ECM Records Podcast

In the 64th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bassist Anders Jormin on the occasion of her latest duo album "Memento". Anders talks about the art of listening, nature, silence and more.

In the 63rd episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by pianist Julia Hülsmann on the occasion of her latest octet recording "While I Was Away". Julia talks about joy, sisterhood, languages in music and more.

In the 62nd episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bassist Björn Meyer on the occasion of his latest solo recording "Convergence". Björn talks about nature, loneliness, the art of the solo and much more.

In the 61st episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by guitarist and composer Steve Tibbetts on the occasion of his latest ECM recording "Close". Steve talks about presence, absence, parenthood, guitars and much more.

In the 60th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by two of jazz contemporary masters: guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Hollandi, to talk about the release of “Memories of Home”, their first duo album.

In the 59th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by lyra player Sokratis Sinopoulos and by pianist Yann Keerim, to talk about the release of “Topos”, their new duo album. Sokratis Sinopoulos and Yann Keerim talk about their collaborative past, the music ok Béla Bartók, what the term "topos" means to them and much more.

In the 58th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel to talk about the release of “Tokyo”, his new album played in trio with Scott Colley on double bass and Brian Blade on drums. Wolfgang talks about telepathy, how to write a song, music, life education, and so much more.

In the 57th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bass legend Marc Johnson to talk about the release of “Tramonto”, the live album of John Taylor with Joey Baron and Marc Johnson, recorded in Birmingham during a Contemporary Music Network tour in 2002. Marc talks about the art of the trio, the love for the beat, long-term relationships and more.

In the 56th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by lute player Rolf Lislevand, whose new album "Libro Primo", released on ECM’s New Series, was produced by Manfred Eicher. Rolf discusses his personal approach to Baroque music and improvisation, the repertoire he chose to play on “Libro Primo” and more.

In the 55th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by pianist and composer Fred Hersch, whose new trio date "The Surrounding Green" was produced by Manfred Eicher. Fred talks about nature, mental health, the art of the trio and more.

In the 54th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the great reedsman and composer Bennie Maupin, whose iconic leader-debut "The Jewel In The Lotus" was just reissued as part of ECM's Luminessence vinyl series. Bennie talks about spirituality, arts, Miles Davis and much more.

In the 53rd episode of the ECM podcast the great saxophonist and composer Joe Lovano joins us to discuss his second recording alongside the Marcin Wasilewski trio “Homage”, which was produced by Manfred Eicher. Joe talks about the evolution of his work with the trio, about the heritage that this new album falls in line with. He also talks about ballads – how to not play something the way it looks – and much more.

In the 52nd episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Greek singer Savina Yannatou, who talks about her new album "Watersong", produced by Manfred Eicher. She talks about languages, nature, emotion through art and much more.

In the 51st episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Yuval Cohen and discuss his ECM debut album "Winter Poems", which features his new quartet with Tom Oren on piano, Alon Near on double bass and drummer Alon Benjamini. Yuval talks about his inspirations from classical music, about how a single word or melody can fix a broken heart and much more.

In the 50th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith to speak about their second offering as a duo "Defiant Life", which follows their almost a decade old collaboration for ECM, 2016's "A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke". Vijay and Wadada talk about the album's main themes: resistance, defiance, the art of the present and much more.

In the 49th episode of the ECM podcast Norwegian trumpet player Mathias Eick speaks about his new record "Lullaby", recorded in Oslo and produced by Manfred Eicher. We talked about musical education, lyrics, the magic of the studio and so much more.

In the 48th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the German-American pianist Benjamin Lackner, to discuss his new record "Spindrift", recorded with Mathias Eick, Mark Turner, Linda May Han Oh and Matthieu Chazarenc - produced by Manfred Eicher. Benjamin talks about dynamics in the band, creative process and routine, the healing properties of music and more.

In the 47th episode of the ECM podcast the Norwegian percussionst Thomas Strønen joins us to discuss his latest album "Relations" - a collaborative project with Craig Taborn, Chris Potter, Sinikka Langeland and Jorge Rossy - produced by Manfred Eicher. Strønen talks about promises, distance, sounds and much more.

In the 46th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the German violoncellist Anja Lechner to discuss her frist solo album after years of collaboration with ECM: "Bach/Abel/Hume", produced by Manfred Eicher. Anja talks about freedom, composer's dynamics, the art of playing solo and much more.

In the 45th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the Swiss pianist Colin Vallon, who talks about his new trio record "Samares", on which he is joined by his longstanding trio with Patrice Moret on bass and Julian Satorius on drums. Colin talks about his family tree, botanical inspirations, how he collects objects on travels which he uses to make music, and much more.

In the 44th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by two guitar heros, Jakob Bro and Bill Frisell, and discuss Jakob's new album "Taking Turns" recorded alongside an all-star lineup and produced by Manfred Eicher. We talked about Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, ECM-history and guitar cases.

In the 43rd episode of the ECM podcast the pianist Marilyn Crispell joins us to discuss her trio album "Amaryllis", originally released on CD in 2001 and now available, for the first time, on vinyl as part of the Luminessence series. We talked about Marilyn's journey in music, her friendship and collaboration with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock, the encounters that changed her life and much more.

In the 42nd episode of the ECM podcast drummer Ziv Ravitz and pianist Yonathan Avishai of Avishai Cohen's quartet join the podcast to discuss the group's new album "Ashes To Gold". They talk about the art of "Kintsugi", the choice of hope and light and storytelling.

In the 41st episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Florian Weber, who's new recording "Imaginary Cycle" sees the pianist in the company of a major brass section plus a flute. Florian talks about the various inspirations that went into the cycle, including madrigals and Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble's "Officum" album. He talks about his conpirators in music, the process of developing this major musical project in collaboration with producer Manfred Eicher and about how in music, asking a question can be a lot more interesting than finding the answer.

In the 40th episode of the ECM podcast, the Danish String Quartet's Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen and Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin join us to discuss their new album "Keel Road". They talk about the history of the quartet, their mission as classical musicians, the influence of folkloric music and many other things.

In the 39th episode of the ECM podcast, Lucain Ban and Mat Maneri join us to discuss the fascinating process of making their new album "Transylvanian Dance". They talk about Béla Bartók, the duo's shared passion for folk music, and the beauty of transmission.

In the 38th episode of the ECM podcast, we're joined by the trio of Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas and Misha Mullov-Abbado, who present a rare alchemy on their trio debut "Za Górami", fusing folk idioms from a multitude of sources with free flowing interplay and fluid structures. Inhabiting their own stylistic realm, the trio encompasses folk song, chamber music, improvisation and acoustic jazz, and presents the full span of their reach in a mesmerizing whole. Alice, Fred and Misha talk about the meaning behind the Polish term "Za Górami", the emotional impact of Ladino songs, how the three came together and where they meet in music as well as aobut the recording session at the Auditorio in Lugano, and more.

In the 37th episode of the ECM podcast, we're joined by Italian pianist Giovanni Guidi, whose new album "A New Day" features his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and João Lobo on drums, plus the new and exciting addition of James Brandon Lewis on saxophone. Giovanni talks about the individual band members, the collaboration with Manfred Eicher as a producer and what "A New Day" means to him.

In the 36th episode of the ECM podcast, the legendary singer Norma Winstone joins us to talk about her new duo album "Outpost of Dreams", recorded in duo with pianist Kit Downes. Norma talks about her incredible career, her history with ECM and the collaboration with Kit Downes.

In the 35th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by saxophonist Oded Tzur, whose third recording for the label features an altered version of his quartet, with Nitai Hershkovits on piano, Petros Klampanis on bass and new arrival Cyrano Almeida on drums. "My Prophet" was recorded at Studios La Buissonne, in Southern France, and produced by Manfred Eicher. Oded talks about love, faith and how music can save lives.

In the 34th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by pianist Fred Hersch, whose solo-debut for ECM Records, "Silent, Listening", was recorded in Lugano, in 2023 and produced by Manfred Eicher. In the conversation, Fred talks about the close collaboration with Manfred Eicher, the serendipity of life and how special this album is to him.

In the 33rd episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Arve Henriksen and Harmen Fraanje, whose duo debut "Touch of Time" presents the musicians in both freely improvised forms and carefully wrought themes, picking up and finishing each other's phrases. They talk about their approach to improvising, how "Touch of Time" presents exactly where they meet in music and about how various literature informed the titles on this album.

In the 32nd episode of the ECM podcast we're once again joined by Vijay Iyer, whose new album "Compassion" is the pianist's second outing with his trio of Linda May Han Oh on bass and drummer Tyshawn Sorey and was co-produced with Manfred Eicher. Vijay talks about the state of the world, the bond created when making music in collaboration with others, album titles and compassion.

In the 31st episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by the French Saxophonist Matthieu Bordenave, whose second leader-date for ECM, "The Blue Land" features a quartet with Florian Weber on piano, bassist Patrice Moret and new addition James Maddren on drums. The album was produced by Manfred Eicher. Matthieu talks about the inspirations behind the music, his approach to composition and how it all comes together in collaboration with Manfred Eicher.

In the 30th episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by Nils Økland & Sigbjørn Apeland, whose second duo recording with ECM, Glimmer, showcases their special musical chemistry in a trans-idiomatic context. On the album the violinist and harmonium player equally draw from traditional folks songs and contemporary music. Nils and Sigbjørn talk about the inspirations behind the music on the album, and how much of it is actually improvised in the moment.

In the 29th episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by pianist Nitai Hershkovits, whose leader-debut for ECM Records is an impressive piano-solo album, recorded in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher. In our conversation, Nitai talks about his inspirations, the old wise ones in his life, the recording of this album and the magic of music.

In the 29th episode of the ECM Podcast Sinikka Langeland joins us to talk about her new album "Wind And Sun", featuring a Norwegian cast of ECM-stalwarts including trumpeter Mathias Eick, saxophonist Trygve Seim, bassist Mats Eilertsen and Thomas Strønen on drums. Sinikka talks about nature, sounds and poetry.

In the 27th episode of the ECM Podcast we are joined by John Scofield, whose newest recording, the double-album "Uncle John's Band" - the guitarist's third leader-date for the label - features Vicente Archer on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. John talks about the music he loves, the joy of playing with friends and how to turn anything into a jazz song.

In the 26th episode of the ECM Podcast we met up with Austrian guitarist/composer Wolfgang Muthspiel to talk about his new trio recording "Dance of the Elders" with Scott Colley on bass and Brian Blade on drums. On the album the group's interplay has grown even more fluid. Wolfgang takes us through the album song by song and talks about the collaborative spirit he shares with his sidemen and about the magic of being able to tell a good story through the sequencing of an album.

In the 25th episode of the ECM Podcast Polish alto-saxophonist Marciej Obara joins us to talk about his new album "Frozen Silence", recorded with his long-standing quartet of Dominik Wania on piano, Ole Morten Vågan on bass and drummer Gard Nilssen. It is the group's third album for the label and perhaps the quartet's strongest musical statement to date, inspired by the dramatic landscapes of South West Poland. Maciej talks about the different voices and colours his bandmates bring to the group, and about the various influences - from free jazz musicians like Bill Dixon to classical composers like Rachmaninoff - that informed the writing process of the music for the new album.

In this 24th episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by Elina Duni to talk about her new recording "A Time To Remember", which sees her continuing her intimate musical conversations with Rob Luft on guitar, Fred Thomas on piano and percussion as well as Matthieu Michel on flugelhorn. Elina talks about images, sounds, exile, water and love.

In this 23rd episode of the ECM Podcast, guitarist Jacob Young joins us to talk about his new trio recording "Eventually", with Mats Eilertsen on bass and Audun Kleive on drums. Jacob talks about the process of writing and recording his first guitar trio album, about other guitarists and guitar trio records that inspired him and about the influence ECM stalwart Jon Christensen - his mentor of many years - had on him.

In the 22nd episode of the ECM Podcast, trumpeter Ralph Alessi talks about his new quartet recording "It's Always Now", on which he is joined by pianist Florian Weber, bassist Bänz Oester and Gerry Hemingway on drums. The album was produced by Manfred Eicher. Ralph gets into the differences of being a musician in the US and Europe, talks about education in music and about the art of naming songs.

In the 21st episode of the ECM Podcast, Zsófia Boros joins us to talk about her new album "El último aliento". The Vienna-based, Hungarian guitarist recorded the album at the Auditorio Stelio Molo in Lugano, with Manfred Eicher producing. On the record Zsófia interprets contemporary Argentinian compositions from Carlos Moscardini, Joaquín Alem, Quique Sinesi and Alberto Ginastera as well as expressive pieces by French composer Matthias Duplessy. In our conversation Zsófia talks about the recording session in Lugano, about how she lets instinct guide her choices of repertory, and she outlines her relationtionship to the songs she interprets and how they become her "good friends".

In the 20th episode of the ECM podcast, we are joined by acclaimed American guitarist Ralph Towner, who has been with ECM since back in 1973, when his debut for the label was released. On his new solo album, “At First Light”, recorded in Lugano in 2022, the guitarist presents new and familiar original compositions as well as a couple of songs from the Great American Songbook, performed on classical guitar. In our conversation, Ralph goes all the way back to the beginnings of his collaboration with Manfred Eicher and talks about his days as a piano player, or studying guitar in Vienna and then founding the band Oregon. Of course, we also speak about his new record.

In this 19th episode of the podcast, we are joined by British drummer and composer Sebastian Rochford, whose leader-debut for ECM, “A Short Diary”, was just released and finds him in intimate performances of deep feeling and hymn-like clarity, together with pianist Kit Downes. The album is dedicated to Rochford’s father, Aberdeen poet Gerard Rochford (1932-2019) and to his family. Seb talks about loss, grief and how the music of this special album came to him.

In this 18th episode of the podcast, we are joined by the Norwegian saxophonist-composer Mette Henriette, whose sophomore recording for the label, “Drifting”, was just released and finds her in an intimate trio setting with Johann Lindvall on piano and Judith Hamann on violoncello. Mette talks about the relationship between improvisation and composition, how important it is to give ideas time to let them mature, as well as about the recording, mixing and mastering of her new album in Oslo, France and Munich.

In this 17th episode of the ECM Podcast we got together with German-American pianist Benjamin Lackner, whose ECM debut “Last Decade” features Mathias Eick on trumpet, Jérôme Regard on bass and drummer Manu Katché. Benjamin talks about the recording of the album at Studios La Buissonne, about his past ten years and why they ended up as the album’s title, about studying with his teachers Charlie Haden and Brad Mehldau as well as about what it’s like to work with this specific group and the groove that they bring.

For this 16th episode of the ECM Podcast we met up with both Joe Lovano and Jakob Bro whose new album “Once Around The Room” is a tribute to Paul Motian and features bassists Thomas Morgan, Larry Grenadier and Anders Christensen as well as both Joey Baron and Jorge Rossy on drums. Joe and Jakob talk about the influence of Paul Motian in their music and their life, the importance of “transmission” and much more.