The pandemic has given trumpet player and composer Tim Hagans a chance to step away from the physicality of the trumpet and focus on seeking new paths for his music. In this episode of LINER NOTES Tim speaks about preparing for an upcoming gig in Europe after not playing with other musicians for nearly two years, as well as his stunning new recording, A Conversation, featuring Germany’s NDR Big Band.

Liner Notes with David Bixler

Brooklyn bred trumpet player Adam O’Farrill is the son of award winning pianist and social activist Arturo O’Farrill, and the grandson of legendary composer and arranger Chico O’Farrill. In this episode of LINER NOTES, Adam ruminates on his realization that his pedigree doesn’t equate success. He speaks about his new recording in which he continues to create his own path as he develops his own personal voice.

LINER NOTES with David Bixler featuring Adam O'Farrill

2021 has been a busy year for alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon. He released two recordings, El Arte del Bolero with pianist Luis Perdomo, and Law Years, a recording of the music of Ornette Coleman featuring an international quartet. In this episode of LINER NOTES Miguel speaks of the redirection of his artistic pursuits during quarantine. I also want to draw your attention to the current indiegogo campaign to support LINER NOTES. If you enjoy this episode or have enjoyed any of the episodes of the podcast please consdier donating by clicking here.

LINER NOTES with David Bixler featuring Miguel Zenon

Chilean jazz guitarist, singer, and song writer Camila Meza lives in a world of color. She sees the music that she creates in a unique and personal way, inviting the listener to participate with her in the color filled journey. In this episode of LINER NOTES she speaks with an optimistic poignancy on the paralyzing effect that the pandemic has had on the moment of her latest recording, Ambar, on Sony Masterworks.  

LINER NOTES with David Bixler

Drummer and composer Rudy Royston has created new music for his band Flatbed Buggy for the In this Moment Concert Series at St. Peter’s Church in NYC which will be streamed May 1st at 2pm EST. The music is loosely programmatic, representing a day in the life of the composer in the time of Covid.   In the episode of LINER NOTES, Rudy sheds light on how the pandemic has affected him both as a person and as a musician, and offers his perspective on the remote recording and outdoor pop-up concerts that he has taken part in during the last year.

As an 18 year-old, pianist Geoffrey Keezer wowed audiences as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with his prodigious technique and improvisations. Describing his own playing, Keezer says that his natural tendency is to “throw in everything but the kitchen sink…all the time.” In this episode of LINER NOTES, Keezer talks about his development as a musician over the span of his career as well as the teaching and writing that are occupying his time while he waits for the return of normal life.

Bassist and composer Bob Hurst made an early mark on the jazz community as a member of Wynton Marsalis’ band and later gained notoriety as a member of the Tonight Show band led by Branford Marsalis. In addition to his performance career the Detroit native has been on the faculty at the University of Michigan for a number of years. In this episode of LINER NOTES Bob talks about many things including the state of jazz education as it related to the current culture in America.

The past year has provided musicians with an opportunity to get creative in new ways. Dave Douglas and Ryan Keberle have a new record out called Overcome on Greenleaf Music. The music is inspired by their heightened sense of a call for social justice and with a respect for social distancing was recorded remotely this past summer. 

Guitarist and educator Sheryl Bailey recently moved from New York to Boston to become the assistant chair of the guitar department at The Berklee College of Music. In this episode of LINER NOTES Sheryl talks about the challenges of moving to a new city while overseeing the education of nine hundred guitarists in the time of the Corona virus. We spoke over zoom-heads up that the interview is replete with the street sounds of Washington Heights.

 Composer and percussionist Dafnis Prieto’s new recording Transparency features the front line of saxophonists Román Filiú and Peter Apfelbaum, along with Alex Norris on trumpet. In this episode of LINER NOTES Dafnis speaks about his intentions behind this recording as well the fortunate timing that allowed him to capture the project immediately before the shutdown.

High Heart is the latest release from tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel. In this episode of LINER NOTES, Ben discusses the creation of this music as well as the unique position he found himself in when air travel came to a grinding halt in March at the beginning of the pandemic.

In this time of double pandemic trumpeter Ingrid Jensen looked around and did something for her community by providing nightly concerts in her front yard. In this episode on Liner Notes she talks about her response to these troubled times and how she is balancing family, music, and teaching.

This episode features alto saxophonist Antonio Hart. We spoke shortly after the murder of George Floyd and Antonio spoke candidly about race, jazz, and the future of jazz education. He also shares how he personally is keeping it together during the ongoing shutdown.

Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, known for his tenure with the Vangaurd Jazz Orchestra, has released a new Steeple Chase recording entitled Our Contrafacts with bassist David Wang and percussionist Rodney Green. In this episode of LINER NOTES Gary talks about his bout with the corona virus and his thoughts about the pandemic that is re-shaping the world we know (or knew) as musicians.

Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa’s latest recording Hero Trio pays tribute to his musical heroes. Bird, Trane, Ornette Coleman, Stevie Wonder, and yes even Johnny Cash are represented on this exciting trio recording featuring Francois Moutin on bass and Rudy Royston on drums and cymbals. 

LINER NOTES- a podcast that provides a jazz artist with a platform to speak about their process and reveal the humanity behind their music. Hosted by saxophonist David Bixler

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Liner Notes with David Bixler

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