Episode 35: Jasper Blom

Saxophonist Jasper Blom is on the show to tell Pat about his new record Polyphony. They talk about what it's like to lead a band for almost 15 years, how medieval music has influenced Jasper's composing and his decision to feature various guest soloists.

Jasper recommended Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1967 film Oedipus Rex (Edipo Re).

Go to Jasper’s website to find more info, tour dates, and to purchase his music.

Music featured in this episode:

“Virelai” and “Running Gag” from the album Polyphony.
Jasper Blom - saxophone
Jesse van Ruller - guitar
Frans van der Hoeven - bass
Martijn Vink - drums
Bert Joris - trumpet (on “Virelai”)
Niels Wogram - trombone (on “Running Gag”)

Episode 32: Gidon Nunes Vaz

Trumpeter Gidon Nunes Vaz is releasing a new quartet album entitled There's No End. In this episode he joins Pat to discuss the legacy of his late mentor Peter Guidi, touring Japan as a soloist and playing with local musicians, as well as how his research into Kenny Dorham lead him to spend an afternoon with the legendary Jimmy Heath.

Gidon recommended the work of philosopher/speaker/writer Krishnamurti.

Please visit Gidon’s website for more information and to purchase his music.

Music featured in this episode:

“Yesterday’s Dreams” and “Lazy Afternoon” from the record There’s No End.
Gidon Nunes Vaz - trumpet
Denise Jannah - guest vocals
Timothy Banchet - piano
Thomas Pol - bass
Yoran Vroom - drums

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 28: Philippe Lemm

New York based drummer Philippe Lemm is the guest on this episode. Amongst other things we discuss his new trio album "City Birds", how he came to live and work in New York, and modern television as a source of inspiration.

Philippe recommended singer/songwriter Gabriel Kahane, specifically his album “Book of Travelers”. He also recommended the movie “Aurora Borealis” directed by Márta Mészáros.

Please visit Philippe’s website to find tour dates and to purchase his music.

Music featured in this episode:

”Emerge” from the album City Birds by the Philippe Lemm trio.
Philippe Lemm - drums
Angelo Di Loreto - piano
Jeff Koch - bass

"War Chant” by Ajoyo.
Sarah Elizabeth Charles - vocals
Yacine Boulares - saxophone
Michael Valeanu - guitar
Jesse Fischer - keys
Yonathan Cohen - bass
Philippe Lemm - drums

Episode 24: Mark Haanstra

Bassist Mark Haanstra joins Pat to discuss his duo project with viola player Oene van Geel. They talk about this unusual instrumentation, creating music based on the photography of Udo Prinsen and their new record Shapes of Time.

Mark recommended taking a look at the work of photographer Udo Prinsen, as well as listening to Raphael Vanoli’s solo album Bibrax.

Please visit Mark and Oene’s website for more information and to purchase Shapes of Time.

Music featured in this episode:

“Skúli” and “Cyclo” from the album Shapes of Time.
Mark Haanstra - bass guitar, double bass
Oene van Geel - viola
Raphael Vanoli - guitar, effects
based on the photography of Udo Prinsen

Episode 20: Joost Lijbaart

In this episode, drummer/percussionist Joost Lijbaart is my guest on the show. We talk about his long lasting musical relationship with Yuri Honing, the origin story of his latest project Under the Surface, and his approach to musical entrepreneurship.

Joost recommended the band Codona, specifically their ECM album The Codona Trilogy.

Please visit Joost's website to find his tour dates and to purchase any of his music.

Music featured in this episode:

"Above" from the album Under the Surface.
     Joost Lijbaart - drums, percussion
     Sanne Rambags - vocals
     Bram Stadhouders - guitar, electronics

"Intertwined" with Batik from the album Headland.
     Joost Lijbaart - drums, percussion
     Wolfert Brederode - piano
     Ed Verhoeff - guitar
     Mark Haanstra - electric bass

Episode 19: Joris Roelofs

In this episode my guest is (bass) clarinettist Joris Roelofs. We discuss his choice to focus on the clarinet, his study and love of philosophy (Nietzsche in particular), and how his new duo with drumming legend Han Bennink came to be.

Joris recommended Franz Kafka's short story "Investigations of a Dog".

Please visit Joris' website to find more information about his projects, upcoming tour dates and to purchase any of his music.

photo by Marcel Bakker

Music featured in this episode:

"Guidi" and "Gustav 2" from the album Icarus.
     Joris Roelofs - bass clarinet
     Han Bennink - drums

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

Episode 12: Vuma Levin

In this episode, South African guitarist Vuma Levin joins me to talk about his latest quintet record "Life and Death on the Other Side of the Dream". We discuss the themes of identity and history intrinsic to his work, as well as its political nature, his experience of coming to and eventually leaving Amsterdam, and his recent return to Johannesburg.

Vuma recommended two books: The Quiet Violence of Dreams by K. Sello Duiker and NW by Zadie Smith. He also recommended Charlie Kaufman's animated movie Anomalisa.

Please visit Vuma's website to find tour dates and more info, and to purchase any of his music.

Music featured in this episode:

"Hashtag" and "Rebirth" from the album "Life and Death on the Other Side of the Dream".
     Vuma Levin - guitar
     Bernard van Rossum - saxophone
     Xavi Torres - piano
     Marco Zenini - bass
     Jeroen Batterink - drums

Episode 11: Felix Schlarmann

In this episode, German drummer Felix Schlarmann is on the show not only to discuss his music, but also the yearly festival that he founded and organizes: Jazzfest Amsterdam. We talk about  this year's edition and some of his approaches to booking the festival, his latest collaboration with Jasper Blom and Sean Fasciani around the music of Stevie Wonder and a new quartet project in the making.

Felix gave a couple of Berlin based recommendations: the jazz and experimental music venue Donau115 as well as the ancient Egyptian collection in the Neues Museum.

Please visit Felix's website to find information about his upcoming shows and to purchase any of his music. You can also go to Jazzfest Amsterdam's website to find details about this edition as well as future editions of the festival.

Music featured in this episode:

Photo by Maarten van der Kamp

"Landscapes" from the album Counterlife.
     Felix Schlarmann - drums
     Floris van der Vlugt - bass clarinet
     Lars Dietrich - alto saxophone
     Franz von Chossy - piano
     Pat Cleaver - bass

"Eternity" recorded live at the Bimhuis.
     Felix Schlarmann - drums
     Wolfert Brederode - piano
     Bram Stadhouders - guitar
     Jasper Stadhouders - bass

Episode 10: Christian Pabst

In this episode, pianist and composer Christian Pabst is on the show to talk about his new trio record Inner Voice. We discuss his choice to return to the pure piano trio format, his intuitive and image based approach to composing and how his work as a film composer differs from that of an improvising musician and bandleader.

Christian recommended the graphic novel series The Incal written by Alejandro Jodorowski and originally drawn by Jean Giraud (Moebius). He also recommended looking into the North Sentinel Island, home to some of the last remaining people untouched by modern civilisation.

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

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Bart Voorbergen

"Dante's Dream" and "Flabbergasted" from the album Inner Voice.
Christian Pabst - piano
Marco Zenini - bass
Erik Kooger - drums

Episode 09: Bernard van Rossum

In this episode, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Bernard van Rossum joins Pat to discuss his project the BvR Flamenco Big Band and their most recent album Luz de Luna. We talk about how he started writing for and leading his own large ensemble, his approach to melding jazz and flamenco music and the recording of their second album (featuring some very special guests).

Bernard recommended Seamus Blake's 2015 album Superconductor as well as the photography exhibition Human Nature by Lucas Foglia currently on display at FOAM in Amsterdam until the 15th of April 2018.

Please visit Bernard's personal website or the BvR Flamenco Big Band's website to purchase his music, find tour dates and more information.

Music featured in this episode:

"La Gaviota" and "Luz de Luna" from the BvR Flamenco Big Band's album Luz de Luna.
     Bernard van Rossum - soprano saxophone, composition, arrangements & lyrics
     Antonio Serrano - harmonica
     David de Jacoba - voice
     Carlos de Jacoba - guitar
     Maria Marin - voice
     Edsart Udo de Haes - flamenco guitar
     Udo Demandt - percussion & cajon
     Miguel Hiroshi - palmas & percussion
     Jasper van Damme, Miguel Ortega, Joao Driessen, Fernando Sanchez & Bruno van der Haegen - saxophones & other woodwinds
     Gerhard Ornig, Bruno Calvo, Gidon Nunes Vaz & Evgeniy Bondarev - trumpets
     Jos van de Heuvel, Oliver Emitt, Matthias Konrad & Pablo Martinez - trombones
     Xavi Torres - piano
     Marco Zenini - bass
     Joan Terol - drums
    

Episode 08: Allison Philips

In this episode, trumpet player Allison Philips is on the show to discuss her eponymous trio EP. We talk about her studies at the New School as well as the Amsterdam conservatory and the differences between the two scenes, how she composed for and recorded her trio EP, and the do-it-yourself attitude that lead to Flea Boy Records, the label and musical collective she co-founded.

Allison recommended Russel Shorto's book Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City (and also mentioned his more recent work The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America)

Please visit Allison's website to find tour dates and more information. You can also visit the Flea Boy Records page to buy all of her music, as well as the rest of their catalogue.

Music featured in this episode:

"Wheel" from the Allison Philips trio EP.
     Allison Philips - trumpet
     Alessandro Fongaro - bass
     Robin van Rhijn - drums

"September No. 1" from the Deicont | Philips Collective EP.
     Allison Philips - trumpet
     Mike Deicont - bass
     Louis Cohen - guitar
     Alex Kirkpatrick - drums
     Connor Parks - drums

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