EP 54: Volker Goetze on Jazz, Kora & Cultural Connection

In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, host Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (aka SoSaLa) speaks with internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer, filmmaker, and educator Volker Goetze about his lifelong journey through jazz, West African griot traditions, flamenco, and socially conscious artmaking. Volker reflects on discovering jazz in Cologne through artists like Miles Davis, Sun Ra, and Don Cherry, and how music became a spiritual and emotional refuge after the loss of his father at a young age. The conversation explores his deep connection to Senegalese and Mandé music, the cultural significance of the griot tradition, and his long-running collaborations with kora masters Ablaye Cissoko and Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko. The episode also dives into the creation of Volker’s current project, Flamencora — a boundary-pushing trio blending flamenco guitar, kora, and trumpet jazz improvisation. Volker discusses the rhythmic and cultural complexities of flamenco, the influence of maqam and African polyrhythms on his trumpet playing, and the challenge of building authentic cross-cultural collaborations. Upcoming Performances May 28, 2026: FlamenKora at The Drome, NYC (same venue as duo's NYC premiere with Ablaye Cissokho) 4 May 30, 2026: FlamenKora at Tempo Arts Performance Base, Kingston (renovated church with adjustable reverb for electronic music/sound installations) 4 May 2026: 20-minute performance at Emily Harvey Foundation with Johanna Roa's poem for Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (17th-century Mexican nun-intellectual); features flamenco singer Christian performing traditional siguiriya melody with Roa's text Beyond music, Volker shares insights into his documentary filmmaking, including his acclaimed film Griot and socially engaged projects focused on homelessness and displacement. The conversation closes with a candid discussion about the realities of surviving as an independent musician in New York, the changing economics of the music industry, streaming, grants, cultural funding, AI, copyright concerns, and the importance of artistic community through organizations like Musicians for Musicians. Topics Discussed Volker Goetze’s early introduction to jazz in Cologne The emotional and spiritual power of improvisation Discovering West African music and the griot tradition Opening for Youssou N'Dour in Senegal The role of the griot as historian, storyteller, and cultural guardian The deep musical connections between jazz and West African traditions Falling in love with flamenco and learning its rhythmic language The creation and evolution of Flamenkora Collaborating with kora masters Ablaye Cissoko and Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko Working with legendary percussionist Mino Cinelu The influence of maqam, Indian rhythmic systems, and polyrhythms Volker’s documentary films Griot and Displaced Lessons from mentors, including Markus Stockhausen and Enrique Vargas The realities of sustaining an international music career Music grants, touring economics, and the collapse of CD revenue AI, copyright, and the future of musicians’ rights The importance of artistic community and Musicians for Musicians Upcoming performances in New York Artists & Influences Mentioned Miles Davis Billie Holiday Don Cherry Sun Ra Paco de Lucía Toumani Diabaté Ali Farka Touré Salif Keita Randy Weston Arturo O'Farrill Joe Lovano Subjects Covered Jazz improvisation Flamenco rhythm and harmony Kora traditions African diaspora and musical lineage Cultural exchange in music Documentary filmmaking Music activism Artist sustainability Grants and independent funding AI and copyright concerns Community building among musicians Featured Music Bétiyata Sadier Toumaranke CreditsProducer and host:  Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi aka SoSaLaPublisher: Musicians For Musicians (MFM), Inc.Technical support: Adam Reifsteck (MFM Board)https://musiciansformusicians.org