Episode 07: Xavi Torres

In this episode, pianist Xavi Torres joins me to discuss his recent trio album Unknown Past. We talk about his studies of both classical music and jazz, working with a steady band despite not being based in the same country, finding his place in the Amsterdam scene and the difficult choice he made to pursue music rather than professional tennis.

Xavi recommended The Gramophone Allstars Big Band from Catalonia. Also discussed was Timothy Gallwey’s book The Inner Game of Tennis.

Please visit Xavi's website to purchase his music, find tour dates and more information.

Music featured in this epsiode:

"The Unknown" and "Hesitació" from the album Unknown Past.
     Xavi Torres - piano
     Vic Moliner - bass
     Joan Terol - drums

Episode 06: Maarten Hogenhuis

In this episode, saxophonist Maarten Hogenhuis comes on the show to talk about his latest trio release Mimicry. Besides his trio, we discuss his band Bruut!, appealing to more than the typical jazz audience, paying attention to the way a band presents itself and the value of simplicity in music.

Maarten recommended Björk's album Biophilia. I would also recommend checking out the companion app to the album here. As discussed, there is a short documentary about it you could watch here.

Please visit Maarten's website to purchase his music, find tour dates and more information. You can also visit his band Bruut!'s website here.

Music featured in this episode:

"Vertigo" and "Sonder" from the album Mimicry.
     Maarten Hogenhuis - alto saxophone
     Thomas Rolff - bass
     Mark Schilders - drums

Episode 05: Kristijan Krajnčan

In this episode, drummer and cellist Kristijan Krajnčan comes on the show to talk about his solo project DrummingCellist and the inspiration he draws from myth, Jungian philosophy and the traditional form of the Hero's Journey. We also discuss his work in film as a composer, screenwriter and director.

Kristijan recommended two movies from 2017: The Killing of a Sacred Deer directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and The Square directed by Ruben Östlund. He also recommended Sofia Gubaidulina's piece "Seven Words", specifically this recording on ECM.

As promised, here are some links to watch videos of Kristijan performing DrummingCellist:

     -"To Drone", as heard of the show.
     -"The Leaving of Siddhartha", live version from the same video shoot.

Please visit Kristijan's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

Photo by urska Lukovnjak

"To Drone" from The Underground Sessions (recorded live at "Il Sole in Cantina", Groningen)
     Kristijan Krajnčan - Drums, Cello

"The Leaving of Siddhartha" from the album DrummingCellist.
      Kristijan Krajnčan - Drums, Cello  

Episode 04: Pit Dahm

In this episode, drummer Pit Dahm comes on the show to discuss his trio/quartet record Omicron. We talk about the people on his record and his choice to form a collective of musicians to work with, his open ended approach to performance and the treatment of his compositions, as well as the story behind the formation of his band and the recording of his debut album.

Pit recommended the 2008/2009 documentary series World War II in Colour.

Please visit Pit's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by 101studios

"Omicron" and "Vilnius" from the album Omicron.
   Charley Rose - alto saxophone
   Harmen Fraanje - piano
   Lennart Heyndels - bass
   Pit Dahm - drums

Episode 03: Bobby Petrov

In this episode, drummer Bobby Petrov (of Tin Men & the Telephone) comes on the show to talk about his own band Jazzanitza. We discuss his background and choice to study abroad, the details of how he and his colleagues integrate Bulgarian folk music into their jazz playing, and his advocacy for jazz education in his country of origin.

Bobby recommended Kenny Werner’s book Effortless Mastery.

Please visit Bobby's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

"Tantzi Mantzi" and "Gagarin" from the album Jazzanitza.
   Borislav Petrov – drums
   Dimitar Liolev – alto saxophone
   Vladimir Karparov – tenor and soprano saxophones
   Ludmil Krumov – guitar
   Lyubo Tsanev – piano
   Boris Taslev – double bass

Episode 02: Bram Stadhouders

In this episode, guitarist and composer Bram Stadhouders comes on the show to talk about his latest project The Big Barrel Organ. We discuss his love of vocal music and combining musicians from different backgrounds, triggering electronics, synthesizers, and even robots directly from his guitar, as well as the details behind his fascinating new project featuring a mechanical dance organ.

Bram recommended the work of composer Michel van der Aa, specifically discussed were the 3D opera Blank Out and his interactive song cycle The Book of Sand.

Please visit Bram's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Jonas Sacks

"Papaver" from the album The Big Barrel Organ.
   Bram Stadhouders - guitar, barrel organ

"To a Promise" from the album Henosis.
    Bram Stadhouders - guitar & guitarsynth, composer
    Onno Govaert - drums & percussion
    David Hoogerheide - keyboards & laptop
    Klaas Stok - conductor
    Netherlands Chamber Choir:
    Heleen Koele & Annet Lans - sopranos
    Karin van der Poel & Marleene Goldstein - altos
    Alberto ter Doest & Albert van Ommen - tenors
    Jasper Schweppe & Gilad Nezer - basses

Episode 01: George Dumitriu

In this episode, guitarist, violinist and viola player George Dumitriu comes on the show to talk about his latest trio record Proverbe. We discuss his use of romanian proverbs to inspire improvisations, adding strings and electronics to the traditional guitar trio and his increasing love for and exploration of the viola.

George recommended Andrei Tarkovsky's 1975 film "The Mirror" and the book he couldn't remember the title of is "Sculpting in Time".

Please visit George's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

"Proverb 3" from the album Proverbe.
     George Dumitriu – guitar, violin & viola
     Mattia Magatelli – double & el. bass
     Kristijan Krajnčan – drums & violoncello

"Solo viola improvisation" live at the Bimhuis, Amsterdam on 27/09/2017.
     George Dumitriu - viola