Check out the newest season of Recording Artists, hosted by actor, artist, and futurist Ahmed Best. Explore the Getty archives and learn about the innovative art-science group Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) in season three, out now. This first episode of the season features Robert Rauschenberg, weaving archival recordings of the artist with new interviews by MoMA chief curator at large and publisher Michelle Kuo and cognitive-studies scientist Xiaodong Lin-Siegler.

Learn more about the episode and subscribe to the series.

The Getty Patron Program is a proud sponsor of this podcast.

Additional music from “Variations VII” written by John Cage courtesy of Henmar Press, Inc.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime embarks on a journey to uncover the life and legacy of avant-garde composer Julius Eastman. Through conversations with those who knew him, Jaime explores how Eastman’s bold compositions challenged the boundaries of minimalist music, blending classical rigor with raw emotion and cultural defiance. As Jaime dives deeper into Eastman’s life, he draws personal connections to his own journey of self-expression and cultural identity, discovering how Eastman’s music resonates beyond sound, shaping artistic and social landscapes today. Jaime dives into the compelling story of Julius Eastman, a Black, openly gay composer who revolutionized minimalist music in the 1970s and ’80s. As Jaime traces Eastman’s life and career, he reflects on how Eastman’s compositions not only challenged traditional forms of music but also defied societal expectations of race, sexuality, and genre.

Special thanks to: Gerry Eastman, Mary Jane Leach, Nemo Hill, and Sarah Cooper.

Additional music by Splice.com.

Rights and Clearances by Gina White.

Original recordings by Julius Eastman can be found in Getty’s Kitchen Archive, the archive of New York City's leading alternative art space.

Getty is working to make African American art history more visible to the public and accessible to the scholarly community worldwide. Learn more about the African American Art History Initiative.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime explores Wupatki National Monument in Arizona, reflecting on its deep cultural and spiritual significance. Through conversations with experts, he delves into the challenges of preserving this ancient site, connecting his personal journey to Wupatki's living legacy. On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime visits the ancient and tranquil landscape of Wupatki National Monument in Arizona. Immersed in the natural beauty and rich history of this sacred site, Jaime reflects on his personal connection to the land, a place his late mother once cherished. His journey also delves into the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Wupatki for the ancestral Puebloan people.

Through conversations with Frank Matero, an expert in historic preservation, and Kevin Cooeyate from the Pueblo of Zuni, Jaime uncovers the challenges of preserving this ancient site amidst a changing climate and evolving cultural needs. This episode highlights the ongoing efforts to protect Wupatki’s legacy, ensuring that the stories, traditions, and spiritual connections of this remarkable place continue to inspire future generations.

Special thanks to Frank Mateo and Kevin Cooeyate.

Additional music by Splice.com.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime is in the San Fernando Valley of California, exploring cultural heritage through the lens of a community barbershop. His journey also takes him back to his roots, to reconnect with a barber, who houses a bit of Jaime's history at his barber shop.

The narrative then shifts to Jaime's hometown, where he reconnects with Samuel De Leon, a young barber who continues his late father's legacy in a converted garage barbershop. This segment highlights the personal and emotional ties that barbershops cultivate, with Jaime reminiscing about the deep connections formed in these communal spaces. The episode also features insights from Rita Cofield, an associate project specialist at the Getty, on efforts to preserve cultural landmarks like StylesVille. Through these stories, ReCurrent illustrates the vital role barbershops play in maintaining cultural continuity and supporting community identity.

Special thanks to Greg Faucett, Rita Cofield, and Samuel De Leon.

Rights and clearances by Gina White.

Additional music by Splice.com.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime is in the San Fernando Valley of California, exploring cultural heritage through the lens of a community barbershop. His journey also takes him back to his roots, to reconnect with a barber, who houses a bit of Jaime's history at his barber shop.

The narrative then shifts to Jaime's hometown, where he reconnects with Samuel De Leon, a young barber who continues his late father's legacy in a converted garage barbershop. This segment highlights the personal and emotional ties that barbershops cultivate, with Jaime reminiscing about the deep connections formed in these communal spaces. The episode also features insights from Rita Cofield, an associate project specialist at the Getty, on efforts to preserve cultural landmarks like StylesVille. Through these stories, ReCurrent illustrates the vital role barbershops play in maintaining cultural continuity and supporting community identity.

Special thanks to Greg Faucett, Rita Cofield, and Samuel De Leon

Rights and Clearances by Gina White

Additional music by Splice

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime Roque explores the music and instruments of the Florentine Codex, a 16th-century manuscript that recorded the life and culture of Mesoamerica at the time. A family home video floods host Jaime Roque with memories and emotions as he recounts how on that particular day, his love of music was sparked. This week, we're exploring the rich and resonant history of music from our past and how it continues to resonate with us today. Jaime explores Mesoamerican instruments and discovers the Florentine Codex, a 16th-century manuscript, that is the most detailed record of life in Mexico at that time. Throughout, instrument and music are detailed and pictured. Whether you're a musician, a music enthusiast, or someone who loves learning about history and cultural origins, you'll find this journey fascinating.

The episode features multi-instrumentalist Christopher Garcia, Getty senior research specialist Kim Richter, and Dr. Leon Garcia Garagarza, a specialist in Nahuatl history and religion. Together, they show Jaime indigenous instruments, play music for him, and teach him about the importance of music to Nahuatl people. That importance has been passed down generation after generation, where it can still be found in Mexico and in Los Angeles today.

Special thanks to Christopher Garcia, Dr. Leon Garcia-Garagarza, and Kim Richter.

Rights and Clearances by Gina White.

Learn more about the Digital Florentine Codex.

“¡Y Vero America Va!” Televisa Network and “Afuera” performed by Caifanes / © 1994 RCA Records

Music by Christopher Garcia and Jaime Roque.

In this inaugural episode of ReCurrent, host and producer Jaime Roque shares a heartfelt journey through his family’s history and the role of food in preserving cultural heritage. Jaime takes listeners into his mother Gabriela’s kitchen where she recounts her early days in Guerrero, Mexico, helping her mother sell homemade bread and tamales. The kitchen, filled with memories of four generations, is where Jaime’s childhood unfolded, enriched by family traditions and stories. He reminisces about the comfort of Friday nights, filled with movies and home-cooked meals, which helped him connect with his dual heritage. Jaime also reflects on the deep impact his mother had on his life, especially during her last days, and his ongoing efforts to understand and carry forward the cultural heritage through both physical and spiritual legacies left by past generations.

The episode features thoughts from artist Suzanne Joskow, who highlights how food bridges the gap between past and present generations through her work with the Community Cookbook Archive Los Angeles, and Mallory Furnier, the Special Collections and Archives librarian at Cal State Northridge. Jaime’s participation in the Archives Bazaar and his narrative about celebrating Dia de Muertos in Mexico emphasize food’s power in maintaining a connection with ancestors. Jaime’s visit to El Sazon Guerrerense, a restaurant that reminds him of his mother’s cooking, underscores the emotional significance of culinary traditions. Closing the episode, Jaime and his daughter Selah try making his mother’s tortillas, turning a simple cooking lesson into a meaningful act of remembering and preserving family heritage, ensuring these traditions continue to inspire and connect future generations.

Special thanks to Suzanne Joskow, Mallory Furnier, and the Roque Family.

Learn more about Community Cookbook Archive: LA.

“La Madrecita” © 1974 Estudios América

Rights and Clearances by Gina White.

Music by Epidemic Sound and Jaime Roque.

On this episode of Recurrent, Jaime Roque explores the hidden story of América Tropical, a mural painted by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1932 on Olvera Street, Los Angeles. Commissioned to depict an idyllic tropical scene, Siqueiros instead delivered a politically charged image featuring a crucified indigenous figure overshadowed by an American eagle, sparking immediate controversy and eventual censorship. Jaime interviews local historians and community members, delving into the mural’s impact on cultural identity and its role in inspiring the Chicano mural movement.

As Jaime walks through Boyle Heights, he discusses the effects of gentrification and mural whitewashing with local poet and activist Viva Padilla, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to preserve cultural heritage. Reflecting on how public art serves as both a canvas for resistance and a means of education, Jaime and his guests explore the resilience of cultural memory in urban spaces. This episode not only uncovers the story of a censored artwork but also invites listeners to consider the broader implications of art in shaping and maintaining community identity.

Starting from his own mom’s kitchen, Jaime ventures out to uncover the hidden tales that lie in everyday places—from lively murals in downtown Los Angeles that tell our collective history, to ancient sacred sites filled with the echoes of indigenous voices, to cozy barber shops teeming with stories passed down through generations.

In each episode, Jaime delves into the personal struggles, triumphs, and deep-rooted traditions that define who we are. He shows us how even simple things like a family recipe can unlock a world of cultural insights. Join Jaime as he uncovers the profound impact of keeping the past alive in the present, and discover the treasures of our heritage. ReCurrent is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

Starting from his own mom’s kitchen, Jaime ventures out to uncover the hidden tales that lie in everyday places—from lively murals in downtown Los Angeles that tell our collective history, to ancient sacred sites filled with the echoes of indigenous voices, to cozy barber shops teeming with stories passed down through generations.

In each episode, Jaime delves into the personal struggles, triumphs, and deep-rooted traditions that define who we are. He shows us how even simple things like a family recipe can unlock a world of cultural insights. Join Jaime as he uncovers the profound impact of keeping the past alive in the present, and discover the treasures of our heritage. ReCurrent is available now wherever you get your podcasts.