The Pakistani-American guitarist and composer opens up about expanding his long-running acoustic ensemble, the philosophy behind 'Sound Remains,' and finding musical magic through non-attachment.

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The Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi.

Rez's new album with his Acoustic Quintet, Sound Remains, puts steel-string acoustic guitar at the center of a deeply personal meditation on presence and impermanence. The album adds master percussionist Hasan Bakr to Rez's long-standing quartet with Bill Ware, Stephan Crump, and Eric McPherson, creating what Rez calls music where "often the only thing that remains is sound."

The 2021 Guggenheim Fellow has spent decades finding his voice in jazz, blending his Pakistani roots with American musical traditions. Sound Remains, dedicated to his late mother, finds Rez returning to acoustic intimacy while furthering his exploration of mindfulness through music.

(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Sound Remains by the Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quintet)

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[00:01:26] Thirteen years since our last conversation
[00:02:00] Expanding RAAQ from quartet to quintet
[00:02:31] Adding Latin percussion and exploring new sonorities
[00:05:35] What brings Rez back to the acoustic palette
[00:08:32] "Folks' Song" and "Spin Dream" - guitar-vibes interplay
[00:11:03] The significance of open strings on guitar
[00:14:14] Life milestones and the theme of impermanence
[00:15:57] How impermanence informs life and music
[00:19:18] Improvisation as spiritual practice
[00:21:55] Letting go of control in performance
[00:23:17] The meaning behind "Sound Remains"
[00:27:00] Sound as the last sense to fade
[00:29:48] Technology, AI, and knowing when to stop
[00:31:31] How philosophy enters musical composition
[00:36:00] Streaming's impact on music discovery
[00:39:58] Cultural identity and musical evolution
[00:43:05] Long-term relationships in the ensemble
[00:46:40] Current listening habits and musical influences
[00:49:36] The reward of deep listening vs. streaming culture

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Visit Rez Abbasi at https://www.reztone.com
and follow him on [Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/reztone
and YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYAj7bMFXTPvlgszUMrVww

Purchase Rez Abbasi's Sound Remains from Whirlwind Recordings → https://www.whirlwindrecordings.com
Bandcamp → https://rezabbasi-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/sound-remains
or Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/sound-remains-rez-abbasi/yljbn2zunhsaa
and listen on your streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1817694951

For extensive show notes, links, and podcast information, go to https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com

Be sure to check out The Tonearm, our new magazine site featuring fascinating perspectives and conversations with creative people → https://www.thetonearm.com

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