A long way from the block

Anthony Thomas
A long way from the block

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

  1. JUN 23

    Ep. 117-Humble beginnings—my conversation with Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv

    Guy Nattiv—the Israeli-born director, producer, and screenwriter—won an Oscar in 2019 for his short film Skin. His latest release, Tatami, is out now in select theaters. In this episode, we speak about the subject matter of Skin, his filmmaking process, and the impact it had on him and on the actors. It's a highly unconventional story of revenge, making Nattiv, in my mind, one of the most important filmmakers today. We discuss his upbringing in Israel and some of his personal and professional influences, including those fostered at Camera Obscura film school in Tel Aviv, from which he graduated in 2012.

    58 min

  2. JUN 2

    Ep. 116-Healing rituals—my conversation with Naïssam Jalal

    My guest for this episode is flautist, vocalist, and composer Naïssam Jamal. Born in Paris to Syrian parents, she entered a conservatory at age six to study classical flute. We discuss her early life in Paris and issues surrounding her cultural background; she talks about her experiences in the conservatory and her subsequent travels throughout the Middle East and Africa. Master musicians whom she’s met along the way have been major influences. Her latest album is Souffles, French for “breaths.” It’s composed of eight pieces, all duets, and features jazz saxophone legend Archie Shepp. Join us.  https://naissamjalal.com

    1h 58m

  3. MAY 19

    Ep. 115-Reflection of another self—my conversation with Milena Casado

    In this episode, I talk with the talented trumpeter, composer, and arranger Milena Casado. Born and raised in Spain, she’s a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, where she honed her skills working with amazing teachers. She shares about growing up in a small village town, looking different from other members of that community; about meeting her father for the first time; about getting in touch with her Dominican roots; and about her acceptance to Berklee. We also discuss the major influence of her mentor, drummer extraordinaire Terri Lyne Carrington, and dive into her album Reflection of Another Self, a stunning debut that's a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and resilience.  https://www.milenacasado.com

    1h 2m

  4. MAY 10

    Ep. 114-Space-age Africans—my conversation with Ankh West

    In this episode, I talk with Ankh West, a science advocate who focuses on scientific literacy within the African-American community. Science, he explains, can be a tool for promoting rigorous academic standards within institutions. He talks about the importance of peer-reviewed scholarship, archaeological data, and linguistic research. Among his primary focuses of research are ancient Egypt, Nubia, and Nile Valley civilizations. He discusses in some depth the work of Charles Darwin and other major figures in the field, as well as Africa’s early influence on what we now recognize as modern science. Lastly, Ankh shares some of the books that shaped his thought and why he considers those books to be still valid and important today.

    2h 28m

  5. APR 19

    Ep. 113-Never miss your house—my conversation with Wren T. Brown

    I had the pleasure of recording this episode inside the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, in L.A., hometown of the talented Wren T. Brown. Wren is an actor, film producer, and theater director, who cofounded the Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT). We talk in-depth about what that company has meant to him and how it has affected an entire community in a positive way. Influenced by the likes of his great uncle Lester Young, black excellence shaped his life and is the subject of his new book, The Family Business: Four Generations of One Black Family's Artistic Odyssey. (Friend and jazz giant Wynton Marsalis wrote the foreword.)  https://thefamilybusinessbook.com

    1h 34m

  6. MAR 29

    Ep. 112-The Young Lion-my conversation with Kahlil Childs

    For this episode, I sat down with the young lion Kahlil Childs, an alto saxophonist and multi-reedist who leads his own quartet here in San Diego. At 15, he has already made a name for himself on the local jazz scene. We met to discuss why jazz was the path he discerned for himself, and how learning about jazz legends has inspired him to continue his journey. We talk about what it's like to study under jazz master and alto saxophonist Charles McPherson and Grammy Award-winning producer and U.C. San Diego professor Kamau Kenyatta. He shares his experience of growing up with two present, educated, socially conscious parents and how that has influenced him. He names his current favorite jazz artists and describes the experience of playing with some of his heroes. Lastly we discuss his quartet and where he sees himself in the future, most likely attending a jazz conservatory on the East Coast.  https://kahlilchilds.com

    1h 52m

  7. MAR 4

    Ep. 111-Interrogating black history—my conversation with Dr. Kamau Rashid

    In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kamau Rashid, professor and director of the Kemetic Institute of Chicago. We speak in detail about the importance of African and African-American history and its power to transform the lives of younger generations, and he references the historians and intellectuals who were his own forebears and inspirations. We discuss Nile Valley civilizations, West African history, the Caribbean Islands, Haiti, and the Americas. Dr. Rashid then becomes my first respondent to rapid-fire interviewing, fielding questions about various authors, activists, poets, historians, and scholars. This is the first installment of a series of discussions on black history, with more to come.

    1h 39m

  8. FEB 8

    Ep. 110-African Time—my conversation with Elder Herbie Tsoaeli

    South African bassist, composer, and arranger Herbie Tsoaeli is affectionately known, in certain circles, as Malume, a term of respect for older men who serve as elders. In this episode, we discuss his origins and inspiration. He was raised in Cape Town during the 1976 Soweto Uprising and describes the effects of Apartheid on his development. His parents, wanting him to be a doctor, were initially disappointed by his musical path, but he found himself called by legends like Coltrane and Abdullah Ibrahim. He talks in-depth about playing with some of the greatest South African musicians: Bucs Gongco, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Hugh Masekela, Bheki Mseleku, and many others. Before parting, we discuss his concept of the term "African Time" and its many meanings..  https://herbietsoaeli.com

    1h 28m
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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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A long way from the block
  • Show Website
    A long way from the block

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