A new take on the classical violin for 2021

Grammy-nominated violinist Curtis Stewart joined me for the latest episode of Harmonious World.

    His new album - Of Power - conveys much that history needs to know about the Covid-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and what it means to be alive in 2021.

    I'm tipping this for a Grammy nomination, but, as Curtis and I discuss in our conversation, the category it would sit in would need much discussions. Fundamentally classical, Of Power combines elements of improvisation and electronics alongside Stewart's own stunningly virtuosic violin playing.

    Thanks to Curtis for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our conversation.

Disconnections - probably what we all need right now

 I reviewed 'Disconnections' by Matteo Finali's Final Step. Read it here.

Ladies and gentlemen, the inspirational Arturo O'Farrill

You know how, as a parent, you're not allowed to have favourite children? As a podcaster, I can't have favourite guests, but Arturo O'Farrill would definitely be in the top three!

    I had the immense pleasure of speaking to pianist, composer, band leader, educator and truly inspirational Arturo O'Farrill for the latest episode of Harmonious World.

    Virtual Birdland brings to your ears 10 compositions from over 50 online concerts recorded from the safety of the musicians' homes during the pandemic. This album is a sure-thing for a Grammy in 2022 and it brings to life some of the wonderful music performed regularly at Birdland by O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

    Thanks to Arturo for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our conversation.

Every. Single. Toothbrush

Did you know that every single toothbrush you have EVER used still exists?

    It will be in landfill or in the ocean or on a beach somewhere. And will probably still be there in 1,000 years.

    You can stop that ever happening again by making one simple change. You can do it today.

    (And, actually, those old plastic toothbrushes do make really good cleaning tools around the house, so use them as long as you can!)

    If you're ready to make one simple change today, I can even help. If you use my code @BAMBUUHILARY you can get 10% off with my friends at @Bambuubrush.

    Just. Click. Here.

Harmonious World interview with Nick Finzer

The latest episode of Harmonious World features an interview with trombonist and bandleader Nick Finzer.

    Cast of Characters is the recording of a live set recorded immediately prior to the pandemic in March 2020. It's a beautiful collection of compositions and such a delight to hear a band playing live in front of an appreciative audience. If you're fortunate enough to live on the East Coast of the United States, you could even be part of that audience in the coming weeks.

    Thanks to Nick for allowing me to play extracts from the EP alongside our conversation.

Take to the skies with @BambuuBrush

 I love writing blog posts like this - celebrating exciting times with @BambuuBrush.

Kind of Jazz latest review - 'Dance Little Lady, Dance Little Man'

One of my favourite albums of 2021 - this one is from saxophonist Sam Braysher.

    Read my review here.

An interview with a hero - Gavin Bryars

Thanks to Andrew Burashko from Art of Time Ensemble (who features in episode 52), I managed to have a conversation for Harmonious World with Gavin Bryars, a British composer I have long wanted to interview.

    It was a delight to speak to Gavin and I have also managed to book my ticket for his concert in as part of Cambridge Summer Music Festival.

    We managed to discuss Gavin's background in music as well as several of his compositions and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Latest episode of Harmonious World

This is a double interview - I spoke first to Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refosco, and then we were joined by American drummer Joey Waronker. Together, they make up JOMORO.

    Blue Marble Sky is a fascinating album, not least because it comes from rhythm-driven minds. Both Joey and Mauro have played with some incredible artists and this album features some great guests.

     Thanks to Joey and Mauro for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our conversation.

Final Step - 'Disconnections'

The latest episode of Harmonious World features an interview with Matteo Finali, guitarist and band leader of Final Step.

     The fifth album from Matteo's band is Disconnections and it's well worth a listen. It has been described as post-Miles electric jazz,  but if that means nothing, just know that this is funky and full of energy. Probably what we all need right now.

     Thanks to Matteo for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our conversation.

Lullabies with Jane Roman Pitt

I was delighted to interview Jane Roman Pitt for the latest episode of Harmonious World.

    Jane has written and performed several albums of lullabies, and we were specifically talking about an earlier one - Midnight Lullaby.  Although we tend to think of lullabies as useful for getting babies to sleep, there's more to the musical form than that, as Jane and I discuss.

    Thanks to Jane for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our conversation.

'Entendre' - listen

The first full episode of season five features Swiss pianist and composer Nik Bartsch.

     This was a fascinating interview, around Nik's playing and his new album - Entendre. I've selected two tracks to begin and end the podcast and I hope they give you a flavour of Nik's playing, which beautifully and profoundly confounds ideas of composition, interpretation and improvisation. Entendre is well worth a listen.

     Thanks to Nik for allowing me to play extracts from the album alongside our conversation.

Season five trailer

 Welcome to season five of Harmonious World!

     This trailer contains a request just for you, dear listener.

     Could you please leave me a review and a rating wherever you find your podcasts? It would really help me - I'm getting lots more listeners, but I have a target and I'm not even close!

     Also, don't forget you can buy me a virtual coffee by clicking on the link below.

     And season five has some great guests lined up - you're going to love it!