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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.

  1. All Episodes
  2. Ep. 87: Ran Blake

Ep. 87: Ran Blake

Apr 23, 2020

Ep. 87: Ran Blake, pianist/composer/educator

Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan

In a career that now spans five decades, pianist Ran Blake has created a unique niche in improvised music as an artist and educator. With a characteristic mix of spontaneous solos, modern classical tonalities, the great American blues and gospel traditions, and themes from classic Film Noir, Blake’s singular sound has earned a dedicated following all over the world. His dual musical legacy includes more than 40 albums on some of the world’s finest jazz labels, as well nearly 40 years as a groundbreaking educator at Boston’s New England Conservatory.

In this podcast the legendary musician and educator talks about his teachers, collaborations, Gunther Schuller and creating a new department at the New England Conservatory. He also talks about his MacArthur fellowship, George Avakian, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson and his many solo albums.

For more information about Ran Blake please visit his official website: https://ranblake.com/

© Off The Podium, 2020