This episode of Harmonious World was a total delight - not only did I get to interview the pianist Nicolas Horvath, who is a Steinway Artist and a fascinating musician, but we were also discussing the compositions of William Susman. Bill and I chatted for episodes 16 and 31 of Harmonious World and he was generous enough to introduce me to Nicolas (virtually, at least).
These compositions on Quiet Rhythms Book 1 are stunning and Nicolas plays them with panache. Listen to the album if you can, but I hope you enjoy listening to the extracts you can hear before and after our conversation.
Big Wade and Black Swan Theory collectively blends funk, soul, jazz and everything that fills the cracks between those genres: his new album - Piano Man - on all major streaming platforms ahead of the Piano Man Tour 2024 , which has dates across the US. Piano Man brings a selection of original and covers, including a stunning version of Autumn Leaves , which reinvents the song as the funky, electronic Autumn . Big Wade's voice takes the song's melody and improvises around and around, with backing vocals and a deliberately sparse arrangement underpinning the song. Similarly, on Children of the Ghetto , the lead and backing vocals blend in with the soulful musicians of Black Swan Theory. Electronics are used with dexterity, often expanding the vocal lines, as in the ethereal and ghostly opening of Don't Let Me Go . However, the tools never dominate - simply adding depth and layers to the funk. Never more than when Big Wade enters a new world in Interludes , including vocals...

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