This week we're talking with creative musical supremo Alice Zawadzki - an astonishing singer, violinist and composer.We explore her journey into music via the influences of New Orleans and music colleges, her approach to creativity and reflections on the natural world, and her unbridled and broad appetite for music in all its forms and types.Obviously, there's an extra special quiz, additions to the fantasy house band, and some cracking musical recommendations.Alice's album recommendations included:Faint by Taylor Deupree (2012) on Norman RecordsJS Bach: ThreeOrOne by Fred Thomas, Aisha Orazbayeva & Lucy Railton (2021) on ECMEl Hal/The Feeling by Electric Jalaba (2021) on Strut RecordsSupport the show & buy us a coffee!You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewsteadLinksKeep up to date with Alice here: www.alicezmusic.comKeep up to date with the Watford Jazz Junction here (and to buy tickets for our festival 19-22 May 2022): www.watfordjazzjunction.comCreditsPresenter: Chris NewsteadTheme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.Recorded March 2022.
This week we're talking with Mark Armstrong - trumpeter, composer, arranger and artistic director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.We discover all sorts from tales, from dusty old trumpet shops in to dodgy student band names, from fabulous young NYJO musicians to awesome players in the world's greatest bands - it's a musical big band treat!Mark's album recommendations included:Cookin' and Relaxin' (double disc) by Miles Davis (1958) on PrestigeComing About by Maria Schneider (1996) on EnjaPlugged In and Live by Earth, Wind & Fire (1996) on PyramidSupport the show!You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewsteadNext episodeAnd just a reminder that our next episode won't come out now until March 2022. Plenty of time to catch-up with the back catalogue... :-)LinksKeep up to date with NYJO here.Keep up with Mark here.CreditsPresenter: Chris NewsteadTheme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.Recorded February 2022.
This week we're joined by the super talented and very interesting Alex Webb - pianist, composer, arranger and serial collaborator.We chat about his fabulous new album British Standard Time featuring Jo Harrop, Carroll Thompson, Luca Manning and Tony Momrelle, reflect on the jazz scene in the UK in some depth and explore all the motivations behind continuing to write and create.It's a beaut!Alex's album recommendations, include:Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (1976) released on TamlaMiles Ahead by Miles Davis (1957) released on ColumbiaThe Audience with Betty Carter (1980) released on Betcar; VerveSupport the show!You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewsteadLinksKeep up to date with Alex via his website here.CreditsPresenter: Chris NewsteadTheme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.Recorded January 2022.
This week we're in conversation with Jess Gillam MBE, presenter of the This Classical Life Podcast as well as being a hugely talented saxophonist and awesome performer.We chat about all sorts including her musical pathways into professional life, her influences, and her reflections on the importance of music for mental wellbeing.Oh, and we discuss the critical issues of Marmite or marmalade, greatest Abba songs, and cope with the jaw dropping revelation of which instrument Jess would drop from a symphony orchestra...Jess's album recommendations include:Blackstar by David Bowie (2016) released on Columbia/Sony.What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971) released on TamlaDummy by Portishead (1994) released on Go! BeatSupportYou can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewsteadLinksFor more information about Jess check out: https://www.jessgillamsax.co.uk/And listen to her This Classical Life podcast via BBC Sounds or click here.CreditsPresenter: Chris NewsteadTheme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.Recorded December 2021.
This week we're joined by Tara Minton and Ed Babar to find out more about their new album, 'Two for the Road'.We chat about all sorts including Tara's musical journey from Australia to the UK, the influence of early education on Ed, and learn why Lithuania and The Netherlands are go to jazz countries!Their album recommendations include:Blue by Joni Mitchell (1971) released on RepriseThe Clown by Charles Mingus (1957) released on AtlanticMusic for Large & Small Ensembles by Kenny Wheeler (1990) released on ECMSupportYou can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewsteadLinksFor more information about Tara and Ed's work, including to buy their album, check out Tara's website at: http://taraminton.com/CreditsPresenter: Chris NewsteadTheme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.Recorded December 2021.