Category Archives: Outta World interviews

artists I have chatted with that are just plain different..in my opinion.

Buddy & Biscuit from James BISCUIT Rouse

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

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

By | | ,
Leave a comment

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 Ven 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

By | | ,
Leave a comment

The 2-day Twin Composer Festival in Madison on Oct 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 & Land Greening and Rainwater Management across the world. The festival will feature concerts by icons of Western & Eastern cultures, dance & theater performances as well as Emerging Artists’ shows. The 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 & VV Subrahmanyam with Lifetime Achievement Awards and honour Apollo Chamber Players for their distinguished contributions. Art Patrons Dr C M Venkatachalam & 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 WI, IL, MN, NJ, WA, NY, NE, CA and other 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 nbit about what Melharmony is and how it will be showcased. Maestro Ravikiran did a wonderful job filling us in on each performer and their background and the energy they will provide during these unique performances. Each artist heading to Madison for this festival is/are a master(s) in the subject field, and toGether, they will work to open minds, history books and the blinds 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 our small part with 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 etc. I look forward to seeing you at the main event with your open minds and thirty earholes.

Think Forward With Brandon Seabrook

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

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

All That Is The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

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

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

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.

Long Beach Dub Allstars Soon Come

By | | ,
Leave a comment

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

BALTHVS Has A Harvest

By | | ,
Leave a comment

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.

What’s New With FlowPoetry

By | | ,
Leave a comment

FlowPoetry (aka Adam Gregory Pergament of Madison, WI) to release a book of poetry titled: “Hopped Up Cranked Flip Top Chrome Plated Hot Rockin’ Cherry Chariot” as part of a music show at Gamma Ray Bar in Madison, WI on Wednesday July 24, 2024 presented by Gamma Ray Bar. In addition to the book release, there will be a FlowPoetry performance featuring New York based percussionist Noah Lehrman who has gigged with international legends including Nile Rodgers, the late Babatunde Olatunji, & Charles Neville. Supporting musical acts include Def Sonic(WI), an ambient folk & electronica artist, and Lukie P. (WI)., an acoustic singer/songwriter. “Hopped Up Cranked Flip Top Chrome Plated Hot Rockin’ Cherry Chariot” is FlowPoetry’s 4th published work in-print and explores a performative lyrical jam based style of poetry. “Beautifully crafted poetry…brilliant!”, raves Sensible Reason (Brooklyn, NY). “Few people in his scene are as creative as Pergament, who turns music into art.”, states Isthmus Newspaper (Madison, WI). Deeply beautiful.”, declares Relix Magazine. With over 1500 shows in the USA with bands and as a solo poet, FlowPoetry was voted by the city as one of Madison (Wisconsin) Magazine’s Best Spoken Word/Poetry Performers in 2014, ’15, and ’16. He is a three-time finalist for Best Artist in the Annual Madison WI Area Music Awards and the winner of two Dane County Artist Grants. He has appeared at over 80 Midwest and East Coast Music and Arts festivals. “A lyrical rollercoaster!”, writes Grateful Web Music Blog. “Legendary spoken word artist”, raves Madison.com. “FlowPoetry is one of the most unique and riveting performers on the Midwestern musical and artistic landscape. On the cutting edge of the nationwide expansion of new forms of spoken word…. unique, theatrical and musical.”, DeKalb Chronicle (DeKalb, IL)

I had the chance to get back into the mind quickly with Adam about the new book and the upcoming event/tour. We dive riGht into the new book of poetry to uncover where that title comes from, the book’s journey to completion and we get into one of the poems that grabbed my attention immediately. We get into the upcoming event, (the who’s who and what’s what of the artists) and the new venue space, Gamma Ray. We have had Adam on a few different times now over the years, as his tales told, and the presentation of such tales in a ‘jamular’ flow, always have spoken to me, and I am sure they will, wherever and whenever. Ride that Chariot where it takes us.

Wave From The WOOniverse with Evan Taylor

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Evan Taylor is a Hollywood-based producer, songwriter, & multi-instrumentalist. Taylor is also the owner & operator of boutique record label, Loantaka Records, and sister studio Loantaka Sound. He is also the former Bernie Worrell Orchestra bandleader Evan Taylor who’s latest production is the posthumous release, Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse. It’s a double album concocted in 14 cities, issued on 12” LP vinyl a day after Bernie’s birthday, (April 19) on Record Store Day 2024 by Org Music in conjunction with Loantaka Records as a Record Store Day “exclusive.” As of today, it’s available via streaming platforms. A co-release from Loantaka Records & Org Music is available on CD August 16th, 2024. Taylor has remained behind the scenes for most of his career. He worked in various capacities with Bernie, mike watt, Money Mark, Theresa Wayman (Warpaint), King Tuff, The Chapin Sisters, and Jimmy Destri of Blondie. He has participated in eclectic recording projects and performed with practically every member of Talking Heads. Evan’s also released a string of critically acclaimed singles as part of the Art-Rock duo Purple Witch of Culver. Evan has never identified with the archetype of “cosmic Funkateer.” He grew up with diverse tastes that ran from The Beach Boys to Prince. As a producer his brand has been “staying off-brand.” In 2022, Taylor was presented with a unique opportunity he felt he had been preparing for his entire career. Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse addresses the abundance of unfinished work Bernie Worrell, a prolific writer & visionary, left behind when he passed away in 2016. These compositions remained untouched for a period of decades, collecting dust on reels of two-inch analog tape. Eventually, the tapes were re-examined to analyze Bernie’s nuanced & creative method. After a period of deep reflection, the Bernie Worrell estate decided it was time to complete his vision. The list of innovators who wanted to participate and make sure this initiative was completed with dedication to preserving the integrity of the magic which makes Bernie a beloved extraordinary soul. Also included on the album is a previously unreleased Funkadelic track, “Contusion,” which showcases Bernie’s masterful work with the legendary, pathfinding group.

Tracklisting:

1. Intro (Reflections on a Bird) – Feat. Nick Montoya
2. Distant Star – Feat. Jerry Harrison with Paul Dooley, Alecia Chakour & Invisible Familiars
3. What Have they Done to My Funk – Feat. Bootsy Collins, Michael Moon Reuben, Ouiwey Collins, & Buckethead
4. Heapin’ Bowl of Gumbo – Feat. Leo Nocentelli, Fred Wesley, Stanton Moore with Lonnie Marshall
5. Re-Enter Black Light (Phase II) – Feat. Sean Lennon
6. The Big WOO – Feat. Fred Schneider with Binky Griptight, Marco Benevento, Kyp Malone, Jaleel Bunton, & Steve Scales
7. Greenpoint – Feat. Steven Bernstein with Smokey Hormel, Mauro Refosco, Scott Hogan, & Michael Jerome
8. Soldiers of the Stars Feat. Daru Jones & Eric McFadden
9. When The Rain Subsides – Feat. Will Calhoun
10. Pedro WOO – Feat. Mike Watt
11. Contusion (Funkadelic)
12. Transcendence – Feat. Marc Ribot & Norwood Fisher
13. Wave From the WOOniverse – feat. Miho Hatori with Sarah La Puerta, Steve Scales & Invisible Familiars

I had the chance to catch with with Evan to get some insider views into the sounds. We get deep into this posthumous record from friend of the proGram, Dr. Bernie Worrell, from the invitation to get involved to the creation of and the invites to the many artists who contributed. We specifically get into a few of the folks, and it was as if Evan was reading my mind on the people he picked to talk about. We talked a bit about process and the choosing of who will work with who. What a cool time. We talked about the relationships formed between the two, and how getting back into some of this music was not a jump into the fire moment for Evan, he had to make sure he could get through emotions attached. We also talk about his label, Loantaka Records and one of his strangest projects.

The Joy Of The Campbell Brothers

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

At countless performances over the past 3 decades, the Campbell Brothers have taken far-reaching, genre-spanning audiences to church — namely the Pentecostal House of God, where their transcendent “sacred steel” tradition of guitar-focused gospel music flourished. But with INNOVA, out August 2 on Ropeadope, the Campbells deliver their most profound testament yet to the faith that has inspired their work and, in recent years, guided them through tragedy. These 9 tracks comprise the Campbells’ first studio album since 2013’s ‘Beyond the 4 Walls’, and their 1st studio LP since the shocking passing of lap-steel guitarist Darick Campbell, who died in 2020 at age 53, of complications related to heart surgery. After this devastating loss, and in the midst of the Covid pandemic, guitarist Phillip & pedal-steel player Chuck were faced with a daunting hurdle – how do they continuing doing what it is they’ve been doing? The answer is that you can’t. So with INNOVA, the Campbells have reimagined their group while continuing to honor their integrity & heritage. An essential part of this renewal can be found in Phillip’s songs, which burst forth with locomotive grooves, unbridled guitar wizardry and powerful messages of perseverance and healing. Alongside Phillip & Chuck on this outing are official band members including drummer & vocalist Carlton Campbell, bassist Daric Bennett and lead vocalist Denise Brown, as well as special guests who uphold the Brothers’ ideal of church-rooted strength: the singer Ron Staples, heir to Joe Ligon’s throne in the Mighty Clouds of Joy; Serena Young, a worship leader from the Campbells’ hometown of Rochester, N.Y., and an alumnus of the Kirk Franklin-hosted BET show Sunday Best; and Rochester organ great Rufus McGee. The Campbells developed in Rochester under the tough-love tutelage of their father, a bishop in the House of God Church, who delivered to his musician-sons a paradoxical demand: resist the temptations of secular music, but push yourself to meet the standards of blues, jazz and country music heroes: B.B. King, George Benson, Roy Clark, Jimmy Day, Buddy Emmons. A sense of fierce but healthy competition created an extrasensory rapport among the boys, a kind of musical mind-reading that perfectly suited the heavenward, snowballing passion of gospel. After the Campbell Brothers released their debut album in 1997 on the storied Arhoolie label, they began to stir interest among a vast and diverse swath of dedicated music fans: blues aficionados who heard them as a living conduit to a rich if unsung strain of Black roots music; jam-band kids who appreciated their funky, exhilarating spirituality; devotees of R&B and contemporary gospel who grew up in the church themselves. They worked constantly in the ensuing years, and became highly decorated keepers of a uniquely American tradition. The Campbells were named NEA National Heritage Fellows, received a commission to arrange John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme for its 50th anniversary, and collaborated with B.B. King, Mavis Staples, Medeski Martin & Wood, the Allman Brothers Band, the Blind Boys of Alabama and many others. Their music was even featured in The Sopranos.

I had the honor of catching up with Mr. Phillip Campbell ahead of the Campbell Brothers heading back to Madison to play La Fête De Marquette on July 13th. We get into the forthcoming uniqueness of this event: ‘Praise Break w/ Campbell Brothers, Fountain of Life Church and more’, and how something like this is the exact reason that the Campbell Brothers continue to spread the happiness and joy wherever they go. We talk about what a set of theirs usually consists of, stylistically, sonically (tunings) and oh yes, spiritually. While that image of what will go on at this festival, and anywhere you can catch them brightening your day, is something I cannot wait to become a present moment reality, it is the new album that I am also excited to be able to chat about. We get deep into the new record of tunes, ‘Innova’. We go seed to flower, but there is so much flower on this record, the sun and water must have nurtured it just riGht as it was growing. We talk about the feelings of this music (and you’ll feel it too) and the remembrance of before and the steps into tomorrow. We talk Sacred Steel and collaborators so I can wrap my head around just how this music seems to fit in everywhere, at any time. It all did circle back to that anthem of Happiness and Joy. I am ok with that!

Maude Caillat Quartet Come With Free Jazz

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Maude Caillat is a prolific saxophonist leading four different projects all around the New Orleans area. The Maude Caillat Quartet is the most intimate version of her vast musical universe. Still recognized as an emerging new sound in the New Orleans jazz scene, the Quartet fuses in modern and traditional African & Arabic influences with a perfect amount of a Coltrane-esque thang. Sophistication, passionate improvisation, and heartfelt melodies are just a few words to describe the music of these inspired artists. Her quartet put out a release mid 2023, ‘Follow the Camel’, which is a completely free improvised sonic journey. The album features Maude Caillat on tenor sax & flute, Luke Palmer on keys & fingerboard, Sean Weber on bass and Moses Eder on drums and percussions. ‘Follow The Camel’ was recorded at Fountain Sound Studio in New Orleans by Biff Hitchins, mixed and mastered by Ratty Scurvics with original artwork by Dominic Sgro from Catahoula Tattoo. Produced and independantly released by the Maude Caillat Quartet.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Maude a little better in a recent call. Listening to her music, especially the quartet’s album ‘Follow The Camel’ has really set me off in a new, unknown direction. Seemed completely possible that a live event with her and a band would be an adventure of sonic discovery. We talked about her upcoming stop in Madison on July 6th at the North Street Cabaret and am definitely convinced that what is coming our way (and hopefully wherever you are, your way too) is going to be that of a new place/space creation. The way Maude describes how she got into the “Free Jazz scene’ in New Orleans and how it was just so much fun not following any set guidelines and truly letting the feeling…the music, guide. We find out the quartet coming our way is a little diffrent when it comes to who is playing, and how by the end of the tour, the aim is to create a new record based on the meetings/feelings/explorations of this tour. Listen in to find out how friend of the proGram Mike Dillon fits into Maude’s planning and I believe we learn just how freeing an improvised sharing for players and audience can be a place to build of a fresh new vision.

Spending Quality Time With Meklit

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Meklit Hadero is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, & composer, known for her electric stage presence, innovative sound & vibrant cultural activism. Her latest EP ‘Ethio Blue’ was released March 8, 2024. Meklit’s Ethio-Jazz performances have taken her to renowned stages across 4 continents. Her 2017 album ‘When the People Move, the Music Moves Too’ topped world music charts across the US + Europe, and was named amongst the best of the year by Bandcamp & The Sunday Times UK. Meklit has collaborated with renowned artists such as Kronos Quartet, Andrew Bird, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the late creator of funk music, Pee Wee Ellis. Meklit has always straddled her creative practice with her passion for cultural activism. She is the former Head of Creativity and Impact at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, where she helped design & implement a slate of radical programs supporting social justice focused artists during the height of the pandemic. She is a sought after thought leader & speaker and has given talks on multiple TED Stages, at the UN, and at the National Geographic Storytellers Summit, as well as at companies, organizations & Universities around the globe. She is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, and a former Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University. She is the co-founder of the Nile Project, a featured voice in UN Women’s theme song and the winner of the 2021 globalFEST Artist Award. Meklit has been a guest DJ on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, created new works via commissions from Lincoln Center, MAP Fund, Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, Stanford Live, NYU Abu Dhabi and so many more. Her music has been featured by the New York Times, BBC, CNN, NPR, Washington Post, Vibe Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe and many more. The list is long, but Meklit is also co-founder, co-producer & host of Movement, a new podcast, radio series & live show uplifting the stories/songs of immigrant musicians. The show airs monthly on PRX’s The World to an audience of around 2.5 million listeners.

I had the complete pleasure of chatting with Meklit about her latest project, her self-released ‘Ethio-Blue EP. We got into how it went from it’s beginning (a true birth-like moment) to its release into the world. We dissect a couple of tracks to get a little more inside the mind’s eye as we tend to look with our ears first. There’s family style props to all that worked on this project and you can sense it from the final product, that they people who put the puzzle toGether, cared for these songs. Before we hit record, I mentioned about wanting to talk about the National Geographic Explorer title she has as a part of her name because I had a little joke for it. Find out what grade my joke received and how you too could become an explorer. We also spend some time talking about the super cool transmedia storytelling initiative that lives at the intersection of migration and music, known as Movement. I really have had my phone to my ear learning and listening about people I am more interested in already after being introduced via this platform. This is just one of so many projects that Meklit is a part of, has been a part of as a bridge builder. We find out if she ever gets nervous or maybe perhaps a little gushy ever speaking to such cool and interesting artists/people. Before letting her go, and I think we could have just kept on talkin’ as the energy was so positive and felt like hanging out with a friend….we found out a little setlist stylin’ Meklit would put out for listeners if she took the DJ baton from me, she picks one from ‘Ethio Blue’ and then we get a some of her local flavors from the S.F. Bay area to get an education on.

Photo by Alexa Treviño.

Joe Marcinek Brings It on 1 River Street

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

The Joe Marcinek Band is a vibrant fusion of the Chicago Blues, Dat New Orleans Funk, Grateful Dead inspired jamming psychedelia and an array of intricate jazz fusion which creates a unique and eclectic musical journey. Attending a Joe Marcinek Band concert is an electrifying experience that takes listeners on a diverse musical journey. Each concert is unique, as the band is known for its improvisational skills, ensuring that no two performances are exactly alike. The band’s palpable energy and passion for music are infectious, making their concerts not just a listening experience, but a full-fledged musical adventure that resonates with fans of diverse musical tastes. Expect a night filled with skillful musicianship, unexpected musical turns, and a lively atmosphere that invites the audience to be part of the band’s ever-evolving musical narrative. For years now, Joe has also been curating a collection of albums with each showing that true range and ability he has with the music but also how he interacts with other artists to find their personal together landscape. It always feels fresh and evolving. His latest release, 1 River Street, was recorded in Massachusetts at Iron Wax Studios with Alan Evans producing and on drums, Nate Edgar on bass, Kris Yunker on keys, Brian Thomas on trombone and Alex Lee-Clark on trumpet and Jared Sims on sax & flute. It’s a tight collection of eight sharply-honed tunes that brinGs the funky and groove of life within each note.

I had an opportunity to catchup with family to the proGram, Joe Marcinek to get into the new record 1 River Street. We talk about the evolution of both him as an artist and this new music. We get into the above mentioned players and friend of the program, Mr. Alan Evans’ studio and the desire for both to work with each other finally on a record like this. So this one is on Alan’s Vintage League Music label which is a conduit for many a funky great. Mostly, I really wanted to tell him how funky he is and that this record really shows off where the experiences of many years now has taken him. We find out what big shows Joe and his rotation of cool musical comrades played in the past year or so and highlight a couple of the bigger ones to look forward to this year. Joe is family, he is open to what & where the groove takes him, and I just really respect someone who can work with so many different people and the music still has it’s own unique smile to it, each time. If you are looking for a groove, it could very well live inside of 1 River Street.

Cash Box Kings Come Knockin’

By | | ,
Leave a comment

The Cash Box Kings are co-led by real-deal Chicago blues vocalist & songwriter Oscar “Mr. 43rd Street” Wilson, and Madison, Wisconsin-based songwriter, harmonica giant & singer Joe Nosek, plays masterfully raw, unvarnished, old-school ensemble blues. Wilson’s huge, emotive vocals and Nosek’s blistering harmonica fuel their razor-sharp original songs and always incisive reinvention of obscure blues classics. On their new Alligator Records album, Oscar’s Motel (their 3rd for the label & 11th overall), The Cash Box Kings bring contemporary authority and old-school authenticity to each of the album’s 11 tracks. The band, featuring guitarist Billy Flynn, drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, bassist John W. Lauler, and keyboardist Lee Kanehira, opens a door into the intoxicating spirit and sounds of 1950s and 1960s Chicago-based blues, and then they bring it all right up to the minute with Wilson & Nosek’s original, instantly memorable songs. The history of The Cash Box Kings begins in Madison, Wisconsin where Nosek founded the band in 2001. Since 2007, his co-leader has been the charismatic, larger-than-life Chicago blues vocalist Oscar Wilson. Over 20 years apart in age and coming from vastly different backgrounds, the two form an unlikely pair, combining Wilson’s indisputably authentic South Side Chicago blues vocals and gritty, street-smart songwriting chops with Nosek’s storytelling vocals, dynamic harmonica and witty tunesmithing. In their first 6 years, The Cash Box Kings’ top-notch musicianship and deep blues feeling won the band a large and loyal audience across the Midwest. Wilson joined the group in 2007, bringing with him an instantly commanding stage presence and an authoritative vocal style that gives fire-breathing power to the music. A captivating singer, born in Chicago with the blues in his blood and with an encyclopedic knowledge of almost every blues song known to man, Wilson is a natural-born entertainer and a perfect foil for Nosek and the band. Born in 1953 on Chicago’s 43rd Street (aka “Muddy Waters Drive”), Wilson grew up in the company of many famous blues artists. Junior Wells, Elmore James, Big Smokey Smothers and close family friend David “Honeyboy” Edwards were all regulars at weekly Friday night fish fries/jam sessions at the Wilson home. Throughout his adulthood, Wilson held regular jobs but was always welcome sitting in with Chicago blues mainstays like Melvin Taylor & Johnny B. Moore. His vocal inspirations range from Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Albert King to Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Rogers and Little Walter, but he mostly sings like Oscar Wilson. A self-described blues fanatic, Nosek, born in Wisconsin in 1974 and raised the Chicago suburbs, spent his youth soaking up as much blues music as he could hear, both live and on record. In his teens, he began sneaking into blues clubs to watch Junior Wells, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Sunnyland Slim and others. He took up harmonica, quickly cultivating his own aggressive, fluid style. After moving to Madison in the early 1990s, he began sitting in with artists such as Clyde Stubblefield & Luther Allison. Finding like-minded musicians hell-bent on playing raw, rough-edged, hard-charging blues, Nosek formed The Cash Box Kings. They released their first album, Live! At The King Club, in 2003, instantly earning praise from critics and fans, and gaining a reputation as one of the hottest live bands on the circuit. With 10 previous releases to their credit and hundreds of live performances under their belts, The Cash Box Kings have won widespread acclaim throughout the blues world. Their Alligator Records debut, 2017’s Royal Mint, was named among the Top Ten Blues Albums of the Year by MOJOmagazine. 2019’s Hail To The Kings! continued the trend, with the band receiving three Blues Music Award nominations, praise from media including NPR, The Chicago Tribune, AllMusic.com, UK’s MOJO and Blues & Rhythm, and radio airplay around the world. The Cash Box Kings continue to play major festivals across the U.S. and Europe. They’ve blown away audiences at the Chicago Blues Festival, the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, the Doheny Blues Festival, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Cincinnati Blues Festival, the Cambridge Folk Festival (UK), the Moulin Blues Festival (Netherlands), the Lucerne Blues Festival (Switzerland), the Baltic Blues Festival (Germany) and the Edmonton Blues Festival (Canada). They have also performed in Belgium, France, Spain & Uruguay, building their worldwide audience one jaw-dropping show at a time. No matter where The Cash Box Kings perform, they bring the music to fuel the party. Between Wilson’s natural blues vocal power and Nosek’s talent at wringing every last drop of emotion from his harmonica, The Cash Box Kings never fail to wow their longtime fans while earning new ones at every gig.

I had the chance to catch up with Joe Nosek ahead of a busy week in and around Madison. On Tuesday the 18th they will be rockin’ the Harry Whitehorse Sculpture Festival, and on the 21st, the Cash Box Kings will be part of a Make Music Madison event at 4pm and then aGain that evening at the North Street Cabaret. We start by filling in any newcomers to the scene on what to expect from a CBK’s show, traditional blues with a modern feel striving to provide a mosaic of feelings and get down rhythms. We go into their latest release on Alligator Records, ‘Oscar’s Motel’ and get deeper into the how’s and why’s of what they did and do for this record. We talk about speaking up and being the voice of the times as well as living the dream of working & hanging with friend of the program, Mr. Buddy Guy. Also, this chat would not be complete without hearing what track off the new album Joe would pick to share in a set, and what other artists would get in that list.

Peter Dominguez Talks String Theory

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Peter Dominguez grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and began performing with the Music for Youth Orchestras and his father; pianist and vocalist Frank DeMiles. Peter went on to study with Roger Ruggeri and Richard Davis at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and with Dr Lucas Drew at the University of Miami. Peter served as Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at Michigan State University from 1984-96, and continued studies with Robert Gladstone while substituting with the Detroit Symphony. The former Principal Bass with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the American Sinfonietta, Peter was Professor of Jazz Studies and Double Bass 1990-2020 at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He is currently Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He continues to perform with an impressive array of Classical, Jazz, and Latin artists throughout the Americas and Europe. His teaching includes national and international classes, adjudication of international competitions, artistic direction of the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassist Inc annual conference in Madison Wisconsin, and the director of the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass. Peter’s recordings include ‘How About This’ (2010) & ‘Groove Dreams’ (2017) performed on Milt Hinton’s famous 1790 bass. Another solo recording entitled ‘Bass Salute’ (2023) featuring Richard Davis’s 1855 Lion Head double bass.

I had the chance to catch up with Peter about the upcoming event as part of the 2024 Madison Jazz Festival. On June 13th from 7-9pm at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Peter, who is the producer of the new documentary: String Theory: The Richard Davis Method, will be screening & participating in a Q&A (and perhaps he may let the Lion Roar?!) about the documentary and the life, career & legacy of a legend, Mr. Richard Davis. We go deep into the creation of this endeavor – including a great tale from an original screening in Milwaukee highlighting the maGic of The memories include the different ways Mr. Davis would inspire students to try and even that level of success into a double-bass equality with other more prominent instruments, it was not a ‘traditional’ teaching method many have said, but clearly it is all about the results, the people and the wholistic education art provides both student and society. Peter is also going to be playing with his long time friend Gerri DiMaggio on the Terrace, June 15th at 3pm, so we touch base on what is gonna go down when that goes down.

Lost & Found With Raul Midón

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist & Engineer, Raul Midón established himself as a first-call session singer upon graduation from the prestigious Studio Jazz program at the University of Miami in 1991. He sang background vocals on more than 60 Latin recordings, many Grammy winning. In 1999 he was asked to join the touring band of Shakira. During that time, he was creating his own original music and was signed to a development deal with Warner Chappel. He left Shakira’s band to move to NYC to pursue his own career. Within a year he debuted at Carnegie Hall with the Movie Music of Spike Lee. Spike engaged him to write the end credit song for “She Hate Me.” At the same time Raul was signed by legendary producer Arif Mardin to his label under the Blue Note moniker, Manhattan Records. Raul has worked with countless legends in the industry including Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, Sting, Terence Blanchard, & Dianne Reeves to name several. He received 2 Grammy nominations back-to-back in 2017 & 2018 for his albums “Bad Ass and Blind” & “If You Really Want” in the Best Jazz Vocal Category. Since moving to the DMV he established himself as an accomplished recording engineer, recording all the vocals for both of the aforementioned in his home studio. In 2019 he was invited to speak at his high school Alma Mater Santa Fe Prep and also was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Miami. In 2021 he was awarded the Disability Rights Ambassador of the year award, presented to him in a virtual ceremony by his friend and colleague Jason Mraz. During the COVID lockdown, Raul continued to collaborate with colleagues and appears in a duet on the Grammy winning album “Mendo” by Alex Cuba. He chose to pursue a long-time dream of recording a guitar duets album with some of his favorite guitarists including Mike Stern, Dean Parks, Lionel Loueke, Julia Bailen, Stephane Wrembel, Alex Cuba and more. This album ‘Eclectic Adventurist’ was released on his own label, ReKondite ReKords on 11/11/ 2022, to acclaimed reviews. He continues to tour, write, record and is working on a novel, ‘Tembererana’, and he is also back in strong 2024 with a brand new album to share, ‘Lost & Found’.

I had the pleasure of re-connecting with Raul ahead of his June 8th event at Cafe Coda as part of the 2024 Madison Jazz Festival. We get into what that show should be like as he is heading here after just releasing a brand new record, Lost & Found. We get into how that album went from ideas to release, working in his own studio and which tunes off the album seem to be hitting just right with audiences. Some even to his surprise. We get a chance to learn a little more about the person Raul is as we chat in depth about his fascination and practicing of the HAM radio. His love and respect of this communication wizardry certainly reignited a spark within this G. We also talk about ding the National Anthem recently at an OKC Thunder playoff game and is approach to performing the anthem – check it here. well, you know me, it would not be a good talk if we didn’t get a moment to talk about a level of cool, like Raul being honored as the Disability Rights Ambassador a few years back.

Da Funk Up With Delvon Lamarr

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio — or as it is sometimes referred to, DLO3—specializes in the lost art of “feel-good music.” The precise sequence of music chosen by Delvon is unique in itself, as he creates an experience for each show based on the vibe and feel of that audience. This includes the 1960s organ jazz stylings of Jimmy Smith and Baby Face Willette, a tweak of the snappy soul strut of Booker T. & The M.G.’s, and The Meters. It teases you with Motown, Stax Records, Blues, and many other styles that often will surprise you. It’s a concoction that goes straight to your heart and soul, leaving you emotionally connected on a whole new level. The band features organist Delvon Lamarr, a self-taught virtuosic musician with perfect pitch who taught himself jazz and has effortlessly been able to play many instruments. The trio is formed by collecting a unique blend of guitarists and drummers worldwide. They leave you with a feeling of wonder caused by seeing something surprisingly beautiful and unforgettable for their fans at every show.

It is always a pleasure to catch up with family to the proGram, Delvon Lamarr. This time around he is heading back to Madison to play an afternoon and an evening show at the Bur Oak on June 16th. We get into the new look trio and how he has gone about finding band members these days, which led into a very interesting crystal ball type observation. We also get into him talking about getting lost in writing a lot of new music and how when he is there, doing that, nothing else seems to be. You know me, I like the new stuff. The amount of party Madison will be feeling June 16th could be documented on video channels, you’ll get the idea, but nothing beats that organ trio feeling that letting it all vibrate into you. Before letting him go, we do get into him building a setlist with one of his tunes and then get a pen and paper to jot down his other choices. Soul on!

Nation Beat’s Archaic Humans & Scott Kettner

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

When band leader Scott Kettner looks at a map, he sees a direct line that connects the rivers of northeastern Brazil to the parishes of New Orleans & the streets of NYC. It’s a connection that came to him in 1999 amid the swirling dancers, ecstatic musicians, & powerful percussionists parading in the streets during Carnival in Recife, Brazil. He was there at the urging of his mentor, NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart, to study maracatu, the region’s complex, dance-inducing rhythm. He came home with a vision, a vision that achieves its highest, funkiest, & most expansive expression to date with the release of Nation Beat’s latest album, ‘Archaic Humans’, out end of May on Ropeadope Records. That day in Recife, Scott heard the thread that connects the musics of Brazil & New Orleans. A master percussionist, composer, educator, & the guiding force behind Nation Beat, he has been tracing the similarities between the music & culture of northeastern Brazil and the American South for 2 decades, through recordings & performances, as well as educational/community outreach programs. Back in 2017, Kettner expanded his conception of the Nation Beat sound to incorporate his background in jazz & hybrid drumming, and he began collaborating with tenor saxophonist/arranger extraordinaire Paul Carlon. With the release of ‘The Royal Chase’ in 2020, Nation Beat injected the high-octane improvisations of NYC bop into the thunderous grooves of northeastern Brazil and the swagger of parading New Orleans brass, moving hips & feet and setting brains on fire. The Royal Chase marked a new phase in the band’s cross-cultural explorations and the album charted on both World & Jazz radio charts and spent over a year on the Roots Report chart, peaking at #1. With the release of ‘Archaic Humans’, Nation Beat expands its cross-cultural explorations even further and leaves an original mark on the music. While maintaining the infectious, audacious rhythmic and brass energy of its Brazil & New Orleans roots, the band lights up the afterburners on its jazz chops and reaches into fresh new territory with new collaborators. GRAMMY-nominated progressive hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon from Washington, DC, & soulful South African singer/songwriter Melanie Scholtz braid radically new & uplifting strands into the Nation Beat thread on several tracks. As exciting/adventurous as their recordings are, the band’s live shows have taken on an almost mythological aura for their ability to lift the souls & move the feet of their ever-growing cross-cultural audience.

I had the pleasure of chattinG with Scott Kettner about this brand new album coming out end of May from Ropeadope Records. We talk about the journey it took to go from the new ideas into the final product that I am proud to be able to get into your thirsty ear-holes. This is music to feel as you enjoy with those ears. It hits so deeply. Not ever shy to work with others, we get into the hows/whys of both Christylez & Melanie as choices to be art of the project – clearly after a few (ok..ok..ok..MANY) listens this was a great choice, as they feel like the were just waiting along the way to be in the parade. I like ot find out what helps an artist call a label home, and we find out what Ropeadope is doing to help make this music progress. When not making music, where can you find Scott, find out his special place and what artist he would chooses to build a setlist and what song off the new album does he work in?

Stephane Wrembel Back In Madison

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Stephane Wrembel is one of the finest guitar players in the world. The breadth & range of his playing & compositions are unmatched. This prolific musician, composer, educator, & musical director has released a steady stream of music since 2002 making his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music. He has headlined Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Town Hall in NYC & The Lyon Opera House in France. He has toured and/or shared stages with master violinist Mark O’Connor, Sam Bush, Stochelo Rosenberg, Esperanza Spalding, & Al Di Meola. He has dazzled audiences at Montreal Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Django Reinhardt Festival in France, Ellnora Guitar Festival, Caramoor Jazz Festival & many others. Born in Paris and raised in Fontainebleau, the home of Impressionism & Django Reinhardt, Stephane 1st studied classical piano, at the age of 4. But in his mid-teens, he discovered that he had an affinity for guitar and then he found out about Django and fell in love w/the very strong impressionist feel in his music. Django, long regarded as one of the most influential musicians/composers of all time, was a Sinti, so Wrembel immersed himself in Sinti culture and started learning the atmosphere of what it really means to play Sinti-style guitar. He learned from the masters such as Angelo Debarre & Serge Krief. After graduating summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2002, he released his debut album, Introducing Stephane Wrembel. He moved to NYC in 2003. Before long, word of this remarkable European transplant began spreading among fellow musicians in the robust New York music scene. Both Gypsy Rumble (2005), which includes mandolin legend David Grisman, and 2006’s Barbes-Brooklyn found favor with critics. Oscar-winning director Woody Allen used one of Gypsy Rumble’s tracks, “Big Brother,” in his 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Hiss fourth album, Terre Des Hommes, was released the same year. In 2003, Wrembel created his own annual event, Django á Gogo Music Festival & Guitar Camp, 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 & The Town Hall. This weeklong event held in his hometown of Maplewood, N.J. & NYC is now being produced in Los Angeles, Canada & beyond. Wrembel’s breakthrough came with his original composition “Bistro Fada,” a Django-influenced swinging waltz on his 5th album Origins that became the theme song for Woody Allen’s 2011 Oscar®-winning film, Midnight In Paris. It was included on the Grammy®-winning soundtrack for the film. Wrembel performed the irresistibly catchy “Bistro Fada” live during the 2012 Academy Awards® ceremony with an all-star ensemble led by Hans Zimmer. In 2016, Wrembel released two masterfully recorded live albums: Live In India and Live In Rochester. From 2017-2021, Stephane released The Django Experiment I -The Django Experiment VI under the nom du plume The Django Experiment. These 6 volumes were recorded with long-time collaborators Thor Jensen on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on double bass, Nick Anderson on drums& Nick Driscoll on saxophone and clarinet, live in the studio, evoking new interpretations of Reinhardt’s music as well as songs by other jazz composers. In 2019, Wrembel produced Les Yeux Noirs, the debut CD by Simba Baumgartner, Django’s great-grandson. Baumgartner, who lives in the countryside in France, was one of the special guests at Django á Gogo 2019 & 2023. That same year, he released Django L’Impressionniste putting the spotlight on 17 little-known preludes for solo guitar Reinhardt recorded between 1937 and 1950. Wrembel is the first interpreter who has performed all of these pieces and collected them in one definitive masterwork. It took 4 years to meticulously transcribe the songs. He released a beautifully printed/bound book of sheet music in April of 2021. In November of 2021, he debuted his specialty group Django New Orleans, a 9-piece NYC-based band, with 8 sold-out shows at Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club. The following year his specialty program Shades of Django sold out two nights in The Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Now, in 2024, he is doing another something he has never done, recording a triptych album with a duet of guitar & piano with Jean-Michel Pilc. Following the success of these shows, Wrembel released Django New Orleans in May of 2023 in conjunction with the Django á Gogo festival. And while he is now considered one of the preeminent master guitarists in the world specialized in the Django Reinhardt style, this wonderful human keeps transcending & expanding. His music incorporates jazz, blues, classical, swing, flamenco and rock. All of these influences come together as a genre identifiable only as Stephane Wrembel.

I had the pleasure of catching up with family to the proGram, Stephane Wrembel ahead of his May 21st event at the Bur Oak here in Madison, presented by the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest. We get into the event here with the quartet and what types of things to expect. We will be in store from something off the new and amazing triptych album with Jean-Michel Pilc. We get deep into that new trilogy with meaning and how the two artist have taken that new energy and become close friends, not only for their musical creation. I would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment or two to let Stephane brag and boast a little it about the 2024 Django-A-Gogo and my my my, there’s a lot to be proud about once again. I am proud to call Stephane a friend as when we talk, and you’ll hear it aGain, there’s a rhythm and ebb & flow to us as well, and you’ll feel that personal connection I bet when you plug into the records and most definitely when you catch him in any of his projects live.

Photo by Jason Goodman