Spotlight On

Lawrence Peryer
Spotlight On

The musicians, writers, innovators and ideas shaping media, entertainment, and culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Anat Cohen: Clarinet in Full Bloom

    2 DAYS AGO

    Anat Cohen: Clarinet in Full Bloom

    Today, the Spotlight shines On clarinetist Anat Cohen. Anat’s been bringing her joyful spirit to jazz venues worldwide for two decades, blending swing, Brazilian rhythms, and melodies from her native Israel. Her 2024 album Bloom pairs her musical warmth with that of her quartet Quartetinho - Portuguese for "little quartet" - creating intimate conversations between clarinet, piano, bass, and percussion. Anat will mark her 50th birthday this spring with four special nights at Lincoln Center's Appel Room, sharing the stage with her equally talented brothers, Avishai and Yuval Cohen. Today, we'll hear about Anat’s musical journey, from family jam sessions in Tel Aviv to becoming the first Israeli artist to headline the Village Vanguard and plenty of stories in between. (The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Anat Cohen’s album with Quartetinho, Bloom) – Dig Deeper Visit Anat Cohen at anatcohen.comPurchase Anat Cohen and Quartetinho’s Bloom from Bandcamp or Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Anat Cohen on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeAnat Cohen: Journeys A 50th Birthday CelebrationAnat Cohen: 'Clarinetwork' At The VanguardAnat Cohen Quartetinho - Live from Jazz St. LouisDig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  2. Marina Albero: from pianist to nomad of sound

    JAN 23

    Marina Albero: from pianist to nomad of sound

    Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Marina Albero. From Barcelona’s vibrant music scene to the heart of New Orleans, Marina keeps finding new ways to push musical boundaries. Her latest album, A Nomad of Sound, brings together jazz, classical, and world music traditions in a blend all her own. Marina has journeyed across continents and cultures—from her early years studying classical piano in Cuba to recent acclaim in Seattle, where she’s twice been named Musician of the Year. Now she’s taken her keyboards to New Orleans, collaborating with some of the city’s finest players and even recording on Ellis Marsalis’s personal piano. She’s here to share stories from her musical travels and give us a glimpse into her adventurous new album, where traditional jazz meets Spanish flamenco, Cuban rhythms, and even some fiery keytar solos. (The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Marina Albero’s album A Nomad of Sound) – Dig Deeper Visit Marina Albero at marinaalbero.netPurchase Marina Albero’s A Nomad of Sound from Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Marina Albero on Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp, and YouTubeEllis Marsalis: Family Patriarch and a Hell of a PianistEllis Marsalis Center for Music“19 y 42” from A Nomad of Sound (Recording session video)Dig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  3. Jonathon Grasse: the life & music of Eric Dolphy

    JAN 16

    Jonathon Grasse: the life & music of Eric Dolphy

    Today, the Spotlight shines On author Jonathon Grasse. His new book, Jazz Revolutionary, traces Eric Dolphy’s journey from the clubs of 1940s Los Angeles to his groundbreaking work in New York’s avant-garde jazz scene. Eric Dolphy’s revolutionary voice in jazz was silenced far too soon. He was an artist who pushed the boundaries of what was possible on alto sax, flute, and bass clarinet, collaborating with giants like John Coltrane and Charles Mingus before his tragic death in 1964 at the age of 36. Jonathan’s intimate portrait reveals the innovative musician and the gracious human being remembered by those who knew him. Enjoy the show. – Dig Deeper Purchase Jonathon Grasse’s Jazz Revolutionary: The Life & Music of Eric Dolphy from Jawbone Press, Bookshop, Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, or AmazonBest Eric Dolphy Tracks: 20 Free Jazz EssentialsRichard Brody on How Eric Dolphy Sparked My Love of JazzCharles Mingus and Eric Dolphy - Syncopated JusticeJohn Coltrane and Eric Dolphy Answer the Jazz CriticsJonathon Grasse on Eric Dolphy (The Music Book Podcast)Dig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  4. Lisa Pegher: Rhythms, Circuits, & Artificial Intelligence

    JAN 9

    Lisa Pegher: Rhythms, Circuits, & Artificial Intelligence

    Today, the Spotlight shines On innovative percussionist and drummer Lisa Pegher. Lisa turns percussion into something you’ve never heard before. A pioneering artist who moves easily between classical concert halls and electronic music spaces, Lisa wields everything from traditional drums to cutting-edge AI technology. She’s performed with major orchestras worldwide and premiered works by today’s leading composers, but what sets Lisa apart is her drive to push percussion into new territory. Her project, A.I.RE, explores the evolution of rhythm—from pure acoustic sounds to an AI-generated musical landscape. With composers from New York’s ICEBERG collective, Lisa has crafted a show that asks big questions about music’s future while delivering an unforgettable live experience. (The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Paul Dooley: Masks and Machines and A.I.RE Concert 2024) – Dig Deeper Visit Lisa Pegher at www.lisapegher.comPurchase Paul Dooley: Masks and Machines (feat. Lisa Pegher) from Bandcamp or Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Lisa Pegher on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.Dig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and Mastodon. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  5. Paul de Barros: chronicling Marian McPartland's life in jazz

    JAN 2

    Paul de Barros: chronicling Marian McPartland's life in jazz

    Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning jazz critic and author Paul de Barros. Throughout his storied career, Paul was editor and critic at the Seattle Times and has written for Downbeat and Earshot Jazz, amongst other outlets. He is also the author of Jackson Street After Dark: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle but today, he joins us to talk about the updated edition of his book Shall We Play That One Together? The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland, which contains a new preface detailing the challenges of writing a biography about an often headstrong, living subject. The preface alone is worth the price of admission. From 1978 to 2011 (33 years for those counting at home), Marian McPartland hosted the weekly national radio program Piano Jazz, wherein she helped popularize jazz and jazz musicians through interviews and in-studio performances. Pick a name, almost any name—they were on Piano Jazz. Marian passed away in 2013 at the age of 95. She lived a fascinating life as a complex, able woman in the difficult world of professional music. Paul’s book is a special document of a special person and her unique times. – Dig Deeper Purchase Shall We Play That One Together? The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland from USC Press, Bookshop, Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, or AmazonMarian McPartland’s Piano JazzClint Eastwood On Piano JazzDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and Mastodon. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  6. Küf Knotz & Christine Elise: when hip-hop meets harp

    12/26/2024

    Küf Knotz & Christine Elise: when hip-hop meets harp

    Today, the Spotlight shines On the duo of songwriter, producer, and MC Küf Knotz and harpist, vocalist, and music therapist Christine Elise. Küf and Christine have turned the unlikely harp and hip-hop track combo into pure magic with their 2024 album Hypnagogia. The album explores the space between awake and dreaming, with surreal soundscapes and vivid imagery that pulls listeners in. They’ve shared stages with artists like Wyclef Jean, Rising Appalachia, and Digable Planets. Earlier this year, they joined me to discuss their unique sound and mission. (The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the album Hypnagogiaby Küf Knotz and Christine Elise) – Dig Deeper Check out Küf Knotz & Christine Elise at kufknotz.comPurchase Hypnagogia by Küf Knotz and Christine Elise on Bandcamp or Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Küf Knotz on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeFollow Christine Elise on Instagram and BlueskyThe Musical Story of Hip Hop Meeting the Harp in Philly with Kuf Knotz & Christine EliseKuf Knotz & Christine Elise - LIVE | Sofar PhiladelphiaPat “Pecue” Quinn | Illustration & BrandingDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and Mastodon. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  7. Christoph Dallach: krautrock origins from schlager to synthesizers

    12/19/2024

    Christoph Dallach: krautrock origins from schlager to synthesizers

    Today, the Spotlight shines On author Christoph Dallach, who joins me to discuss his book Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock. Christoph has spent years tracking down the pioneers who spent the late 1960s in West Germany’s basements and practice rooms, creating sounds unlike anything else in rock and roll. Through conversations with members of bands like Can, Kraftwerk, and Tangerine Dream, Christoph uncovers how these artists shaped a distinctly German sound in the shadow of World War II. It’s a story of cultural rebirth told by the musicians who lived it. A veteran music journalist who has interviewed everyone from Bob Dylan to Taylor Swift, Christoph brings fresh insight to this pivotal moment in music history. – Dig Deeper Purchase Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock from Faber & Faber, Bookshop, Powell’s, Barnes and Noble, or AmazonFollow Christoph Dallach on InstagramChristoph Dallach’s playlist for his book “Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock”Krautrock: The 1970s bands which helped post-war Germany overcome its dark historyWhen it comes to krautrock, it’s impossible not to mention the warDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and Mastodon. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  8. Marwan Allam: a Tunisian gateway to modern jazz

    12/12/2024

    Marwan Allam: a Tunisian gateway to modern jazz

    Today, the Spotlight shines On bassist and composer Marwan Allam. Marwan’s debut album, Bab Bhar, takes Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical traditions and hands them to a jazz quartet, creating something that feels both ancient and brand new. Marwan tunes and plays his bass to echo the sound of the gimbri, a traditional three-string instrument from his native Tunisia. He’s here to walk us through this groundbreaking approach and share how growing up at the crossroads of North African music shaped his creative path. (The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Marwan Allam’s album Bab Bhar) – Dig Deeper Purchase Marwan Allam’s Bab Bhar on Bandcamp and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Marwan Allam on Instagram and YouTubeMusic in Tunisia: Exploring 10 Rich HarmoniesExperiencing Maqam: An Introduction to Arabic MusicDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com– • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice. • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and Mastodon. • Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
5
out of 5
28 Ratings

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The musicians, writers, innovators and ideas shaping media, entertainment, and culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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