Episode 34: Alex Simu

Clarinettist and saxophonist Alex Simu is the lead of an international quintet, their latest project is called "Echoes of Bucharest". In this episode we discuss the clarinet and how he is contributing to the manufacture of new forms of the instrument, his love for Bucharest and the music it has inspired, as well as his approach to film composing.

Alex recommended In the search of the miraculous by P.D. Ouspensky.

Please visit Alex’s website for more information, tour dates and to purchase his music.

Music featured in the episode:

“Slowly Dancing for Peace” from the album Echoes of Bucharest.
Alex Simu - clarinets
George Dumitriu - guitar, viola
Franz von Chossy - piano
Jörg Brinkmann - cello
Kristijan Kranjčan - drums, cello

”Quiet Storm” from the album Free Fall
Alex Simu - clarinets
Lucian Ban - piano

Episode 30: Laura Polence

Vocalist Laura Polence is releasing her debut album "Side by Side"' this week. She and Pat discuss the making of her new record and the process of recording for the native DSD format, the Latvian scene and how the fall of communism affected the current generation of musicians, and her love of Brazilian music.

Laura recommended the work of poet Karl Kempton, specifically his book Poems about Something & Nothing.

Please visit Laura’s website to find more information as well as to purchase her new record.

Music featured in this episode:

“Viena Pati Dvēselīte part 1” and “Short Summary” from the album Side by Side.

Laura Polence - vocals
George Dumitriu - viola & guitar
Lennart Heyndels - bass
Saskia Oving, Una Bergin, Laurien Schreuder, Femke Smit, Sanne Huijbregts, Irene Rametta, Mara Berzina and Anna Maria Nitschke - choir

Episode 17: Kaja Draksler

In this episode, pianist and composer Kaja Draksler is my guest. We discuss her choice to study contemporary classical composition, her various projects from octet to solo, her love of vocal music and the upcoming Doek festival.

Kaja recommended reading Carl Gustav Jung, specifically Four Archetypes and Memories, Dreams, Reflections.

Please go to Kaja's website to find her tour dates, info about each of her many projects, and to purchase any of her music.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Beata Szparagowska

"A Promise is a Promise" from the album Gledalec.
     Kaja Draksler - piano, composition
     Björk Níelsdóttir - voice
     Laura Polence - voice
     Ada Rave - reeds
     Ab Baars - reeds
     George Dumitriu - violin, viola
     Lennart Heyndels - double bass
     Onno Goveart - drums, percussion
     text by Adriana Minou

"Dusk, Mystery, Memory, Community" from the album To Pianos.
     Kaja Draksler - piano, composition
     Eve Risser - piano
    

Episode 15: Sanem Kalfa

In this episode, Turkish vocalist Sanem Kalfa joins me to talk about her new album "Dance". We discuss how she went from studying classical cello in Turkey to jazz singing in the Netherlands, the 10 year collaboration with her bandmate George Dumitriu, and how they drew inspiration from the poetry of Rumi for this album.

Sanem recommended reading Rumi, there are too many different collections of his poems and stories to name any specific one.

Please visit Sanem's website to purchase her music and find tour dates. There is also a site specific to her duo with George Dumitriu that can be found here.

photo by Ismet Kisaoglu

Music featured in this episode:

"Dance" and "408" from the album "Dance".
     Sanem Kalfa - voice, electronics
     George Dumitriu - guitar, viola, electronics