Épisodes

  • Round Room Live: crafting family entertainment's next act

    Round Room Live: crafting family entertainment's next act
    Nov 28 2024

    Today, the Spotlight shines On Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden of Round Room Live.

    Round Room Live has become a powerhouse in family entertainment, from Broadway blockbusters to kids' favorite TV characters coming to life on stage.

    Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden launched the company in 2016 with a bold idea—take their experience from massive rock tours and use it to create live shows that capture the magic of beloved brands, from Sesame Street to Formula One. They’ve built Round Room into one of the most dynamic forces in live entertainment, with hit tours and exhibitions playing to packed houses worldwide. Their latest ventures include the just-launched Blippi tour and an upcoming 20th-anniversary spectacular for Nitro Circus. Stephen and Jonathan are here to pull back the curtain on how they bring beloved characters and stories to the stage.

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    Dig Deeper

    • Learn more about Round Room Live at roundroomlive.com
    • Follow Round Room Live on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook
    • Round Room – Phish
    • How Success Happened for Round Room Live Co-Presidents Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden

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    45 min
  • Taylor Deupree & Joseph Branciforte: reimagining Stil.

    Taylor Deupree & Joseph Branciforte: reimagining Stil.
    Nov 21 2024
    Today, the Spotlight shines On experimental music producers and label owners Taylor Deupree and Joseph Branciforte.Back in 2002, Taylor Deupree released an electronic album called Stil. That release captivated listeners with its quiet, repeating patterns and stark digital sound. Twenty years later, Taylor and producer Joseph Branciforte linked up to reimagine the album as Sti.ll, rebuilding the entire work using only non-electronic instruments.The new version takes all of the computer-generated sounds from the original and puts them in the hands of live musicians playing clarinets, strings, and percussion. It is an ambitious and adventurous project from two collaborators enmeshed in experimental music—Taylor runs 12k Music and has spent years blending electronic and natural sounds, while Joe’s built Greyfade into a label that keeps finding creative ways to present creative music.They’re here to walk us through this one-of-a-kind project while covering several other topics related to creativity and the modern music business.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the albums Stil. and Stil.ll, played side-by-side.)–Dig DeeperVisit Taylor Deupree and 12k at 12k.comVisit Joseph Branciforte and greyfade at greyfade.comPurchase Stil. from 12k or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choicePurchase Sti.ll from greyfade, 12k, Qobuz, Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceA Voyage of Seeing: On Hiroshi Sugimoto’s SeascapesDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    55 min
  • Anders Koppel: the Hammond's Danish master

    Anders Koppel: the Hammond's Danish master
    Nov 14 2024
    Today, the Spotlight shines On legendary Danish organist Anders Koppel.Great music often runs in the family, and as proof, we have our first father-son episodes of Spotlight On. Last November, we had Benjamin Koppel, son and collaborator of today’s guest.But today’s story starts decades ago when Anders played Newport with his band Savage Rose. Fast forward to now, and Anders is back at the Hammond B3, making magic with Benjamin on alto sax and the incredible Brian Blade on drums.This trio came together naturally. Benjamin and Brian have been close friends and collaborators since 2011. Something special clicked when they invited Anders to join them on the organ. Their latest album, Time Again, swings hard while aiming for the heart.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the album Time Again by Benjamin Koppel, Brian Blade, & Anders Koppel)–Dig DeeperLearn more about Anders Koppel at wisemusicclassical.comPurchase Time Again on Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceTime Again teaser videoCheck out Benjamin Koppel at benjaminkoppel.com and his check out his label Cowbell MusicBenjamin Koppel plays jazz with a novelist’s narrative (Spotlight On podcast)The Savage RoseBrian Blade | DrummerAll About Jazz Organ: Inside the Hammond B-3Kenny Werner | PianistNewport Jazz Festival - 1969–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and Mastodon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 min
  • Christian McBride: jazz notes from the engine room

    Christian McBride: jazz notes from the engine room
    Nov 7 2024
    Today, the Spotlight shines On Christian McBride, a musician, recording artist, prolific composer, arranger, producer, cultural curator, dedicated educator, and mentor.Christian has been called the hardest-working person in jazz, and based on what I just rattled off, that might be underselling it. From his early days in Philadelphia soaking up the sounds of Philly Soul to sharing stages with legends like Ray Brown and Chick Corea, Christian has become a bridge between jazz’s rich history and its vibrant future.These days, you’ll find him leading his new band, Ursa Major, hosting NPR’s Jazz Night in America, mentoring the next generation of musicians, and somehow finding time to work on a new big band album featuring twelve different vocalists. He’s also preparing for an upcoming funk tribute show with none other than George Clinton and Savion Glover at NJPAC.Whether laying down the groove with Inside Straight, his Big Band, or any other celebrated ensemble, Christian brings an irresistible combination of soul, swing, and storytelling to everything he touches. Today, we’ll explore his journey from Philly to the world stage, his passion for record collecting, and why he believes being uncomfortable might be the best way to grow as a musician.Quick note: this conversation occurred when our baseball teams were still in contention. One had a better outcome than the other, and neither made it all the way…–Dig DeeperVisit Christian McBride at christianmcbride.comListen to Christian McBride on Qobuz, Bandcamp, or your streaming platform of choiceFollow Christian McBride on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeTribute to Funk!The curious mind—and hard work—of bassist Christian McBrideJazz House Kids | School For JazzDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 min
  • Erik Davis: the beatification of blotter art

    Erik Davis: the beatification of blotter art
    Oct 31 2024

    What can be scarier than Halloween ghouls? How about a trip through the LSD underground?

    Today, the Spotlight shines On Erik Davis, and this trip is no bummer. Erik is an author, award-winning journalist, and teacher in San Francisco. He is the author, most recently, of Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium_, a study of LSD blotter art. And that’s what he’s joined us to talk about.

    Erik also wrote one of my favorite books, High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the Seventies. His scholarly and popular essays on music, technoculture, drugs, and spirituality have appeared in many books, magazines, and journals. He is also one of the founders of Alembic, a center in Berkeley, California, devoted to meditation, movement, and visionary arts and culture.

    Enjoy our talk about the hysteria surrounding LSD, the cultural significance and risks of the LSD blotter art trade, as well as the intersection between that art and the illicit drug market.

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    Dig Deeper

    • Visit Erik Davis at techgnosis.com
    • Subscribe to Erik Davis’s newsletter Burning Shore at burningshore.com
    • Purchase Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium and other books by Erik Davis from MIT Press, Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell’s
    • Eight LSD Blotters That Defined Psychedelic Culture
    • Inside the LSD Museum That the DEA Somehow Hasn’t Torn to the Ground
    • ‘I’m high as a Georgia pine’: Dock Ellis’s no-hitter on LSD, 50 years on
    • Dig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

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    • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

    • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.

    • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.


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    37 min
  • Josh Johnson: unusual objects and saxophone stories

    Josh Johnson: unusual objects and saxophone stories
    Oct 24 2024
    Today, the Spotlight shines On Josh Johnson, the Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award-winning producer.Josh joined me earlier this year to talk about his second solo album, Unusual Object, which came out this past April on Northern Spy Records. Equal parts futuristic jazz and modern composition, Josh uses processed saxophone and subtle samples in his unique compositions.In addition to examining Unusual Object, we discussed the relevance and impact of genre classifications in music, how Josh’s Grammy has led to more opportunities and connections in various music communities, the impact of Chicago’s artistic community on Josh’s development as a musician, courage in the pursuit of creative avenues, and of course, it would not be an episode of Spotlight On if we did not dig into process. So we did.Josh will be at the Village Vanguard in New York from October 29 through November 3 with Vibraphonist Joel Ross’s Good Vibes ensemble. It should be a good one.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Josh Johnson’s Unusual Object)–Dig DeeperVisit Josh Johnson at joshjohnsonmusic.comFollow Josh Johnson on InstagramPurchase Unusual Object at Northern Spy Records, Qobuz, or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceMeshell Ndegeocello Wins Inaugural Best Alternative Jazz Album Award at 2024 GrammysThe lessons of Wayne Shorter, engine of imaginationJosh Johnson “Marvis” live performanceThe Conversations That Make a Voice // Josh JohnsonDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 min
  • Shawn Mativetsky: a tabla adventure through Temporal Waves

    Shawn Mativetsky: a tabla adventure through Temporal Waves
    Oct 17 2024
    Today, the Spotlight shines On composer and percussionist Shawn Mativetsky. A renowned tabla player, Shawn is a pioneer in bridging the worlds of Western and Indian classical music.We discussed the intricacies of traditional Indian music, including the setup and tuning of the instruments, the guru-disciple relationship, and the reception of Western musicians in the Hindustani community. We also explored the importance of deep learning, consistent practice, and research in mastering a musical instrument, with Shawn sharing his personal journey and commitment to his craft.Shawn and I spoke much earlier this year, around the April release of his album, Temporal Waves. Enjoy.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the album Temporal Waves)–Dig DeeperVisit Shawn Mativetsky at shawnmativetsky.comVisit Temporal Waves at temporalwaves.comPurchase Temporal Waves on Qobuz or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow Temporal Waves on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and YouTubeIntro to Tabla & North Indian Rhythm – Shawn MativetskyIntroduction to Classical TablaPandit Sharda SahaiCanadian Percussionists: Shawn MativetskyDig into this episode’s complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    32 min
  • Paul Stache: The Art of Running Smoke Jazz Club in NYC

    Paul Stache: The Art of Running Smoke Jazz Club in NYC
    Oct 10 2024

    Today, the Spotlight shines On Paul Stache, co-owner (with his wife and partner Molly Sparrow Johnson) of Smoke Jazz Club, one of New York City’s premier live music venues. Smoke is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2024 and Paul joined us to talk about the storied venue’s past, present, and future.

    In addition to the club’s 25th Anniversary Celebration plans, we hit on topics like how their business has navigated the transition to a digital world, insight into managing an independent venue, as well as many of the amazing artists who have graced their stage over the years. Enjoy.

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    Dig Deeper

    • Visit Smoke Jazz Club online at smokejazz.com
    • Follow Smoke Jazz Club on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
    • Visit Smoke Sessions Records at smokesessionsrecords.com or on Bandcamp
    • Smoke Rises: A Jazz Room Returns on the Upper West Side
    • Smoke Jazz & Supper Club reopens (video)
    • Harold Mabern “The Iron Man: Live at Smoke” (video)
    • Smoke Jazz Club NYC: Talking with Co-owner Paul Stache

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    • Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

    • Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.

    • Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    28 min