The Playful Musician

Saxophonist Joel Frahm is a regular on the New York City club circuit. He's appeared alongside musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Bill Charlap and Matt Wilson and has recorded with Diane Schuur, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit and other top jazz artists. Joel joins The Playful Musician to discuss how the pandemic has shifted his career, including sparking his newest endeavor, writing a book. We chat about the recent passing of legendary jazz artists, Chick Corea and Freddy Cole. Joel shares about transcribing his first Johnny Griffin solo, how he developed his signature sound, and how playing the blues influenced him as a jazz artist. We discuss playing in a duo, recording with your heroes, and learning jazz standards. Joel shares his practice routine and how he draws inspiration from books, art and of course, other musicians.

Grammy® nominated jazz singer, Sara Gazarek, has been one of the leading lights of an impressive generation of jazz vocalists since her brilliant emergence at age 20. She has five acclaimed albums, an ardent fanbase, enthusiastic reviews, a teaching position at the University of Southern California, and collaborations with such luminaries as Kurt Elling, Fred Hersch, Billy Childs, and Larry Goldings.Sara joins The Playful Musician to discuss the Grammy® nomination process and what it’s like to be nominated and attend music’s biggest event. We chat about the loss of legendary jazz musician Chick Corea. Sara shares about finding success at an early age, improvising beyond melodies, and the value of going on the road. We discuss teaching practices and how she empowers and challenges her students. Sara also shares her approach to songwriting and how she’s finding inspiration with her new vocal group, säje.

Rhett Bender is a Professor of Music at the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University. He teaches music theory and saxophone performance and is a founding member and soprano saxophonist with the Mazama Saxophones and Globe Saxophone Quartet. Rhett joins The Playful Musician to discuss pandemic challenges, including teaching remotely and how performing has changed. He shares about his time as a student of Dr. Kenneth Fischer, and how Fischer taught him to practice efficiently. Rhett talks about his journey to become a saxophonist and university professor. We chat about the difference between playing and practicing and Rhett shares where he finds creative inspiration.

Deanna Swoboda is an Associate Professor of Music at Arizona State University. She teaches tuba and euphonium, Entrepreneurship and Music courses, coaches chamber music, and designs creative music performances. Early in her career, Deanna developed the K-6th grade music program, Band Blast Off. She toured and performed at thousands of schools across the country inspiring children to play instruments. Deanna shares how she teaches students to improvise musically, and in life, and how she encourages them to pursue and diversify their goals. We discuss our brass heroes, Deanna’s journey from clarinet to tuba and how she encourages playfulness in the practice routine. Deanna shares about her time with Dallas Brass, the challenges and opportunities of teaching during a pandemic and what’s currently inspiring her.

Pianist Alexander Tutunov is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding virtuosos of the former Soviet Union. He's performed throughout Europe, China, Mexico, and the United States as a solo performer, soloist with orchestra, and on radio and television. When he's not traveling or recording Emmy award winning soundtracks, Alexander is a Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at Southern Oregon University. He is a passionate musician with a fascinating life story. At the age of six, Alexander moved away from his family to study music in Moscow. We chat about studying music at a young age, influential teachers and how the trombone saved him from fighting with the Soviet Union military in Afghanistan. Alexander shares about his rehearsal process, what inspires him and how he plays in service of the music.

Susan Mohini Kane is a professor of voice and opera and professional classical singer. She teaches opera workshops, master classes, voice lessons, and opera training programs throughout the United States and Internationally. Susan is absolutely one of the most playful people I know. She has an upbeat, innovative energy she brings to every aspect of her music and teaching. We chat about her experience teaching workshops at a maximum security prison, how to embrace musical opportunity during this unconventional time and the challenges of teaching online. Susan shares her practice routine, her advice for young musicians and why singing matters.

Vicki Genfan is a virtuoso guitarist, singer and composer. Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, she has a distinctive style that pushes the boundaries of the singer/songwriter genre into new territories. Vicki is honest, thoughtful and soulful. We chat how the Covid-19 pandemic and huge life events have challenged her to slow down and get creative with making music. Vicki shares about her songwriting process, playing covers, battling self doubt and her journey to grow musically over the years.

In the second half of my conversation with guitarist Jeff Pevar, we chat about playing with the greats. From recording Ray Charles’ Christmas album to playing with David Crobsy, he talks about pushing boundaries, knowing your worth and the highlights of being on a world tour. Jeff also shares what it’s like to work with your partner, the ups and downs of composing and what advice he has for the next generation of musicians. Jeff Pevar is a guitarist, composer, producer, performer and multi-instrumentalist. He's brought his unique musical style to movie scores, television shows, advertisements and composes original music for his own releases.

Jeff Pevar is a guitarist, composer, producer, performer and multi-instrumentalist. He's brought his unique musical style to movie scores, television shows, advertisements and composes original music for his own releases. Jeff is entertaining, passionate, extremely talented and a true community builder, inside and out of music. From the infamous audition to touring the world, he shares about his time performing with musical legend Ray Charles. Jeff talks about pursuing your passion, taking chances, letting the music speak through you and so much more.

He may be best known for his 12 year stint as a drummer for the Blue Man Group, but Matthew Kriemelman’s talents reach far beyond the Las Vegas stage. From NYC’s downtown club scene to touring in fifteen different countries as a “Road Runner” recording artist to performing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he has a rich musical background. Matthew shares all about his time as a “Blue Man” plus how he hyper prepares for a gig and the value of recording practices and performances. We chat about artistic influences and how to find joy in every beat.

Flutist Tessa Brinckman has been described as a “flutist of chameleon-like gifts.” Not only does she play the flute, piccolo, baroque, alto, bass and contrabass flutes, and miscellaneous keyboards, but she also composes, teaches and brings her musical talents to art installations and animation.In this episode, Tessa shares her inventive and holistic approach to practice, performance, and moving through life. We chat about everything from music in the theatre to influences to how music teaches grace and truth.

Todd Barton is a composer, sound designer, multimedia performer and an analog synthesist specializing in Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments. From innovative scores for plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to avant-garde music for electronic synthesizers and computers, Todd’s musical resume is impressive and unique to say the least. From the trumpet to the buchla, Todd shares his musical background plus we chat what it means to “play the space,” the unconventional beauty of the buchla, composing with uncertainty and his advice for the next generation of musicians.

Theresa McCoy is an accomplished percussionist. She’s played with esteemed symphonies, salsa bands, on horror movie soundtracks and for distinguished guests such as the Queen of England. Theresa exudes playfulness and has a zest for life and music. She shares her journey as a musician, tips for sight reading and how to find joy in all aspects of the musical process.

Martin Majkut is a world class conductor and human being. He’s lived through a revolution, has two PhDs, can sing, play piano and inspires orchestras to deliver exciting, polished and powerful performances. He’s the Music Director of the Rogue Valley Symphony in Ashland, Oregon, and the Queens Symphony Orchestra in New York. Martin shares his experience growing up in Czechoslovakia during the Velvet Revolution, his journey as a musician and conductor, his practice formula and how he incorporates play into rehearsals, performances and conducting. All recordings by Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra, including: Beethoven Symphony no. 9 in D minor, Op.125, movement 4, "O Fruende nicht diese Töne(Ode to Joy)"; Wagner: Tristan un Isolde:Prelude; Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 4 in F minor, Op. 36, movement 2: Andantino modo di canzona.

Versatile doesn’t even begin to describe my first guest. Terry Longshore is a percussionist, composer, teacher and performer. From collaborating with multi-media artists to composing live music for dance and theatre to premiering works by today’s most ground-breaking composers, his musical resume is impressive and unique. When he’s not performing around the world, you can find Terry teaching young musicians as Professor of Music at the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University.

This episode explores the inspiration behind the podcast. Steve talks about influencers from university professors to siblings to current friends. He also shares a clip from episode 1 where he and Terry Longhsore talk about music as language and the influence of Victor Wooten on their teaching philosophies.