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Here we are back for Part 2 of my interview with Chanell, TJ, and Ben of PitchBlak Brass Band. We talk about women in music, diversity, and creating accessible music that connects with people, as well as the PitchBlak Playlist (the band's monthly series featuring arrangements for up and coming rappers).

Featured on this epiosde are two tracks from PitchBlak's album, "You See Us," available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc.: "Get It & Run" and "The Light" (feat. Jackie Morales).

For all things PitchBlak Brass Band:
pitchblakbrassband.com
facebook.com/PitchBlakBrassBand
twitter.com/PitchBlakBrass

Hip-hop and high level brass playing may not seem like they go together, but that is certainly NOT the case. This week, in part 1 of a 2-part interview, Tubist/Bandleader Chanell, Trombonis/MC TJ, and Horn Player/Guitarist Ben, three members of PitchBlak Brass Band talk about hip hop, popular music, American culture, and diversity in the music world. It's a killer interview. Make sure to come back next week for Part 2!

Featured on this week's episode is Pitchblak's most recent single, "Like Us."

Check out their album "You See Us" on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

For all things PitchBlak Brass Band:
pitchblakbrassband.com
facebook.com/PitchBlakBrass
youtube.com/PitchBlakBrassBand
twittwe.com/pitchblakbrass

This week, I talk to Ben Brody on his own, as part 2 of a 3 episode arc featuring Ben and two groups that he is a part of. He is a fascinating guy. We cover his horn/guitar/composition career, handling the business side of being a musician, and his group Flow State.

This episode features two tracks from Flow State's new EP, Where The Sky Meets the Earth: "What's Done Is Done" and "These Things."

For all things Ben Brody, Flow State, and whatever else he is working on at the moment:
benbrodymusic.com

This week, I sit down with a few members the improvisational dance collective, The 7 Lovelies, Dancer Katie Vason, Dancer Joanna Futral, and Guitarist Ben Brody. We talk about the idea of movement vs. dance, crafting a cohesive piece in an improvisational setting, accompanying (or composing) live in the moment, and crafting a public image.

For all things Lovelies:
the7lovelies.com
facebook.com/the5lovelies
twitter.com/the7lovelies
instagram.com/the7lovelies

The 7 Lovelies core is comprised of:
Ben Brody
Annie Duffy
Joanna Futral
Lena Lauer
Marike Van Dijk
Katie Vason
Keeley Walsh

This week, I talk to the delightful harp duo, Duo Scorpio, comprised of harpists Kristi Shade and Katie Andrews. We talk about the origin of the duo's name, challenges in harp culture, commissioning new harp duo works, and Rachel McAdams movies(?).

Check out their album Scorpion Tales on iTunes and Spotify.

This episode features excerpts from Fast Dances by Nico Muhly and Two Bridges by Andy Akiho, both of which will be on the Duo's next album due out in Fall 2016.

For all things Duo Scorpio:
duoscorpio.com
facebook.com/Duo-Scorpio
twitter.com/DuoScorpio
youtube.com/user/DuoScorpio

This week, I sit down and talk with the talented and very interesting trumpeter/composer Sam Wells. Sam has performed and given clinics across North America at many festivals and the like spreading the gospel of trumpet/electronic music. We talk about using electronics as an instrumentation, bringing a new music mindset to old standards, and the performer-composer relationship, both in past centuries and today.

Featured on this episode: Sam's composition (dys)functions for trumpet/electronics (performed by Sam)

For all things Sam Wells:
samwellsmusic.com

For more about SPLICE (Summer institute for Performance, Listening, Interpretation, and Creation of Electroacoustic music), where Sam is on faculty:
www.splice.institute

Me and my bass-playing buddy David White (Upcoming Bridges of Madison County National Tour) sit down and have a good time talking about touring with different shows, being a working musician, leaving school early, and all sorts of other delights.

Sam Jones is an incredible 22-year-old trumpter doing incredible things. He's also a nice guy. This week, he comes by, and we talk about hos new music background, using the trumpet as an artists' brush, and how he approaches new music and composing. BONUS: A live Whacky Whistle demonstration. You'll have to listen to find out what the deal with that is.

Featured on this episode - Sam's composition SHIFT for improvisation and electronics. The interview is a hair shorter but the music is longer. C'est la vie.

For all things Sam Jones:
samjonestrumpet.com

This week, I talk to violist, writer, and ethnomusicologist Tanya Kalmanovitch (faculty, New England Conservatory and Mannes School of Music). This one is a heavy one, and it was awesome. We talk about the Kalmanovitch-Maneri Duo and their upcoming album Magic Mountain, free improvisation, performing, connecting with audiences, and musical philosophies.

This episode features two tracks from the upcoming Kalmanovitch-Maneri album Magic Mountain: "Foreward" and "The Dance of Death."

For all things Tanya:
tanyakalmanovitch.com
facebook.com/tkalmanovitch
twitter.com/kalmanovitch

For more on the Kalmanovitch-Maneri duo:
http://www.kalmanovitchmaneri.com/

This week, my friend Enzima (formerly Meredith Ramsay) comes by to discuss rebranding as an artist, Bach, race and classical music, teaching, and writing/preparing for her upcoming EP I Am Ezinma.

For all things Ezinma:
iamezinma.com
facebook.com/IamEzinma
twitter.com/iamezinma
instagram.com/iamezinma