Spotlight On

Today, the Spotlight shines On Brooklyn-based pianist and composer Danny Fox and the latest work from the Danny Fox Trio, Time Took Care of It.Danny’s trio, with bassist Chris van Voorst van Beest and drummer Max Goldman, has been a working group with a consistent lineup since their founding in 2008. Their distinctive sound is a testament not only to their time together but also to their interests in chamber music, bluegrass, and rhythm and blues, all of which they integrate to their special blend of jazz.This episode covers Danny’s background, career, and other elements of his creative life. Please stick around until the end of this episode to hear “Dr. Bob”, a track from the new album that Danny explains in this conversation. ------------------Dig Deeper:Check out Danny Fox at www.dannyfoxmusic.com and on InstagramListen to Time Took Care of It on Bandcamp or on streaming platformsThe Grateful Dead: In and Out of the GardenMiles Davis - MilestonesA conversation with guitarist Dominic Miller on Spotlight OnJazz Cooks: Portraits and Recipes of the GreatsHow to Make Truly Authentic Mapo TofuA New York critic sizes up Seattle pizzaThe Definitive Guide to New Haven PizzaA Clam Pizza Worth Waiting ForLuca Benedetti------------------• Did you enjoy this episode? Rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On Canadian producer and sound artist Michael Scott Dawson.Michael joined us to mark the release of his third solo album, Find Yourself Lost, a collection of country-adjacent, Western-themed ambient recordings issued by Toronto label We Are Busy Bodies. This album is ethereal without being space music and is steeped in melody, tape loops, and Michael’s own field recordings. He has made an emotional, never sterile, ambient work. You can visit this episode’s show notes for links to the music.Despite the album’s personal nature, which Michael discusses, Find Yourself Lost is also the first time he has included other musical contributors to one of his solo albums, something we also learn about in this conversation. Enjoy.------------------References:Listen to Michael Scott Dawson's Find Yourself Lost on Bandcamp and streaming platforms.Follow Michael Scott Dawson on Instagram.Peace Flag EnsembleAmbient ChurchLA Story: Leaving Records and Music for Life SupportBack To The Garden: The Return Of Ambient And New AgeHey, what's that sound: Oblique StrategiesWant to be more creative? Go for a walk------------------• Did you enjoy this episode? Rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the Spotlight shines On internationally-renowned bass player and composer Bruno Råberg.Since coming to the US from his native Sweden in 1981, Bruno has made many recordings as both a leader and sideman — and has performed with an incredible number of world-class artists - including Terri Lyne Carrington, Sam Rivers, Donny McCaslin, Billy Hart, Matt Wilson, and countless others. He currently leads several incarnations of his own Bruno Råberg Trio and the Triloka Ensemble. Bruno has been a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston since 1986 and teaches in the prestigious Berklee Global Jazz Institute.Bruno joins us to talk about Look Inside, his debut album for solo bass which came out on May 19. If you’re curious about what took him so long to embark on such a project, your questions will be answered here.Enjoy. ------------------References:Bruno Råberg online: www.brunoraberg.comListen to Bruno Råberg's Look Inside on Bandcamp or streaming platformsFollow Bruno Råberg on Instagram and FacebookWild Bill Davis & Johnny Hodges – Con-Soul And Sax (features the songs Bruno mentions from Hammond A GoGo)Giant Steps | John Coltrane’s Groundbreaking AlbumWhat is the nyckelharpa?The Heathens (Hedningarna)50 Years of ECM RecordsECM/Free Jazz - BerkleeAn introduction to Wayne Shorter in 10 recordsAnti-Jazz Revisited, 50 Years Later (about the Downbeat article Lawrence mentions)Ghatam drumsPianist Kris Davis------------------• Did you enjoy this episode? Rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Marijus Aleksa, a Lithuanian drummer and producer known for his unique blend of jazz, world, and electronic music. He discusses his journey from London's vibrant jazz scene back to Lithuania, where he recently organized a local jazz festival. Marijus delves into the creative process behind his latest album 'As They Are,' sharing insights about collaboration and the influence of cultural identity. He also emphasizes the beauty of spontaneous jam sessions and the power of authenticity in music.

Today, the Spotlight shines On South African record producer, emcee, and keyboardist EMAMKAY.EMAMKAY visited us to talk about his new album, Love Is Energy, released back in March. As he explains in our talk, the music was crafted from jam sessions and band rehearsals that le later revisited and mined for inspiration. The resulting album is finely crafted but surprisingly organic.EMAMKAY’s music blends the best of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop into a unique sound all his own. He’s a unique person, too, and I think that comes across in our time together.Enjoy!------------------References:Listen to EMAMKAY's Love Is Energy on Bandcamp or streaming platforms.EMAMKAY on InstagramBest McCoy Tyner Albums: 20 Essentials From The Legendary PianistThe Story Of 'A Love Supreme'Top 15 Immortal Technique SongsAmapiano: What is it all about?------------------• Did you enjoy this episode? Rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist Dominic Miller, a musician unique in his ability to fit in and contribute as a sideman, but also to step up as a band leader.Dominic may be best known as guitarist — and in his own words, “Lieutenant” — for Sting, a position he has filled for over 30 years, but he has been creating his own diverse body of work for many decades as well. Dominic joined Spotlight On to talk about his latest release on ECM Records, Vagabond, an instrumental album rich in narrative — and subtle taste. In addition to exploring the new album, we also get great insight into how Dominic’s work as a solo artist and session musician contributes to his work with Sting and more about his aspirations and aims as an artist. Enjoy!------------------References:Listen to Dominic Miller's ECM Records album VagabondCheck out the poem by John Masefiled, from which Vagabond takes its nameThe Musical DNA Of Dominic Miller“If I didn’t make solo albums, I wouldn’t be useful to Sting.”Learn more about Dominic Miller, Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer or visit the podcast’s website.------------------• Did you enjoy this episode? Rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On Lem Oppenheimer, co-founder of Easy Star Records, an independent record label specializing in pushing and expanding the boundaries of reggae music. Founded in mid-90s New York City, Easy Star first focused on raising the bar for US reggae but soon expanded to uncovering and highlighting great artists from regional scenes around the world. Their in-house band, the Easy Star All-Stars, are a touring and recording outfit that has played on some of the label’s most renowned releases, including reggae reimaginings of seminal rock albums like 2003’s Dub Side of the Moon, 2006’s Radiodread, which covers Radiohead’s OK Computer and now their upcoming release, Ziggy Stardub, which is, you guessed it, a front-to-back reggae-style retelling of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, with features from Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest, and Carlton Livingston - there is even guitar work from Alex Lifeson of Rush and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.Ziggy Stardub is out on April 21, 2023 at easystar.com or wherever you get your music. Get Ziggy StardubHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On Monika Herzig, whose career as a jazz pianist and composer spans three decades and dozens of releases. Monika joins us to talk about the release of a reimagined set of Joni Mitchell’s music, which she arranged and features vocals interpreted by her late friend, award-winning vocalist Janiece Jaffe.To quote from the liner notes: “This album is, first and foremost, about relationships: between Janiece and Monika; between the stretch of time that gave rise to Joni’s songs and the ones we’re living through now; and, most of all, between Janiece and these lyrics.”Visit bothsidesofjoni.com for more about this fearless and inventive album and then enjoy host Lawrence Peryer’s talk with Monika Herzig.About Monika Herzig, Janiece Jaffe and Both Sides of JoniHost Lawrence PeryerGet more Spotlight On with Bonus Tracks, our official blog  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On an episode from about a year ago, our conversation with photographer Harold Sherrick. Harold joined Spotlight On to talk about A Pig's Tale, a book he co-authored which tells the story of the legendary bootleg record label, Trade Mark of Quality, and the adventures of its founders in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Trade Mark of Quality was really the first bootleg record label of its kind, spawning many later imitators. From the end of the '60s to the mid '70s, the label released groundbreaking bootlegs from Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and countless others. A Pig’s Tale tells the stories of the releases, the cast of characters and includes beautiful images of all of the records. Harold takes us back to a free-wheeling time in an industry just on the cusp of corporatization. We are excited to resurface this conversation to you. Get A Pig’s TaleLearn More About Harold SherrickHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On New York-based jazz innovators Jane Ira Bloom and Mark Helias, who join us to discuss their latest collaboration with drummer Bobby Previte, 2.3.23.I’d like to read from Mark’s notes for the album, “2.3.23 was an outgrowth of the improvisational recording project that emerged between myself and Jane Ira Bloom beginning at an early stage of the pandemic in April/May of 2020. We struggled to come to terms with the technological limitations of playing remotely over the internet. The initial motivation was to play music with another musician, something that we had become accustomed to and took for granted until the pandemic arose. As we became adept at the advances in software and the tamping down of the inherent latency of remote recording we managed to produce two wonderful collections of spontaneous duos that documented our shared need for human and musical connection in a trying time…At one point I sent a duo track of myself and Jane to Bobby Previte to see if he might want to add drums and percussion to the track. It was just a thought on my part but the result was stunning. Bobby was able to interact so deftly with our improvised duo that I felt that we were now venturing into new territory conceptually that brought into question many suppositions about improvisation, interaction and issues of time and being…”These recordings completely challenge any preconceived notions the listener might have about any “right way” to collaborate or create improvisational music. To paraphrase Elvis Costello, talking about these recordings is like dancing about architecture, but we gave it a go and an enlightening and intriguing conversation was the result.Get 2.3.23Learm About Jane Ira Bloom | Mark Helias | Bobby PreviteHost Lawrence PeryerMore Spotlight On Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.