Let's Talk Off The Podium

The mission of this podcast is to create discussion on a variety of topics in music, culture, and arts. In my discussions there will be many questions, answers, comments, critique and ideas. For far too long many in the media, musicians, and artists from all backgrounds have been hesitant in their approach to criticism. As Wole Soyinka said, “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” Alongside my observations I will invite guests from a variety of artistic backgrounds to tell their story, ideas and perspective on all things in the world of music.

Hope you join me on this journey and raise awareness to topics that have been buried for decades.

Past guests include: Kronos Quartet founder David Harrington, Christian McBride, George Walker, Robert Dick, Ian Pace, Martin Bresnick, Project Trio bassist Peter Seymour, Andrey Kasparov, Craig Sheppard, Adrienne Albert, Juan Maria Solare, Marc Yeats, Mark Rowan-Hull, Stanford Thompson, The Villiers Quartet, Dr. Haig Mardirosian, Frances Wilson, James Gardner, Daniel Rosenboom, Sylvia Hinz, Joan Arnau Pàmies, among others.

Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA

Oct 26, 2020

Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

Vanessa Reed is excited to be joining New Music USA as President and CEO following just over a decade with PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development. During her time at this...

Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest

Oct 26, 2020

Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

This is the first time in over 130 that I am featuring a guest who is not a musician. Teni has been one of the early supporters of the podcast and it was a pleasure to speak with her on the show. In this episode Teni talks...

Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor

Oct 19, 2020

Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor.

This the second episode of the RECAP series with conductor George Jackson.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

In this podcast we talk about the state of orchestras during the pandemic, positives and negatives of state sponsored...

Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist

Oct 12, 2020

Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

Grammy Award-winning electric and double bassist Abe Gumroyan crosses musical borders on a daily basis. His diverse musical background has allowed him to perform a wide range of genres ranging from salsa and Latin jazz to...