Divergent Paths With Dan Dunford

This week, I sat down with the lovely women who make up Parhelion Trio (Sarah Carrier, flute; Ashlee Miller, clarinet; Andre Christie, piano) to talk about their unique ensemble and their approach creating their own musical voice. And everything that goes with that. Featured on this episode, the Trio performs "Techno-Parade" by Guillaume Connesson. For all things Parhelion: parheliontrio.com facebook.com/ParhelionTrio And as I mention on this episode, I will be donating a dollar to the victims and families affected by today's Orlando tragedy for each Divergent Paths download over the next 7 days. SHARE. Or donate yourself. Help your fellow humans.

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with (fellow caffeine-jacked Mannes alum) Sebastian Vera, principal trombonist of the Pittsburgh Opera and the River City Brass Band, and co-founder of the annual Third Coast Trombone Retreat in Montague, Michigan. We got into the how one becomes a complete person, practicing gratefulness, Third Coast's mission, and all sorts of other things. Featured on this episode, Sebastian performing (3-time guest) Ben Brody's "Time in Waves" for solo trombone and delay. For more information on the Third Coast Trombone Retreat, go to: tromboneretreat.com For all things Sebastian: twitter.com/sebastianvera instagram.com/johnsebastianvera HE'S ALSO ON LINKEDIN! YEAH!

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mary Hammann, violist and 25 year member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. And she is a delight to talk to. We talk about the exhaustion that comes along with playing 7 operas a week, the delight of having an opera performance life, and maybe why younger audiences don't appreciate opera as much? Listen to Mary at the Met (of course), but also as a member of the critically-acclaimed Aureole Trio (with flautist Laura Gilbert and harpist Stacey Shames): aureoletrio.com Check out more on Mary and the rest of the Met Opera Musicians at: metorchestramusicians.org

This week, I sit down with the great owner and head craftsman of J. Landress Brass, the leading brass repair shop in New York City. We talk through his origins in brass repair, his time in the Marines, his rise through Sam Ash, his love of working brass instruments, and the importance of the brass community that surrounds Josh Landress Brass. ALSO, a special offer for podcast listeners! Go to the workshop at 153 W. 36th St., mention the podcast, and get 15% off any accessories or repairs (BUT NOT NEW INSTRUMENTS)! Worth it. For all this Landress: jlandressbrass.com facebook.com/JLandressBrass

This week for my 40th (!) episode, one of my most fun chats with all four members of the wonderful brass quartet, The Westerlies (Riley Mulherkar, Zubin Hensler, Andy Clausen, and Willem de Koch)! We talk about the formation of the group, the challenges that come with it, ensemble philosophies, developing a unique ensemble voice, the balance in group energy, and most importantly, Big Truck City and The Love Square! Featured on this episode are two tracks from their last album, Wish the Children Would Come On Home: The Music of Wayne Horvitz: "The Store, The Campfire" and "Wish the Children Would Come On Home." For all things Westerlies: westerliesmusic.com facebook.com/westerliesmusic twitter.com/westerliesmusic ENJOY!

This week, Judy Mendenhall (Principal Flautist, American Ballet Theater; Woodwind Chair, Mannes School of Music) sits down with me to talk about her career and teaching. She is a wonderful person. So enjoy the interview. To see her (or hear her) with ABT: http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx

This week, I sat down with the delightful bandleader Liberte-Anne Lymberiou to talk about her band The Liberte Big Band and other jazz related things. We talk about her music, her background, and the challenges of being a young bandleader and composer in such the crucible of New York City. Featured on this episode: Ali's Danse - The Liberte Big Band - Live at the Shrine in Harlem For all things Liberte Big Band: facebook.com/libertebigband libertebigband.com instagram.com/libertebigband

This week, I sat down with Misha Piatigorsky (2004 Thelonius Monk Composition Winner), leader of the Sketchy Orkestra, a wonderful jazz/rock/hiphop fusion of styles for strings/horns/rhythm, and piano. We talk about the origins of the group, the challenges of writing for strings in a jazz context, and putting together great music for unusual instrumentations. Featured on this episode: "Space Oddity", performed by Sketchy Black Dog (the Orkestra's precursor) AND "Everytime", performed by Sketchy Orkestra feat. Emily Braden Check out Sketchy Orchestra at Zinc Bar on April 29 and at Le Poisson Rouge on May 16. For all things Sketchy: sketchyorkestra.com facebook.com/sketchyorkestra

There are a million brass quintets. So why start a new one? This week I sit down with three of the awesome women (Erin Paul, Sara Mayo, and Jen Hinkle) of Calliope Brass to talk shop. Side note: Calliope Brass is all women. We talk about the reasoning and strategies behind starting a new group, surviving and thriving as women in a male-dominated musical strata (the brass community), and really cool music. This was one of the most fun tapings I have had the pleasure of doing so I hope you enjoy it! Also, go see their upcoming show at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (20 Cumming St.) on April 25 at 7PM. It's gonna be dope. For all things Calliope Brass: calliopebrass.com facebook.com/calliopebrass twitter.com/calliopebrass info@calliopebrass.com

This week, I sit down with my friend Aleks Karjaka to talk about so much: struggling through freelance life, his history as an entrepreneur, our mutual love of New York, ART! SO MUCH ART!, shooting for one's dreams, and the intersection of music and photography. Also! A special offer this week! If you go to karjaka.com and book a studio session with Aleks, mention this interview and get 20% off! You won't be disappointed with his work. I promise. For all things Aleks Karjaka: karjaka.com facebook.com/karjakastudios instagram.com/karjaka aleks@karjaka.com

This week, I sit down with the fun and interesting Danny Abosch to talk shop about musical theatre. We cover his own early successes, the processes of writing a musical, the challenges of adaptations vs. original material, accessibility in musical theatre, and just some other geeking out over our favorite shows. For all things Danny: dannyabosch.com For info/performances of Fancy Nancy: http://fancy-nancy-the-musical.com/ For info on Danny and John MacLay's musical adaptation of Goosebumps: http://www.firststage.org/Shows--Events/2016-17-Season/Goosebumps-The-Musical/

This week, the wonderful Italian composer Giro Deraco sits down with me to talk about lots of music things. We go through developing musical concepts compositionally, connecting with audiences, differences between Italian and American arts cultures, and (of course) his music. Featured on this episode: Giro's complete opera, TACI. AND Indaco for flute, clarinet, and vibraphone For all things Giro: http://www.girolamoderaco.it/ facebook.com/dracogirolamo

In Part 2 of my interview with my mentor David Taylor, we cover academia, differences in trombone between eras, how David digs into the pieces on his records, and so much more. Oh, and he makes fun of me for being corny. Totally deserved. Check out David's upcoming recital (with 6 string basses!) at Manhattan School of Music on April 11th!

This week (and next week) feature an exceptional conversation with the incredible and legendary bass trombonist (and my former teacher) David Taylor. Just a few of his career highlights include working with Bernstein, Boulez, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis Thad Jones, Charlie Mingus, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, and so many more. In addition to all that, he has commissioned and performed more new works for trombone than anyone else. And now he writes his own music. We cover everything from the studio scene of the 70s to modern music education to how to approach performance. Come back next week for more. This episode features two tracks: 1) Dave Matthew's "Blue Organum" w/trombonist Jim Pugh 2) Excerpt from David's piece "Too Suite" w/The Low Brass Connection

This week, I sit down with violinist Josh Henderson and pianist Mikael Darmanie of the unusual and exciting ensemble Warp Trio. We talk about melding three unique voices and writing/improvisational styles into one unified voice, reaching a variety of audiences, and balancing a musical lifestyle. Featured on this episode is the track "Baseball" from their debut EP, "Warp Drive." For all things Warp Trio (their EP, audio, video and links to all their social medias): warptrio.com

This week, I have a good talk with my buddy and fellow bass trombonist Felix del Tredici about his burgeoning career and exciting experiments in music. We cover so many things in our talk: fear of improvisation, the nature of art, presenting difficult things to audiences, and putting together unique pieces. Featured on this episode, is Felix's improvisation "Mission Accomplished" with the Low Brass Connection from the album "The Sounds After the OilWar," available on iTunes. For all things related to Felix, check his website: felixdeltredici.com soundcloud.com/felix-del-tredici-1

This week, the delightful Stephanie Ann Boyd returns to the show for her own full-length interview. We talk about her 50 State Sonata Project (Amerigo), taking advantage of academia properly, and taking potential weakness and turning them into strengths, as well as Philip K Dick, Vincent Van Gogh, and aliens! O_O Featured on this episode is the first movement (Fantasia) of her violin concerto Sybil, performed by Eunae Koh and a collection of New England Conservatory musicians. For all things Stephanie: stephanieannboyd.com facebook.com/stephanieannboydcomposer twitter.com/stephanieannboyd

This week, my good friend Chirs Misch-Bloxdorf comes by to talk about jazz, trombone, and composing. We cover the struggle to remain positive on bad gigs, musical father figures, as well as Chris' music, among many other things. Chris is the greatest dude. Featured on this episode is a track entitled, "A Shared Office With Superman" from his recent record, "Snap Shots." Check out his music at: soundcloud.com/mischachris

This week, singer Lauren Lee stops by the studio (HA. Like I hava studio) to talk about her non-standard approach to jazz singing, artistic integrity vs. monetary gain, NYC neighborhoods, and finding one's way towards what one should be doing musically. She's a really fun hang. Featured on this album is the track "Voyager" from her upcoming album with The Space Jazz Trio, "The Consciousness Test." For all things Lauren Lee: laurenleeprojectjazz.com facebook.com/laurenleejazz

For this special mid-week Divergent Paths episode, I have a delightful talk with jazz hornist extraordinaire John Clark. We cover the unusual concept of playing jazz horn, surviving the freelance world in the 70s, new music, and the Baha'i faith (which I learned about for the first time). Featured on this episode are two tracks, one from John's first album from 1978, "The Answer-Island Flower" and one from his most recent album with the Odd Couple Quintet, "MK447JC1." For all thing related to John, his music, and his career, check out Hidden Meaning Music, as well as his records on iTunes and Spotify. hmmusic.com