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PODCAST

The Playful Musician

The Playful Musician dives deep into a musician’s journey, techniques and influences. From the first instrument they played to how they prepare for big concerts or recordings to how they find joy in the long practice hours, this podcast reveals the beautiful, and peculiar, details of an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an aspiring musician looking for inspiration, a seasoned pro trying to find new techniques, or just a fan of the musical process, you’re going to love this podcast.

music music interviews

All Episodes

60:25

Miguel Zenón - Saxophonist and Composer Releases...

The Playful Musician ·

2025/08/29

Miguel Zenón joins me on The Playful Musician. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and living in New York City Miguel is a Grammy Winner, Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, and a Doris Duke Artist.Growing up in San Juan, Miguel Zenón originally thought he would study engineering, but during his senior year of high school he was drawn to jazz, much to his family’s surprise. With no musicians in his family, the transition was stressful, and he describes it as a leap of faith. Today

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66:00

Jon Irabagon - Chicago Saxophonist On His New Release...

The Playful Musician ·

2025/08/15

Filipino-American saxophonist and composer Jon Irabagon joins the ranks of legendary saxophonists sharing their stories on The Playful Musician. Born in Chicago, Irabagon studied at DePaul University before moving to New York City to earn his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music, followed by postgraduate studies at Juilliard. He has taught on four continents and is currently on the faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he teaches jazz saxophone, directs combos,

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53:37

Lafayette Gilchrist - Keyboardist, Composer Launches...

The Playful Musician ·

2025/07/25

Lafayette Gilchrist is a keyboardist, composer, and the newest piano chair in the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra.In this episode, Gilchrist shares his story of growing up in Washington, DC, and what led him at age 17 to finally sit down at a piano and begin teaching himself to play and compose. He describes how his early love of hip-hop, funk, and go-go evolved into a passion for jazz, sparked by Chuck Brown’s riffs and inflections woven into the popular music of the time. After earning a degree

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61:06

Roberto Kalb - Music Director and Composer

The Playful Musician ·

2025/06/20

Fulfilling the unrealized aspiration of his paternal grandfather to become a conductor, Roberto Kalb’s early life was shaped by supportive parents, teachers, and mentors, combined with unrelenting drive and courage.Where many might have shied away from the pursuit, Roberto carved his own path. His journey to becoming a composer and conductor, with a biography that reads like a travel guide through the Midwest, is marked by bold opportunity-taking and the determination to create new

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54:27

Israeli Chamber Group - Tibi Cziger, Founder,...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/12/02

In this episode I sit down with Tibi Cziger, clarinetist, founder, and Artistic Director of the Israeli Chamber Project before his visit and performance with the Chamber Music Concert December 4th in Ashland, Oregon. The Israeli Chamber Project consists of strings, winds, harp, and piano. They were named the winner of the 2011 Israeli Ministry of Culture Outstanding Ensemble Award and 2017 Partos PrizeTibi is the founder, and Artistic Director of the Israeli Chamber Project. It’s been 16

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71:43

Carla Ecker - Violinist and Concertmaster

The Playful Musician ·

2024/11/22

Carla Ecker, concert violinist, and I sat down in Ashland, Oregon, for a delightful in-person conversation. She has performed with renowned orchestras, including the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, El Paso Symphony, and the Phoenix Symphony. Currently residing in Tucson, Carla maintains an active performance schedule across the U.S. and has served as the Concertmaster of the Rogue Valley Symphony

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60:04

Angela Johnson - Singer, Songwriter, Producer on Her...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/10/25

Angela Johnson’s music is rich and funky, featuring smart and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny, soul-baring lyrics. She broke onto the music scene as a member of Cooly's Hot Box, which showcased her unique blend of jazz, soul, and R&B. Johnson then released her first solo album, “They Don't Know,” jumpstarting her solo career and highlighting her production skills. As a singer, songwriter, and producer known for her soulful voice and compelling compositions, she has a soul made for

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69:53

Martin Majkut - Music Director of the Rogue Valley...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/09/27

I’m grateful to be sitting down once again with Martin Majkut, Music Director of both the Rogue Valley Symphony in Oregon and the Queens Symphony Orchestra in New York. We haven’t spoken since 2020, and there’s much to catch up on.We geek out over Beethoven's 5th Symphony and the ongoing debate about its proper tempo. Martin shares how fatherhood has transformed him as both a person and a conductor, explaining why becoming a father later in life has been ideal for him. We also delve into

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46:31

Caity Gyorgy - Juno Award Winning Vocalist Talks Her...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/09/13

Caity is a two-time Juno Award-winning vocalist from Canada, known for her remarkable musical talent and relentless work ethic. Her voice has an instrumental quality that can hold its own against any saxophone on an improvisational riff. Gyorgy has performed at jazz clubs and festivals across Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United States, collaborating and recording with incredible musicians, including Christine Jensen, Pat LaBarbera, Jocelyn Gould, Ira Coleman, Bryn Roberts, and Joe

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67:16

Nikka Costa -Iconic Soul and Funk Singer Releases New...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/08/16

Nikka Costa returns to the music scene after a career break, and we sit down to discuss her life and her new album, Dirty Disco. Costa’s evolution as an artist is truly inspiring. Each of her works invites the listener to peel back layers, revealing more about this transformative vocalist with every song and decade.In our candid conversation, we revisit her early fame, which began with an album that catapulted her to stardom at just seven years old. From being greeted by adoring fans at

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63:08

Will Vinson - Jazz Alto Saxophonist and Composer

The Playful Musician ·

2024/08/02

Originally from London, Will Vinson has played as a leader and sideman in New York, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, and Japan. Will is a member of Rufus Wainwright’s band and has performed, arranged, and recorded with Sufjan Stevens, Sean Lennon, Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton, Harper Simon, and other jazz visionaries.In this episode, we discuss his mentors and how they have

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72:00

Sarah Belle Reid - Performer, Composer, Rule Breaker...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/07/05

Sarah Belle Reid is a rule breaker. A performer-composer who trained in trumpet and moved through, and at times against the status quo, to modular synthesizer, and an ever-expanding array of handcrafted electronic instruments. The personal voice she explores, moves between the intersections of contemporary classical music, experimental and interactive electronics, visual arts, noise music, and improvisation. Reid holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from California Institute of the Arts, with

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69:06

Alexandra Arrieche - Dynamic, Versatile and Creative...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/06/21

Alexandra Arrieche, Brazilian-born conductor keeps busy working with some of the most important ensembles and figures in both classical and pop music. With an ability to move masterfully between genres, she distinguishes herself as one of the most unique and exciting conductors of her generation. Alexandra currently serves as Music Director of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and the Henderson Symphony, and as Principal Conductor of the Antwerp Philharmonic in Belgium as well as conducting

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93:22

Jennifer Roig-Francoli - Violinist, Author and...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/06/07

From picking up the violin before even mastering speech, to gracing prestigious concert halls worldwide, Jennifer Roig-Francoli’s musical odyssey is as captivating as her performances. An international prize-winner, her talent has been featured in TIME Magazine. She’s also certified and accomplished Alexander Technique (AT) instructor, reshaping how musicians perceive and inhabit their craft, with the goal to free mind, body, and spirit. Jennifer immerses us in her enthralling violin

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73:35

Idit Shner - University of Oregon Saxophone...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/05/25

This week, I sit down with Idit Shner. Idit holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University, a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas. She currently teaches at the University of Oregon as a professor of saxophone and jazz studies. Idit has performed solo recitals across the United States and Israel.Idit is one of those rare musicians who excels in both classical and

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75:19

Garrett Baxter - Portland Oregon Based Bassist,...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/05/10

Heralded as one of the best prepared and most serious bassists by Chuck Israels, Garrett Baxter is also a longtime friend. Though years separate us, Garrette and I grew up in the same small town in Southern Oregon where we cut our teeth in band rooms from high school to college. Residing now in Portland he is one of the most exciting young bassists in the city. One of only a few in person interviews I have done, I was excited to join Garrett in his home in Portland to talk music. We chat

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97:54

Russell Scarbrough - Composer, Arranger, Trombonist...

The Playful Musician ·

2024/04/26

Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Jazz Ensemble Director at Houghton University Russell Scarbrough is a composer, bandleader, trombonist, and educator. His works have been performed by symphonies, orchestras, big bands, jazz ensembles, and soloists alike on a multitude of stages, at schools and universities, Carnegie Hall, and the steps of the US Capital. Russell and I get nostalgic and walk down memory lane in this episode. Tune in and reminisce with us about choosing our first

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72:03

Joanna Wallfisch - Singer, Songwriter and Adventurer

The Playful Musician ·

2024/04/12

Joanna Wallfisch is a London born vocalist/composer, hailing from generations of musicians. A multi-instrumentalist, she plays the guitar, ukulele, charango, piano, flute, and is a master in the art of live vocal looping. Her music is at once, hypnotic, and genre defying.We sat down right before her newest album, now released, All in Time dropped. This latest is a collection of songs, with “no particular theme, but an overarching sense of purpose”. About allowing herself to be more patient,

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62:45

Kat Eaton - UK Based Singer and Songwriter

The Playful Musician ·

2024/03/29

Kat Eaton has a voice dripping with deep, sultry tones and a pen that cuts through both light hearted topical themes and heavy social issues with equal parts soul and finesse. From drunk-dialing your ex to the persecution and attacks on the LGBTQAI+ community, Kat is the relevant, progressive musician we are all searching for. Truly an artist for the modern times. Kat has toured the UK/EU and sold out multiple headline shows in London, co-writing with the likes of Caro Emerald, Ruby Turner,

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5:20

2024 SEASON TRAILER

The Playful Musician ·

2024/03/24

The Playful Musician is back with a new season and you won’t want to miss it. Our host Steve Davidson will chat with musicians of every ilk; diving into the background, practice rituals, and origin stories of each guest. Discover talented, inspiring artists as you are introduced to them for the first time or hear stories regaled from your favorite performers and legends of our era.With Davidson’s captivating interview style he deftly pulls out intimate stories and candid moments you’ll not

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66 results

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