'Heart of Mine'

Not only have I interviewed composer and pianist Ross Lorraine

 for the latest episode of Harmonious World, but I was fortunate enough to attend the album launch and hear these songs performed live.

    Heart of Mine features some extraordinary musicians, including singers Claire Martin, Ian Shaw and Luca Manning.  My conversation with Ross discusses the composition process, as well as how delighted Ross is with the interpretations of his songs by this impressive cast.

    Thanks to Ross for allowing me to play extracts from Heart of Mine alongside our conversation.

My Horizon

The latest episode of Harmonious World features a conversation with pianist and composer Darren Litzie.

    My Horizon is Darren's debut album and it includes a selection of original tracks and especially the beautiful standard I Have Dreamed. If you're fortunate enough to be in Fairfield, Connecticut in October, you can catch the album launch.but meanwhile, I hope you enjoy our conversation.

    Thanks to Darren for allowing me to play extracts from My Horizon alongside our conversation.

Composing in real time with masters of their craft

If you're reading this while listening to the opening, I hope you are enjoying the wonderful music of violinist Pei-Wen Liao and pianist William Goldstein. This conversation really is about them sharing what they're best at - the concept at the heart of Harmonious World.

    Pei-Wen and Bill's album is Brushstrokes: The intersection of Art and Music. In essence, this is composition in real-time, and each piece of music is then linked (after the recording) to an art work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition process is fascinating and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

    Thanks to Pei-Wen and Bill for allowing me to play extracts from Brushstrokes alongside our conversation.

'Short Stories' from Gareth Williams

There's another UK artist in this episode of Harmonious World, as I speak to dynamic and creative pianist Gareth Williams.

    Gareth's latest album is Short Stories  and it features some more legendary musicians on a thought-provoking collection of original and jazz standards. Our conversation took place in the heat of July and the rain is pouring as I'm editing this, but the music seems to fit with whatever season and weather surrounds us.

    Thanks to Gareth for allowing me to play extracts from Short Stories alongside our conversation.

    Find out more about where to hear Gareth on Facebook.

'I Need A Song'

This episode of Harmonious World sees me in conversation with singer songwriter and producer Gavin Holligan.

    Gavin's album I Need A Song is out now and only available direct from the artist. In our conversation (along with contributions from a playful cat) we discuss his background, his joy of writing with a purpose and experimentation as an independent artist.

    Thanks to Gavin for allowing me to play extracts from I Need A Song alongside our conversation.