The Keyboard Chronicles David Holloway

Anna Lapwood is a British organist, conductor, and broadcaster. Currently Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, Anna has a full schedule as both organist and conductor. We go in-depth in relation to some of the amazing instruments Anna has performed on, as well as a wide-ranging discussion on Anna’s career and the challenges of classical music in the modern era more broadly.

To listen / watch:



* Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

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Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Anna’s musical upbringing

First exposure to the organ

The approach to intensive practice of up to 8 hours per day

Becoming Director of Music at Pembroke College at 21

How teaching music works at Cambridge

A week in the life of Anna Lapwood and Pembroke College

Developing as a conductor

Releasing one’s own work

Insights into performance anxiety and ‘getting out of one’s head’

Anna’s love for film music and re-interpreting film music for the organ

Anna performs ‘Cornfield Chase’ from the movie Interstellar 

The power of film music as a ‘gateway’ to classical music

Anna explores the Royal Albert Hall Organ

The largest organ in the world in Atlantic City USA

Macy’s Philadelphia Wanamaker Organ

Comparing thoughts on the organ as an instrument now, to when Anna was first introduced to the instrument

Anna and Bonobo perform together

Thoughts on keeping classical music fresh in the 21st Century and beyond

A discussion on organist footwear – Organ Master shoes

The Cambridge Organ Experience

Bachathon for Zambia

A tip for young players wanting to work in the music industry

Three emerging artists Anna calls out: Toril Azzalini-Machecler, Lucy Walker, Jess Gillam

Desert Island Discs: My One and Only Thrill – Melody Gardot, Soundtrack – Pirates of the Caribbean, Metamorphosen – Strauss, Bring Us, O Lord God – Sir William Harris, Intermezzo in A Major – Brahms

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Jim Sheridan is a hard keyboard player to quantify, as his career has been incredibly diverse. That said, it’s fair  to say he’s a TV production expert from a musical viewpoint, and it’s given him some fascinating perspectives on composition, production and musicianship.

To listen / watch:



* Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

* Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel





Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Name That Tune – Fox Network

The process of refining 1400+ songs for a season of the show

The joy of working with Randy Jackson

The intensity of workflow during production of a season of Name That Tune

Jim on the Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy

Jim’s (non)  musical upbringing, teaching himself to play and his unexpected first audition

The iconic Roland D50 Digital Native Dance

Spyder Simpson – He’s a Businessman

Jim performing with Linda Martin in 1995

Why Jim won’t have a bad word said against pop stars Jedward

Jim on The Lyrics Board

Jedward go acoustic on the Late Late Show

Moving into TV work 

Learning and doing TV composition, and what killed it as a viable career

Becoming a TV house band musical director

Jim and his house band on Tubridy Tonight

Michael Fassbender singing Twist and Shout

Guns, late nights and a train wreck performance worthy of nightmares

Russell Crowe performs on the Late Late Show

Jim with Sinead O’Connor – For One Night Only

Desert Island Discs: Trevor Horn Reimagines The Eighties – Trevor Horn, The Nightfly – Donald Fagen, Hejira- Joni Mitchell, West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein, Film Music Collection – Ennio Morricone

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David Ryshpan is a multifaceted Canadian musician whose talents extend to being a pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, and DJ. Born in Toronto.  David has collaborated with a range of artists, including the likes of Vox Sambou, Jorge Ben Jor, and Trio Bruxo, showcasing his versatility across different musical landscapes. We go from Beijing to Brazil in this discussion, with a side-trip to Tokyo, hope you enjoy it.

To listen / watch:



* Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

* Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel



 

 

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  



Getting into jazz at the age of 9

 

Playing matinee gigs at The Rex as a teenager



 

Dave Brubeck – Strange Meadow Lark

 

Jeff Johnston – McGill University

 

David’s technique and why it was less than optimal

 

David’s video on avoiding the ‘chicken dance’ with keyboard fingering

 

Indigone Trio – Tonglen

 

On developing a passion for Brazilian Jazz

 

The Banff Centre Jazz & Sonic Arts residency

 

Djavan – Tem Boi na Linha

 

Jorge Ben Jor

 

David performing with Jorge Ben Jor 2013

 

David at Blue Note Tokyo with Jorge Ben Jor 2014

 

Working with Vox Sambou

 



Vox Sambou at Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues festival 2019



 

The amazing Oktoecho

 

Oktoecho – Transcestral

 

Trio Bruxo in action

Tag a Keyboard Player:  Ric’key Pageot; Camille Gélinas (www.instagram.com/cam.geli); David Osei-Afrifa (www.instagram.com/david.osei.afrifa)

Desert Island Discs: Herbie Hancock – Thrust; Stevie Wonder – Innervisions; Willie Colón & Ruben Blades – Siembra; Djavan – Alumbramento; Guillermo Klein – Carrera

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Mikey Rowe is  keyboardist for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Rowe’s musical journey with Noel Gallagher extends beyond the High Flying Birds. He was also  a part of Oasis and has an incredibly extensive session and recording career, which we discuss in some depth. And then there’s the train wreck story… A huge thanks to Mikey for his time!

To listen / watch:



* Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

* Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel





Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Mikey’s website

Mikey’s past 6-12 months with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

How the High Flying Birds gig came about

Recording process with Noel and the High Flying Birds

MD role and prepping for translating the new recorded work into the live environment

Getting the gig with Oasis

Mikey with Oasis on MTV Unplugged – Listen Up

Mikey’s approach to covering the huge Oasis / Gallagher back catalogue

Mikey’s Mainstage rig

Mikey’s home studio setup

Working with The Amorphous Androgynous and Future Sound of London

Working with Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks – In Your Dreams

Mikey playing with Sheryl Crow – My Favourite Mistake

On not reading music and working with other great musicians

Playing with David Gilmour on Rattle That Lock

Mikey playing David Gilmour’s song Today

Why Mikey thinks he didn’t do a great job on the David Gilmour session

Talking Hammonds and Leslies with Prince

Working with Keith Richards and Mick Jagger

Mikey with Sheryl Crow and Keith Richards – Happy

Mikey’s Train Wreck

Mikey with Rachel Stamp – Hey Hey Michael You’re Really Fantastic

Tag a Keyboard Player: Roger Manning

Desert Island Discs: OK Computer – Radiohead, In It For The Money – Supergrass, Matador – Gaz Coombes, Sea Change – Beck, A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles

A brief chat on Slade

Slade – Run Runaway

Mikey and Noel Gallagher perform Dead in the Water

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Mark Shusterman is the keyboardist for Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. We cover his journey with that outfit as well as his other projects and diverse musical history. 

To listen / watch:



* Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

* Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel





Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Mark’s musical upbringing

Constellations band

The Blue Rider – Year of the Horse

Mark’s love of the Rhodes and other go-to keyboards

Meeting Nathaniel Rateliff 

The Hi-Dive in Denver

Mark with The Night Sweats on Jimmy Fallon

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – I Need Never Get Old

The role of perfectionism and the band’s output

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at Farm Aid 2023 – Time Makes Fools

Mark’s keyboard rig with The Night Sweats

The importance of backing vocals and harmonies

Amlamas – Electric Eyes

Mark’s art exhibition

Mark’s favourite keyboards

Guidance for those entering the industry and pitfalls to avoid

The Helpinstill Upright Piano

Tag a Keyboard Player:  Jackie Miclau

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Buy My Round

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – What If I with Phil Cook

Desert Island Discs: Maggot Brain – Funkadelic, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots – The Flaming Lips, Music for 18 Musicians – Steve Reich, Drukqs – Aphex Twin, Aquemini – Outkast.

Pimp your band t-shirt: Light in the Black (Canada)

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Jim Prime has been Deacon Blue’s keyboard player for decades, and that alone is a great reason to spend some serious time with him. Add in his other playing credits with other artists (John Martyn, Johnny Hallyday), his sense of humour and some of the best anecdotes we’ve heard, and you’ve got an interview for the ages.

To listen / watch:



* Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:

* Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel





Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Jim in recent action and a tour of his keyboard rig

Deacon Blue in full flight live

Jim’s musical upbringing

Park Lane Studios Glasgow

Altered Images – Don’t Talk To Me About Love

Taking two Oberheim OB-X synths on tour

Learning how a show works thanks to community theatre

Working with John Martyn

Fear, alcohol and drugs: leaving the music industry

Meeting Ricky Ross and formation of Deacon Blue

Dealing with fear and imposter syndrome

Deacon Blue – Dignity

The power of collaboration to defeat procrastination

Getting back to basics and being inspired by traditional Scottish music

Margaret Urlich – Number One

Working with ‘France’s Elvis’, Johnny Hallyday

Jim playing live with, and being introduced by Johnny Hallyday

Working on The Big Picnic (watch it here)

Teaching at the University of the West of Scotland

Reminiscence bump

Tag a Keyboard Player: Chuck Leavell, Dave Stewart

Desert Island Discs: Aja – Steely Dan, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1 – Earth Wind & Fire, Second Helping – Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue – Joni Mitchell, The Last Record Album – Little Feat.

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