The acclaimed clarinetist, improviser, and educator discusses his influences, music education, the nature of sound, and deconstructing the murder ballad in the duo Wayfaring.
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The Spotlight shines On clarinetist, penny whistle player, composer, improviser, and educator James Falzone.
Observant listeners will recognize that name, as James and I have been collaborating on an upcoming live event, Improvisation in Music and Life, which will be taking place on June 22 at the Royal Room in Seattle, Washington. That event will be a unique program of performance and conversation between me and the five-piece James Falzone Division Ensemble, where we will explore the nature of improvisation in music and how its principles can be useful in all aspects of life, not just for musicians. There are still some tickets available for that event at https://www.theroyalroomseattle.com.
And that’s not the only special attribute of this show, as it is a bit of a two-parter…
This discussion was recorded back in early March of 2024. I reached out to James shortly after seeing him perform with the bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst in their duo Wayfaring. I was initially hoping to record them together. Still, an even better outcome came about: I had separate discussions with each of them, which allowed us to expand beyond their work together and learn more about them both as people, players, and thinkers. Thus, the two-parter: next week’s episode will feature Katie Ernst.
As for this episode, we recorded this talk in person in a very special space at Cornish College here in Seattle, where James is both a Dean and Professor of Music. I was very excited to sit in the room the school’s founder, Nellie Cornish, likely used as her sitting room and study about 100 years ago. It was also a thrill to consider that I passed through rooms where John Cage and Merce Cunningham likely met or spent time. I have to thank James here for making that happen. Thank you, James!
James and I spoke for nearly two hours. His instinct to record in person on a Saturday in Seattle allowed us to go slow and let the conversation unfold. As always, I am grateful to producer Michael for transforming the discussion into what you are about to hear.
As we parted ways after our session, I mentioned to James that I was starting to think about the next batch of live shows for Spotlight On. He immediately offered ideas and inspired me to work on them sooner rather than later. Following up over email, we developed the concept we will be bringing to the stage in June (and to the podcast shortly thereafter). I cannot wait to see it manifest and hope we see you there.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Six Artifacts, James Falcone’s new improvised collaboration with Lisa Cay Miller and Bonnie Whiting, as well as the song “Who Put the Blood” by Wayfaring)
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00:03:25 - James's early musical influences and the impact of public music education
00:07:20 - The influence of Peter Gabriel and world music on James's artistic development
00:10:03 - Exploring the music of the 80s and the importance of production and song structure
00:17:20 - James's musical mentors and the rigors of his early training
00:22:38 - The challenges and rewards of the clarinet as an instrument
00:26:25 - Studying improvisation and the Third Stream program at the New England Conservatory
00:31:53 - The evolving landscape of music education and the importance of "sound before symbol"
00:38:12 - James's thoughts on AI in music and the unique challenges faced by electronic musicians
00:43:55 - James's current research interests and the influence of minimalism on his work
00:47:34 - The development of the duo Wayfaring and the creative process behind their repertoire
00:52:53 - Exploring the history and significance of murder ballads
00:58:14 - The role of the musician entrepreneur in the modern music industry
01:03:50 - The making of Wayfaring's "Who Put the Blood" and the power of sonic space
01:07:32 - James's thoughts on the difference between sound, noise, and music
01:12:26 - The spiritual dimensions of music-making and the importance of serving the audience
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