Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
Leah Roseman
Recent Episodes
Katherine Needleman is a wonderful oboe player, who has been the principal oboist of the Baltimore Symphony since 2003. She’s also active as a solist and chamber musician, and is on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music. She is a champion of music of our time and you’ll find her recordings and many projects on her website. To many listeners in the Classical Music world, she’s probably better known for her Substack articles and posts on social media that address misogyny, sexual misconduct and assault, and the lack of diversity and equity in the Classical music world. In this conversation you’ll hear about some of her activism and advocacy work , and different aspects of Katherine’s life as a musician, including her work as a composer and educator, and mentors including Jennifer Higdon. Please note the timestamps to navigate the episode. I regret that I didn’t get into improvisation with her, because she’s also an excellent improvisor and has put out an album of improvised chamber music “The Marmalade Balloon”. Perhaps we can get into this next time she comes on the podcast! You can watch this on YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/katherine-needleman Katherine Needleman website
“Land Where My Fathers Died” Aria for oboe and piano by Jennifer Higdon (sheet music available on the composer’s website) It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Please look at the links for different ways to support this independent podcast. Original Merch for sale Can you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? In January 2025 I’ll be releasing Season 5 of this series. I’ve linked some other episodes that may interest you: Anna Petersen, Gail Archer, Omo Bello, Karen Donnelly, Renee Yoxon and Jessica Cottis, among many others! Newsletter sign-up
Linktree for social media Timestamps (00:00) Intro (03:20) Katherine is also a composer and improvisor, her feminist posts (05:54) fund for new music, Fatima Landa (12:40) parenting, performance anxiety, oboe reeds (18:46)activism, starting to write about lack of diversity, etc (21:44) Katherine’s experience at Curtis as a student, her approach as a teacher (26:02) Katherine the composer (27:00) excerpt from “Land Where My Fathers Died” (link in description to complete performance) (32:26)challenges of performing as an introvert (34:13)other episodes you’ll like, different ways to support this series (34:53)solo broadcast concerts, importance of exercise (37:22) auditions (43:02) reactions to her posts (44:39)orchestra musicians as soloists with their orchestras, Kevin Puts oboe concerto (47:06) Marin Alsop, lack of gender diversity in the conducting world (51:21) Queen of Filth digest (55:52) the mandatory dress story and gendered dress codes (59:22) Jennifer Higdon (01:01:24) excerpt from Aria for oboe and piano by Jennifer Higdon with Jennifer Lim on piano (link in description to complete performance) (01:04:37) what Katherine has changed her mind about, presentation and tone, need to prioritize (01:07:50) orchestra playing, chamber music, music education (01:11:50) Katherine’s determination to continue Substack and activism, and need to compartimentalize for mental health
Shakura S'Aida, acclaimed Americana roots soul singer and songwriter has thrilled global audiences in 31 countries over many years. Donna Grantis who performed with Prince for several years, is Shakura’s longtime co-producer and co-writer. Donna praises the three-time Juno Award nominee as a "powerhouse vocalist whose artistic vision continually inspires me.” I trust you’ll find this week’s episode an inspiring and uplifting conversation, in which we’re highlighting Shakura’s new album Hold on to Love. We also talked about her career in acting, and she shared some of her experiences on the set of Schitt’s Creek. Shakura shared many valuable insights in this wide-ranging interview, and you can also watch this on my YouTube and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website, where you'll also find direct links to other episodes you may enjoy (listed below): https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/shakura-saida
You may be also interested in my episodes with Kellylee Evans, Vahn Black, Colleen Allen, Jah’Mila, Kat Raio Rende, Cliff Beach and Edison Herbert, among so many. (linked above to my website or look in your podcast player).
It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Could you buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! You can also support this series and channel through my merchandise store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
Season 5 of this podcast starts very soon in January 2025 and I send out an email newsletter where you can get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests. Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Shakura S'Aida website: https://www.shakurasaida.com/ You'll find Hold on to Love on your favourite streaming platform, and you can also buy it here on Bandcamp: https://shakurasaida.bandcamp.com/album/hold-on-to-love Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:05)album Hold on to Love, Donna Grantis (05:53) activism through music (07:46) clip of Takin’ it to the Streets (09:14) Shakura’s early career, album Blueprint, International Blues Challenge (13:17) high school Theatre Arts teacher Marly Kadak (16:42) how acting training helps (18:39) Schitt’s Creek (21:20) intro to Doodun (23:06) Doodun (27:01) Shakura’s youth (29:20) Canadian cultural diversity (32:17) aha moment Montreal Jazz Festival (34:41) Hold on to Love (39:02) other episodes you’ll like, ways to support this series (39:55) Shakura’s black Russian terrier (41:22) Nina Simone project, Kellylee Evans, Jackie Richardson, Salome Bey (49:31)parenting, being a role model (53:45) Hold on to Love (57:53) Her Music Award, the feeling of not having to prove yourself, wisdom (59:50) Kigali Up festival in Rwanda (01:04:19) importance of connections with people, about Heart of Gold (01:06:05) excerpt from Heart of Gold (01:07:56) youth songwriting workshops and Authentic Stagecraft (01:09:49) the importance of pre-concert rituals (01:11:30) music marketing and genres, next album
Yann Passabet-Labiste is a French violinist with a beautiful warm intensity to his playing, and in this episode we’re focussing on his album “Robert Schumann et son univers” with pianist Bertrand Giraud. Yann talks about some of his mentors in France and Switzerland, many interesting and inspiring musical highlights and his perspectives on how music has helped him through some difficult challenges.
YouTube video of this episode, and Transcript linked here on my website:
https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/yann-passabet-labiste
Video of Sonata No. 1 “A mon fils Yann pour sa Maman” by Gérard Passabet-Labiste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBUxSJjXeM
Yann Passabet-Labiste website: https://www.yann-passabet-labiste.com/
Schumann et son univers album (also on your favourite streaming service): https://www.fnac.com/a20143665/Robert-Schumann-Robert-Schumann-et-son-univers-CD-album
Brahms Scherzo video from Paris concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stk09FVUh7w
It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. You can support this independent podcast through both the unique collection of merchandise: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more
Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
Sign up for my newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
You may also be interested in my episodes with: Nimrod Borenstein, Omo Bello, Julia MacLaine, the Euclid Quartet, Jeeyoon Kim, and many more going back to 2021.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:33) album Robert Schumann et son univers
(04:51) Clara Schumann 1st Romance
(04:49) Yann’s childhood, the death of his mother, father composer
(13:11) Sonata No. 1 “A mon fils Yann pour sa Maman” by Gérard Passabet-Labiste
(16:13) Yann’s parents, his start on violin
(22:21) teachers Lilian Rossi Monique Voisin-Vallet
(25:55) Brahms Scherzo from F.A.E. Sonata, live performance
(31:25) studies in Geneva, member of the Tonhalle orchestra in Zurich
(39:40) Japan, Madagascar
(43:18) collaborating with his father composer Gérard Passabet-Labiste
(44:45)practicing violin technique, yoga
(46:55) other episodes you may enjoy, and different ways to support this series
(47:40) favourite musicians and musical memories
(53:54) living for the moment and need to play for people
(58:07) Second Romance Robert Schumann op. 94
(01:02:09) music education in France
(01:05:18) challenges with a solo career, memorable performance highlights
(01:20:43) favourite concertos
(01:27:51) concert memories Alfred Brendel Concertgebouw, Butterfly Lovers in China
(01:37:13) concert preparation
Ida Gillner is very special musician based in Sweden, and in this episode you’ll hear the powerful story of her personal journey, embracing different cultures, and also the comforting power of music. Ida is a multi-instrumentalist and composer; her main instruments are soprano saxophone, piano and voice. In the first part of this episode we focus on her project Shtolstse lider, her songs set to the poetry of some of Yiddish’s greatest women writers. You’ll hear about Ida’s childhood on the island of Asperö, forging her own path in different world music traditions, and the Finnish tango group Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell.
We also talked about her solo album “Anna” dedicated to her sister, and how the process of writing and recording this healing music comforted her through the shock of her family’s loss. I have included detailed timestamps for all the topics covered and for the music, and you’ll find links to Ida and her musical projects below.
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on YouTube; that's linked here with the transcript on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ida-gillner
The recommended episodes below are also linked directly on my website link to Ida's episode! You may also be interested in my episodes with: Polina Shepherd, Marilyn Lerner, Kavisha Mazzella, Ceara Conway, Kirsten Agresta Copely, Sophie Lukacs, and Yale Strom, among so many.
Ida Gillner Website https://idagillner.se/
Klez Canada complete video Mayn Heym: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_moFp3o_ho
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Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:11)Gothenburg, Sweden,
(3:09) Sholtse lider project songs Yiddish poetry women writers
(12:06) excerpt from Mayn Heym by Anna Margolin
(16:03)Anna Margolin’s life
(23:50) Shtoltse Lider with Livet Nord and before with Louise Vase
(25:55)Celia Dropkin
(29:17) Ickh hob dikh nokh nit gezen from the Shtoltse Lider album with vocalist Louise Vase, poem by Celia Dropkin
(31:37) Rachel Korn, Holocaust survivors in Sweden, Yiddish
(35:08) how Ida got interested in Klezmer and Yiddish
(38:21) Ida’s childhood, the Södra Archipelago, Asperö island Sweden
(42:15) music education and family encouragement
(48:01) Finnish war children in Sweden, Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell quartet
(51:38) Apeltango with Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell quartet, from the album Omenatango
(55:11) other episodes of interest, ways to support this series
(56:11) Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, learning Yiddish
(01:06:32) Anna, grieving her sister
(01:12:05) “Sommersång it stilla tid och barfotadans på klippor” from Anna
(01:15:21) healing process of creating the album
(01:19:30) Flyga from Anna
(01:23:34) balancing a career in music with family life, working with El Sistema
(01:27:29) upcoming projects, new piano album, collaborations
photo: Ellika Henrikson
DeWitt Fleming Jr. is a multi-talented and brilliant performer, renowned for his tap dancing, choreography and acting, and is also a singer and drummer. As he said to me in this interview “when I’m tap dancing I’m drumming”. You’ll hear about his experience growing up in the Projects, the importance of attending an Arts high school, the usefulness of theatre training for musicians, and insights into memorization, mindset and performing. He shared his experiences working with Wynton Marsalis, meeting his wife the actor and singer Jennie Harney-Fleming, with whom he’s presently performing A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, his experiences with Cirque du Soleil and touring internationally with Riverdance, and most recently playing both drums and performing tap with the Hot Sardines in Tokyo.
Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website, everything linked here : https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/dewitt-fleming-jr
DeWitt Fleming Jr. Website: https://www.dewittflemingjr.com/bio
Sign up for my Podcast Newsletter! Very Cool Merch
Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!
You may be also interested in my episodes with J. Walter Hawkes, Vahn Black, Mike Essoudry, Destiny Muhammad, EmmoLei Sankofa, Kellylee Evans and so many others.
“Doxy” highlighting DeWitt’s tap dancing with saxophonist Erica von Kleist; Sax & Taps’ this video which was recorded live at The Red Room in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6-xm8DZY6c
Sax & Taps’ album Intersplosion!
https://saxandtaps.bandcamp.com/album/intersplosion-live-at-dizzys-club
clips of DeWitt dancing with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGl6svIDzNc
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:48) history of tap, African roots
(09:26) DeWitt’s youth Projects of Washington DC, Hoofin’ out of the Hood show
(17:54) meeting his wife Jennie Harney-Fleming, parenting
(22:16) A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
(23:30) choreography, Broadway
(26:56) benefits of drama training
(29:31) clip from Doxy, Sax & Taps with Erica von Kleist
(32:28) other episodes you may like, and different ways to support this series!
(33:15) drummer, Blue Note Tokyo with The Hot Sardines
(36:47) Cirque du Soleil experience, Broadway Underground
(43:06) meeting and working with Wynton Marsalis
(50:24) tap dancing, mentoring and teaching youth, the importance of theater
(56:10) connections with music, acting, dancing
(59:38) touring internationally with Riverdance
(01:02:35) Alicia Keys
(01:04:57) balance between playing drums and dancing, being in the moment, tap is music