Best Lawrence Peryer Podcasts (2025)

1
Tal Yahalom: A Guitarist's Mirror Image of Tradition 50:47

3d ago50:47

50:47

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Tal Yahalom. Tal has built a reputation in New York's creative music scene for weaving post-bop, classical, and South American influences into a unique sound all his own. On his latest album, Mirror Image, Tal brings together a chamber quintet that puts his guitar in conversation with strings, w…

1
Claire Cope: Orchestrating Stories of Brave Women 46:30

10d ago46:30

46:30

Today, the Spotlight shines On Claire Cope. This British composer crafts music that combines the freedom of jazz with the precision of classical music, drawing inspiration from women whose stories are often overlooked in history books. Caire’s new album Every Journey dropped in March to coincide with International Women's Day. On it, she expanded h…

1
Mike Scott of The Waterboys: The Ballad of Dennis Hopper 38:38

17d ago38:38

38:38

Today, the Spotlight shines On Mike Scott, founder of The Waterboys. In 2014, Mike stumbled upon Dennis Hopper’s photography in a London gallery and fell into a rabbit hole that led to Life, Death and Dennis Hopper, a bold concept album that tells the story of the Easy Rider star from childhood to beyond the grave. It's a sonic movie with guest tur…

1
Craig Mod: Things Become Things That Last 57:30

24d ago57:30

57:30

Today, the Spotlight shines On Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and walker who's spent the last 20 years making Japan his home. Random House has just released Things Become Other Things, a walking memoir that traces his 300-mile journey along ancient pilgrimage paths in rural Japan. The book blends sharp prose with striking photography, capturing…

1
2025 JJA Awards Special Edition 25:55

27d ago25:55

25:55

The 2025 JJA Awards just dropped, and in this special episode The Buzz is breaking down the winners in some of the leading categories. Host Lawrence Peryer is joined by guests Neil Tesser and Mark Ruffin to discuss lifetime achievements, standout performers, and why some names keep winning year after year. Both guests bring unique perspectives - Ma…

1
Tamiko Thiel: part 2 - art at technology's edge 51:58

1M ago51:58

51:58

Today, the Spotlight again shines on media artist Tamiko Thiel, in the second of our two-part conversation. In our first talk, we explored Tamiko's journey from designing the world's first AI supercomputer in the eighties to becoming a pioneering media artist. Today, we dive deeper into her groundbreaking work in virtual reality and other philosoph…

1
Tamiko Thiel: part 1 - sculpting the electronic brain 57:06

1M ago57:06

57:06

Today, the Spotlight shines On digital media artist Tamiko Thiel. To mark our special milestone of 250 episodes, we are kicking off a two-part conversation with media artist Tamiko Thiel. Tamiko has lived at the crossroads of art and technology for over 40 years. She designed the Connection Machine, the first commercial AI supercomputer that now si…

1
Hunter Noack: Grand Piano & Grander Landscapes 45:18

2M ago45:18

45:18

Today, the Spotlight shines On naturalist and classical pianist Hunter Noack. Redefining what a concert hall can be, Hunter Noack hauls a nine-foot Steinway grand piano to mountaintops, forests, and beaches for his series "In a Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild." Hunter grew up in Central Oregon, where his love for music and nature took root. …

1
Noah Preminger: A Veteran Saxophonist Tackles the Ballad 49:31

2M ago49:31

49:31

Today, the Spotlight shines On renowned saxophonist Noah Preminger. Boston-based saxophonist Noah Preminger has spent years pushing jazz into new territories before focusing on one of the art form's most enduring traditions. He’s just released Ballads, a collection that finds this restless musical explorer settling into the quiet power of beautiful…

1
Jazz in Print - Three Self-Publishing Success Stories 44:49

2M ago44:49

44:49

Three accomplished jazz authors share their journeys from traditional publishing to successful independent careers. Join host Lawrence Peryer as Debbie Burke, Steve Cerra, and Rick Mitchell reveal the tools, economics, and creative freedom they've found in self-publishing. Learn how these writers are reshaping the jazz book world by taking control …

1
Mary Halvorson & Sylvie Courvoisier: Bone Bells and the Art of Surprise 48:22

2M ago48:22

48:22

Today, the Spotlight shines On two artists who've taken the piano-guitar duo to bold new places. Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson have just released Bone Bells, their third album, and a fresh showcase of their uncanny musical connection. These two players come from different worlds: Sylvie from European classical traditions and Mary from exper…

1
Phillip Golub: Recording the Impossible Piano 53:54

2M ago53:54

53:54

Today, the Spotlight shines On Phillip Golub, a Brooklyn pianist taking his music in bold new directions. Phillip's new project, Loop 7, is a set of minimalist compositions performed on a piano tuned to 22 notes per octave instead of the usual 12. Working with producer Joseph Branciforte, he's created something that lives between acoustic chamber m…

1
TJ Dumser (Six Missing): Inner Space, Sobriety, and Soundscapes 57:12

2M ago57:12

57:12

Today, the Spotlight shines On Six Missing, the musical project of ambient artist TJ Dumser, who creates music that helps us connect with the present moment in ways we often forget. After encountering an intense phase of burnout, TJ turned his mental health struggles into Gentle Breath, a dark, lush EP that marks a new direction for this Austin-bas…

1
Jenny Scheinman: A Violin in the Wild 45:33

3M ago45:33

45:33

Today, the Spotlight shines On violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman. Jenny Scheinman grew up on California's remote Lost Coast, and now she brings us music that captures the wild beauty of her roots. Her double album All Species Parade brings together jazz and folk to create something wholly original that feels like the natural world itself. With…

1
Cary Baker: Adventures in Busking and Street Music 47:14

3M ago47:14

47:14

Today, the Spotlight shines On Cary Baker, author of Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music. The music you hear on street corners and subway platforms has its untold history, and at age 16, Cary Baker followed a slide guitar's haunting melody through Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market to find himself face-to-face with bluesman Blin…

1
Old Wine, New Glasses - Bob Blumenthal with authors and scholars Ricky Riccardi and Fumi Tomita 35:05

3M ago35:05

35:05

This conversation between JJA members Bob Blumenthal, Ricky Ricciardi, and Fumi Tomita explores how jazz research has evolved through digital transformation. Ricciardi describes his journey researching Louis Armstrong's career, moving from physical archives and interviews for his first book to primarily digital resources like newspaper databases, d…

1
Michael Dorf: From Knitting Factory to Patti Smith's Carnegie Tribute 46:58

3M ago46:58

46:58

Today, the Spotlight shines On New York live music and venue impresario Michael Dorf. In addition to founding The Knitting Factory and City Winery, Michael has brought legendary artists together at Carnegie Hall for over twenty years, raising millions for music education while creating unforgettable tribute nights. He launched his first tribute sho…

1
Greg Lisher: From Camper Van to Circuitry Man 32:45

3M ago32:45

32:45

Today, the Spotlight shines On Greg Lisher, a guitarist best known for alternative rock who has leaned hard into electronic music. Greg made his name playing with Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom, but during the pandemic, he sat down at a keyboard and started exploring new sonic territory. The result is Underwater Detection Method, a collecti…

1
Dorothy Lawson: ETHEL's String Theory for Quartets 44:32

4M ago44:32

44:32

Today, the Spotlight shines On Dorothy Lawson, a cellist who's helped redefine what a string quartet can be. Dorothy and the group ETHEL have spent years breaking down walls between classical, jazz, rock and world music. On March 13th at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Dorothy teams up with bass legend Ron Carter to reimagine his landmark Kronos Quartet …

1
Jamie Baum: a flutist sets poetry in motion 43:54

4M ago43:54

43:54

Today, the Spotlight shines On flutist Jamie Baum. When COVID hit, Jamie found inspiration and solace in poetry. What started as daily readings of women poets became something much bigger: an album blending jazz and spoken word. As leader of her long-running Septet+, Jamie has crafted wide-ranging music for over twenty years. She has played everywh…

1
Bilingual Jazz Journalism - Tomas Pena and Jose Masso, hosted by Michael Ambrosino 43:50

4M ago43:50

43:50

Tomas Peña, jazz journalist of breadth with unique ties to his Puerto Rican heritage, and José Massó, best known as a Boston broadcaster (and Jazz Hero) who takes a multi-media approach to full communication of the arts in life -- speak to JJA member Michael Ambrosino, producer of Los Olvidados, a radio documentary about Pan-Latin influences on jaz…

1
Anat Cohen: Clarinet in Full Bloom 44:54

4M ago44:54

44:54

Today, the Spotlight shines On clarinetist Anat Cohen. Anat’s been bringing her joyful spirit to jazz venues worldwide for two decades, blending swing, Brazilian rhythms, and melodies from her native Israel. Her 2024 album Bloom pairs her musical warmth with that of her quartet Quartetinho - Portuguese for "little quartet" - creating intimate conve…

1
Marina Albero: from pianist to nomad of sound 47:41

4M ago47:41

47:41

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Marina Albero. From Barcelona’s vibrant music scene to the heart of New Orleans, Marina keeps finding new ways to push musical boundaries. Her latest album, A Nomad of Sound, brings together jazz, classical, and world music traditions in a blend all her own. Marina has journeyed across continents …

1
Jonathon Grasse: the life & music of Eric Dolphy 49:19

5M ago49:19

49:19

Today, the Spotlight shines On author Jonathon Grasse. His new book, Jazz Revolutionary, traces Eric Dolphy’s journey from the clubs of 1940s Los Angeles to his groundbreaking work in New York’s avant-garde jazz scene. Eric Dolphy’s revolutionary voice in jazz was silenced far too soon. He was an artist who pushed the boundaries of what was possibl…

1
Will Friedwald, multi-media deep-dive jazz expert, with Neil Tesser, writer-broadcaster-JJA board member 30:32

5M ago30:32

30:32

Will Friedwald does it all -- books on Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole, jazz vocalists and the Great American Songbook; articles in publications including the Wall Street Journal; his own broadcasting platform and Substack, Slouching Towards Birdland. He speaks as winner of the 2024 JJA Jazz Award for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism to Chicago-bas…

1
Lisa Pegher: Rhythms, Circuits, & Artificial Intelligence 51:08

5M ago51:08

51:08

Today, the Spotlight shines On innovative percussionist and drummer Lisa Pegher. Lisa turns percussion into something you’ve never heard before. A pioneering artist who moves easily between classical concert halls and electronic music spaces, Lisa wields everything from traditional drums to cutting-edge AI technology. She’s performed with major orc…

1
Paul de Barros: chronicling Marian McPartland's life in jazz 51:31

5M ago51:31

51:31

Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning jazz critic and author Paul de Barros. Throughout his storied career, Paul was editor and critic at the Seattle Times and has written for Downbeat and Earshot Jazz, amongst other outlets. He is also the author of Jackson Street After Dark: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle but today, he joins us to talk about…

1
Küf Knotz & Christine Elise: when hip-hop meets harp 42:56

5M ago42:56

42:56

Today, the Spotlight shines On the duo of songwriter, producer, and MC Küf Knotz and harpist, vocalist, and music therapist Christine Elise. Küf and Christine have turned the unlikely harp and hip-hop track combo into pure magic with their 2024 album Hypnagogia. The album explores the space between awake and dreaming, with surreal soundscapes and v…

1
Christoph Dallach: krautrock origins from schlager to synthesizers 47:26

5M ago47:26

47:26

Today, the Spotlight shines On author Christoph Dallach, who joins me to discuss his book Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock. Christoph has spent years tracking down the pioneers who spent the late 1960s in West Germany’s basements and practice rooms, creating sounds unlike anything else in rock and roll. Through conversations with memb…

1
Marwan Allam: a Tunisian gateway to modern jazz 41:03

6M ago41:03

41:03

Today, the Spotlight shines On bassist and composer Marwan Allam. Marwan’s debut album, Bab Bhar, takes Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical traditions and hands them to a jazz quartet, creating something that feels both ancient and brand new. Marwan tunes and plays his bass to echo the sound of the gimbri, a traditional three-string instrument from…

1
Joe Brent: mandolin magic from Vivaldi to Vinegar Hill 58:06

6M ago58:06

58:06

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer, mandolinist, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and label founder Joe Brent. Joe has worked with artists ranging from Regina Spektor to the Philip Glass Ensemble, but his collaboration with Grammy-nominated violinist Sara Caswell and bassist Andrew Ryan in 9 Horses was the impetus for our time together. 9 Horse…

1
Darius and Catherine Brubeck on South African jazz education 21:06

6M ago21:06

21:06

Playing The Changes: Jazz in An African University and On the Road is the account by Catherine and Darius Brubeck (daughter-in-law and son of Dave Brubeck) of their 25-year sojourn in South Africa, where they expanded the jazz landscape, establishing a music program at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Todd S. Jenkins interviews the couple in this lates…

1
Round Room Live: crafting family entertainment's next act 45:24

6M ago45:24

45:24

Today, the Spotlight shines On Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden of Round Room Live. Round Room Live has become a powerhouse in family entertainment, from Broadway blockbusters to kids' favorite TV characters coming to life on stage. Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden launched the company in 2016 with a bold idea—take their experience from massive roc…

1
Taylor Deupree & Joseph Branciforte: reimagining Stil. 54:44

6M ago54:44

54:44

Today, the Spotlight shines On experimental music producers and label owners Taylor Deupree and Joseph Branciforte. Back in 2002, Taylor Deupree released an electronic album called Stil. That release captivated listeners with its quiet, repeating patterns and stark digital sound. Twenty years later, Taylor and producer Joseph Branciforte linked up …

1
Anders Koppel: the Hammond's Danish master 40:30

7M ago40:30

40:30

Today, the Spotlight shines On legendary Danish organist Anders Koppel. Great music often runs in the family, and as proof, we have our first father-son episodes of Spotlight On. Last November, we had Benjamin Koppel, son and collaborator of today’s guest. But today’s story starts decades ago when Anders played Newport with his band Savage Rose. Fa…

1
Christian McBride: jazz notes from the engine room 41:27

7M ago41:27

41:27

Today, the Spotlight shines On Christian McBride, a musician, recording artist, prolific composer, arranger, producer, cultural curator, dedicated educator, and mentor. Christian has been called the hardest-working person in jazz, and based on what I just rattled off, that might be underselling it. From his early days in Philadelphia soaking up the…

1
Introducing The Jazz Omnibus: Lawrence Peryer interviews the JJA's editorial team 37:18

7M ago37:18

37:18

The Jazz Omnibus: 21st-Century Photos and Writings by Members of the Jazz Journalists Association is a 600-page anthology published in hardcover, paperback and ebook editions by Cymbal Press. In this edition of The Buzz, Lawrence Peryer interviews the team that put it together -- editor David Adler, copy chief Terri Hinte, editorial advisor and JJA…

1
Erik Davis: the beatification of blotter art 36:50

7M ago36:50

36:50

What can be scarier than Halloween ghouls? How about a trip through the LSD underground? Today, the Spotlight shines On Erik Davis, and this trip is no bummer. Erik is an author, award-winning journalist, and teacher in San Francisco. He is the author, most recently, of Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium_, a study of LSD blotter art. And t…

1
Josh Johnson: unusual objects and saxophone stories 29:51

7M ago29:51

29:51

Today, the Spotlight shines On Josh Johnson, the Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award-winning producer. Josh joined me earlier this year to talk about his second solo album, Unusual Object, which came out this past April on Northern Spy Records. Equal parts futuristic jazz and modern composition, Josh use…

1
Shawn Mativetsky: a tabla adventure through Temporal Waves 31:34

8M ago31:34

31:34

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer and percussionist Shawn Mativetsky. A renowned tabla player, Shawn is a pioneer in bridging the worlds of Western and Indian classical music. We discussed the intricacies of traditional Indian music, including the setup and tuning of the instruments, the guru-disciple relationship, and the reception of Wester…

1
Paul Stache: The Art of Running Smoke Jazz Club in NYC 28:04

8M ago28:04

28:04

Today, the Spotlight shines On Paul Stache, co-owner (with his wife and partner Molly Sparrow Johnson) of Smoke Jazz Club, one of New York City’s premier live music venues. Smoke is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2024 and Paul joined us to talk about the storied venue’s past, present, and future. In addition to the club’s 25th Annivers…

1
Building Music Communities: Thinking Global & Acting Local 1:20:17

8M ago1:20:17

1:20:17

Today, the Spotlight is going to shine a little differently. Instead of a single guest, we will have three segments dealing with the importance of local music scenes. Our first guest is Shain Shapiro. Shain is a thought leader working at the intersection of music, culture, and urban policy. His book, This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your …

1
Devin Gray: Most Definitely's solo drum universe 48:46

8M ago48:46

48:46

Today, the Spotlight shines On drummer and composer Devin Gray. Like me, Devin is a born New Englander who made his way to Brooklyn, though unlike me, he splits his time between Brooklyn and Berlin. Devin has performed with Spotlight On alumni Angelica Sanchez and Satoko Fuji, as well as a who’s who of the creative music scene: David Liebman, Sylvi…

1
Brad Mindich: the art and craft of archiving stardom 48:53

9M ago48:53

48:53

Today, the Spotlight shines On Brad Mindich, an entrepreneur who works directly with artists, athletes, and others in music, culture, and sports to expand their legacies and create powerful connections with their fans. Brad currently does this work as the founder and CEO of Inveniem/Definitive Authentic, which helps its clients organize, catalog, p…

1
Andy McCluskey: kicking down fascist art with OMD 41:54

9M ago41:54

41:54

Today, the Spotlight shines On Andy McCluskey, the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (also known as OMD). Andy joined Spotlight On producer and guest host Michael Donaldson to discuss topics as varied as the political messages behind their latest work, po…

1
Gordon Grdina: the axe man cutting down borders 50:51

9M ago50:51

50:51

Today, the Spotlight shines On JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist Gordon Grdina. Gordon’s work defies limitations, be they geographical, distance, time, or genre. He incorporates avant-garde jazz, free improvisation, indie rock, and Arabic tradition into his music. So much music, so many collaborators, and so much ground to cover in our ta…

1
Steve Wynn: a music and memoir grand slam 54:30

9M ago54:30

54:30

Today, the Spotlight shines On trailblazing songwriter and now memoirist Steve Wynn. Steve first hit public consciousness in the early 1980s with his band The Dream Syndicate, frequently mentioned in the same breath as REM and The Replacements as the pioneers of American indie rock. The Dream Syndicate’s initial run did not outlast the decade that …

1
Graham Reynolds: soundtrack virtuoso takes center stage 49:55

9M ago49:55

49:55

Today, the Spotlight shines On the acclaimed and intriguing composer, bandleader, and improviser Graham Reynolds. The Austin-based Reynolds has composed for countless film, television, dance, and theatrical productions, serving most notably as the sonic collaborator of director Richard Linklater. He is also Artistic Director of the new music-focuse…

1
Satoko Fujii: composing beyond the jazz spirit 44:09

10M ago44:09

44:09

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Satoko Fujii, an incredibly unique and prolific artist. Satoko works at the intersection of jazz, contemporary classical, rock, and traditional Japanese music, composing for ensembles of many sizes and configurations. However, she is especially adept with the jazz orchestra format. For all of her …

1
David J: unearthing tracks from the attic 43:47

10M ago43:47

43:47

Today, the Spotlight shines On the musician and producer David John Haskins, better known to the world as David J, bassist and co-founder of both post-punk goth band Bauhaus and, subsequently, Love and Rockets. As if having such a luminary visiting our podcast isn’t enough, today’s talk is guest-hosted by Spotlight On producer Michael Donaldson, wh…

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