Close Enough for Jazz

We sit down with scat singer and physicist Lorin Benedict to explore his highly unique vocal improvisations and what it’s like to start a serious music career at age 31. Lorin explains the extra-musical origins of his nonsense-syllable language and why he treats his voice like a horn, drawing inspiration from instrumental giants. He shares hilarious insights into his own self-awareness, discussing why he proudly displays a negative Jazz Times review on his website, and reflects on how his intense listening habits were shaped by a childhood surrounded by Cleveland Orchestra musicians. We also dive into how Steve Coleman convinced him to jump into the scene, his collaborations with Kim Cass and Louis Cole's Knower, the parallels between physics and music, and his upcoming duo albums with Anthony Fung and Caroline Davis.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro: The advantages of starting a music career later in life
• 00:49 - Developing a unique language of syllables and nonsense words
• 02:40 - Approaching the voice as an instrument rather than a traditional singer
• 06:01 - Recording in the bathroom and analyzing his own syllabic phrasing
• 08:44 - Agreeing with a negative review from Jazz Times ("annoying wordless vocals")
• 19:28 - Growing up with classical musicians in the Cleveland Orchestra
• 23:35 - Going to physics grad school at UC Berkeley and meeting Vijay Iyer
• 25:54 - How Steve Coleman convinced Lorin to become a musician at 31
• 45:13 - Forming a standards duo with bassist Kim Cass
• 48:19 - Connecting with Louis Cole and sitting in with Knower
• 56:22 - The dual life of a condensed matter physicist and avant-garde scat singer
• 01:02:36 - Upcoming duo albums with Anthony Fung and Caroline Davis

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

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We take a break from our regular programming for a deep exploration into the fascinating world of Swiss pianist, composer, and "cultural entrepreneur" Nik Bärtsch. In this episode, Lindsay reviews his conceptual book, Listening: Music, Movement, Mind, co-authored with his wife Andrea Pfisterer (a fourth Dan Aikido teacher and biologist). We explore the profound intersections between music, martial arts, and nature, breaking down Bärtsch’s concept of "Ritual Groove Music" and how he translates the "Zen beginner's mind" into his compositional process. We also look at the history of his long-running Swiss ensembles, Mobile and Ronin, and his dedication to building community through open-house Monday hangs and the long-running "Montags" concert series in Zurich.

You can purchase Nik Bärtsch's book directly at: https://www.nikbaertsch.com/

*Note: Birch Grove Media is not sponsored by the artist or their book sales- we just really like their work and want to share!

Chapter Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Finding books at the Berklee College of Music and Big Ears Festival

01:08 - Reviewing Nik Bärtsch's Listening: Music, Movement, Mind

08:56 - Who is Nik Bärtsch? (Ronin, Mobile, and "Cultural Entrepreneurship")

14:06 - "Ritual Groove Music": Stravinsky, Morton Feldman, and James Brown

18:02 - The "Zen Beginner's Mind" and the concept of Effortless Mastery

19:17 - How Aikido relates to live musical performance

33:02 - Listening vs. Hearing and Joe Zawinul's boxing routine

36:23 - Treating musical practice and rhythm like martial arts katas

41:50 - Community building: Open house Mondays, the Montags series, and EXIL

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

• Web: birchgrove.io
• Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
• Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
• Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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We open the vault for another installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back to October 16, 2014, for a rare bootleg of Matt Brewer's group Mythology live at ShapeShifter Lab in Gowanus, Brooklyn. In this episode, we revisit the night of Brewer's record release gig and analyze how the live quintet lineup—featuring Brewer on bass, Steve Lehman on alto, Mark Shim on tenor, David Virelles on piano, and Gerald Cleaver on drums—delivered a raw, guitar-less take on the compositions from his debut album as a leader. We explore the unique acoustic environment of ShapeShifter Lab, founded by Matthew Garrison and Fortuna Sung, and break down the enduring musical rapport between Lehman and Shim. We also unpack what the band members were releasing in 2014, including Steve Lehman's Mise en Abîme, David Virelles' Mbókò, and Gerald Cleaver's work with Farmers by Nature.

Note: Birch Grove Media does not claim ownership of these performances or musical works, and is not monetizing this episode. This is shared purely for educational and archival appreciation.

Chapter Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro: "Jump Scare" dynamics in Matt Brewer's Mythology
• 00:48 - Live at ShapeShifter Lab on October 16, 2014
• 01:15 - Live quintet personnel vs. the studio album lineup
• 18:19 - "Tubby" acoustics and the warehouse sound of ShapeShifter Lab
• 20:35 - The history of ShapeShifter Lab and Matthew Garrison
• 21:26 - Releasing Mythology on Criss Cross and alternate band configurations
• 35:53 - Track 2: The dissonant trill and history between Steve Lehman and Mark Shim
• 37:41 - 2014 in Review: Matt Brewer's debut as a leader and sideman work
• 39:31 - Steve Lehman's Mise en Abîme and NPR's #1 Jazz Album of the Year
• 40:50 - David Virelles (Mbókò) and Gerald Cleaver (Farmers by Nature)
• 51:08 - How bootlegs evoke memories: An uncut 62-minute recording

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We sit down with incredibly prolific drummer James Paul Nadien to explore his packed gig schedule, ranging from free improvisation and brutal death metal to holding down the drum chair for The Flying Luttenbachers. James talks about his recent trip to China playing the Tomorrow Festival with Weasel Walter, detailing the stressful visa process and the dedicated audience waiting for them in Shenzhen. We go deep into his thoughts on the "uncanny valley" effect of hearing AI-generated music, and why he believes physical media like CDs and cassettes are essential, tangible tools for unplugging from social media addiction. We also compare the legendary Brooklyn loft party scenes of the 2000s to today's fleeting DIY venues, reflect on the appeal of the current Berlin jazz scene, and explore how James adapts his playing style for everything from acoustic string groups to tracking at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studios.

Chapter Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro: A crazy schedule
• 00:43 - Is music school worth it? (Studying at the New England Conservatory)
• 04:18 - Growing up with Beatles fanatics and Tom Petty tribute bands
• 07:13 - The Brooklyn loft party scene and surviving DIY venues
• 13:38 - Why younger musicians are returning to CDs and physical media
• 20:04 - The "uncanny valley" effect of AI-generated music
• 28:16 - Touring China with Weasel Walter and The Flying Luttenbachers
• 37:32 - The Berlin jazz scene and an upcoming European tour
• 40:37 - The band Typo: Playing drums alongside violin and cello
• 44:24 - Double kick pedals and playing brutal death metal
• 48:30 - Tracking 40+ albums and using the "Two out of Three" gig rule
• 57:28 - Why there is a rubber chicken on the drum set

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

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• Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
• Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
• Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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We sit down with composer and saxophonist Anna Webber to explore her disciplined compositional process and look ahead to her upcoming nonet album, It's Easier to Imagine the End of the World. Anna explains how she maintains a daily composition practice by avoiding time crunches, relying on pencil and paper, and utilizing "rogue cop police walls" to combat writer's block. We dive into her strategies for writing difficult "etudes" designed to challenge heavy-hitting musicians, and the financial realities of co-leading a big band with Angela Morris. We also reflect on her time studying in Berlin with John Hollenbeck and how she integrates extended techniques and microtonality into her work. Finally, she previews her upcoming nonet release, inspired by the writings of Noam Chomsky, Angela Davis, and Naomi Klein as a hopeful response to late-stage capitalism. Note: Birch Grove Media does not own the recordings featured in this episode.

Timestamps:

01:47 - Developing a daily, disciplined compositional process

05:14 - The benefits of writing slowly without time crunches

07:05 - Composing with pencil and paper vs. the computer

10:07 - Strategies for breaking out of writer's block

14:42 - Studying in Berlin with John Hollenbeck

17:39 - The financial realities of co-leading a big band with Angela Morris

23:21 - Finding inspiration in extended techniques and microtonality

28:52 - Navigating misogyny and the "boys club" mentality in jazz education

36:08 - Previewing her upcoming nonet release, It's Easier to Imagine the End of the World

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

Web: birchgrove.io

Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.

Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia

Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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We sit down with trumpeter Kenny Warren to explore the boundless possibilities of modern improvisation and the magic of trusting your instincts on the bandstand. Kenny opens up about his deep connection to free improvisation, describing it as a childlike state of uninhibited play, and details how he turns off his "inner critic" during esoteric sessions. We reflect on his formative years in the Denver scene with the legendary Ron Miles, his "jazz prog rock" roots with JP Schlegelmilch, and the collaborative strength of their current project, Slow Tiger. Kenny also shares his thoughts on the process of mixing and editing albums—comparing psychedelic post-production to a David Lynch film—and discusses how he adapts his compositions when writing for his Sweet World trio.

Note: Birch Grove Media does not own the recordings featured in this episode.

Catch the Slow Tiger album release gig at Three's Brewing on September 27th.

Timestamps:

00:30 - Forming the Sweet World trio and adjusting to unique instrumentation

02:34 - The slippery slope of editing and mixing your own albums

07:59 - The "David Lynch" moments of psychedelic editing in jazz

08:37 - Taking inspiration from cellist Hank Roberts

09:29 - The magic of pure improvisation vs. playing written music on tour

17:32 - Navigating uninspired moments on the bandstand

19:57 - Trusting the process and turning off the "inner critic"

26:21 - Growing up in the Denver jazz scene with Ron Miles

30:35 - How to compose for specific musicians and adapting to line-up changes

42:09 - The history of Slow Tiger and taking inspiration from Sonic Youth

46:13 - Balancing the writing duties in a collective band

51:34 - Outro: Making new music with Tyler Gilmore and Carlo Costa

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

Web: birchgrove.io

Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.

Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia

Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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We open the vault for another installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back 20 years to September 15, 2006, for a rare bootleg of the Ralph Alessi Quartet live at Layla Lounge. In this episode, we revisit a nostalgic set at the Williamsburg Jazz Festival featuring Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Brad Shepik on guitar, Scott Colley on bass, and a 26-year-old Tyshawn Sorey on drums. We reflect on the vibrant, pre-condo Brooklyn loft scene of the mid-2000s, exploring the history of lost venues and the grassroots origins of the Williamsburg Jazz Festival. We also unpack what these heavyweight musicians were up to in 2006, from Alessi’s School for Improvisational Music (SIM) to Brad Shepik’s Balkan folk-jazz integrations, while listening to the quartet's intense interplay over the ambient sounds of a Brooklyn hookah bar. Note: Birch Grove Media does not own the recordings featured in this episode.

Timestamps:

00:25 - Introducing the Ralph Alessi Quartet bootleg from September 15, 2006

10:41 - Tyshawn Sorey’s dynamic playing and Brad Shepik's groovy soloing

12:33 - The aesthetic of Layla Lounge and mid-2000s Williamsburg

14:43 - The history of the Williamsburg Jazz Festival and the FONT festival

17:08 - Ben Neill's Mutantrumpet and other featured festival artists

27:53 - Hookah lounge acoustics and talking during the bass solo

30:30 - What Alessi, Shepik, and Colley were recording in 2006

32:58 - A 26-year-old Tyshawn Sorey touring with Steve Coleman

45:27 - "Allesorey": The intense duo interplay between Ralph and Tyshawn

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

Web: birchgrove.io

Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.

Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia

Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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This episode features saxophonist Aaron Burnett to explore his evolution into "Jazztronica," discussing everything from auditioning for Wynton Marsalis over the phone to building a custom digital pedalboard in Ableton. We examine his unique compositional process, which he describes as "downloading" full melodies from his dreams—a method that helped him write his upcoming swinging, nostalgic album Archangel at just 21 years old. Aaron breaks down his boundary-pushing group The Big Machine and details his use of audio-to-MIDI pitch followers to manipulate his saxophone sound. We also discuss his experiences touring with powerhouse vocalists like Esperanza Spalding and Corinne Bailey Rae, including a nightmare scenario where an airline destroyed his baritone saxophone right before a week of gigs. Packed with stories about going viral with drum and bass remixes and shouting out the next generation of killer musicians, this episode covers the cutting edge of modern improvised music

Note: Birch Grove Media does not own the recordings featured in this episode.

Chapter Timestamps:

01:01 - The culture of sitting in on gigs and finding inspiration

05:22 - The Big Machine: Fusing modern classical, hard bop, and world music

07:11 - Creating "Jazztronica" with Ableton and audio-to-MIDI modules

12:19 - Branding the music and the upcoming Quantum Breaks project

16:37 - Bringing dance music back into the modern jazz ecosystem

17:27 - Taking inspration from Tyshawn Sorey, Morton Feldman, and Steve Coleman

21:53 - Going viral on social media with a drum and bass remix of "Countdown"

25:51 - Touring with Esperanza Spalding and Corinne Bailey Rae

28:43 - "Downloading" melodies from dreams and the upcoming Archangel album

31:38 - Auditioning for Wynton Marsalis over the phone with "Cherokee"

37:25 - Shouting out the next generation of killer jazz musicians

41:07 - Aaron's best gig ever: Roulette with Craig Taborn and Tyshawn Sorey

42:17 - The worst gig ever: Playing a European tour with a broken baritone saxophone

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

Web: birchgrove.io

Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.

Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia

Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

AARON BURNETT

https://www.instagram.com/aarondjuan/?hl=en

https://aarondburnett.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/aaron-burnett-music

https://www.youtube.com/@aaronburnett476

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We sit down with highly in-demand bassist Chris Tordini to discuss his unique approach to the instrument, from his early days playing South Jersey bookstores to holding down the bass chair on Broadway. Chris shares the story of how he unexpectedly came to author two instructional books for Mel Bay, and why his early background in piano helped him seamlessly transition between guitar, electric bass, and upright bass. We talk about his formative years building a DIY jazz scene in South Jersey, how he navigates the New York gig economy using his trusty "two out of three" rule, and the realities of playing eight shows a week on Broadway's Hadestown. Chris also shares his strategies for staying grounded when playing with intense drummers—drawing inspiration from veteran bassist Drew Gress—and recounts a disastrous 2022 European tour featuring a flip-phone-wielding bandleader that taught him the ultimate lesson in trusting his gut. 

Note: Please go find and enjoy the music of Timo Vollbrecht, Marko Churnchetz, Alec Goldfarb, Chris Speed and Angelika Niescier. A few clips of their music were reposted in this episode. Birch Grove Media does not claim ownership of these performances or musical works, and is not monetizing this episode. This is shared purely for educational and archival appreciation.

Chapter Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro: Sweating with certain drummers
• 00:25 - Writing two upright bass books for Mel Bay
• 06:00 - Translating technique between electric and upright bass
• 11:06 - Taking the "rock route" to the upright bass
• 13:08 - Growing up and gigging in the South Jersey music scene
• 18:25 - How to prioritize gigs: The "Two out of Three" rule
• 24:41 - Practicing quarter tones, polyrhythms, and meditative focus
• 28:01 - Keeping calm while playing with intense, complex drummers
• 29:56 - Finding inspiration in Drew Gress's relaxed playing at the Village Vanguard
• 32:00 - Knowing when to step out and when to be the glue
• 36:44 - Taking over the bass chair on Broadway's Hadestown
• 42:32 - The mental challenges of playing repetitive shows eight times a week
• 47:55 - Exploring groove-based improvisation and extreme math jazz
• 51:04 - Storytime: The worst tour

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

• Web: birchgrove.io
• Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
• Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
• Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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We open the vault for another installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back to August 24, 2011, for a rare recording of the Steve Lehman Trio featuring Carlos Homs at The Stone. In this episode, we revisit a blazing set featuring Steve Lehman on alto, Carlos Homs on keys, Chris Tordini on bass, and Damion Reid on drums, listening to a massive wall-of-sound take on Jackie McLean's "Mr. E", a lightning-fast run of Lehman's original "Curse Fraction" and more. Beyond the music, we explore the history and rules of The Stone under John Zorn's direction, including the strict "no bathroom breaks" policy and the origin of its name . We also discuss the 2011 curator scene and note how this unique, one-off quartet served as an early preview for the Sélébéyone project, tracing the group's collaborative roots back to Andrew Carrico's 2008 New School senior recital.

Note: Please go find and enjoy the music of Steve Lehman, Carlos Homs, Chris Tordini and Damion Reid. A few clips of their music were reposted in this episode. Birch Grove Media does not claim ownership of these performances or musical works, and is not monetizing this episode. This is shared purely for educational and archival appreciation.

Chapter Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Someone has to... 

01:15 - The Steve Lehman Trio featuring Carlos Homs at The Stone 

08:42 - Listening to a burning take on Jackie McLean's "Mr. E" 

10:05 - Discussing the infamous rules and history of The Stone 

13:22 - The 2011 curator scene and Karl Berger's CMS workshops 

23:06 - Carlos Homs floating over the top of Lehman's dense harmony 

24:38 - What Tordini, Reid, and Homs were recording in 2011 

27:08 - A preview of Sélébéyone and Andrew Carrico's 2008 senior recital 

29:07 - A lightning-fast performance of "Curse Fraction"

BIRCH GROVE MEDIA

• Web: birchgrove.io
• Follow us: @birch.grove.media on Instagram.
• Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BirchGroveMedia
• Get the Record: Shop our current 180g LP and digital releases on our website. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.