The Music Instigator

TMI 37: Scott Haskin — Relaxation Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:59:58 +0000

Scott Haskin is a composer, author, audio book director, and podcast producer. We talk about his life in Las Vegas, his varied career, and his work as a composer of relaxation music. Scott has just released a new CD, Mental Sauna III: Christmas Inflections, and an iPhone/iPad app called Mental Sauna Relaxation.

RELATED LINKS:

Scott's Website — http://www.scotthaskin.com/

Mental Sauna Relaxation App — http://apple.co/1GwRkdh

Mental Sauna III — http://apple.co/1PU0ySC

Becoming an Indie Film Composer — http://amzn.to/1P4ubjf

Musical Excerpts are from the Mental Sauna Relaxation app.

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast37 for more info!

TMI 36: Paul Jennings — Cajon

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 03:34:15 +0000

Paul Jennings has performed in over 25 countries, played a sell-out run on Broadway & has appeared on prime time television shows including ABC's Live with Regis and Kelly. He has received rave reviews for his work in publications including The New York Times & The Boston Globe.

Paul's company, PlayCajon, was launchedin 2011 and has firmly established its self as a world hub for everything cajon. With over 150 video lessons along with specially constructed courses, PlayCajon will give you the tools to become a master cajon player.

RELATED LINKS:

Paul's Website — http://playcajon.org

Paul's Book — http://www.buycajon.org/books/

Brendan Power (harmonica player) — http://www.brendan-power.com/

Shooglenifty — http://www.shooglenifty.com/

Old Blind Dogs — http://www.oldblinddogs.co.uk/

Munyungo Jackson — http://www.munyungo.com

Martin O'Neill (bodhran player) — http://www.martinoneill.com/

TRACK LISTING:

04:04 — Add More To Your Drumming — https://youtu.be/eKIzM5TyljY

11:50 — Cajon Beat #10 - Guaguanco — https://youtu.be/l0v6iQJ4qj4

19:41 — Cajon Beat #8 - Jig Time — https://youtu.be/4pu8WQaytVQ

22:32 — Solo of the Week #5 - Modern Flamenco Style — https://youtu.be/qD_z3-82JzA

26:38 — Cajon Solo - Red Hot Chilli Pipers — https://youtu.be/y6Q3l8t2XdU

31:07 — Solo of the Week #1 - Jumbo Bass Cajon — https://youtu.be/HYt7l134SzI

Intro/Outro — Caravan to Byzantium by William Arnold

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast36 for more info!

TMI 35: The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 00:17:13 +0000

The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet is a one-of-a-kind chamber ensemble that plays original music for bassoon quartet with comedic performance elements. Dancing, pop culture references, skits, and accessory instruments set the joyous and sometimes surreal tone at BWBQ shows. The BWBQ began playing together in 2008 as undergraduate classmates at the Eastman School of Music, and since then they have developed a busy schedule of appearances at concert halls, schools, pubs, and community spaces throughout the United States. Their active Youtube channel has garnered a million views.

RELATED LINKS:

BWBQ Website — http://www.thebreakingwinds.com/

BWBQ YouTube Channel — https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBreakingWinds

BWBQ CD, Sheet Music, and Swag — http://www.thebreakingwinds.com/shop/

TRACK LISTING:

04:45 — Barnum and Bailey's Favorite by Karl King

15:57 — Poker Face (Lady Gaga Saga) by Lady Gaga

24:31 — Chicago by Sufjan Stevens

41:48 — While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more info!

TMI 34: Ryo Ishido — Composer & Graphic Artist

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 01:27:36 +0000

Besides his work as a composer, Ryo Ishido has designed GUIs (graphic user interfaces) for just about every sample library company out there. He has also made quite a mark designing album art. Ryo and I discuss his view on learning the tools you already have, the importance of artwork for music related products, and more. He opens up about a project that didn't work out and the importance of staying true to our strengths as creative people.

RELATED LINKS:

Scripts from El Shaddai (Ryo's Album) — https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/scripts-from-el-shaddai/id879482108

Ryo on Soundcloud — https://soundcloud.com/dreyklang

A Selection of Ryo's Artwork — http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast34

TRACK LISTING:

05:44 — Nobody Dies in Dreamland

10:47 — Stay

12:22 — Stay

18:08 — One

30:23 — Nemesis I

Intro/Outro — Caravan to Byzantium by William Arnold

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast34 for more info and to check out Ryo's artwork!

TMI 33: Deane Ogden — Musical Nomad (part 2)

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:07:42 +0000

Deane is a musical nomad. A sonic chameleon. An itinerant creative Bohemian of sorts. As an American recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and producer, his music has been described as “a well-established aesthetic of evocative world textures and compelling pristine pop rhythms.” (The Village Voice) He has written, recorded, and performed in over three-quarters of the known countries on the mapped globe. As a broadcaster and creative advocate, Deane has been called “an underrated voice in the music community” and someone who “understands the inside baseball of the business better than anybody.” (iTunes)

In this second part of a two part discussion, Deane and I talk about his early years, how being a drummer shapes his approach to composition, his transition out of L.A., and the making of his first album, Eastern Chronicle. We also talk quite a bit about his partnership with Warner Music Group.

TMI 32: Deane Ogden — Musical Nomad

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 02:11:33 +0000

Deane Ogden is a musical nomad. A sonic chameleon. An itinerant creative Bohemian of sorts. As an American recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and producer, his music has been described as “a well-established aesthetic of evocative world textures and compelling pristine pop rhythms.” (The Village Voice) He has written, recorded, and performed in over three-quarters of the known countries on the mapped globe. As a broadcaster and creative advocate, Deane has been called “an underrated voice in the music community” and someone who “understands the inside baseball of the business better than anybody.” (iTunes)

Deane and I talked for a about two hours, so I thought it would be best to split this one up into two parts. In this installment, we focus on Deane's latest project, Kwela. For this this album, which was just released at the beginning of August 2015, Deane traveled to South Africa for on-location recordings, which he combined with "funk-oriented grooves, perfect pop sensibilities, and detailed percussion..."

We discuss the inspiration for this album, the process of researching an area he had never previously visited, his views about honoring the traditions he interacts with, improvisation, learning to play the bass, and more.

TMI 31: David Weiss — Flutist for The Lion King

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 01:31:09 +0000

David Weiss, a New York City based musician, specializes in performing on flutes and woodwinds from many different cultures. Currently, Mr. Weiss performs with Disney's "The Lion King" for which he is a featured orchestral soloist, performing on thirteen different woodwinds. He co-composed much of the flute music for that production, which has received numerous awards, including a 1999 Grammy.

David and I talk about how the music scene in New York City has changed over the years, how Broadway popularity has increased, the keys to gettintg and keeping a job, what it's like to play for a Broadway musical, and much more. We talk extensively, of course, about his experiences with The Lion King!

RELATED LINKS

David's Weiss

The Lion King

Jeff Whittier (flutemaker)

TRACK LISTING

02:54 — Ford Truck Spot

13:21 — Ney flute from "NOVA"

19:13 — I Just Can't Wait to Be King by Elton John and Tim Rice

29:12 — Circle of Life by Elton John and Tim Rice

35:59 — Circle of Life by Elton John and Tim Rice

39:55 — Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John and Tim Rice

44:15 — Be Prepared by Elton John and Tim Rice

Intro/Outro — Caravan to Byzantium from Expedition by William Arnold

Please visit themusicinstigator.com for related videos and more!

TMI 30: Tim Davis — Vocal Contractor & Arranger

Wed, 27 May 2015 13:30:36 +0000

From 6 seasons on Fox's hit series Glee, to the latest release from Tyler the Creator, Tim's collaborations as studio singer, vocal contractor, and arranger/producer span the music industry in seemingly every direction. In fact, it's hard to escape Davis's musical mark. If you've been to a Disney theme park, played a video game, bought a pop album, seen a tv show, commercial, or film in the last 20 years, it's likely your interest has been piqued by Tim's personal vocal stylings, or his innovative vocal arrangements, delivered by the army of LA's best and brightest vocalists filling his roster.

Tim and I talk about the beginning of his career in Nashville, his work on Glee, session singers, American Idol, working with Jane Lynch on her new cabaret show, and much more!

RELATED LINKS

Tim Davis

Jane Lynch

TRACK LISTING

03:06 — 85th Academy Awards, Composed by Joel McNeely

12:04 — Dragonborn, Composed by Jeremy Soule

22:22 — Bumblebee, Composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Arranged by Tim Davis

26:17 — Recruits, Composed by James Levine

32:01 — Bohemian Rhapsody, Composed by Freddie Mercury, Arranged by Tim Davis

39:16 — See Jane Sing Promo, Click here to watch the video.

Intro/Outro — Caravan to Byzantium, Composed by William Arnold

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more info!

TMI 29: Jim Neglia — Percussionist & Orchestra Personnel Manager

Wed, 13 May 2015 02:18:10 +0000

Jim Neglia is a percussionist, music coordinator, contractor, personnel manager of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and author of Onward and Upward.

My conversation with Jim will reveal a man with a lot of optimism and ingenuity. He has carved out a life for himself as a professional musician, following a winding path that has always included working as a percussionist. We discussed his views about the decline in attendance at classical concerts and some of the things the orchestra he works for, the NJSO, is doing to remedy the situation. We also talk about Jim's book, Onward and Upward, which was published in 2012. Enjoy the conversation!

RELATED LINKS:

Jim's Website

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Jim's Book

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast29 for more information!

TMI 28: Philip Galinsky — Samba

Tue, 05 May 2015 03:19:18 +0000

Philip Galinsky is a percussionist and ethnomusicologist specializing in Brazilian music. He founded Samba New York! in 2003 and is the group’s Director and principal percussionist. He has performed in the Rio Carnaval since 1999 with some of the world’s most renowned samba schools.

Dr. Galinsky has been lauded as one of the foremost educators of Brazilian percussion in the United States. Since 1994, he has taught hundreds of samba students, including the leaders of such groups as Phillybloco, Bloco Maximo, Harlem Samba, Mais Um, and Batala NYC. Since 2003, he has emerged as a leading samba teacher in NYC, conducting regular courses for students of all levels through Samba New York!

RELATED LINKS:

http://sambanewyork.com/

http://samba.afropop.org/

http://www.lpmusic.com/

http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/sambanewyork

TRACK LISTING:

02:18 — "Sambando"

09:31 — "Bateria no Caminho"

17:17 — "The Samba Dance"

39:28 — "Sambando"

All three tracks composed, arranged, and produced by Philip Galinsky

TMI 27: Joe Berkovitz — Noteflight

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 02:05:53 +0000

Noteflight, LLC is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and is dedicated to reinventing the way that people create, share and use written music. Our product doesn't merely improve on other music notation software: it lets written music take advantage of the full power of the web as we know it today. Noteflight is a powerful full-featured application to edit, display and play back music notation in a standard web browser, integrated in an online library of musical scores that anyone can publish, link to, or embed.

For this episode, I spoke with Joe Berkovitz, the president of Noteflight. After studying at the New England Conservatory of Music, Joe became immersed in the software world for over 30 years. He is also an active composer and pianist.

TMI 26: Uyanga Bold — Cinematic Vocalist

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 23:29:22 +0000

Uyanga Bold is an international vocalist, vocal arranger and songwriter from Mongolia based in Los Angeles, California. COSMOPOLITAN magazine Mongolia nominated her as Best Female Singer of the Year (Sept ‘13 issue), and FORBES magazine says “her voice harkens back to ancient civilizations” (May ‘13 issue, Romania). Uyanga has performed with GRAMMY AWARD winner Angelique Kidjo and the Women of the World, with triple Grammy Award and AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD nominated artist Blu Cantrell, and her voice can be heard on the official GOOGLE Nexus and DISNEY Mickey Mouse Club ad campaigns in Japan ’13. With over a million views on youtube, the reinterpreted live version of Hans Zimmer’s “Batman: The Dark Knight” Suite at The Masterpiece concert with the BUCHAREST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in 2013 featuring Tina Guo as electric cello soloist and Uyanga as Mongolian ethnic soloist was a raw and new experience for the European audience and garnered positive reviews in print media. Uyanga’s performances and interviews have been featured in radio and TV broadcasts in Europe, in the United States and in Asia.

RELATED LINKS:

Uyanga — http://www.uyangamusic.com/

Raouf Rectobiasi — https://soundcloud.com/raouf-rectobiasi

Onur Tarcin — https://soundcloud.com/onurtarcin

Sub Pub Music — http://www.subpubmusic.com/

Stephan Baer — http://www.stephanbaer.com

Really Slow Motion — http://www.reallyslowmotion.com/

Tina Guo — http://www.tinaguo.com/

Oliver Sadie — http://oliversad.ie/

TRACK LISTING:

03:17 — "Horizons" by Raouf Rectobiasi

06:44 — "Believe" by Onur Tarcin (Sub Pub Music)

14:19 — "Burning of the Dead" by Stephan Baer (Really Slow Motion)

Vocals written and performed by Uyanga Bold

Cello written and performed by Tina Guo

Piano written and performed by Oliver Sadie

21:34 — "Sirens of Pandora" by Stephan Baer (Really Slow Motion)

Vocals written and performed by Uyanga Bold

Piano written and performed by Oliver Sadie

Drums written and performed by Deane Ogden

Intro — "Transcontinental Railroad" by William Arnold

Outro — "Under the Stars" by William Arnold

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast26 for related videos and more!

TMI 25: John Atkins — The Ukulele Teacher

Sun, 12 Apr 2015 23:37:32 +0000

Three years ago, John Atkins started filming monthly ukulele lessons on his phone, in his bedroom, as a joke for a friend...

Today he creates two lessons a week, occasional cover versions, and has over 220,000 subscribers to the channel... though he's still making them on his phone, in his bedroom!

John and I talk about the progress he's made over the past three years, leading up to leaving his current job to make ukulele videos full time. We discuss the part that a great new(ish) company called Patreon has played in making this a reality. We also discuss why everyone should be playing a ukulele!

RELATED LINKS:

John's YouTube Channel — https://www.youtube.com/TheUkuleleTeacher

John's Patreon Page — https://www.patreon.com/uketeacher

My "Patronize Me" Article — http://themusicinstigator.com/patronizeme

TMI 24: Jeffrey Agrell — Improvisation for Everyone

Mon, 06 Apr 2015 17:54:56 +0000

1. Jeffrey Agrell is an Associate Professor of Horn at the University of Iowa. He has won awards as both a writer and composer, with over one hundred published articles and many compositions published, recorded on CD, and performed on concerts stage, competitions, and festivals, and broadcast on radio and TV worldwide. He frequently gives concerts, workshops, and lectures nationally and internationally. Recent recordings include the CD “Repercussions” with pianist Evan Mazunik, “Mosaic” with Duende (horn, cello, piano) on MSR Classics, “Side Show Tim” with Cerberus (horn, trumpet, tuba) on Dane Records, and “Soundings” with MSR Classics (horn, percussion, + electronica).

Jeffrey came onto my radar when a friend recommended his book, “Improvisation for Classical Musicians.” The book is a collection of 500+ music improvisation games of all kinds that enable traditionally trained instrumentalists, vocalists, pianists, educators, students, amateurs, professionals, composers, music therapists, pianists, conductors, and even jazz players to create their own music without jazz, and includes extensive explanatory and resource material.

TRACK LISTING:

03:14 — Classical Jam Improv Two 6 (Ostinato) — https://youtu.be/NV5-Umn8VhU

22:17 — Improvisation in F# Lydian — https://youtu.be/a41UChax_lo

50:07 — Santa Maria Sempr Os Seus Ajuda — http://www.msrcd.com/catalog/cd/MS1158

Intro/Outro — Transcontinental Railroad — http://www.themusicinstigator.com/project/expedition/

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more information!

TMI 23: David Kuckhermann — Frame Drums & Handpans

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:45:01 +0000

The Music Instigator Podcast is finally back after a long winter's nap! This time I'm talking to David Kuckhermann about frame drums and hand pans. Our discussion includes David's advice for anyone wanting to get into these kinds of drums.

David Kuckhermann is a percussionist, specializing in frame drums. He incorporates techniques and rhythms from the hand drumming traditions of Iran, India, Egypt, Europe, Turkey, and Africa. David has also been playing Hang drum and other handpans since 2011 and released a CD devoted to these instruments in 2012 – The Path of the Metal Turtle. Among his list of credits, David joined Dead Can Dance on their world tour in 2012.

RELATED LINKS:

David's Website — http://worldpercussion.net/

David's YouTube Channel — https://www.youtube.com/user/DavidKuckhermann

Cooperman Drums — http://www.cooperman.com/

David Roman Drums — http://www.davidromandrums.com/

Handpan Forum — http://www.handpan.org/forum/

Pantheon Steel — http://www.pantheonsteel.com/

David's Handpan Comparison Video — https://youtu.be/Sp5dgy8UDKs

My 60 Day Challenge Videos — http://themusicinstigator.com/60days

TRACK LISTING:

04:42 — "Lalabai" (Aranya)

21:17 — "Khubananukh" from The Path of the Metal Turtle

26:13 — "The Path of the Metal Turtle" from The Path of the Metal Turtle

30:21 — "Lalabai" (Aranya)

Intro/Outro — "Transcontinental Railroad" from Expedition

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more information!

TMI 22: Mickie Zeckley — World Instruments

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:59:44 +0000

Mickie Zeckley is the owner (along with his wife) of Lark in the Morning, an online store that focuses on instruments from all over the world. They also co-direct the annual Lark Camp, a week-long world music and dance celebration that takes place every summer in Mendocino woodlands of California. Mickie and I talked about his early life as a musician, including the events leading up to the start of Lark in the Morning. He gave his advice for guitarists, pianists, flutists, string players, and reed players who might like to try something new. We ended the conversation with his thoughts about the value of active participation in music, a subject that is very near and dear to me!

TMI 21: Bob Stoloff — Vocal Improvisation

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:45:35 +0000

Bob Stoloff is a distinguished guest conductor, clinician and choir/big band/combo adjudicator of jazz festivals throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. His unique and comprehensive workshops include traditional scat singing, spontaneous group improvisation, instru-vocal articulation - vocal percussion, vocal bass, and vocal brass - and body percussion. Bob has published six books - "Scat! Vocal Improvisation Techniques," “Blues Scatitudes," "Body Beats" and "Vocal Improvisation: An Instru-Vocal Approach For Soloists, Groups and Choirs", "Recipes for Soloing Over Jazz Standards" and his most recent release "Rhythmania!"

TMI 20: Shannon Curtis — House Concerts

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 04:21:21 +0000

In this episode, Shannon Curtis and I talk all about house concerts, a subject she wrote about in her book, No Booker, No Bouncer, No Bartender: How I Made $25K On A 2-Month House Concert Tour (And How You Can Too). The book debuted at #1 on both Amazon’s Music Business Best Sellers list and also their Music Business Hot New Releases list, and has been featured in major national publications like The Huffington Post and American Songwriter Magazine. During our conversation, Shannon shared some great advice, not only about house concerts, but about treating listeners as community vs. "fans."

Shannon is an independent songwriter, singer, performer, recording artist, and author. Her first full-length record of downtempo dreampop, Cinemascope, was released in June 2013, and received a nomination in the category of Best Producer in the 2014 Independent Music Awards. Cinemascope’s follow-up, Metaforma, was released on June 17, 2014. On that same day, she also released a second full-length acoustic album of songs she has written as commissions for her fans, entitled Personal Songs Volume 1.

Shannon’s music has been featured prominently in independent film & in TV shows such as ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and MTV’s The Hills.

TRACK LISTING

04:36 — Hooray for Love from Metaforma

13:41 — Book of Fiction from Cinemascope

28:16 — Continental Divide from Metaforma

Intro/Outro — Caravan to Byzantium from Expedition (by Bill Arnold)

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more information.

TMI 19: Walter Thompson — Soundpainting

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 00:11:25 +0000

Long time, no see...or hear, or whatever! It's been six weeks since my last confession...I mean episode, but never fear! The Music Instigator podcast is not going anywhere! In this episode I talk a little about what I've been up to and then I share my conversation with Walter Thompson, the creator of soundpainting.

"Soundpainting is the universal live composing sign language for the performing and visual arts. Soundpainting was created by New York composer Walter Thompson for musicians, dancers, actors, poets, and visual artists working in the medium of structured improvisation. Presently, the language comprises more than 750 gestures that are signed by the composer/conductor to indicate the type of improvisation desired of the performers." (Quoted from Soundpainting: The Art of Live Composition by Walter Thompson).

RELATED LINKS:

Official Website — www.soundpainting.com

Workbooks — www.soundpainting.com/workbooks

TRACK LISTING:

00:01 — Dyspeptic Mutterings from "Concrete Flowers," featuring The New York Soundpainting Orchestra. Soundpainted by Evan Mazunik and Walter Thompson

17:08 — Twin Seasons featuring the SP4tet. Soundpainted by Walter Thompson

29:41 — Cross Station featuring the SP4tet. Soundpainted by Walter Thompson

44:22 — Dyspeptic Mutterings (same as above)

For more information, and videos of soundpainting in action, please visit http://themusicinstigator.com/podcast19

Episode 18 - Tiit Raid

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 01:55:35 +0000

Percussionist Tiit Raid taught art at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire from 1967 to 2002 and has exhibited widely throughout the Midwest. His work was recently featured in an exhibition at the Eesti Kunstimuuseum in Tallinn, Estonia, showcasing the work of international artists with Estonian ties. In this episode, Tiit and I talk about how he got started playing percussion and the connection between his art and his music.

RELATED LINKS:

Tiit's Artwork - http://www.thomasbarry.com/tiit-raid.php

About Berimbau - http://www.capoeira-world.com/berimbau

About Kantele - http://www.kantele.com/about.html

TRACK LISTING:

19:50 - "d" from "RSP sessions, featuring Tiit Raid (berimbau) and Rick Silloway (percussion)Intro/Outro - "Caravan to Byzantium" from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

Please visit themusicinstigator.com for more info!

Episode 17 - David Reed

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:32:05 +0000

David Reed’s mission is to teach all people how to connect with their own musical creativity and enjoy improvising and composing their own music. While his own musical background is primarily in jazz music, his approach to teaching improvisation is universal and applies to all styles of music. He has developed his own unique take on teaching improvisation, which is outlined in his book, Improvise for Real.

RELATED LINKS:

Improvise for Real - http://improviseforreal.com/

IFR YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ImproviseForReal

"How Musical is Man" by John Blacking - http://www.amazon.com/How-Musical-John-Danz-Lectures/dp/0295953381

TRACK LISTING:

19:48 - Improvsation in Dm (David Reed: guitar, Todd Smith: bass)

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

Please visit www.themusicinstigator.com for more info!

Episode 16 - Kerry Leung

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 10:15:14 +0000

Kerry Leung is a multiple instrumentalist. His self-taught musical studies began in Guangzhou, China, where Kerry began playing the bamboo flute at 12 years old. Kerry plays traditional Chinese works on the following instruments:

Dizi - Bamboo Flute
Xiao - Vertical Flute
Pipa - Grand Lute
Ruan - Moon Guitar
Liu Qin - Mandolin
Erhu - Chinese Two Stringed Fiddle
Gao-Hu and Ban-Hu - High Pitched Fiddles
Hulusi - Gourd Flute

Kerry loves playing Chinese music. As a "one man band," he has appeared all over Chicagoland and the Midwest. For more details or to give him an opportunity to share this passion, please contact him - http://www.kerryleung.com/contact.html

RELATED LINKS:

Kerry's Website - http://www.kerryleung.com/

Autumn Dream Video - http://youtu.be/s41SRwCkYTw

TRACK LISTING:

08:02 - Dizi

08:31 - Xiao

09:19 - Erhu

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (Will Arnold)

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.som for more info!

Episode 15 - Randy Klein

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:02:36 +0000

Randy Klein is an award winning composer, accomplished pianist, record producer, music educator and president of Jazzheads, an independent label for improvised music. The genres included in Randy Klein's musical repertoire are: solo piano improvisations, jazz compositions with and without lyrics, songs for musical theatre shows, music for children's educational TV, music for film and documentaries, R&B, pop, country and novelty songs, and improvisational synthesizer works.

RELATED LINKS:

Randy's Website - http://www.randyklein.com

Randy's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/randykleinmusic

Times Square Improv - http://youtu.be/XbdJHZkOXcA?list=PLC2C12BE445ED560B

Jazzheads Record Label - http://www.jazzheads.com

TRACK LISTING:

02:42 - Love in the Shadows from "Underground Romantic"

19:25 - Inner Voice from "What's Next"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more info!

Episode 14 - Arja Kastinen

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 01:11:11 +0000

I was able to sit down with Finnish kantele player Arja Kastinen while attending the World Flute Society convention in July 2014. The kantele is a plucked string instrument. It's part of a family of instruments that include dulcimer, zither, gu zheng, and koto.

Arja and I talked about her musical journey and the traditions connected with the kantele. This episode contains several clips from her CDs plus some live playing. The episode concludes with a duet between Arja and me on silver flute.

RELATED LINKS:

Arja's Website - http://www.temps.fi/en/

Arja's YouTube Channel - youtube.com/arjakastinen

Arja on Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/arja-kastinen

Arja's Guidebook for the 11-String Kanetele - http://www.temps.fi/en/store/

TRACK LISTING:

01:27 - Noite 1 from "The Last Gathering"

09:42 - The Last Gathering from "The Last Gathering"

12:36 - Whole Heart from "Lavender Calm"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition"

Please visit http://themusicinstigator.com for more info!

Episode 13 - Winne Clement

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:48:20 +0000

Winne Clement is a flute maker and performer from Belgium, specializing in the fujara, overtone flutes, single and double shepherd flutes and whistles, Moldavian kavals, Native American-style flutes, and various experimental flutes. All of Winne's instruments are crafted by hand with great care and dedication, always in search of the ultimate sound and character of each individual flute. Making and playing flutes is his life's passion, and he values and cherishes each flute that leaves the workshop, making its journey through life helping to enlighten existence in its own way.

RELATED LINKS:

Winne's Website - http://www.fujaraflutes.com/

Winne's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/1fujara

TRACK LISTING:

02:13 - Impro 1 - Fujara from "Improvisations"

06:48 - Impro 11 - Dvojacka (Double Shepherd Flute) from "Improvisations"

19:42 - Impro 9 - Fujara & Harmonium from "Improvisations"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition"

For more info please visit http://williamarnoldmusic.com!

Episode 12 - Syrinx Effect

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 23:25:35 +0000

Syrinx Effect is a duo project created by Naomi Siegel and Kate Olson that consists of trombone, soprano saxophone, and effects. Like their namesake, the “voice box” of birds, they create two separate resonations, high and low, and allow them to interact with their environment.

They connect to each other creatively because they want to make music that is authentic, expressive, and comes from the heart. They are interested in simple folk melodies that reach people in the audience on a visceral level, but also the full spectrum of sound, noise, and ambient atmospheres. They love to explore what they’re capable of sonically. They compose concurrently and weave aleatoric material into pre-determined musical pathways. They hope that people who hear them play can leave the future and the past in their respective locations and focus on the present. Each piece is a meditation, an exploration, and sometimes a romp. They don’t take themselves too seriously, but the creation of music is a life or death undertaking (no pun intended).

RELATED LINKS:

Syrinx Effect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheSyrinxEffect

Syrinx Effect on Bandcamp - http://thesyrinxeffect.bandcamp.com/

International Society for Improvised Music - http://www.improvisedmusic.org/

TRACK LISTING:

01:36 - Flight Case from "Snail Songs"

20:25 - Moon or Crab from "Snail Songs"

41:24 - The Gentlest Thing in the World from "Gnarly & Sweet"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

Episode 11 - Mithril

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:56:40 +0000

Mithril's unique progressive style has its roots in traditional Celtic music but moves far beyond that, weaving such diverse influences as American folk, classical, and Middle Eastern melodies into their full tapestry of sound. The four musicians perform on a wide array of instruments, including Irish flute, whistle, fife, Celtic harp (Andra Bohnet), fiddle, bouzouki (Tom Morley), guitar (Ben Harper) and percussion (Sam Gaston), playing with the precision of their classical training and the enthusiasm and high energy that springs from their love of the music. Mithril continues to push at the boundaries, taking audiences of all ages on an exotic musical journey to Ireland, Scotland, and beyond.

RELATED LINKS:

Mithril's Website - http://www.mithril.us/

Mithril on CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Mithril

"Learn to Play the Irish Trad Fiddle" by Tom Morley - http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Play-Irish-Trad-Fiddle/dp/1619271435

TRACK LISTING:

02:01 - Kissing the Quaker's Figgy Choice Wife from "Along the Road"

22:51 - Fingerdance from "Along the Road"

26:34 - The Celtic Silk Road (Revisited" from "Along the Road"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium (by Will Arnold) from "Expedition"

Episode 10 - Peter Phippen

Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:05:51 +0000

Grammy Award Nominee, Peter Phippen is an innovative performer of flutes of the world. Researching the performance technique and history of his vast collection of antique and contemporary anthropological aerophones ultimately led him to bring this knowledge to concert stages and educational facilities. Since 1993, Phippen has performed concerts, workshops and artist residencies that are both educational and entertaining - an enchanting mix of the very old and very new in music.

RELATED LINKS:

Peter's Website - http://www.peterphippen.com/

World Flute Society - http://www.worldflutes.org/

TRACK LISTING:

02:23 - The Dreaming Tree from "Sacred Space"

29:13 - Solstice from "Selected Works"

37:48 - Drawing Down the Moon from "Lavender Calm"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

For more info, please visit http://williamarnoldmusic.com

Episode 9 - Mark Holland

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 21:30:36 +0000

Award winning artist Mark Holland is considered by many authorities on the Native American Flute to be among the top flutists performing and recording today. Leader and founder of Autumn’s Child, Mark Holland has been called, "the Jimi Hendrix of the Native American Flute." His unique approach and usage of the flute, along with his technical skills, brings about such comparisons. Holland has described his project Autumn’s Child as Global Chamber Music; a hybrid of world, jazz, classical and folk styles. Through Autumn’s Child, Holland showcases the versatility of the Native American Flute, creating a new acoustic instrumental fusion, an eclectic sound that is truly one of a kind.

RELATED LINKS

Mark's Website - http://www.autumnschild.com/

Mark on CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/MarkHolland

Autumn's Child on CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AutumnsChildfeaturingMarkHolla

TRACK LISTING

03:19 - Desert Eyes from "Songs From Within 2"

10:35 - Nights in White Satin from "Circle of Sound"

16:37 - Twice is Nice from "Lost in the Beauty of it All"

19:23 - Instruments of Peace from "Instruments of Peace"

34:59 - Beyond the Canyons from "Songs From Within 2"

Episode 8 - Dawn Avery and Larry Mitchell

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 04:08:10 +0000

Rarely are performers as at home in Lincoln Center as they are in a longhouse. Composer, cellist, vocalist, educator and GRAMMY nominated performer, Dawn Avery, has worked with musical luminaries Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, John Cale, John Cage, R. Carlos Nakai and Joanne Shenandoah. Her CDs have won several awards including nominations in the Indian Summer Awards, New Mexico Music Awards, and Native American Music Awards.

Larry Mitchell is a Grammy award-winning producer, engineer and performer who has toured the world playing guitar with well-known artists including Tracy Chapman, Billy Squier, Ric Ocasek and Miguel Bosé. In his original compositions, Larry skillfully weaves guitar textures that showcase his virtuosity as a solo artist and ensemble player. As an artist, he has released 6 solo records and won a San Diego Music Award for best pop jazz artist. As a producer-engineer, Larry has won 26 New Mexico Music Awards in various categories from pop, adult contemporary, rap, rock, country and Native American. He won a Grammy Award for producing, engineering and performing on "Totemic Flute Chants" by artist Johnny Whitehorse, who is better known as Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo.

RELATED LINKS
Dawn's Website - http://www.dawnavery.com

Blanket Dance Video - http://youtu.be/VE5n5_2NJIk

Larry's Website - http://www.larrymitchell.com/

The Six Pillars of Self Esteem (by Nathaniel Branded) - http://www.amazon.com/The-Six-Pillars-Self-Esteem-Definitive/dp/0553374397

TRACK LISTING

04:25 - Otsiketa from "50 Shades of Red"

13:20 - 50 Shades of Red Part 3 from "50 Shades of Red"

19:55 - Chakra 3 from "Rapidly Approaching Ecstasy"

24:31 - Hotsisti:io from "Our Fire"

45:45 - Bear Tracks from "50 Shades of Red"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

Episode 7 - Payton MacDonald

Sat, 12 Jul 2014 02:20:59 +0000

Payton MacDonald is a composer/improviser/percussionist/singer/educator. He has created a unique body of work that draws upon his extensive experience with East Indian tabla drumming and Dhrupad singing, Jazz, European classical music, and the American experimental tradition. The New York Times described him as an "energetic soloist" and The Los Angeles Times described him as an ". . . inventive, stylistically omnivorous composer and gifted performer . . ." MacDonald is an Associate Professor of Music at William Paterson University.

Payton's Website - http://www.paytonmacdonald.com/

Shastra - http://www.shastramusic.com/

Alarm Will Sound - http://www.alarmwillsound.com/

TRACK LISTING:

02:43 - Busy Little Bees from "Super Marimba"

12:31 - For Blake from "Super Marimba III"

Intro/Outro - Caravan to Byzantium from "Expedition" (by Will Arnold)

For more information, please visit http://williamarnoldmusic.com!

Episode 6 - Stephen Nachmanovitch

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 10:35:21 +0000

Stephen Nachmanovitch performs and teaches internationally as an improvisational violinist, and at the intersections of music, dance, theater, and multimedia arts. He is the author of Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art. He has taught and lectured widely in the United States and abroad on creativity and the spiritual underpinnings of art. In the 1970s he was a pioneer in free improvisation on violin, viola and electric violin. He has presented master classes and workshops at many conservatories and universities, and has had numerous appearances on radio, television, and at music and theater festivals. He has collaborated with other artists in media including music, dance, theater, and film, and has developed programs melding art, music, literature, and computer technology. He has published articles in a variety of fields since 1966, and has created computer software including The World Music Menu and Visual Music Tone Painter.

RELATED LINKS:

Stephen's Website - http://www.freeplay.com/

Stephen's Book - http://www.amazon.com/Free-Play-Improvisation-Life-Art/dp/0874776317

Will's Website - http://williamarnoldmusic.com

Episode 5 - Cornell KinderKnecht

Wed, 28 May 2014 10:42:47 +0000

Cornell Kinderknecht is a recording artist and performer of flutes and other woodwind instruments from around the world, including Native American style flute, bansuri flute from India, ocarina, recorder and bamboo flutes.His original compositions and playing have been described as soothing, soaring, haunting, and playful with influences of Native America, the Middle East, India, and the Far East. His musical style draws from his experience in the areas of classical, pop, folk, jazz and world music.

For more info, please visit themusicinstigator.com!

Episode 4 - Kalani Das

Tue, 13 May 2014 10:28:37 +0000

This is a big one! Kalani's instructional videos on community drumming have been a big influence on me. He is a great educator, music therapist, and performer who has worked with Rod Stewart, Kenny Loggins, Barry Manilow, Max Roach John Mayall, Yanni, Benise, and Suzanne Cianni. He has written and produced over 20 instructional products. His latest book is called The Way of Music - Creating Sound Connections in Music Therapy. Kalani is the creator of the Developmental Community Music approach to facilitating positive outcomes through music. He presents events and training courses in the U.S. and abroad each year. You can find more about DCM at playsinglaugh.com. More about Kalani can be found at kalanimusic.com and on FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn at KalaniMusic.

For more information about Will Arnold, please visit williamarnoldmusic.com!

Episode 3 - Arvel Bird

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:31:58 +0000

Warning: Episode 3 of The Music Instigator gets a little emotional! Arvel Bird shares some of the hardships he faced as a child and how he has worked through them. Among other things, we talk about having the courage to do what makes your heart sing!

Violinist and Native American flutist Arvel Bird is an award-winning Celtic Fusion artist who has been described as “Braveheart meets Last of the Mohicans…at Woodstock.” Arvel is known around the world for his dramatic connection between Celtic and Native American traditions, stirring up scenes that echo from North American memory.

For more related links and more visit themusicinstigator.com.

Episode 2 - Scott August

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 00:28:20 +0000

Multi-instrumentalist Scott August is an awarding winning composer and Native American style flute player known for his evocative soundscapes combining World and Ambient musical styles. Scott and Will discuss his musical heritage, his work as a composer for TV commercials, and his thoughts about composing and improvisation. The episode ends with Scott improvising on a Native American flute.

For more information and related links, please visit themusicinstigator.com!

Episode 1 - Suzanne Teng and Gilbert Levy

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 23:12:09 +0000