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Videos

March 19, 2025

Jenny Scheinman Discusses Guitarists and Her Album 'All Species Parade'

In this clip from Spotlight On, violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman details her use of three distinct guitarists—Julian Lage, Bill Frisell, and Nels Cline—each adding specific acoustic and electric sounds to her album 'All Species Parade.' Don't miss the latest episode of the Spotlight On podcast featuring more of this…

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March 17, 2025

Violinist Jenny Scheinman: Embracing Musical Diversity with All Species Parade

In this excerpt from the latest Spotlight On, violinist Jenny Scheinman shares her process of creating the album 'All Species Parade', including initial ideas, struggles with sequencing, and how her pal Robbie Fulks helped finalize it. Don't miss the full conversation on the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/jenny-scheinman-a-violin-in-the-wild-all-species-parade/ #Shorts #JennyScheinman #Violin…

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March 14, 2025

Violinist Jenny Scheinman on Musical Interpretation and Collaboration

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, violinist Jenny Scheinman discusses the challenge of articulating complex musical ideas due to skill constraints and emphasizes the role of improvisation in transforming simple compositions into magnificent performances. Check out the entire conversation on the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/jenny-scheinman-a-violin-in-the-wild-all-species-parade/ #Shorts…

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March 13, 2025

Jenny Scheinman: A Violin in the Wild (Spotlight On : 244)

Violinist Jenny Scheinman's double album 'All Species Parade' draws from her childhood on California's remote Lost Coast, crafting a musical celebration that honors the land, its people, and the wild diversity of nature. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman. Jenny Scheinman grew up on California's remote…

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March 12, 2025

Cary Baker on Spontaneous Street Sounds and Legendary Buskers

In this clip from Spotlight On, Cary Baker, author of Down on the Corner, explores street music in North America and Europe. He discusses notable buskers like Billy Bragg, Mojo Nixon, and Madeline Peyroux, highlighting their unique experiences. Don't miss the full conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight…

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March 12, 2025

Spotlight On Key Changes: The Ten Times Technology Transformed the Music Industry

Join Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer in conversation with Howie Singer and Bill Rosenblatt, authors of "Key Changes: The Ten Times Technology Transformed the Music Industry", available now from Oxford University Press. "Key Changes" examines ten technological disruptions that reshaped the music industry across the past century, from phonograph records…

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March 10, 2025

Author Cary Baker on the Rich Art of Busking and Street Music

In this excerpt from the latest episode of Spotlight On, author Cary Baker discusses the ancient origins of busking and his book Down on the Corner, covering performers from 1920s blues artists to doo wop groups. He includes an array of non-traditional performing spaces, even men's rooms. (!) Don't miss…

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March 7, 2025

Author Cary Baker: How Busking Brings Life to Cities

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, Cary Baker, author of Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music, discusses how his view on street musicians evolved, recognizing their cultural value and legal acceptance in various cities. Don't miss the full conversation on the Spotlight…

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March 6, 2025

Cary Baker: Adventures in Busking and Street Music (Spotlight On : 243)

Through a hundred interviews and decades of observation, Baker's busking chronicle, Down on the Corner, reveals how the distance between Grammy-winning stages and subway platforms may be shorter than we imagine, connected by an authenticity that can't be manufactured. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On Cary Baker, author of Down…

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March 5, 2025

Michael Dorf on the Unique Charm of City Winery Rehearsals

In this clip from the Spotlight On podcast, NY impresario Michael Dorf discusses the intimate rehearsal shows at City Winery for Carnegie Hall tribute events, where artists rehearse, make spontaneous collaborations, and test new interpretations of songs. Don't miss out on this conversation in the latest episode of Spotlight On:…

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March 3, 2025

Michael Dorf and the Patti Smith Tribute at Carnegie Hall

In this excerpt from the latest episode of Spotlight On, Michael Dorf discusses organizing a tribute show for Patti Smith at Carnegie Hall, highlighting her connections to other iconic musicians, her involvement in the event, and his efforts to make it something extra-special. Don't miss the entire conversation on the…

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Feb. 28, 2025

The Origin Story of the Knitting Factory with Michael Dorf

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, Michael Dorf recounts founding the Knitting Factory, transforming an office into a music venue and living space. Facing financial struggles, and with the support of John Zorn and others, he held a fundraiser after a break-in to rebuild the venue.…

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Feb. 27, 2025

Michael Dorf: From Knitting Factory to Patti Smith's Carnegie Tribute (Spotlight On : 242)

The founder of City Winery and Knitting Factory discusses his journey from Milwaukee to Manhattan and how his Carnegie Hall tribute series has raised millions for music education while celebrating icons like Patti Smith. ------------------ The Spotlight shines On New York live music and venue impresario Michael Dorf. In addition…

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Feb. 26, 2025

Electronic Echoes with Camper Van Beethoven's Greg Lisher

In this clip from Spotlight On, Greg Lisher (Camper Van Beethoven, Monks of Doom) details the challenges of creating instrumental music, merging traditional music elements with electronic sounds, and his inspiration from diverse genres like dub and prog rock. He also shares curiosity about fan reactions. Don't miss the full…

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Feb. 24, 2025

Camper Van Beethoven's Greg Lisher Learns Piano

In this excerpt from the latest episode of Spotlight On, Greg Lisher (Camper Van Beethoven, Monks of Doom) discusses how piano lessons influenced his music production, transitioning from MIDI sequencers to live playing, adding a human touch to his solo electronic music recordings. Hear more from Greg on the Spotlight…

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Feb. 21, 2025

Exploring New Directions with Camper Van Beethoven's Greg Lisher

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, Greg Lisher (Camper Van Beethoven, Monks of Doom) discusses how his solo work allows him to explore beyond his bands, focusing on instrumental music and new technologies. He details collaborations, learning new skills, and the impact of the pandemic on…

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Feb. 20, 2025

Greg Lisher: From Camper Van to Circuitry Man (Spotlight On : 241)

After decades of making alternative rock with Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom, Greg Lisher took piano lessons, learned synthesis, and created 'Underwater Detection Method,’ an album that merges human performance with digital precision. ------------------ Today, the Spotlight shines On Greg Lisher, a guitarist best known for alternative rock…

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Feb. 19, 2025

Expanding Musical Horizons with Cellist Dorothy Lawson

In this clip from Spotlight On, cellist Dorothy Lawson (from the NYC-based string quartet ETHEL) discusses the economic restraints before the millennium, the shift towards accepting diverse voices in music afterwards, and the importance of blending multiple skills. Don't miss the entire conversation on the latest episode of the Spotlight…

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Feb. 14, 2025

ETHEL's Dorothy Lawson on New York's Cultural Symphony

In this clip from the new episode of Spotlight On, cellist Dorothy Lawson of ETHEL discusses the unique, inclusive creative atmosphere of New York, noting its diverse institutions and the shared experiences among New Yorkers. Don't miss the entire fascinating conversation on the Spotlight On podcast: https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com/dorothy-lawson-ethel-string-theory-for-string-quartet/ #Shorts #ETHEL #DorothyLawson…

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Feb. 13, 2025

Dorothy Lawson: ETHEL's String Theory for Quartets (Spotlight On : 240)

As ETHEL prepares for their first Carnegie Hall performance, Dorothy Lawson reflects on decades of mixing classical precision with the spirit of popular music. ------------------ 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…

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Feb. 12, 2025

The Versatility of the Flute: A Conversation with Jamie Baum

In this clip from the Spotlight On podcast, jazz flutist Jamie Baum reflects on her relationship with the flute, expressing admiration for versatile musicians and sharing how she transitioned from piano lessons to playing the flute due to its versatility. Don't miss the full conversation on the latest episode of…

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Feb. 10, 2025

Mareike Wiening: 'Reveal' Offers Jazz Rhythms of Hope

Today, the Spotlight shines On Mareike Wiening. Mareike is a drummer and composer who joined us on the occasion of the release of her third record as bandleader, Reveal, out on Greenleaf Music (https://greenleafmusic.com/) . Featuring her long-time group: tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, pianist Glenn Zaleski, guitarist Alex Goodman, and…

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Feb. 10, 2025

Brendan Grey (Super Duty Tough Work): hip-hop's liberation through hedonism

Today, the Spotlight shines On multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, and performer Brendan Grey of the Canadian hip-hop group Super Duty Tough Work. In addition to his duties as MC, drummer, and band leader, Brendan has become a sought-after performance, session, and touring drummer. We spoke back in the autumn of 2023…

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Feb. 10, 2025

Kris Davis: defining jazz's vanguard

Today, the Spotlight shines On Grammy-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis. Kris joined us in the wake of the September 2023 release of her album Live at the Village Vanguard, out on her own Pyroclastic Records label. Live at the Village Vanguard is the second release from her band Diatom…

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