Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

by Leah Roseman

Season 5

Sam Sadigursky: Clarinetist for Philip Glass Ensemble, The Band’s Visit, The Solomon Diaries

Sam Sadigursky is a renowned clarinetist, composer, and member of the Philip Glass Ensemble. In this episode, we explore his latest project The Solomon Diaries with Nathan Koci, his work on Broadway in The Band’s Visit, and his career spanning jazz, classical, and contemporary music. Sam shares stories from touring with Philip Glass, mentors Brad Mehldau and Lee Konitz, and his upbringing in a musical immigrant family. We also dive into improvisation beyond music, the impact of streaming algorithms, and the cultural legacy of the Borscht Belt. Listen to insights into Sam’s unique voice as a composer and performer, and hear excerpts from some of his wonderful creative output. Sam Sadigursky’s website Podcast website: episode page with YouTube, Transcript Newsletter sign-up Podcast merch Buy me a coffee? Other episodes you'll love: Meg Okura Tasha Warren Yale Strom Colleen Allen Rachel Eckroth and John Hadfield (00:00) Intro (02:11)Sam’s musical family and early influences (08:02) jazz, hearing heroes play teen years in L.A. (10:12) Isaac Sadigursky, VNP Hora with clip (14:26) move out to New York (17:05) about Six Miles at Midnight with clip, Nathan Koci, Satie influence (21:07) Touring with Philip Glass Ensemble (25:23) influence of Glass, Migrations Vol. 5 Solomon Diaries (28:59) clarinet music, Eleven from 24 Rhythmic Duets for Clarinet, teaching, Vince Trombetta (33:54) other linked episodes you’ll love and ways to spread the word! (34:33) about “Lucky” vol. V The Solomon Diaries, wife Sarah, Danny Fox (40:10) early jazz mentors and opportunities, Brad Mehldau, Bill Berry (42:31) parenting, streaming and music industry challenges (45:44) Broadway: The Band’s Visit and beyond (51:18) solo piano music, Incidentalee dedicated to Lee Konitz, from Figures/Broken Pieces performed Nick Sanders (54:39) many instruments, decision to focus on clarinet (57:38) Borsht Belt history, Marisa Scheinfeld, The Solomon Diaries (01:03:24) Guy Klucevsek, “Secondhand” The Solomon Diaries Vol. IV by Nathan Koci (01:08:17) creative output, music industry challenges, Words Project, upcoming projects

S5 · E43

Oct 10, 2025

1:21:34

Pat McCusker: Scoring The Ezra Klein Show, Touring with David Duchovny, and Composing for Podcasts

Composer and audio producer Pat McCusker joins me to talk about his work creating music for The Ezra Klein Show, his role at The New York Times, and what it’s like touring the world as a musician with actor David Duchovny. Pat's music also appears on The Daily, Modern Love, and many more. 🎶 What we talk about in this episode: Composing the theme for The Ezra Klein Show Scoring for podcasts and working with The New York Times Touring internationally with David Duchovny The power of music in shows like Severance and White Lotus Tools and gear Pat uses as a composer Managing anxiety and building creative community If you're a composer, musician, or podcast fan, you'll find plenty to connect with in this conversation. Web page for the episode includes transcript, YouTube link. Pat McCusker David Duchovny Other episodes with some of the media composers I've featured: Pat Irwin, Christoph Zirngibl, Adam Blau, Anže Rozman and Kara Talve Buy me a coffee? Podcast Merch Newsletter sign-up 🎙️ About the show: Conversations with Musicians. with violinist Leah Roseman: weekly episodes featuring a fascinating diversity of musical guests worldwide. (00:00) Intro (02:55) how Pat became a podcast composer (07:16) creative process Magical Tree Creatures theme for “The Ezra Klein Show” with clip (10:37) composing for podcasts at The New York Times, the function of music in podcasts (18:01) listening and appreciating great podcasts, Marc Maron (23:11) The Big Question Mark with clip, "Interesting Times with Ross Douthat” (26:37) Severance and White Lotus inspirations, Moog synthesizers (32:09) other episodes you’ll love, ways to support this podcast (32:58) rock career, Buzzbody, David Duchovny, Pat Irwin (41:00) Holding Patterns with David Duchovny (website linked in show notes) (45:57) joy of performing and touring, his dad (49:35) Pat’s youth, discovering guitar, Berklee (55:43) Buzzbody Full of Fear, dealing with anxiety (01:03:12) some personal creative projects, wife Simo (01:10:52) suggestions for books, podcasts, music

S5 · E42

Oct 4, 2025

1:17:19

Clay Zeller-Townson of Ruckus Early Music

I have become a big fan of Ruckus, a dynamic Early Music ensemble, and I so enjoyed this uplifting conversation with Clay Zeller-Townson, their Artistic Director and bassoonist. ou’ll be hearing clips from The Edinburgh Rollick with music from the Niel Gow collection, featuring the violinist Keir GoGwilt, and because this music is very much at the crossroads of Scottish traditional music and Baroque music, it delights audiences who are more into folk as well as baroque. You'll be inspired to hear Clay’s ideas around crafting something truly personal and unique and connecting with audiences, as well the importance of access to music education at all levels. We also got into Ruckus’ Fly the Coop project with flutist Emi Ferguson with a wonderfully fresh take on the music of J.S. Bach, and a lot of what Clay shared was how the musicians connect deeply with their audiences with contemporary relevance in many different ways. You’ll find the track names of the music included in the time stamps. The complete show notes on my website will take you the video and transcript for this episode. Ruckus Early Music Other episodes you'll love: bassoonist Christopher Millard, Lutenist Elizabeth Pallett, recorder player Sarah Jeffery , fiddler Alexis Chartrand, organist Gail Archer and cellist Juliana Soltis. Buy me a coffee? Newsletter Merch (00:00) Intro (02:04) Ruckus early music continuo band, creating unique style and sound (09:10) violinist Keir GoGwilt The Edingburgh Rollick (clip from The Jenny Nettles Set), Neil Gow (15:16) how Baroque bassoon is different from modern (18:10) Ruckus’ collaborative creative process (23:23) Mrs. Ferguson’s Strathspey, about the Beatles’ quote (26:28) Playing for dancers (31:54) playing for opera with no conductor (37:02) Fiona Gillespie with clip of The Broome of Coudenknowes (40:15) Clay’s childhood and discovery of the bassoon (42:19) other episodes you’ll love (43:11) Clay’s music education and forming Ruckus (46:38) flutist Emi Ferguson, album Fly the Coop with J.S. Bach Siciliana (54:53) The Edinburgh Rollick album art, The Gigg Set with clip (01:01:10) Clay’s life as an educator (01:08:02) Early Music scene (01:14:07) Roscoe Mitchell project

S5 · E41

Sep 27, 2025

1:18:27

Leif Karlstrom's Volcano Listening Project: A Unique Fusion of Science and Music

Join me in getting to know the fascinating world of Leif Karlstrom, a musician and scientist who combines data sonification in his outstanding collaborative exploration, The Volcano Listening Project. Leif is an Earth scientist at the University of Oregon who studies fluid motions in and on volcanoes and glaciers, landscape evolution, and geodynamics. He’s also a fantastic violinist and mandolin player, composer and improvisor. The Volcano Listening Project features many great musicians including Billy Contreras, Todd Sickafoose and Laurel Premo. You’ll also hear music from Leif’s fantastic duo Small Town Therapy with Adam Roszkiewicz, from their album Dreams and Circumstances. Learn how sonification can transform data into a powerful tool for scientific discovery and education and hear about Leif’s adventurous life as both a musician and scientist. My website takes you to: linked episodes, newsletter sign-up, merch store, Ko-fi page, YouTube and Transcipt! The Volcano Listening Project album Small Town Therapy (00:00) Intro (02:07) Leif’s family influences, musical background, with clip track 2 Lava dome failure at Soufrière Hills, Montserrat, 2003 (07:37) The Volcano Listening Project upcoming tour, creative collaboration, with clip track 12 Large earthquakes during caldera collapse, Kilauea, 2018 (13:25) Billy Contreras with clip track 4 Mount Saint Helens drumbeat seismicity and eruption, 2004, album art Rachel Sager (17:09) sonification of the data with clip track1 A walk through fresh tephra (24:32) memorable experiences in the field with volcanoes (29:06) instrument collection, 5 string fiddle design (32:21) Adam Roszkiewicz, with clip Small Town Therapy track 7 from Dreams and Circumstances “33” (36:45) other episodes linked in the show notes and ways to support this podcast (37:35) sonification of the data as a scientific tool with clip track 7 Seismic cycles of caldera collapse, Kilauea, 2018 (42:47) Leif’s touring experiences, keeping music in his life, parenting (50:28) more volcano science with clip track 3 650 years of global explosive eruptions, Stash Wyslouch (53:50) Adhyaropa records sonification tracks add-on, Laurel Premo with clip track 10 Lightning and the ash plume of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha-apai, 2022 (57:28) collaborating, Alaska, Todd Sickafoose, Idit Shner, Johnny Rogers, upcoming tour

S5 · E40

Sep 20, 2025

1:02:37

Martha Redbone: Blending Afro-Indigenous Identity and Appalachian Traditions Through Bold Creative Projects

Martha Redbone is acclaimed for her powerful performances as a singer, as well as her prize-winning song-writing, composition and arranging. For over 30 years she’s been in a successful collaboration with her partner Aaron Whitby and we talked about some of their new theatrical projects including Black Mountain Women, The Sex Variants of 1941, and Guardian Spirit: The Words of bell hooks. Throughout this episode you’ll be hearing clips from Martha’s powerful album The Garden of Love which sets the poetry of William Blake to the diverse music of Appalachia, written with Aaron and John McEuen of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Many people think of the music, culture and history of Appalachia in terms of the blend of white settlers in the area, but Martha’s family heritage from Harlan County Kentucky includes African American, British, Chickamauga-Cherokee and Mississippi Choctaw. She shared her experiences growing up with her grandparents as part of a coal-mining family, as well as the dramatic changes she has witnessed in Brooklyn over several decades. In this wide-ranging episode, you’ll also hear Martha’s great advice for self-care, maintaining boundaries and working collaboratively. We started this conversation with Martha’s collaborations with clarinettist Tasha Warren and cellist Dave Eggar and if you missed my interview with Tasha last year it’s linked to this one below. You can also watch this on my YouTube and I’ve also linked the transcript on my website Martha Redbone website The Garden of Love album Buy me a coffee? Podcast Merch Newsletter sign-up Other episodes you'll love: Tasha Warren Shakura S’Aida, Chuck Copenace, Jah’Mila, and Vahn Black photo: Christine Jean Chambers (00:00) Intro (02:56) Tasha Warren, Dave Eggar clip Black Mountain Calling (09:06) Black Mountain Women, clip of A Poison Tree (13:12) history Black people in Appalachia (16:06) mixed Black Indigineous family history (25:00) Carnegie project, The Garden of Love with clip of The Garden of Love (32:30) John McEuen, David Amram clip of Sleep, Sleep, Beauty Bright (37:47) telling broader story (42:47) learning Indigenous culture, Brooklyn (48:02) other episodes, (48:53) musical influences (music clip On Another Sorrow) (54:01) Brooklyn (58:15) bell hooks (01:02:59) The Sex Variants of 1941, Stephen Trask, Steve Cosson, LGBTQ+ history (01:07:53) Aaron Whitby

S5 · E39

Sep 13, 2025

1:15:47

Tammy Takaishi on Music Therapy, Creative Careers & Hosting Creative Peacemeal Podcast

Tammy Takaishi is a Board Certified Music Therapist, Podcaster and writer based in New York. We talked about her podcast Creative Peacemeal, her meaningful and multi-faceted career as a Music Therapist, and her full creative life including her writing. If music therapy is a career you’re curious about, you’ll be inspired by her stories and insights. As a fellow podcasters, we definitely bonded over our enthusiasm for the medium and the wide range of fascinating, creative people we’ve been able to connect with. I know that fans of Tammy’s podcast will be interested to learn more about her path, personal perspectives and great advice including avoiding burnout. You can watch this on my YouTube or listen to the podcast; I’ve also linked the transcript to my website Tammy's podcast Creative Peacemeal I wanted to let you know about some other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, with Martha Anne Toll Heather Taves Jeeyoon Kim Gertrude “Trudy” Létourneau Philip Griffin Newsletter sign-up! Podcast Merch Podcast Support page (00:00) Intro (01:42) Tammy’s musical childhood, juggling creative pursuits (08:15) Creative Peacemeal podcast (14:15) preventing burnout (16:55) Music Therapy with babies NICU (22:54) Music Therapy careers and training (29:53) inspiring stories from life as a Music Therapist (38:30) other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast (39:10) music therapy life (49:52) contrast between Houston

S5 · E38

Sep 7, 2025

1:09:23

Carla Patullo: GRAMMY-Winning Composer on her album Nomadica, Grief, LGBTQ+ Mentorship & Healing

Welcome to Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman with powerful, in-depth conversations with a fascinating diversity of musical guests wordwide. In this moving episode, I sit down with GRAMMY-winning composer Carla Patullo. Carla shares her deeply personal journey as well as audio clips from Nomadica, her gorgeous new album born from grief, healing, and resilience following the traumatic loss of her mother and her own battle with cancer. We dive into Carla’s creative process, her emotional transformation, and the collaborative magic behind the album — including features with Martha Wainwright, the Scorchio Quartet, and Tonality. You'll also hear about her powerful projects with partner Elizabeth Beech honoring animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger, her longtime work with Sandra Bernhard, and the meaningful mentorship she’s received within the LGBTQ+ music community, including from Laura Karpman. From her tight-knit Italian family roots to her evolution as a touring artist and composer, this episode is a must-listen for fans of ambient music, film composition, and stories of personal and artistic growth. Like all my episodes, you can watch the video or listen to the podcast; the transcript is linked to my website. All the clips from Nomadica are listed in the timestamps, and you can buy or stream the album from Carla’s website. Buy me a coffee? Newsletter Podcast Merch Other episodes I’m sure you’ll love: Anze Rozman and Kara Talve Adam Blau Martha Mooke EmmoLei Sankofa J. Walter Hawkes Kavisha Mazzella (00:00) Intro (02:05) album Nomadica, Scorchio quartet, Carla’s mother death (07:46) clip of A Handblown World (13:04) cancer treatments, Carla’s mother’s hair salon (16:40) clip of Nomadica (17:29) Tonality vocal ensemble (19:20) Martha Wainwright (21:35) clip of Fly Under (22:23) cover art, Jamie Dwyer (23:51) Italian family (28:08) Carla’s youth, first album, Berklee (33:07) Sandra Bernhard, LGBTQ+ community (37:25) Lotte Reiniger (39:31) Other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast (40:20) Lotte That Silhouettte Girl (42:26) inspiration for Nomadica, All of Us Strangers (46:40) creative process with clip of Isochronic Waves (48:19) film score work, immigrant experience, Italian heritage (50:52) cancer and recovery, self-care (56:40) Below the Surface with excerpt (59:20) The Hurricane musical, getting back on stage with SO SHE HOWLS (01:02:50) film composer life, effects of GRAMMY win, mindset, orchestration

S5 · E37

Aug 27, 2025

1:08:40

Acoustic Legend Darol Anger: ‘Diary of a Fiddler 2’ Preview + Reflections on a Life in Music

Darol Anger is an acoustic music legend known as much for his innovative fiddle style beyond Bluegrass and Jazz traditions, and his teaching. Darol has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, and his current touring group Mr Sun. This podcast episode is being released a few days before his new 2-album set Diary of a Fiddler #2: The Empty Nest, and you’ll be hearing many clips from this brilliant collaborative project that features dozens of phenomenal string players and improvisers. You’ll find the titles and performers from these clips in the timestamps Diary of a Fiddler #2 Album Anyone interested in the history of American acoustic music will be curious to hear Darol’s stories from his long career, and his advice to students from his many years teaching at Berklee and online at ArtistWorks. Most importantly I’m sure you’ll be inspired by Darol’s openness and generosity to musical connection. My website including YouTube Darol Anger website Newsletter Buy me a coffee? Podcast Merch Martin Hayes Tracy Silverman Brittany Haas Joe K. Walsh Leslie DeShazor Julie Lyonn Lieberman Sara Caswell (00:00) Intro (02:14) summer festivals, Diary of a Fiddler projects (09:28) Brittany Haas with clip of I Coulda told U (10:49) recording the album, Liza Jane Parade with clip (14:44) Mike Barnett with clip Liza Jane Reboot (18:48) Darol’s early career in San Francisco (28:57) 5 string acoustic violin (33:30) Enion Pelta with clip Ouditarus Rez, teaching (39:00) other linked episodes (39:53) ArtistWorks, Berklee teaching (47:52) Ella Jordan, John Mailander with clip The Unberable Gift (49:43) Berklee, Jenna Moynihan with clip Melt the Teakettle (53:32) the importance of a positive and supportive atmosphere (57:54)playing bowed string instruments, baritone violin (01:01:46) Martin Hayes, Allistair Fraser, Natalie MacMaster (01:07:20) Casey Driessen with clip The Amen Corner (01:09:44) Rembemering Emy Phelps with clip of The Crooked Road to Emy with Tristan Clarridge (01:17:51) Mr. Sun 01:19:23) Diary of a Fiddler #2 with clip of the end of La Ville Manteaux with Trent Freeman, gardening

S5 · E35

Aug 21, 2025

1:25:21

Electric Strings, Classical Roots: Tracy Silverman on Turtle Island, Strum Bowing, and Creative Freedom (re-release)

Originally released in 2022: Tracy Silverman is truly an inspiring musician in every respect and it was such an honour to meet him and be able to record this memorable episode! This interview is also available as a video; the transcript is also linked on my website We talked about his classical roots, studying with legendary teachers Lewis Kaplan and Ivan Galamian, his rejection of the classical world and his fascinating career, through his years in rock bands, we even talked about some of his early gigs, including learning the ropes as a strolling violinist, getting the job as first violinist of the innovative Turtle Island string quartet, and the development of his Strum Bowing method. We talked about many musicians, including some of his collaborators and mentors including Terry Riley, Darol Anger, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Mark Wood, and composers Roberto Sierra and John Adams. In this conversation one of the many topics we covered was the new concerto writtten for Tracy called “Ficciones” by Roberto Sierra. Finally, we dived into his creative process, how music affects our emotions, and how to stay open by listening to others, and learning to show up as ourselves. Tracy Silverman website Please help me keep this podcast going! Podcast merch Newsletter (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:29) Concerto "Ficciones" by Roberto Sierra, premiered with the American Symphony Orchestra (00:07:13) Tracy's 6-string electric violin built by Joe Glazer with demonstrations, and more about "Ficciones" (00:14:14) Tracy's support system for the instrument, progression from classical violinist through his rock days (00:22:37) Lewis Kaplan (00:25:25) Ivan Galamian (00:28:40) Tracy's approach to Bach (00:32:04) Tracy's childhood, improv and composition (00:36:17) "Ficciones" "Between the Kiss and the Chaos" (00:40:51) Turtle Island String Quartet and career advice (00:44:35) Strolling violin gigs, wedding singer (00:47:41) John Adams, "Dharma at Big Sur", solo recital versions of concerti (00:50:00) Looping with demo (00:57:27) Album "Beats and Jams" with son "Toby Beats" (01:02:11)Terry Riley (01:24:03) process of improvisation, Strum bowing different styles (01:17:47) Egberto Gismonti, Darol Anger (01:22:00) teaching, strum bowing in school music programs (01:24:43)Turtle Island String Quartet, Darol Anger and the origin of strum bowing (01:28:08) music affects our emotions (01:32:10) Roy "Futureman" Wooten, positive mindset (01:37:30) challenges with the 2020 lockdowns (01:44:35) commission for "Ficciones" with different orchestras (01:46:22)Tracy's mission with string playing, practicing, advice

S5 · E34

Aug 16, 2025

2:07:20

Derek Gripper: Guitar, Kora, and the Art of Listening (re-release)

This was originally released in 2022. The internationally renowned South African guitarist Derek Gripper is famous for his groundbreaking technique for evoking the West African kora on the guitar. During this episode you’ll get to hear Derek play quite a bit and you will hear his wonderful insights on how we listen to and learn music, the influence of Montessori and Alexander Technique in his life, his reflections on important collaborations in his career and his perspectives on changes that have been imposed on creators and performers. My website for the video and transcript Derek Gripper Website Newsletter Buy me a coffee? Podcast Merch (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:45) Bach guitar music with intro (00:04:00) carnatic music studies, album with tabla player Udai Mazumdar (00:06:12) structural improvisation, Bach (00:08:18) Alexander Technique (00:15:28) violin studies (00:16:24) Derek's recording approach (00:20:30) “Billly Goes to Durban” (00:21:28) kora music, Toumani Diabaté (00:25:18) “Tubaka” guitar music (00:26:36) Derek’s transcriptions, Zoom classes (00:30:12) online music economy, Derek’s experiences with selling albums, Platoon label (00:35:35) Montessori method and teaching guitar (00:39:38) "A Year of Swimming" (00:41:34) Alex Van Heerden, “Sagtevlei”, Steve Reich, Bryan Bolton (00:45:36) Guy Buttery and different collaborations (00:48:12) South Africa and COVID’s economic ramifications (00:49:43) Madosini (00:52:06) World Music as a genre and marketing tool (00:58:23) Derek’s style of performing (01:00:31) mental health, touring, mindset with Alexander Technique inhibition and internal resistance (01:04:42) "Seeing Nobody" guitar music (01:07:00) reflections on Derek’s career, being South African, John Williams, Lucy Duran (01:11:30) Derek’s guitars, Paul Galbraith Brahms guitar, “Bloomdorns”, Hermann Hauser, just intonation and bending notes, oud, lute, veena, (01:17:36) Derek’s advice and reflections on too much input photo: Luke Young

S5 · E33

Aug 11, 2025

1:22:16

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