Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa’s latest recording Hero Trio pays tribute to his musical heroes. Bird, Trane, Ornette Coleman, Stevie Wonder, and yes even Johnny Cash are represented on this exciting trio recording featuring Francois Moutin on bass and Rudy Royston on drums and cymbals. 

Saxophonist Donny McCaslin’s career dramatically changed after being an integral part of David Bowie’s last recording Black Star. In this episode of Liner Notes Donny reflects on how the association with Bowie has shaped his creative process. In this time of quarantine Donny and I spoke remotely. A shout to out engineer Marco Mendoza for putting together my clumsy recording efforts.

Composer and Bassist Gregg August’s Dialogues on Race was composed 10 years ago and was inspired by the election of Barack Obama combined with his discovery of the compelling story of Emmett Till. Now, a decade later a decision to step beyond the safety of the music was motivation to record it with the intention of facilitating a conversation on this sometimes awkward, sometimes difficult, yet vital discussion about race.

For the past twenty years I have taught and performed at Birch Creek, a music camp tucked away in a converted dairy farm on the thumb of Wisconsin. In this episode I interview some of the people that make this place happen. I invite you to listen as they describe what happens in this barn in the middle of nowhere and the power it has on the lives of those who experience it.

Guitarist Dave Stryker has reimagined the soundtrack of his youth with his hugely successful Eight-Track series. Eight-Track III features his working trio of Jared Gold on organ and Mcclenty Hunter on drums along with special guest, vibraphonist Stefon Harris. In this episode of LINER NOTES, Dave reflects on his experiences with organist Jack McDuff and tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and how their example laid the ground work for his current project.

Alto saxophonist and composer Remy Le Boeuf recently released his first large ensemble recording, Assembly of Shadows. Although he is known primarily for his small group work in the band that he co-leads with his brother Pascal, in this episode of LINER NOTES with David Bixler, Pascal reflects on the circumstances that organically enabled him to step up and out and make this record.

Chaos Theory is the latest recording from soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome. In the first episode of 2020 Sam talks about his exploratory journey that has taken him from bebop to the music that he is creating today.

This episode of LINER NOTES is centered around two new recordings by pianist David Berkman; a recent sextet offering entitled Six of One, and a new solo project featuring the music of John Coltrane and folk icon Pete Seeger.

This episode of LINER NOTES features tenor saxophonist JD Allen and his new recording Barracoon, which is inspired by the powerful book of the same name by Zora Neale Hurston. 

Myron Walden is perhaps best known for his association with Brian Blade, but in this episode of LINER NOTES we talk about his new project with Jon Cowherd and strings that showcases his woodwind arsenal.