It’s hard to believe, but today’s conversation marks the last Constant Constance podcast episode of the year! Thirty-three episodes later, we’re so happy to have been able to share the stories and lives of every guest who has joined this show. And there is no better way to mark the end of this first year of Constant Constance than with the one, the only, legendary performer Sheila Jordan. Sheila’s career spans decades and she is still going strong at ninety-three years old. In today’s episode, she shares a lot of anecdotes about her childhood in Detroit, how she got into music, her lifetime of performances and recordings since the 40s, including her work with George Russell, and so much more. Please enjoy the ever vivacious and glamorous vocalist Sheila Jordan, or as Charlie “Bird” Parker used to call her, “the singer with the million dollar ears.”

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Sheila’s website: http://sheilajordanjazz.com/

In today’s episode of Constant Constance, Andrew speaks with Jeremiah Fox, an entrepreneur who owns several businesses, including the restaurant Della as well as the Juice Box wine shop, in Andrew’s ‘quaint’ neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. This neighborhood, like so many in New York, is full of history, quirks, and people from all over. It’s full of families and elderly folks who have been in the neighborhood their whole lives, and of course a younger generation of people who are moving into the area. Andrew and Jeremiah talk about New York, their neighborhood, its history and the changes happening there, and what it’s like to run a small business. And, in true Constant Constance fashion, Andrew and Jeremiah also talk about Jiujitsu, as Jeremiah happens to also be a martial arts expert, and Andrew (who is wearing his ghee during the episode recording) started training after surviving brain cancer.

Brian Tate is a writer and musician, marketing strategist and cultural curator whose work examines the issues of our time, based in Brooklyn, NY. Brian and Andrew met just after Andrew’s journey with brain cancer; Brian was curating a project called “What If We Made A New World?” that asked people to envision a world where artists decided public policy, and Andrew was a participant during the U.S. healthcare policy week, offering a sculpture called “The Musical Brain,” (which they speak about at length during this episode). Brian runs the company Tate Strategy, whose “public programs imagine the future while lifting up the revolutionary history of people of color and people of conscience. The firm’s projects engage communities across intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, and age.” For sure, this conversation digs deep into the questions of art and society, music and songwriting, public policy, racism in America, and so much more... not one to miss!

This conversation was recorded in early spring 2021. Towards the end of the conversation, Brian spoke to Andrew about a new project called “New American Dream” that he curated for PBS/Channel 13. The project aired in April and May of 2021; you can engage with the content and watch each livestream here: www.thirteen.org/blog-post/new-american-dream-how-to-end-systemic-racism

To learn more about Brian and Tate Strategy, please visit:

www.tatestrategy.com

Today’s episode is a special one. It’s the 30th episode of Constant Constance, and it’s with Andrew’s longtime childhood friend Chris Speed. Chris, or “Speed” as his friends like to call him, is a brilliant saxophonist, clarinet, and composer and who is celebrated world wide for his musical endeavors. Speed and Andrew take their time walking down memory lane together in this episode, talking about their compositions and music, inspiration, family, reminiscing on old and funny times, the record industry today, and so much more. Join the two as they laugh, with only a little bit of friendly arguing, their way through this conversation, enjoying each other’s company as they go. Learn more about Chris at www.chrisspeed.com.

Today’s episode of Constant Constance features the extremely talented guitarist and video game composer Drummond “Drum” Louis Dominguez-Kincannon. He is the step-son of renowned musician David Douglas, which is how Andrew knows him; Andrew has known Drummond since he was a toddler and used to “baby sit” him back in the day! Now Drum is an audio producer and video game composer and, well, just a super nice guy. This is a sweet conversation about life and music. (And swimming pools! Lest us not forget the fun times growing up with Uncle Andrew).

Today’s episode features the extraordinary pianist and composer Myra Melford. In classical Constant Constance fashion, the conversation between Andrew and Myra spans many topics, from meeting and performing together in England on Andrew’s first tour back after having two brain surgeries, Myra’s extensive body of musical work, the residency they both did out in Seattle (Andrew’s home town) at the University of Washington, to a particularly fun moment when Andrew asks Myra, “what exactly is a rehearsal anyway?”

Learn more about Myra: 

www.myramelford.com, www.facebook.com/myra.melford

Check out Myra’s “Snowy Egret”: www.youtube.com/channel/UC9OUa0at8Wv_ZeCaZwFQlgQ & Myra’s “The Same River Twice”: www.myramelford.com/projects/album/index

Today's episode is with the multidimensional musician, saxophonist, and composer JD Allen. A wide-ranging conversation between two saxophonists, JD and Andrew share their thoughts and experiences around all things music - music creation, the notion of 'practicing' vs. 'playing' your instrument, and so much more, but also dive into topics of family and community, dealing with racism, homophobia, and sexism in schools, addiction, healing, and more. 

Learn more about JD - 

www.jdallentenor.com

We’re taking a break this week, but didn’t want to leave you hanging! So here’s a sneak peak from next week’s conversation with with multidimensional musician, saxophonist, and composer JD Allen. This may be one of the most beautiful descriptions of musical transcribing and listening that we’ve ever heard, we just had to share. Make sure to tune in on Sunday, October 17 at 11 ET for the whole conversation.

Today’s episode of Constant Constance is a special one, and it all started because a guest needed to postpone their interview with Andrew one day. With the last minute time on his hands, Andrew decided to message his nephews Storm and Max to see if they’d hop on Zoom and record an episode for the show. And so today’s episode is a D’Angelo family affair. Storm and Max are both musicians and are the children of Andrew’s younger brother, Thomas, and it’s delightful to hear about Storm and Max’s travails through life. A sweet conversation that wanders through topics both large and small, from music to coffee, Chicago, moving to NYC during the pandemic, and more. Fun family times had by all in this one!

In this episode of Constant Constance, Andrew speaks with Norwegian trumpet player and composer Simen Kill Halvorson, who Andrew met at his “C Minus - Young Artist at Tou Scene” workshop in Stavanger, Norway. (This happened about fifteen years ago when Simen was about fourteen - he’s thirty now, you do the math). This young man has made a huge impact on the Scandinavian music scene and he is an assistant professor at a prestigious Norwegian music academy. Back in August when this episode was recorded, the two take their time to reminisce about the good ‘ol days, and speak to their most current collaboration “Short Pieces” that was recently recorded and performed in New York. Sit back and enjoy the conversation between two long time friends and collaborators.