Springsteen


Everywhere I Go- Amy Irving Ft. Louis Cato
Supernatural Thing- Seth Walker
Electrify Me- Willie Nile
Mama Don’t- Ruen Brothers


Trouble- Few Miles On
She’s into Something- Blind Lemon Pledge (Live)
Don’t Let the Deal Go Down- Davis Coen (Live)
Hard Work Don’t Pay- Christopher Wyze & the Tellers (Live)


Bye Bye Blues- Larry McCray
Same Old Blues- Lil’ Red & the Rooster Ft. Bobby Floyd
Daring Haring- Big Dave & The Dutchmen

The Session Has Groove

Joe Marcinek Band’s The Groove Session is the newest funky, jazzy, rock album from one of America’s most dynamic live acts. The Groove Session sees Marcinek recording for the first time with jazz piano great Jesus Molina along with long-time collaborators Ronnie & Manny Sanchez, whose band Groovesession inspired the album’s name. Joe is also host of the Dead Funk Summit concert series featuring the likes of George Porter Jr. (The Meters) and Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band). Marcinek is also a member of Seals’ band Terrapin Flyer and he has has also collaborated with friend of the proGram, Bernie Worrell (Parliament-Funkadelic, Talking Heads), Kris Myers (Umphrey’s McGee), Shaun Martin (Snarky Puppy), and Jim Loughlin (moe.), among many many others. The Groove Session sees Joe Marcinek Band at the top of their game, expertly translating live concert energy into a studio project filled to the brim with deep and danceable tracks. Ronnie Sanchez’s funky bass licks complement Molina’s virtuosic piano playing on “Funky G Sus (Slow)”; its sister track, album opener “Funky G Sus (Fast)” is a brow-furrowing, head-bopping toe-tapper. “Broad Strokes” is a chilled out groovy number with a tight rhythm provided by drummer Manny Sanchez. The Groove Session is a can’t-miss release for fans of genre-bending jammy music.

Artists on the album: Joe Marcinek: Guitar, Jesus Molina: Piano, Manny Sanchez: Drums, Ronnie Sanchez: Bass, Greg Spero: Keyboards, Howard Levy: Harmonica, Tracy Silverman: Electric Violin.

I had the chance to get with Manny & Ronnie of Groovesession while they were in a car with Joe hitting some hot spots in Florida. The first time the Cali-boys have done such a thing since they’ve been working with Joe now for almost ten years. It came as they are releasing a brand new album toGether aptly titled ‘The Groove Session’. We talk about the Florida times and how the album went from a hey let’s do – all the way up until it’s completion. From my ears point of view (?), it really has a soulful way about it that does feel like spending time somewhere else but feeling like home. The talent is obvious all the way around as they continue to chop it up with mor open-minded, finding a new groove, groovers. Check the record out here and maybe get yourself and one other friend a copy.

Deerlady Is Real Feeling

Performing as the shoegaze duo Deerlady, Mali Obomsawin & Magdalena Abrego are 2 improvising artists bonded in the language of experimentation. Their debut album ‘Greatest Hits’ is a journey thru songs penned by Obomsawin that explore decay & delicate moments, cradled by Abrego’s worldbuilding & evocative guitar playing. The band’s 1st single “There, There” premiered on the hit FX series Reservation Dogs in 2023, and the album, released the following January, has quickly won over audiences across Indian Country and the US. Described by NPR’s Lars Gotrich as a “headbang while you weep” experience, Deerlady is currently touring ‘Greatest Hits’ throughout 2024 and into 2025.

Mali Obomsawin is a genre-defying bassist, composer, vocalist and citizen of the Odanak First Nation. Her increasingly broad body of work spans jazz & roots music, indie rock & experimental sound. An international touring artist and celebrated accompanist, her current projects include this shoegaze duo Deerlady, the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band and her eponymous free-jazz ensemble. Obomsawin’s expansive and nuanced practice models 21st century Indigeneity, challenging listeners’ complacency with the urgency of our times while comforting with lush– and at times haunting– harmonies.

Magdalena Abrego is a guitarist, composer, and teaching artist based in Hudson, New York. Influenced by free jazz and punk, Magdalena’s approach to her instrument playfully confronts tradition and embraces queer experimentalism. Her compositions have been described as an “unpredictable musical journey” (Boston Hassle), both “blissful and beautifully erratic” (Boston Compass), and NPR Music called her guitar tone “wooden, ancient and thick with mystic fuzz.” Magdalena presently serves as a faculty member in the Contemporary Musical Arts program at the New England Conservatory. Her expertise has garnered invitations to deliver guest lectures and provide guidance to ensembles at esteemed music institutions across the United States, including Berklee College of Music and Dartmouth College.

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Mali & Magdalena ahead of the May 2nd duo performance of Deerlady in Madison at the Overture Center as part of the ‘Up Close’ series on the Capitol Theater stage. The three of us get into what is in store for folks in attendance as this normally more than 2, turns into a stripped down duo for this event. We talk challenges and possibilities of a their duo when working these songs live. We go seed to flower on the creation of ‘Greatest Hits’, their debut album and how they knew when Deerlady was born. The conversation around the songs and how they became complete after Magdalena put her unique skillset into action was simply opening, like getting a backstage peek into how the characters of a book really feel. The highlight for me was when the two of them pieces toGether a setlist after choosing one tune from ‘Greatest Hits’ and then following explanations of the choices were following up on the holistic vibe. This is music for those who feel at times when maybe feelings seem as if they have been shut off or down, but in truth, they are just finding their way. I am a fan.

The Fire Without

The final part of this week’s proGram had the heat turning up whether inside or out.

Studio Perspective- Daggerboard & Erik Jekabson Orchestra
Solstice Blues- Daggerboard & Erik Jekabson Orchestra
Prayer- Harold Vick
Senor Zamora- Harold Vick


***pre-recorded conversation with Mr. Branford Marsalis***
The Windup- Branford Marsalis Quartet


Pinball Number Count- Thomas Marriott Ft. Orrin Evans, Robert Hurst & Mark Whitfield Jr
Earl’s World- Charles Tolliver All Stars Ft. Gary Bartz, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Joe Chambers


New York Three Four Blues- The Quantum Blues Quartet
Umoja Suite- Shamek Farrah

Those Blooms Do

The middle part of this week’s proGram had to believe.

You Are My Sunshine- Joe Alterman Ft. Houston Person
Bloom- José Luiz Martins Ft. Alex Hamburger & John Lee
Don’t Act Like- José Luiz Martins Ft. Nakama., Tyrone Allen II & Florian Haas


Alex “Apolo” Ayala Agonia Suite – Reckoning Ft. The Bámbula Project
Bob’s Your Uncle- Phil Brown
Samba Dois-Cinco- Phil Brown
Easy Money- Nanami Haruta Ft. Xavier Davis & Ulysses Owens Jr
Algonquin- Nanami Haruta Ft. Michael Dease, Xavier Davis, Rodney Whitaker & Ulysses Owens Jr.


Naaj- Billy Hart Quartet
The Watergate Bliues- The Heath Brothers Ft. Stanley Cowell
Get With It- Billy Parker’s Fourth World Ft. Dee Dee Bridgewater

Smoke And Petals

The first part of this week’s proGram watched the collision.

Montrose Forest- Butcher Brown Ft. Nicholas Payton
I Remember- Butcher Brown Ft. Yaya Bey


The Crisis Knows No Borders- Gustavo Cortiñas
Certified Organic- Sean Imboden Large Ensemble


Biskit- The New York Bass Violin Choir
Koko/Cherokee/Band Intros- Charles Mingus (live in Argentina)
Fables Of Foubus- Charles Mingus (live in Argentina)
Moose The Mooche- Triology Ft. Scott Hamilton


**pre-recorded conversation with Arun Ramamurthy**
Bangalore to Brooklyn- Arun Ramamurthy Trio

Stick Up!- Sharel Cassity
Happy Faces- The Dave Robbins Big Band Ft. Fraser Macpherson

Arun Ramamurthy Trio: A Feeling Experience

Arun Ramamurthy is a violinist, composer & educator based in Brooklyn, NY. Rooted in South Indian classical Carnatic music, Arun is a versatile musician, performing internationally in both traditional Carnatic & Hindustani settings, as well as blurring genres with his own innovative projects like the acclaimed Arun Ramamurthy Trio & Nakshatra duo with violinist Trina Basu. Arun studied under the celebrated violinist brothers, Sri Mysore Nagaraj & Dr. Mysore Manjunath, the distinguished violinist Sri. Ananthakrishnan as well as many early years with western classical violinist Jim Mate. He has shared the stage with luminaries like Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Sudha Ragunathan, Reggie Workman, Kenny Werner, Jamey Haddad, Amir ElSaffar, Hamid Drake, Martha Redbone, Yacouba Sissoko, Adam Rudolph, Lizz Wright, Subhankar Banerjee, Mashkoor Ali Khan, Awa Sangho, Roman Diaz, Melvis Santa and many more. Arun’s music has brought him stages like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Celebrate Brooklyn and many other celebrated venues. He leads the Arun Ramamurthy Trio, an ensemble that brings a fresh approach to Carnatic classical repertoire and features Arun’s original composition work. Praised by All About Jazz as “a beautiful, exotic, ear-opening listening experience” ART released their 2nd studio album ‘New Moon’ in September 2024 through Greenleaf Music. He also co-leads a violin duo project with wife & violinist Trina Basu, reimagining string chamber music through the lens of Carnatic, western chamber music and jazz. The duo released their debut studio album “Nakshatra” in January 2022. As a composer, Arun has created new works for his Trio (ART) & duo project with Trina Basu, scores for theatrical productions such as Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink, for Indian classical dance, and for the pioneering musician’s collective Brooklyn Raga Massive. Arun received Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works grant to compose his Trio’s upcoming release New Moon. He was also commissioned through New Music USA to compose original work for Malini Srinivasan’s ‘Appeasing Radhika’, an ambitious project investigating Devadasi lives in Indian Classical performing arts. Arun is a co-founder of Brooklyn Raga Massive, a genre-bending musicians’ nonprofit rooted-in and inspired-by the classical music of South Asia. In 2010, Arun created and produced Carnatic Sundays, a traditional and cross-genre concert series at the iconic West Village haunt, Cornelia Street Cafe. Throughout his career, Arun has curated and performed in hundreds of concerts bringing together music from all over the world. Arun also is a dedicated educator, teaching Carnatic music privately to children and adult students, professional string players and instrumentalists from various genres. He conducts workshops and has held teaching-artist residencies working with student ensembles at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Brooklyn College’s Jazz & Big Band program, NYU, Yale University, Sarah Lawrence University, and many others.

I had the chance to catch up with Arun ahead of the trio landing in Madison on May 3rd along with woodwind sound designer Pawan Benjamin at the North Street Cabaret. We get right into what one in attendance should be ready for while Arun shares what makes the trio a sonic brotherhood with percussionist and friend of the proGram, Sameer Gupta, and electric bassist Damon Banks. Arun walks us thru the development of the latest album, ‘New Moon’ and I would be remiss if I did not give him a chance to shout out the all that Brooklyn Raga Massive really is (besides a something that has opened many more doors for me to explore into). This will go down as one of those shows I will recall for a lifetime.

No Noodling Around With Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis continues to thrill audiences around the world while racking up achievements across diverse musical platforms, even after 4 decades in the international spotlight. From his initial recognition as a young jazz lion, he has expanded his vision as an instrumentalist, composer, bandleader & educator, crossing stylistic boundaries while maintaining an unwavering creative integrity. In the process, he has become an avatar of contemporary artistic excellence winning 3 Grammy Awards, a Tony nomination for his work as a composer on Broadway, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as Jazz Master, and a 2021 Primetime EMMY nomination for the score he composed for the Tulsa Burning documentary. His first instrument, the clarinet, gave way to the alto and then the tenor & soprano saxophones when the teenage Branford began working in local bands. A growing fascination with jazz as he entered college gave him the basic tools to obtain his 1st major jobs, with trumpet legend Clark Terry and alongside Wynton in Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers. When the brothers left to form the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, the world of uncompromising acoustic jazz was invigorated. Branford formed his own quartet in 1986 and it remains his primary performance vehicle. The Quartet has established a rare breadth of stylistic range, known for the telepathic communication among its uncommonly consistent personnel, its deep book of original music replete with expressive melodies and provocative forms, and an unrivaled spirit in both live & recorded performances, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has long been recognized as the standard to which other ensembles of its kind must be measured. Branford formed the Marsalis Music label in 2002, and under his direction it has documented his own music, talented stars such as Miguel Zenón, and un-heralded older masters including one of Branford’s teachers, the late Alvin Batiste. Branford has also shared his knowledge as an educator. He enjoys working with students and has formed an extended relationship with North Carolina Central University where he has been teaching for the past eighteen years. He has also taught at Michigan State University and San Francisco State University and continues to conduct workshops throughout the world. As for other public stages, Branford spent a period touring with Sting, collaborated with the Grateful Dead & Bruce Hornsby, served as Musical Director of The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno and hosted NPR’s widely syndicated Jazz Set. The range and quality of these diverse activities established Branford as a familiar presence beyond the worlds of jazz & classical music, while his efforts to help heal and rebuild New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina mark him as an artist with an uncommonly effective social vision. Together with Harry Connick, Jr. and New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, Branford conceived and helped to realize The Musicians’ Village, a community in the Upper Ninth Ward that provides homes to the displaced families of musicians and other local residents. The centerpiece of the Village is the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, honoring Branford’s father. The Center uses music as the focal point of a holistic strategy to build a healthy community and to deliver a broad range of services to underserved children, youth and musicians from neighborhoods battling poverty and social injustice. In January 2024, following in his father’s footsteps, Branford was appointed Artistic Director at the Center and in this capacity, he will shape the artistic trajectory and steer the organization’s creative vision for the future.

I had the complete honor of spending a little time chatting it up with Mr. Branford Marsalis. We dive head first into the upcoming event in Madison on May 1st at the Wisconsin Union Theater. We talk about what people with hear & see at this shared encounter, including the spontaneous interactions. The Quartet gets introduced to us as well so we now know a little more about those folks spending the time with us. They also have a new alum out on Blue Note Records titled ‘Belonging‘, it is an interpretation of Keith Jarret’s 1974 ECM release. Mr. Marsalis shares how this music hits and how it shapes from the original and how the quartet works as students of music, with a slight reminisce of their John Coltrane ‘Love Supreme’ experience years ago. While talking about the tune, ‘The Windup’, we end up talkin’ baseball, sharing our unlove for one particular NY team and I would have been remiss not to try and learn more about his work with the Grateful Dead’s ‘Eyes Of The World’. Note to self, no noodling! Man, I appreciate how this cat does things the way he does things.

3rd Set of Vinylthon

The final part of the Record Store day vinylthon proGram started with several furries gathered together and ended with the big run. Always fun to take SUM of the old records out for a spin.

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun- Pink Floyd
A Saucerful of Secrets- Pink Floyd
I. “Something Else” (3:22) II. “Syncopated Pandemonium” (2:52) III. “Storm Signal” (0:58) IV. “Celestial Voices

Polk Salad Annie- Elvis Presley with The Imperial’s Quartet (Live)
Hypnotize- Kingfish
Keep On- Big Brother & The Holding Company
Don’t Keep Me Wondering- Allman Brothers Band
Black Hearted Woman- Allman Brothers Band

European Son- The Velvet Underground & Nico
Run Run Run- The Velvet Underground & Nico

Record Store Day Vinylthon Pt. 2

The middle part of the vinylthon proGram reminded me of many sounds and words that helped form the shapes around me.

…And the Gods Made Love- The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Have You Ever Been (to Electric Ladyland)- The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Visions of Johanna- Bob Dylan
Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands- Bob Dylan

Everybody’s Got to Change Sometime- Taj Mahal
Rain- The Beatles
Miss You (live 1978)- The Rolling Stones

Ballrooms of Mars- T Rex
The Width of a Circle- David Bowie
Buick Buick- T Rex
Daddy Daddy Daddy- Frank Zappa w/The Mothers of Invention & The Royal Philharmonic Orch.

Vinylthon For Record Store Day Pt.1

I am not someone who adds to their record collection I have what I have and sometimes people send some over. Otherwise, there’s a lot of albums that are true collection pieces (luckily I do have two copies of many of those) so Iit is fun to ‘spin some’ for three hours to honor the medium. Here’s the first hour.

Contender- Supreme Beings Of Leisure
The Other Side- Supreme Beings Of Leisure

Being Courageous- Yungchen Lhamo
Dedication to My Teacher- Yungchen Lhamo

Jammin- Hu Vibrational
Secret Ending- Vibraharp

Big Dismal- Julien Kasper
Many a Mile to Freedom- Traffic
Stella Blue- Grateful Dead (live)