050: Groove, Gd, and Letting Go: A Conversation with Guitarist Jon Madof

Episode 50 of The Rest is Commentary isn’t just a milestone—it’s a deep dive into what really makes music come alive. Jazz guitarist and composer Jon Madof joins us for a conversation that goes far beyond chops and technique, exploring the tension between control and surrender, and how that very struggle can unlock your truest creative voice. Through stories from his path in avant-garde jazz and Jewish musical expression, Jon opens up about the spiritual undercurrent of his work—where discipline meets intuition, and where something greater than the self begins to guide the music. This isn’t just about how to play—it’s about how to listen, how to feel, and how to get out of your own way. We also explore the deeper forces behind creativity: groove as a vehicle for truth, emotion as the engine of connection, and even angels as a metaphor for those flashes of inspiration that cut through doubt and resistance. If you’ve ever wrestled with perfectionism, ego, or the inner critic, this conversation will hit home in a real way. We talk about Jon's new album, "Turn of Events" out August 14, 2026 on Tzadik. Plus, you’ll get a first listen to “Angels Do My Bidding,” a powerful preview from my upcoming EP, which is rooted in the story of King David and resonant with the emotional weight of October 7th.  The music is part of a larger journey—one that invites you to create, live, and feel with deeper intention.