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Videos

June 13, 2025

Ingrid Laubrock Reflects on Lessons from Jean Toussaint and Dave Liebman

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, saxophonist and composer Ingrid Laubrock talks about the lessons she learned from her early teachers and mentors, Jean Toussaint and Dave Liebman, who significantly shaped her dedication to music. Tune in to the Spotlight On podcast for the full conversation:…

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June 12, 2025

Ingrid Laubrock: Purposing the Air with Music and Voices (Spotlight On: 257)

The innovative composer discusses her new album, Purposing the Air, and the three-year process of transforming Erica Hunt's sixty cryptic koans into musical miniatures for four distinctive vocal-instrumental duos. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist and composer Ingrid Laubrock. Ingrid's just released Purposing The Air, a double album that…

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June 11, 2025

Embracing Collaboration: Inside Kinan Azmeh's New Album 'Live in Berlin'

In this clip from the Spotlight On podcast, jazz clarinetist Kinan Azmeh reflects on his experiences working with various artists, including Yo-Yo Ma, and how these interactions shape his musical identity and philosophies. Don't miss the entire conversation on the latest episode of Spotlight On: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/kinan-azmeh-jazz-clarinet-live-in-berlin-rooted-in-damascus/ #Shorts #KinanAzmeh #JazzClarinet #SyrianMusic…

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June 10, 2025

Shawn Mativetsky: a tabla adventure through Temporal Waves

The renowned Canadian percussionist, tabla player, and educator discusses his lifelong embrace of Indian musical traditions and the fusion with synthesized textures that inspires his project Temporal Waves. Today, the Spotlight shines On composer and percussionist Shawn Mativetsky. A renowned tabla player, Shawn is a pioneer in bridging the worlds…

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June 9, 2025

Kinan Azmeh on Preserving Homeland Melodies with 'Live in Berlin'

In this excerpt from Spotlight On, jazz clarinetist Kinan Azmeh discusses his new album 'Live in Berlin,' featuring music conceived over the last decade and a half, beginning with the early days of the Syrian uprising. Listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast:…

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June 6, 2025

Embracing Life's Melodies with Clarinetist Kinan Azmeh

In this clip from the new episode of the Spotlight On podcast, jazz clarinetist Kinan Azmeh argues against a single-minded focus on practice, believing that a well-rounded life enriches one's artistic output. He discusses how varied life experiences contribute to a musician’s ability to communicate and reflect the world in…

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June 5, 2025

Kinan Azmeh: Live in Berlin, Rooted in Damascus (Spotlight On : 256)

The celebrated clarinetist shares how compositions written during Syria's darkest years have taken on new meaning following recent political changes, and why he considers making art an essential act of freedom. ------------------ The Spotlight shines on clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh. Earlier this year, Kinan released Live in Berlin, his…

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June 4, 2025

Guitarist Tal Yahalom: Accompaniment and Duo Moments in 'Mirror Image'

In this clip from Spotlight On, guitarist Tal Yahalom discusses the vulnerability of the duo format and his mission to challenge traditional guitar-playing stereotypes while appreciating the delicate interplay of musical elements. Don't miss the full conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/tal-yahalom-israeli-jazz-guitar-mirror-image/ #shorts #TalYahalom #MirrorImage…

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June 2, 2025

Guitarist Tal Yahalom: Elevating Band Dynamics in 'Mirror Image'

In this excerpt from the latest episode of Spotlight On, guitarist Tal Yahalom discusses his deliberate efforts to avoid the 'shreddy' stereotype often associated with guitars, aiming to contribute creatively to the overall band dynamic rather than simply standing out as a soloist. Listen to the whole conversation on the…

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May 29, 2025

Tal Yahalom: A Guitarist's Mirror Image of Tradition (Spotlight On : 255)

The Israeli guitarist and composer discusses his album 'Mirror Image,' which pairs his instrument equally with strings, woodwinds, and percussion to create chamber jazz, challenging the traditional guitar hero stereotype. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Tal Yahalom. Tal has built a reputation in New York's creative music…

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May 29, 2025

Tal Yahalom: A Guitarist's Mirror Image of Tradition (Spotlight On : 255)

The Israeli guitarist and composer discusses his album 'Mirror Image,' which pairs his instrument equally with strings, woodwinds, and percussion to create chamber jazz, challenging the traditional guitar hero stereotype. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Tal Yahalom. Tal has built a reputation in New York's creative music…

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May 28, 2025

Claire Cope on Balancing Classical Roots with Jazz Exploration

In this clip from Spotlight On, composer Claire Cope reflects on her dual life as a classical and jazz musician, her admiration for Maria Schneider, and the lasting impact of Schneider's work. Don't miss the full conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/claire-cope-orchestrating-stories-of-brave-women/ #Shorts #ClaireCope #ContemporaryJazz…

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May 26, 2025

Claire Cope on Creativity: Improvisation as a Composer’s Tool

In this excerpt from the Spotlight On podcast, British composer Claire Cope shares insights into her compositional process, emphasizing the role of improvisation. She discusses how improvisation helps in finding new ideas and expresses the benefits of a more intuitive approach versus intellectual notation. Don't miss Claire Cope on the…

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May 22, 2025

Claire Cope: Orchestrating Stories of Brave Women (Spotlight On : 254)

The Manchester-based composer and pianist discusses her album 'Every Journey,' where she employs a newly expanded ensemble to present intricate musical narratives inspired by trailblazing women explorers. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On Claire Cope. This British composer crafts music that combines the freedom of jazz with the precision of…

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May 21, 2025

The Waterboys' Mike Scott Talks 'Life, Death and Dennis Hopper' and Its Collaborators

In this clip from the Spotlight On podcast, Mike Scott of The Waterboys talks about the guest vocalists featured on their new album 'Life, Death and Dennis Hopper,' and shares insights on his relationships with Steve Earle, Taylor Goldsmith, Bruce Springsteen, and Fiona Apple, explaining how these artists were chosen…

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May 20, 2025

One Night Live and the Future of Independent Live Music

On Tuesday May 20 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT, join Cat Henry (Executive Director, Live Music Society and Spotlight On alum), Liza Levy (President, Salt Lick Incubator), and Tom DeGeorge (COO, D-TOUR) for a critical discussion about the state of independent live music and their collaborative solution to address…

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May 19, 2025

Mike Scott of The Waterboys: Life, Death, and Musical Freedom

In this excerpt from the Spotlight On podcast, Mike Scott of The Waterboys discusses the creative freedom behind the latest album 'Life, Death and Dennis Hopper' and how the album's songs naturally adopted styles from different eras. Tune into the full conversation on the latest episode of Spotlight On: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/mike-scott-of-the-waterboys-the-ballad-of-dennis-hopper/…

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May 16, 2025

Exploring Dennis Hopper's Legacy with The Waterboys' Mike Scott

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, Mike Scott of The Waterboys shares how his curiosity about Dennis Hopper evolved into writing an album based on the actor's life. The final project, 'Life, Death and Dennis Hopper,' chronicles the actor’s life and cultural impact, with each song…

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May 15, 2025

Mike Scott of The Waterboys: The Ballad of Dennis Hopper (Spotlight On : 253)

The mastermind behind 'The Whole of the Moon' discusses his four-year journey writing and recording an ambitious musical biography that chronicles Hopper's artistic triumphs, spectacular flameouts, and ultimate redemption. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On Mike Scott, founder of The Waterboys. In 2014, Mike stumbled upon Dennis Hopper’s photography in…

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May 14, 2025

Author Craig Mod: Why Books Matter in a Digital Age

In this clip from Spotlight On, author Craig Mod argues for the lasting significance of physical books, citing their ability to demand focused attention and permanence compared to digital media. Don't miss the entire conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/craig-mod-things-become-things-that-last/ #Shorts #CraigMod #Podcast #CreativeProcess #TBOT…

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May 12, 2025

Craig Mod on Embracing Organic Storytelling in 'Things Become Other Things'

In this excerpt from the Spotlight On podcast, Craig Mod discusses the development of his memoir Things Become Other Things, revealing his unique method of writing through dictation during long walks, which helped him identify recurring themes. Listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of Spotlight On: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/craig-mod-things-become-things-that-last/…

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May 9, 2025

Craig Mod on the Art of Completion and Creative Reflection

In this clip from the new episode of the Spotlight On podcast, Craig Mod, author of Things Become Other Things, discusses how themes of walking, memory, and friendship emerge in his work, often influenced by the books he reads and the writers he admires, like Annie Dillard. Don't miss the…

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May 8, 2025

Craig Mod: Things Become Things That Last (Spotlight On : 252)

Craig Mod, author of Things Become Other Things, has built an independent publishing system that allows complete creative control as he simultaneously creates alliances with publishers like Random House. In this conversation, Craig explains why books represent the perfect focused technology in an age of constant digital distraction. ------------------ Today,…

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May 7, 2025

Tamiko Thiel on Art, Activism, and the Internet Age

In this clip from Spotlight On, digital media artist Tamiko Thiel shares how she avoids dystopian themes in her work, instead promoting solution-based narratives, aiming to empower young people facing modern crises. Don't miss the rest of this conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/tamiko-thiel-part-2-art-at-technologys-edge/ #Shorts…

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