The Mysteries of Music, with Carmen Staaf

What's this? An off-week episode of Strong Songs??

Indeed it is! For this episode of Strong Conversations (working title), Kirk hopped on a call with New York pianist Carmen Staaf to talk about the fundamental elements of music, learning to sing as an instrumentalist, teaching jazz and ear training, her collaborations with vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and drummer Allison Miller, and the similarities between jazz and chess.

Learn more about Carmen at her website: https://www.carmenstaaf.com/

Check out her music here: https://carmenstaaf.bandcamp.com/

REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

• “Blackbird” by Paul McCartney, performed by Carmen Staaf on Eye to Eye, 2020
• “Saint James Infirmary” by Don Redman/Irving Mills performed by Dee Dee Bridgewater on Dee Dee’s Feathers, 2015
• Alexander Technique: https://alexandertechnique.com/
• “Take The ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington sung by Ella Fitzgerald on Ella Fitzgerald Sings: The Duke Ellington Songbook, 1957
• “I’ve Got The World on a String” by Harold Arlen performed by Sarah Vaughn with the Oscar Peterson Trio on How Long Has This Been Going On, 1978
• “‘Round Midnight” by Thelonious Monk performed by Betty Carter on ‘Round Midnight, 1963
• “Weightless” and "MLW" by Carmen Staaf and Allison Miller from Science Fair, 2018
• “Congratulations and Condolences” by Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom from Glitter Wolf, 2019
• Kathak dance performed by Meghranjani Medhi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZmCmQjoehw
• The Harmonic Experience by W.A. Matthieu: https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Experience-Harmony-Natural-Expression/dp/0892815604
• “Nuclear Fusion” by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard from Flying Microtonal Banana, 2017
• “Does math actually exist?” - a good question tbh
• “Syl-O-G**m” by Mary Lou Williams from Zoning, 1974
• “Spain” by Chick Corea and Joaquin Rodrigo from Light as a Feather, 1973
• “Gentleman” by Féla Kuti from Gentleman, 1973

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