Backstage at The Enharmonic

April 29, 2016 Today's guest is the ever ebullient Joseph Conyers, assistant principal bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, founder of Project440 and the newly appointed director of the Philadelphia All City Orchestra.  In this episode Joseph reminisces about dancing to the clothes washer, auditioning and winning the Philadelphia Orchestra job, and his halcyon days of being a certified storm tracker and dreams of becoming a meteorologist.

Joseph H. Conyers was appointed assistant principal bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2010. He joined the Orchestra after a one-and-a-half year tenure with the Atlanta Symphony, three-and-a half years as principal bass of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and four summers as a member of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.

April 19, 2016 In this episode Sean has a captivating discussion with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra bass player Michael Kurth.  He discusses his earliest influences his including K.I.S.S., The Blues Brothers movie, beating a chest of drawers with a hammer, and his affinity for the rock band Tool, plus a preview of an exciting ASO recording session with music director Robert Spano for the 17-18 season.
 

Michael Kurth (b. 1971) has been a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra bass section since 1994. The Orchestra has given world premieres of two of his orchestral works, May Cause Dizziness in 2011 under Roberto Abbado, and Everything Lasts Forever in 2013 under Music Director Robert Spano. His third Atlanta Symphony Orchestra commission will be premiered in February 2016.  

April 12, 2016 In this episode Sean spends time talking with the legendary drummer, Hal Blaine.  Hal goes way back and reminisces about taking his mother's rocking chair apart and using the dowelings as drumsticks, talks about his three years in Chicago studying with Roy Knapp (Gene Krupa's teacher) after serving in the Korean War, discusses his work with the Wrecking Crew, tells about his amazing compliment from Buddy Rich, evaluates his role as an accompanist on the drums, hints at an exciting upcoming project and much more!
 

April 3, 2016 Sean spends a few minutes talking with famed saxophonist (Billy Joel, The Beach Boys) and producer Richie Cannata about his earliest influences. Topics include Pete Fountain, Mickey Mouse and Liberty DeVitto.