On today's episode I talk to free jazz pianist Matthew Shipp. Originally from Delaware, Matt moved to New York in 1984 and quickly became one of the leading lights in the New York jazz scene. He was a sideman in the David S. Ware quartet and also for Roscoe Mitchell's Note Factory before making the decision to concentrate on his own music. Since then, dozens of his albums have been released, mostly on the labels Hatology and Thirsty Ear. His latest album Cactus, recorded with drummer Bobby Kapp, is available now from Northern Spy. This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on iTunes, follow me on Twitter.