We had a great chat with jazz vibraphonist Ed Smith, faculty member at the University of North Texas and SMU.  Ben was able to meet with him in person for this interview.

Topics: Gamelan, jazz vibes, the Malletech Love vibe, John Cage, Gamelan Wanita

Watch here. Listen below.

If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element

0:00 Intro and hello

1:40 Ed’s current projects and relationship with Ben

4:46 Malletech Love Vibe and pedaling technique

13:09 “Neptune” and vibrato notation

15:58 Mason: “How did you first get interested in gamelan and decide to bring it to UNT?”

20:02 Shadow Puppetry and Gender Wayang

24:33 Transcribing Balinese music

27:28 Establishing a gamelan at UNT

29:50 Dance and Martha Graham

33:03 Megan: Gamelan Wanita

38:22 Composing for Gamelan Gong Kebyar

40:54 Gamelan Beleganjur

42:36 Working with John Cage

44:44 Ben: John Cage, part 1

55:27 Working with Stuart Copland

58:16 Ted Jackson: What is the most important thing you want your students to know by the time they graduate?

59:21 Wrap