Rob Shepherd

Singing Through the Horn: A Conversation with Billy Harper (Part Two)

We continue our conversation with the great Billy Harper by discussing the beginning of his professional career in New York,…

2 years ago

Singing Through the Horn: A Conversation with Billy Harper (Part One)

The lineage of jazz has long drawn upon ideas from gospel music, whether Louis Armstrong’s presentation of spirituals or Duke…

2 years ago

Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Albums of 2022

My annual list is the only time each year I try to get more personal with my writing, speaking in…

2 years ago

Narrative Freedom: A Conversation with Anthony Davis (Part Two)

In the second part of our conversation with composer Anthony Davis, we do a deeper dive into his work, X:…

2 years ago

Narrative Freedom: A Conversation with Anthony Davis (Part One)

When one looks beyond the jokes about “the fat lady” singing or baseless accusations of the form being boring, one…

2 years ago

Roots to Infinity: A Conversation with Donald Harrison, Jr. (Part Two)

We continue our conversation with NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison, Jr. (read part one here) by digging into Mardi Gras…

2 years ago

Roots to Infinity: A Conversation with Donald Harrison, Jr. (Part One)

While the history of improvised music is replete with works of artistic brilliance, such recordings seldom reach outside the confines…

2 years ago

Stranger Than Fiction: A Conversation with Trevor Dunn

There is much in this world that we do not understand. Phenomena not easily understood by science or human reason.…

2 years ago

All Singing Together: A Conversation with William Parker (Part Two)

We continue our conversation with William Parker by further discussing his philosophy on music, Universal Tonality (Centering/AUM Fidelity, 2022) and…

2 years ago

All Singing Together: A Conversation with William Parker (Part One)

Some recordings are fun listening experiences. Things you can put on, enjoy the groove, and go about your day. William…

2 years ago