Rob Shepherd

Rob Shepherd

Fela Kuti & Afrika 70’s ‘Zombie’ (1977)Fela Kuti & Afrika 70’s ‘Zombie’ (1977)

Fela Kuti & Afrika 70’s ‘Zombie’ (1977)

Protest songs, those associated with a movement for social change, have existed at least since the psalms of grassroots Protestant…

3 years ago
Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Albums of 2021Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Albums of 2021

Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Albums of 2021

In some ways, 2021 can be seen as a return of music. In reality, through live-stream and various recordings, music…

3 years ago
Four Score: A Conversation with Wadada Leo Smith on Turning 80 (Part Two)Four Score: A Conversation with Wadada Leo Smith on Turning 80 (Part Two)

Four Score: A Conversation with Wadada Leo Smith on Turning 80 (Part Two)

Our conversation with the legendary Wadada Leo Smith continues with a further discussion on the business side of music, including…

3 years ago
Four Score: A Conversation with Wadada Leo Smith on Turning 80 (Part One)Four Score: A Conversation with Wadada Leo Smith on Turning 80 (Part One)

Four Score: A Conversation with Wadada Leo Smith on Turning 80 (Part One)

Many people, as they get older, tend to slow down and reduce their workload. Some even step aside and retire…

3 years ago
Days in December: A Conversation with Jacqueline KerrodDays in December: A Conversation with Jacqueline Kerrod

Days in December: A Conversation with Jacqueline Kerrod

Historians believe some form of the harp existed as far back as the beginning of ancient Egypt's "Old Kingdom", 2500…

3 years ago
2021 PostGenre Hall of Fame Inductee: John Cage’s “4’33″”2021 PostGenre Hall of Fame Inductee: John Cage’s “4’33″”

2021 PostGenre Hall of Fame Inductee: John Cage’s “4’33″”

What is silence? A basic dictionary definition describes it as “the absence of sound.” But is it truly possible to…

3 years ago
Sound World Exploration: A Conversation with Sara SchoenbeckSound World Exploration: A Conversation with Sara Schoenbeck

Sound World Exploration: A Conversation with Sara Schoenbeck

With its double reeds and complicated fingerings, the bassoon is one of the most difficult wind instruments to master. But…

3 years ago
Density and Space: A Conversation with Yuma Uesaka and Marilyn CrispellDensity and Space: A Conversation with Yuma Uesaka and Marilyn Crispell

Density and Space: A Conversation with Yuma Uesaka and Marilyn Crispell

Since the 1970s, Marilyn Crispell has been a major figure in creative music, pushing the piano into new realms, whether…

4 years ago
Melding of Worlds: A Conversation with Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary HalvorsonMelding of Worlds: A Conversation with Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson

Melding of Worlds: A Conversation with Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson

Over the past two and a half decades, pianist-composer Sylvie Courvoisier has established a formidable career in combining concepts from…

4 years ago
Eclecticism Continued: A Conversation with Dave Liebman (Part Two)Eclecticism Continued: A Conversation with Dave Liebman (Part Two)

Eclecticism Continued: A Conversation with Dave Liebman (Part Two)

The second part of our conversation with Dave Liebman covers his incredible debut as a leader, Lookout Farm (ECM, 1973).…

4 years ago