The SoundSpring Podcast: Guided Musical Journeys With Creative Musicians of Today

Hello listeners and welcome to episode 20, featuring pianist, composer, orchestrator, song-writer, musical director, musical supervisor...the list is endless...Jennifer Whyte!Jen is one of the most in-demand musical directors in the UK, having conducted dozens upon dozens of shows in the West End and abroad as well as for television and recording sessions.Outside of her busy theatre schedule, Jen has lent her outrageous piano skills to films such as Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, to...

Hello listeners, and welcome to episode 19, featuring the whistle and flute virtuoso and composer, Brian Finnegan.When I first heard Brian's music back in 2015, I immediately fell in love with his playing and writing, and his recordings have been part of my staple musical diet ever since.After releasing his first solo album in 1993, Brian and three others founded the anglo-Irish group 'Flook' which for over 25 years has been winning awards and gaining a substantial international fan base with...

Hello listeners and welcome to episode 18!This episode features a true icon of the music industry, Gavin Greenaway.Gavin is a British Emmy ® award-winning pianist, composer and conductor with an extensive catalogue of achievements: conducting over 100 feature film and television soundtracks, composing for major entertainment and cultural events, and producing and songwriting with chart-topping artists.Gavin has fostered long-standing relationships with many of the world’s eminent music creato...

Hello listeners, and welcome to episode 17!This episode features the British-Bahraini trumpet player and composer, Yazz Ahmed.Ever since she started to release albums as a bandleader in 2011, Yazz's rise to the top of the scene has been unstoppable. Her middle-eastern inspired take on jazz composition has garnered much praise in the international media and attracted fans from all around the globe.As well as combining influences from her dual heritage, Yazz has also been experimenting with ele...

Hello listeners, and welcome to Episode 16!This week features songwriter and saxophonist Matthew Herd, the creative force behind the band Seafarers. Their debut album, 'Orlando' was released in 2020 and I immediately fell under its spell. In Matt's words, the album explores Threads of solitude, longing, and an affiliation with the natural world, binding songs, instrumentals, and poetry. Outside of Seafarers, Matt is a sought after collaborator with some of London's most innovative musicians s...

Hello listeners, and welcome to episode 15, featuring composer, saxophonist and educator Andrew Linham.After studying at Leeds College of Music, Andrew moved down to London to complete a post-grad at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where we met and started playing together.It wasn't long before he started making a name for himself. In 2011 he was a recipient of the Yamaha Jazz Scholarship Award and in 2012 he released his first album as a leader entitled ‘Abandoned Silence’ which rec...

Hello listeners, and welcome to episode 14, featuring composer, vocalist and educator, Ella Jarman-Pinto.Ella is a critically acclaimed composer, described by Classic FM as ‘one of the UK’s most exciting music-makers’. She has had repeat performances of her work by BBC Singers, broadcasts by BBC Radio 3, and was Composer in Residence with Streetwise Opera from 2016-17.Ella was featured in both BBC Radio 3’s International Women’s Day (2016) and BBC National Music Day (2015). She received a fur...

Hello listeners, and thanks for tuning in to episode 13! Today you'll be hearing from the fantastic guitarist and composer Ant Law. We actually recorded this episode on the 21st August 2020, but in an attempt to balance the different genres we get to enjoy Ant's wisdom nearly 7 months later!Since Ant moved to the UK from Saudi Arabia in his teens, he has built a reputation as one of the UK's most prolific and innovative bandleaders. He has released four amazing albums under his own name, whil...

Hello listeners, and welcome to episode 12. This week we have the creative force that is Pete Letanka. Pete came onto the scene after graduating from Leeds College of Music. Forming a trio and releasing his debut album 'Afrostocracy' on the award winning Zephyr label garnered a great deal of positive press. All the while, he had started working for the Children's music workshop and subsequently his education work has inspired people from all ages, backgrounds and genres. Pete's vers...

Welcome to episode 11, featuring vocalist and composer Sara Dowling.After spending 9 years growing up between Oman and Jordan, Sara's family moved to Cornwall in order to provide her and her siblings with their desired education.Loaned a 'cello by her school, Sara made short work of reaching a high level, gaining a scholarship to the Cheetham's School of Music aged 12 and then attending the Royal Northern College of Music for her degree. Sara performed for giants of the 'cello world including...