Today, the Spotlight shines on clarinetist, penny whistle player, composer, improviser, and educator James Falzone.

James and I have been collaborating on an upcoming live event, Improvisation in Music and Life, taking place on June 22 at the Royal Room in Seattle. This will be a unique program of performance and conversation between me and the five-piece James Falzone Division Ensemble. We will explore the nature of improvisation in music and how its principles can be useful in all aspects of life, not just for musicians. Tickets are available at theroyalroomseattle.com.

We recorded this talk in person in a very special space at Cornish College, where James is both a Dean and Professor of Music. It was a thrill to consider that I passed through rooms where John Cage and Merce Cunningham likely met or spent time.

James and I spoke for nearly two hours. His instinct to record in person on a Saturday in Seattle allowed us to go slow and let the conversation unfold. Enjoy!

(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Six Artifacts, James Falcone’s new improvised collaboration with Lisa Cay Miller and Bonnie Whiting, as well as the song “Who Put the Blood” by Wayfaring)

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Dig Deeper

• Visit James Falzone at allosmusica.org
• Purchase music from James Falzone and Allos Documents on Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choice
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• Spotlight On: Improvisation in Music and Life with the James Falzone Division Ensemble
• Be sure to peruse this episode’s extensive show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

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