Along with being a conductor and violinist, Jared Judge is an established web developer and entrepreneur. He created and runs BookLive.com , a web tool for musicians to streamline their booking, band scheduling and more. Jared currently serves as Director of Development for the Milwaukee Philharmonic Orchestra. Jared is the definition of innovative. He joins The Playful Musician to discuss how he launched Dream City Music and the origins of BookLive.com. We chat about how he started playing the ...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 34
Korean-born clarinetist, Wonkak Kim, is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at the University of Oregon School of Music. Wonkak has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at leading venues throughout the United States, as well as in Paris, London, Ghent, Geneva, Seoul, Osaka, Costa Rica, and Brazil. He was the first Korean clarinetist to perform Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto on basset clarinet in a nationally broadcasted concert with Seungnam Philharmonic Orchestra in South Korea. Wonkak is a fo...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 33
Jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer, a two-time GRAMMY nominee, has approximately 20 albums to his name as a bandleader. He has built a successful career by creating unusual and compelling music with a wide range of artists, from singers such as Diana Krall to bassists such as Christian McBride, and rock stars such as Sting. Geoffrey has toured all over the world, playing with giants of jazz like Joshua Redman, Pat Metheny, and Wayne Shorter. He has taught numerous master classes at schools and univers...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 32
Jazz artist, Kate McGarry, and guitarist, Keith Ganz, have been musical and life partners for 17 years, producing 6 critically acclaimed albums together and earning two GRAMMY® nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album. After honing their craft on the NYC jazz scene for many years and a stint out west at the California Jazz Conservatory, the couple currently resides in Durham, NC. Kate and Keith join The Playful Musician to discuss their new record, eleven years in the making, What to Wear in the Da...
Oct 08, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 31
James Genus is an American jazz bassist and currently plays in the Saturday Night Live Band. He has performed as a session musician and sideman throughout his career, with an impressive list of artists including Roy Haynes, David Sanborn, Bob James, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis. James joins the Playful Musician to chat about taking a break from touring and performing during the pandemic. He tells stories about playing with many iconic jazz musicians, including Roy Haynes and ...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 30
John Ellis is a gifted, versatile saxophonist and composer. His music is incredibly creative and embodies the celebratory, welcoming spirit of New Orleans and the edgy, frantic streets of New York City. Both as the leader of his own eclectic projects and as sideman for a variety of artists, he consistently expresses a keen intellect and easy virtuosity. John joins The Playful Musician to discuss how he first got into playing the saxophone and his early influences. We geek out about saxophone tec...
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 29
Steve Owen is a saxophonist, composer, and the Director of Jazz Studies at University of Oregon. He is the founder and co-director of the Oregon Jazz Festival, an annual workshop for college, junior high, and high school jazz ensembles, the University of Oregon Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp, and is on the faculty of the University of Kansas’ jazz camp. Steve is the original playful musician and was a big inspiration for this podcast. He joins The Playful Musician to chat about how music has bee...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 28
American jazz saxophonist, Donny McCaslin, has recorded over a dozen albums as a bandleader in addition to many sideman appearances, including on David Bowie's final studio album, Blackstar. He is a two-time Grammy nominee. His most recent album, Blow , is described as “a daring fusion of vibrant electronica, and bombastic art-rock.” Donny joins The Playful Musician to chat about his recent tour in Europe and how good it felt to play live again. He shares what it was like recording with David Bo...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 27
Tierney Sutton is a 9-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist. She has received a “Best Jazz Vocal Album” Grammy nod for every project she has released in the last decade. Known for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of The Great American Songbook, Sutton is heralded for her abilities as both a jazz storyteller and her ability to use her voice as an instrument. Tierney joins The Playful Musician to discuss her pandemic projects, which include creating a series of by-request videos and w...
Jul 31, 2021•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 26
Gian Slater is a vocalist and composer based in Melbourne, Australia. Gian is the definition of innovation. Her unique approach incorporates wordless singing and improvisation, songwriting; electronics and extended vocal techniques; new music and contemporary composition and collaborations with theatre and dance practitioners. She has released eight albums of her original music,and has featured on many projects and recordings for acclaimed Australian and American artists. Gian discusses how the ...
Jul 16, 2021•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 25
Amanda Tosoff is a B.C-raised, Toronto-based pianist, composer, and educator with six albums to her credit. As a bandleader and side-woman, she has performed with internationally-recognized artists such as Emilie-Claire Barlow, Ingrid and Christine Jensen, Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, and many more. She’s received various honours, a Juno nomination and mention on the Polaris Prize “Longer List,” for her album Words. Amanda joins The Playful Musician to chat about starting her online education busine...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 24
Ike Sturm is a bassist, composer and bandleader in New York City. He is the Music Director for the Jazz Ministry at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. He has performed with Alarm Will Sound, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Gene Bertoncini, Ingrid Jensen, Donny McCaslin, Bobby McFerrin, Ben Monder, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler. His large-scale Jazz Mass album received a 4 1/2 star rating from DOWNBEAT magazine and was named among the “Best CDs of the Year.” Ike joins The Playful Mus...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 23
Sara Caswell is a Grammy-nominated jazz and classical violinist. Through her technical facility and gift for lyricism, she is fast becoming one of today’s foremost jazz violinists. Sara began playing violin at age 5, made her orchestral debut at 15, earned degrees from Indiana University and Manhattan School of Music, and amassed over 100 awards in the jazz and classical competition worlds. Sara joins The Playful Musician to discuss her teaching techniques, including how she teaches classically ...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 22
Juno-award winning Jazz Saxophonist, Composer and Arranger, Allison Au (pronounced "ow") refuses to be defined. Born to a Chinese father and Jewish mother, and raised in the multicultural metropolis of Toronto, Allison found music as a young child. Exposed to a wide array of musical styles, she was captivated by the unhinged freedom of Jazz. Jazz became Allison’s lab for self-expression, exploration, and musical experimentation. Her work weaves a mosaic of influences into a seamless and soulful ...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 21
Janis Siegel, a nine-time Grammy winner and a seventeen-time Grammy nominee, has been an undeniable force in The Manhattan Transfer’s diverse musical catalog. Alongside her career as a founding member of this landmark musical group, she has also sustained a solo career that has spawned more than a half dozen finely-crafted solo albums and numerous collaborative projects, amassed a large international fan base, and garnered consistently high critical praise. Janis joins The Playful Musician to di...
May 07, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 20
Steve joins The Playful Musician to discuss his journey to Ashland, Oregon and how the pandemic has impacted his life. We chat about the nuances of keeping time, his practice routine, and how practicing ambidextrously can improve your match grip. Steve tells stories about learning how to play the drums on a practice pad, touring with Jean-Luc Ponty, and playing big stadium shows with Journey. He shares who he dreams of collaborating with, what he’s currently listening to, and where he finds insp...
Apr 23, 2021•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 19
Laila Biali is an award-winning Canadian jazz singer and pianist. She has been nominated for and won a Juno Award and has toured with Chris Botti, Paula Cole and Suzanne Vega, and recorded with and supported Sting. Laila’s a CBC Music national radio host and has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City’s Carnegie Hall to Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. Laila joins The Playful Musician to discuss the ups and downs of being a musician during the...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 18
Clarence Penn is one of the busiest jazz drummers in the world, a leader of multiple bands, a composer, a prolific producer, and an educator. He’s composed music for films and commercials, produced tracks for numerous singers in the pop and alternative arenas, and played with an amazing array of artists including Ellis and Wynton Marsalis, Stanley Clarke, Steps Ahead, Makoto Ozone, Luciana Souza, Richard Galliano, and Fourplay. Clarence joins The Playful Musician to discuss his transition from t...
Mar 26, 2021•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 17
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 transcr...
Mar 12, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 16
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...
Feb 26, 2021•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 15
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. Rhet...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 14
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 encourag...
Nov 13, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 12
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, Ale...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 11
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 ...
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 10
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 ov...
Jul 31, 2020•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 9
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-instr...
Jul 17, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 8
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 chanc...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 7
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 a...
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 6
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 g...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 5
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, com...
May 22, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 4
