A long way from the block

Anthony Thomas
  • 4.8 (36)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep. 129-A true hip-hop head-my conversation with Jonzi D

    In my latest episode I sat down with Jonzi D, he is the foremost advocate for hip hop who has changed the profile and influenced the development of the UK British hip hop dance and theatre scene over the last two decades. Since founding Breakin’ Convention in 2004 Jonzi has triumphed in raising the profile and giving a platform to hip hop disciplines, which has gained worldwide recognition as being at the vanguard of the development of the art form. Through professional development projects Open Art Surgery and Back to the Lab, Jonzi has supported hundreds of hip hop dance and rap/poetry artists on their journey to creating theatre. His critically acclaimed works include 1995‘s Lyrikal Fearta, 1999’s Aeroplane Man, 2006’s TAG… Just Writing My Name, 2009’s Markus the Sadist and 2013’s The Letter: To Be Or To MBE? about his choice to decline an MBE from the Queen. Jonzi’s has been featured in HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, had his short films Silence da Bitchin’ & Aeroplane Man screened on Channel 4, toured his work extensively all over the world and delivered his own TED Talk about the influence and evolution of hip hop culture. In 2020 Jonzi directed Our Bodies Back which won ‘Best Artistic Film’ as part of the Detroit Black film festival, followed up by the sequel, AUTOCORRECT in 2022. He also wrote Here/Not Here, a short film directed by Bim Ajadi which won the ‘Best Film’ category in Deaffest 2022. In 2023, Jonzi D was awarded a citation from Al Taylor of the 71st District - New York State Assembly in recognition of his efforts for advancing and advocating hip hop culture in the UK and abroad, and the De Valois Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Dancing Times Critic’s Circle. In 2024, Jonzi D was nominated for his artistic direction of Breakin’ Convention, cementing the festival’s two decades as a mainstay in the world of theatre and beyond.

    2h 5m

  2. APR 4

    Ep. 128-Divine principles-my conversation with Xhosa Cole

    Critically acclaimed saxophonist, flautist and composer, Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the success of numerous community outreach arts programmes in Birmingham, UK. Holding his spirituality at the center of his creative practice, Cole has been forging a career across communities in the UK and beyond. Having developed his unique mixed-heritage, black British queer voice in the Jazz tradition, Xhosa’s musical roots are in collaboration and improvisation. This alchemic mix has opened the doors to work alongside a diverse and expansive pool of creative forces from different traditions, cultures, backgrounds and practices. The output of Cole’s artistic practice manifests through performance, composition and teaching; all informing and reinforcing each other. With a musical language that is informed by and spans across cultures and modalities, Xhosa is a sought after composer in the contemporary classical and improvising industries in the UK. Having been commissioned by the BBC, Symphony Hall, Ideas of Noise Festival and Flatpack Film Festival and Aldeburg Festival Cole is building his own methodology for composition that puts islamic geometry, natural structures/processes, West African rhythms and non-hierarchical orchestration and performance at its center. This unique combination is the foundation of highly invigorating music that has the stability of sacred music structures found in Wester- Harmony and free combustion of Black improvising traditions. Cole’s teachers include John O’gallager, Hans Koller and Pat Thomas, who supported in building an understanding of Western Classical composition from the foundations of Schoenberg’s ‘Fundamentals of Musical Composition’ through to the modalities of Messiaen, Bartok and Thelonious Monk.

    1h 42m

  3. MAR 21

    Ep. 127-Traveling Shoes-my conversation with Tongo Eisen-Martin

    In my second interview with Tongo Eisen-Martin, former Poet Laureate of San Francisco. We sat down to discuss his latest project "Traveling Shoes" which features composer Damani Rhodes and vocalist Vadia.

    1h 33m

  4. FEB 28

    Ep. 126-Life lessons on the hardwood-my conversation with Nicole "Colie" Anderson

    In this first installment of my coach's series, I sat down with San Diego girls basketball legend Nicole “Colie” Anderson. We discuss her days growing up and honing her skills at Memorial Gym.  Being the young sister of four older brothers and always playing with the boys helped Nicole become a great player and inspirational leader. She talks about her connection with one of the most respected and important figures in her neighborhood, coach and mentor Jose Hall. We dive into her illustrious career at La Jolla High and UCLA, she was a four year starter at both. She takes us on a journey of one of the most impressive basketball stories of passion and resilience, where she was one of 572 women trying out for the newly formed WNBA. Lastly we talk in depth about her coaching career, her role as a leader and mentor of young girls and adults.  Colie is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of San Diego County girls basketball. She was also named one of the 15 greatest players at UCLA.

    1h 29m

  5. FEB 7

    Ep. 125-Break the tonal center-my conversation with Tumi Mogorosi

    Last summer 2025 I made my first ever trip to South Africa, specifically Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. I went there to make connections, interview local jazz artists, elders and community leaders.  One of the very talented artists I connected with was jazz drummer, composer and scholar Tumi Mogorosi. We took a deep dive into his journey as an artist and activist. He spoke about what inspired him to play the drums and to study the rich history of this music we call jazz. He expressed the importance of knowing his history as a South African and all that it entails, including the horrors of apartheid, the 1976 Soweto uprising and the injustices that continue to exist today. We dove into his projects as a leader which include the 2014 “Project Elo”, “Sanctum Santorium” with his partner and vocalist Gabi Motuba, and his most recent album Group Theory: Black Music. We touched on his collaborations with Shabaka Hutchings’ Shabaka and The Ancestors and lastly as a historian, he expressed his deep appreciation for Frantz Fanon and why his work is so relevant, even today.

    1h 3m

  6. JAN 19

    Ep. 124-Changing culture one frame at a time-my conversation with Simon Frederick

    In my latest episode I sat with Simon Frederick to discuss his journey as a self-taught photographer, filmmaker, writer, director and producer. We talk about his upbringing in the UK with roots in Grenada. He talks about his mother's influence and wisdom which helped him navigate things as a child, and how he relies on her insights even today.  Simon talks about what being a father means to him in the midst of all his artistic endeavors. We discuss in-depth some of his great works which include "Black is the New Black," "They've Gotta Have Us," and "The Outsiders". Lastly, I ask Simon about his thoughts on current cinema and how black brits have been portrayed in that medium.   I hope you enjoy this episode and I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section.  https://www.simonfrederick.uk

    1h 45m

  7. 12/20/2025

    Ep. 123- A community of runners-my conversation with Hannibal Smith and friends

    In the latest episode, I again sat down with my friend Hannibal Smith. Listeners may remember him as the NXPT FIT co-owner and ultra runner. Hannibal recently participated in The Dia De Los Muertos 200 mile Machete Madness ultra trail event.  Originally we had planned on this being a one on one interview about his experience running 200 miles for the first time. A day before the interview Hannibal requested I come to his house and not only interview him, but also his fellow runners and the support team who made all this possible. I agreed and conducted my first ever round table interview with a group of about 8 people. It was a fascinating dialogue where we discussed the ups and downs of the event; like finding the motivation to prepare for it, the unimaginable mental and physical stresses they endured on both the body and mind, and the exhilarating feeling of those who finished or even for those who got close. An exciting addition to the interview was when The Machete Madness founder, Victor Carrillo showed up to talk about his own journey as a runner and what goes into putting on an event of this magnitude. These stories are all unique and inspiring. They show what can happen with the help of a community, and how implementing the philosophy and mantra of NXPT FIT, "No Excuses" can play out in life.  https://www.nxptfit.com

    2h 25m

  8. 11/23/2025

    Ep. 122-Sound Reformation-my conversation with Darryl Yokley

    In this episode I sat down with Grammy winning tenor saxophonist, composer and educator Darryl Yokley. Born to an African-American father and a first generation Mexican mother, Yokley draws deeply from his diverse cultural roots.  During our conversation we hear about him playing multiple instruments at an early age, his exposure to jazz and classical music and the influence of John Coltrane. The conversation moves into a deep dive of his new album, which is dedicated to the great novelist and father of magical realism, Gabriel Garcia Marquez - "Un Mundo En Soledad." We also dive into the daunting task of studying the author's memoirs and rereading his novels to do a proper tribute. He also touches on being part of Alicia Keys' Grammy winning Broadway show, "Hell's Kitchen." https://www.darrylyokley.com

    46 min
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About

Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz

Information

  • Creator
    Anthony Thomas
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A long way from the block
  • Show Website
    A long way from the block

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