Yuri Liberzon 'Konstantin Vassiliev Guitar Works, Volume 1'

The latest episode of Harmonious World - the last one for 2022 - features my second  conversation with guitarist Yuri Liberzon. I hesitate to call him a classical guitarist and you'll hear why.

    This second conversation takes us on a journey through the works of composer Konstantin Vassiliev and Yuri's album of Vassiliev's guitar works that cross genres and include elements of contemporary classical, jazz and traditional Russian folk music.

    Thanks to Yuri for allowing me to play extracts from his latest album alongside our conversation.

Garrett Keast and BAAM

 Coincidentally, this interview with American conductor Garrett Keast appears exactly a year since our last episode together. 27 December seems to be our anniversary! In this conversation, we catch up on some of the exciting plans for the Berlin Academy of American Music in 2023 (and 2024 ....).

This second conversation gives me the chance to feature more of the music form the BAAM 2021 album Transatlantic.

Thanks to Garrett for allowing me to play extracts from Transatlantic alongside our conversation.

Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."

Dizzy and Fay 'Hooked'

I'm catching up on some of the great conversations I've had in recent weeks: this time it's another duo - songwriters Dizzy and Fay.

    The website includes lots of videos and links to their album - Hooked - which is beautiful.

    Thanks to Dizzy and Fay for allowing me to play extracts from Hooked alongside our conversation.

Chris Allard and Ross Stanley 'Tortugas'

Piano and guitar duo Ross Stanley and Chris Allard joined me for the latest episode of Harmonious World.

    Their album - Tortugas - came out in July and it's been a delight to listen to in preparation for this conversation.

    For those of you wanting to catch up on Ross's work with Trish Clowes that we discuss, you can find out more about their duo here.

    Thanks to Chris and Ross for allowing me to play extracts from Tortugas alongside our conversation.

Billy Pod 'Quintessence'

I'm joined by Greek drummer, now based in London, Billy Pod for the latest episode of Harmonious World.

I've been loving listening to Billy's latest album - Quintessence - and it was a pleasure to chat with him.

Thanks to Billy for allowing me to play extracts from Quintessence alongside our conversation.

The Riff Magazine UK - Associate Editor

A new venture awaits - I am now Associate Editor of The Riff Magazine UK. Watch out for lots of reviews and interviews appearing in due course.

Rob Luft - New Year Concert on the BBC World Service

My first review for The Riff Magazine UK features the recording of Rob Luft's appearance on the BBC World Service New Year Concert.

Peter Janson 'Getting To Here'

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with guitarist and composer Peter Janson.

    Getting To Here is a collection of self-penned tracks and arrangements of classics (including Chick Corea's Spain) featuring Peter on solo jazz guitar.

    Thanks to Peter for allowing me to play extracts from Getting To Here alongside our conversation.

    Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."

Support the show

Approaching the end of my 50s - on another podcast

I was recently asked to appear on the '50 Women Over 50' podcast by presenter Sherilynne Starkie and it caused me to look back on the last nine and 11/12 years.

    You can listen to the result here.

Roland Kirk - Live at Ronnie Scott's (1963)

 One of my favourite albums of 2022 - with music recorded in 1963. It was a pleasure to review this for KindofJazz.com

'Just Before Midnight'

I hope you enjoy this episode of Harmonious World as much as I enjoyed the conversation. Drummer and composer Peter Kogan has produced a stunning album and it was a pleasure to chat with him.

    Just Before Midnight features a selection of ensembles with Peter at the core and you really need to hear the whole collection of tracks to get a full sense of the breadth of the playing from all involved, and the compositions of Peter himself.

    Thanks to Peter for allowing me to play extracts from Just Before Midnight alongside our conversation.

Enjoy the marvellous 'Tesla Rhapsody' from Marina Arsenijevic

The latest episode of my podcast features the marvellous Marina Arsenijevic and we discuss her  Serbian American background and especially one of her most recent compositions and recordings, the absolutely wonderful Tesla Rhapsody.

    Thanks to Marina for allowing me to play extracts from Tesla Rhapsody alongside our conversation.

    Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."

A change of name - nothing else to see here

The more observant of you may have noticed that I have moved from Hilary Robertson to Hilary Seabrook. Actually, it's a move back, since Seabrook was my maiden name.

    It's taken 20 years since my divorce for me to decide to move back and that's the process I'm starting today.

    There will, inevitably, be some cross-over, but from now I consider myself a 'Seabrook' once more. And nothing more will change ... until something else changes.

Peter Boyer 'Balance of Power'

In a highly topical episode, Harmonious World this time features a selection of music, including one piece composed by Peter Boyer to remember the fallen during the First World War.

    Peter's fourth album of orchestral music features the London Symphony Orchestra in a selection of his works, including Balance of Power.

    Thanks to Peter for allowing me to play extracts from his orchestral works alongside our conversation.

'Crepuscolo'

As this episode of Harmonious World begins, you can hear the piano of Ammiel Bushakevitz and the simply extraordinary voice of American tenor Timothy Fallon, who joins me for this conversation.

Timothy and Ammiel's latest album - Crepuscolo - is a collection of the songs of Ottorino Respighi. Our conversation ranges across the album, Timothy's background, Vienna and his award-winning collaboration with Ammiel.

Thanks to Timothy for allowing me to play extracts from Crepuscolo alongside our conversation.

'Wild Monsoon'

The latest episode of Harmonious World features composer, producer and performer David Vito Gregoli.

    David's latest album is a collaboration with double Grammy winner Ricky Kej. Wild Monsoon is an eclectic, mesmerising collection and this is an interesting discussion of how the music came into being.

    Thanks to David for allowing me to play extracts from Wild Monsoon alongside our conversation.

'The Paper Lined Shack'

I was delighted to discuss the album 'The Paper Lined  Shack' for this episode of Harmonious World with composer Jeff Beal.

    The two collections - The Paper Lined Shack and Things Unseen  - are disparate but beautiful compositions and somewhat cinematic. My discussions with Jeff Beal cover the composition, recording and his musical background. I hope you enjoy listening in. 

    Thanks to Jeff for allowing me to play extracts from The Paper Lined Shack and Things Unseen alongside our conversation.

'In Flower, In Song'

For this episode of Harmonious World I am joined by sax player Derrick Michaels and bassist Zachary Swanson: two-thirds of Trio Xolo.

    If you're unfamiliar with free-flowing improvisation, the Trio Xolo  latest album - In Flower, In Song  - is a great place to start. The combination of bass, percussion and sax brings a sense of music that captures the moment in which it is performed. I enjoyed discussing the album with Derrick and Zachary and hope you enjoy listening in.

    Thanks to Trio Xolo for allowing me to play extracts from In Flower, In Song alongside our conversation.

'Birds of a Feather' by Ben Raznick

The first episode of season 10 of Harmonious World features an interview with pianist and composer Ben Raznick.

    Ben's latest album - Birds of a Feather  - includes classic piano tracks alongside some original compositions. Our conversation includes much about his music and a slight deviation into discussion of Denver, the city Ben currently calls home and where the album was recorded.

    Thanks to Ben for allowing me to play extracts from Birds of a Feather alongside our conversation.

Trailer for season 10

I'm grateful to pianist Ben Raznick for asking me about my sax playing. I thought it would make an interesting trailer for season 10, which starts this week.

    The first guest for season 10 will be Ben, talking about his new album Birds of a Feather. In this trailer, you can hear his composition Barcelona Tango-Rag, which feels like it should be my new theme tune!

    First, you can hear a brief update of my life as a sax player, including mention of both NYJO and The Style Council.