Media Room Podcast

Media Room Live! With Katherine YoungToday I had a fascinating discussion with bassoonist and composer Katherine Young, whose album BIOMES will be released September 18.We talked about why she chose the bassoon, her musical background, and her expansive, multi-disciplinary project to musically depict diverse biomes.Media Room Live! With David BreskinJoin me next week (September 10) when I will speak with David Breskin. David began as a freelance journalist before becoming one of music’s most sought after producers, working with such luminaries as Bill Frisell, Mary Halvorson, and Nels Cline.He is also published eight books of poetry. His most recent is Timestamp: The Daily Practice of Poetry (above).Media Room - An Independent Arts Publication is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

While audio posts are a paid subscriber benefit, this reading of Media Room’s review of Backrooms is free. You can read the review here. Cover image: Still image, Backrooms. Renate Reinsve. © A24.Media Room - An Independent Arts Publication is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Yesterday I spoke with pianist and composer Vijay Iyer. Among other things, we talked about Fifteen, his trio album with Henry Threadgill and Dafnis Prieto.You can read Media Room’s review of Fifteen here. You can purchase the recording here. Vijay spoke at length about Henry Threadgill and mentioned his acclaimed autobiography Easily Slip into Another World: A Life in Music (2023). The book was featured in the “Briefly Noted” section of The New Yorker June 19, 2023:“I go back in my memory and I don’t see: I hear,” Threadgill, a Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz musician and composer, writes in this autobiography. As a child, he taught himself to play his mother’s piano, then learned the clarinet, the flute, and the saxophone (his main instrument). Threadgill is an engaging narrator, touching on racism in the Chicago of his youth, his military service in Vietnam - one band performance is interrupted by a Vietcong raid — and his compositional process. The book’s title refers to a state of mind in which he is able to resist the “mess” of conformity and produce an utterance of his own. “Your neurosis and your dream,” he writes, “they go hand in hand.”Media Room Live! With Katherine YoungNext week (September 3, 2026) Media Room Live! will talk with bassoonist and composer Katherine Young whose album BIOMES will be released on Chalkin Records September 18, 2026.She said:BIOMES is an ongoing project that draws on an evolving collection of materials – photographs, scientific and fictional texts, notation, field recordings, videos, drawings, maps, and more – organized in relation to specific ecological communities, among them desert, wetlands, forest, oyster reef, and the human microbiome. Each biome carries its own characteristics that shape the music's timbre and density, as well as the interaction strategies Young weaves among performers.Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Media Room Live! With Amber WeekesToday I spoke with Los Angeles-based jazz singer Amber Weekes who released her fifth album, To Oscar With Love, August 7. She talked about growing up around some of the most famous artists of the Harlem Renaissance, the L.A. jazz scene, and her relationship with singer, composer, and civil rights activist Oscar Brown, Jr. PAmber also mentioned the documentary Music Is My Life Politics Is Mistress (2005) and spoke at length about “The Snake,” above.Thanks so much to Amber for joining me.Media Room Live! With Linda May Han OhNext week I will meet with bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh to talk about Beneath Lifted Skies, to be released on Blue Note August 21. It includes fifteen standards performed by Oh and saxophonist Melissa Aldana.Regular Media Room readers may remember Linda from our September 2025 interview, “Music In The Moment.”Above, the duo performs “Hallucinations” by Bud Powell (1950).Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Media Room Live! With Mary Kouyoumdjian And Alan PiersonToday I spoke with composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and conductor Alan Pierson about Paper Pianos, a sonic documentary exploring the lives of refugees. We discussed human migration, multimedia art, and I struggled pronouncing Mary’s last name. The Paper Pianos album (above) will be released tomorrow at Cantaloupe Music. Click above for an excerpt.Media Room Live! With Amber WeekesNext week I will speak with jazz vocalist Amber Weekes about the release of her album To Oscar with Love, celebrating the birth centenary of singer, composer, and civil rights activist Oscar Brown, Jr.Above is the single “Afro Blue.”Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Media Room Live! With Dušan Bogdanović And Duo Goni-PerrettaToday I had a wonderful conversation with composer Dušan Bogdanović, who was in Geneva, along with Antigoni Goni and Eleonara Perretta who joined us from Naples. We discussed Duo Goni-Perretta’s recording of Dušan’s music in their new album Music Gardens of the World. You can read Media Room’s review here. Media Room Live! With Mary KouyoumdjianJoin Media Room Live! next week, Thursday, August 6, 2026, for my interview with composer Mary Kouyoumdjia. We will discuss Paper Pianos (2024 Pulitzer Prize in Music Finalist) a musical documentary exploring the lives of refugees. Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Watch my interview with Satoko Fujii, a Japanese pianist, accordionist and composer. On July 10 released Satoko Fujii’s Bunker Ulmenwall Orchestra (below), a recently discovered 2014 recording that lay hidden in the archive of concert producer Wolfgand Gross.On August 7 the Satoko Fujii Orchestra Kobe will release After The Storm (below), composed the Covid pandemic. This fall she will release three recordings with the Satoko Fujii Orchestra, Satoko Fujii Orchestra Berlin (September 4), Satoko Fujii Orchestra Nagoya (October 2), and Satoko Fujii Orchestra Tokyo (November 6). We had a fascinating discussion about improvisation, genre labels, and she recalled when Tower Records once put one of her recordings in the “J-pop” section. She said she might audition some dancers. Media Room Live! With Duo Goni-PerrettaJoin me next week, Thursday, July 30, when I will interview Antigoni Goni and Eleonora Perretta of the Duo Goni-Perretta. You can read Media Room’s review of their recent recording Music Gardens of the World here. Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room's review of Gone.Cover image: Eve Myles (Detective Annie Cassidy). James Pardon/BritBox This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Watch my interview with Charlotte Hu, a Taiwanese classical pianist who recently released Goyescas. Charlotte talks about her musical childhood in Taiwan, Philadelphia, and New York and why she wanted to tell Enrique Granados’ tragic story of the majo. Media Room Live! With Satoko FujiiSatoko Fujii is a Japanese pianist, accordionist and composer. She is best known for her work in avant-garde jazz, but on July 10 released Satoko Fujii’s Bunker Ulmenwall Orchestra (above), a newly discovered 2014 recording that lay hidden in the archive of concert producer Wolfgand Gross.On August 7 the Satoko Fujii Orchestra Kobe will release After The Storm (above), composed the Covid pandemic. Below is the Satoko Fujii Quartet performing “Burning Wick” from the 2025 album of the same name. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Bill EvansBill Evans (1929-1980) is a towering figure. His unique style derived from early modern, musical impressionism and helped define the jazz trio format. Evans’ collaborations with Tony Bennett remains the standard for voice and piano and — as Fred Hersch mentioned in our recent interview — his duo recordings with Jim Hall are iconic for that instrumentation. Evans’ music means a great deal to me, and I wrote about it in one of my first jazz essays, “Alexa Is My Collective Unconscious.”Randy Ingram’s Sound Within: A Celebration Of Bill EvansTomorrow, Ingram and Chill Tone Records will release Sound Within: A Celebration of Bill Evans, featuring Evans trio alumni Joe La Barbera (drums) and Rufus Reid (bass).You can listen and purchase here. On August 12, 2026, Randy Ingram Trio feat. Rufus Reid and Joe La Barbera will host a record release party at The Pocket in New York City.Randy and I talked about Evans, his music, and the upcoming album. Media Room Live! With Charlotte Hu As regular listeners may recall, my June 18 interview with Charlotte Hu about her album Goyescas was postponed after lighting strikes blew a transformer a few feet from my office. Charlotte graciously rescheduled and our interview will be broadcast at Media Room Live! July 16.Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Watch my fascinating conversation with Emilie-Claire Barlow, above. Her album La Plus Belle Saison was released in February and she will be performing at Birdland three nights next week, July 9-11. We talked about her musical childhood, the history of Quebecois music, and her new recording. Below is “Dans Les Rues De Quebec.”Media Room Live! With Randy IngramNext week, July 9, I will speak with jazz pianist Randy Ingram. The next day, Ingram and Chill Tone Records will release Sound Within: A Celebration of Bill Evans, featuring Evans trio alumni Joe La Barbera (drums) and Rufus Reid (bass).Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

In the 1970s, Esther, an American woman mourning her mother, received a letter that sets her on a journey to uncover a hidden chapter of her family’s history. With the help of Zayde, a university professor with secrets of his own, she began searching for a woman who lived decades earlier in British Mandate Palestine.The woman is Yehudit, whose arrival in a settlers’ village in the 1930s entangled the lives of three men: a widowed father, an idealistic farmer and a cattle trader. By tying together the threads that bind past and present, Esther and Zayde discover a shocking truth.Based on the novel The Loves of Judith by Meir Shalev, the film is directed by Guido Chiesa and stars Mili Avital (Stargate), Ori Pfeffer (Hacksaw Ridge, Munich), Moni Moshonov (Late Marriage, America), Menashe Noy (Gett, Tehran), Ana Ularu (Andor), Marc Rissmann (Game of Thrones) and Alban Ukaj (Quo Vadis, Aida?).Guido and I had a fascinating discussion about why wanted to tell the story and the challenges he faced bringing it to the screen.For The Love Of A Woman was released in theaters today (Friday, June 26). Click here for theaters in your area. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

My interview with Matthew Detrick, Founder of the Apollo Chamber Players, didn’t go off live, and I hope those who were in queue will accept our sincere apologies. The recorded interview is above.We talked about the great city of Houston, the development of contemporary classical music, and the Houston Astros signal stealing controversy of ten years ago about which — if I’m being honest — it seems I still have some unresolved feelings. Their new album We The People (above) will be released July 3, 2026. Click here for more information.Media Room Live! With Emilie-Claire BarlowJoin me next week, July 2, 2026, for my interview with Canadian jazz singer Emilie-Claire Barlow. She released La Plus Belle Saison in February, but only in Canada because it’s all in French. She will be appearing at Birdland in New York, July 9-11.She and Damien Robitaille play us out with “Quelles sont les chances?”Quelles sont les chances, qu’on se croise dans la rue? (What are the chances of us crossing paths in the street? ) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I was joined at Media Room Live! by Stella Heath, leader of The Billie Holiday Project. We talked about her career as an actress before becoming a musician, The Billie Holiday Project, and its recently released For Billie. We also discussed Lady Day’s iconic “Strange Fruit” (below) and the current, retrograde movement of civil rights in America. I mentioned the Equal Justice Initiative’s Memorial For Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama which, I respectfully suggest, every American should visit. Thanks to Stella for joining me. Media Room Live! With Charlotte HuOn June 18 I will speak with Charlotte Hu whose album Goyescas was released June 5.A cornerstone of Spanish piano literature, Enrique Granados’ (1867-1916) Goyescas was inspired by the paintings of Francisco Goya (above). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Editor’s Note: Above is a clip from Tuesday’s interview with Simone Dinnerstein discussing Baroklyn’s album Hourglass, released today on Naïve Records in Paris. The clip has been translated into French for Media Room’s Francophone readers. The English language video interview may be seen in its entirety here. The English language transcript may be read here. Note de la Rédaction: Ci-dessus, un extrait de l’entrevue de mardi Simone Dinnerstein à propos de l’album Hourglass de Baroklyn, publié aujourd’hui chez Naïve Records à Paris.Cet extrait a été traduit en français pour les abonnés francophones de Media Room. L’interview complète en anglais est disponible ici.Cela fait maintenant un peu plus de dix ans que je joue la musique de Glass, et je dois dire que chaque fois que je l’interprète, l’expérience est vraiment unique, en termes de pleine conscience. Comme je l’ai dit, il y a beaucoup de répétitions, et ces répétitions sont vécues différemment car on se trouve à un autre moment de l’histoire. On joue le morceau une première fois, puis une seconde, et la sensation est différente car le chemin a déjà été parcouru, on a déjà exploré ce temps, et maintenant on le rejoue à un autre moment. On a le sentiment d’être conscient du passé et du futur en jouant, car on est conscient de ce qu’on vient de faire et de ce qu’on va faire. Mais cette sensation de présence est unique et différente de tout autre compositeur que j’ai pu écouter. Il faut être incroyablement concentré et pleinement conscient de l’instant présent lorsqu’on joue sa musique, ce qui procure une perception du temps différente de celle que l’on éprouve en interprétant, par exemple, Beethoven ou Schubert. Cependant, Bach possède également cette capacité, car sa musique comporte de nombreuses répétitions et séquences, et elle est aussi riche en strates, à l’instar de celle de Glass. Ainsi, si l’on joue Bach avec une grande attention portée à la polyphonie et au contrepoint, en interprétant cette musique avec un ensemble comme le mien, Baroklyn, chaque musicien doit être conscient de sa propre partie tout en s’harmonisant avec les autres. Il y a donc cette perception du temps qui passe, comme un voyage horizontal. Je le conçois de gauche à droite, mais il s’agit probablement d’une construction culturelle : nous avons tendance à associer le passage du passé au futur de gauche à droite. Mais il y a aussi la superposition, verticale, c’est-à-dire toutes les voix qui se produisent simultanément. Quand on écoute la plupart des musiques occidentales (pop, rock, jazz, classique) on pense beaucoup à l’harmonie, et l’harmonie est verticale : comment les notes s’agencent-elles verticalement pour former un accord. Une grande partie de la musique que nous écoutons se concentre sur un chanteur principal, soutenu par un groupe qui harmonise autour de lui et dont le rôle est moins important. Mais dans la musique hautement polyphonique, comme celle de Bach ou de Philip Glass, l’harmonie n’est pas primordiale. Ce sont toutes les voix qui se déplacent horizontalement, simultanément, et qui sont, d’une certaine manière, d’égale importance. C’est une autre façon d’envisager la musique, l’égalité, et la complexité est tout autre.Les lecteurs francophones de Media Room pourront lire ici ma entrevue avec le musicien de jazz français Franck Amsallem. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Matt Baker is a bassist by training. About ten years ago he picked up the baryton, a Baroque musical instrument now largely forgotten. We talked about how he came to play such an unusual instrument, the formation of the Valencia Baryton Project, and how Haydn’s 170 compositions for it had an outsized effect on the development of Western music. Volume 3 of Treasures From The Eszterháza Palace was released in March on Naxos.In the interview Matt talked about performing at the Castle of Ribarroja del Turia. Below, you can watch the trio perform the first movement of Haydn’s Baryton Trio No. 80 in the Visigoth castle. Media Room Live! With Stella HeathDo you like Bille Holiday? Of course you do. What were you, raised by wolves? If you have headphones and a heart, you like Billie Holiday. Bay Area singer Stella Heath’s recording debut For Billie includes 12 songs Lady Day made famous. I talk with Stella Thursday, June 11. Watch this space for more information and, as always, send any questions you would like me to ask my guests to [email protected]. All Media Room Live! episodes are available at Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today, Simone Dinnerstein joined me to talk about her ensemble Baroklyn’s album Hourglass (below), to be released Friday, June 5, on the French record label Naïve. Hourglass features two Philip Glass compositions, including the suite from the critically acclaimed The Hours (2002) about three women (portrayed by Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep) whose lives are connected by Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway.Regular Media Room readers may recall last year’s interview with Dinnerstein during which we discussed Baroklyn’s debut recording Complicité, which included four Bach compositions.In the interview above Dinnerstein described how Bach and Glass similarly render musical time. For each, time is an hourglass rather than a clock, flowing rather than mechanical and rigid. Thanks to Simone for joining me. Media Room Live! With Matt BakerJoin Media Room Live! Thursday (June 4, 2026) when I speak with Matt Baker of the Valencia Baryton Project. The baryton is a stringed instrument that looks like a cello but has drone strings that can be plucked. Franz Joseph Haydn composed 170 pieces for it and the Valencia Baryton Project has recorded three albums.Treasures from the Eszterháza Palace was released March 27. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Yesterday (Friday, May 29, 2026) the Detroit Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Jader Bignamini released its recording of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” on Pentatone Records.I caught up with Jader yesterday in Milwaukee and we talked about the remarkable history of the Cantata and how the DSO’s recording was made. The BPO Is Performing ‘Carmina Burana’ This WeekendIn a bit of serendipity, Buffalo music lovers can see the Buffalo Philharmonic perform the piece at Kleinhans Music Hall Saturday and Sunday (May 30 and 31). You can find more information at bpo.org.Media Room’s planned coverage of the BPO performance was scuttled after its photographer, Kirsten Anderson, was injured and unable to attend.Feel better Kirsten!A live performance of Carmina Burana is a remarkable experience and the BPO program promises to be one to remember. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Watch my interview with jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Aaron Irwin, who trio CD Spark has been on heavy rotation in my car. It’s one of my favorite recordings of the year. Thanks to Aaron and everyone who tuned in live.Media Room Live! In June Click here for a preview of Media Room Live! in June, including Simone Dinnerstein, Matt Baker from The Valencia Baryton Project, jazz singer Stella Heath and much more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review of “The Mandalorian And Grogu,” published today.Paid subscribers receive audio posts for all movie reviews. Thank you being a paid subscriber.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Cover image: Still photo from ‘The Mandalorian And Grogu.’ © Lucasfilm Ltd. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I recorded this interview with Thomm Jutz on Tuesday (May 19, 2026). He was in The Hague (Netherlands) and I was in Buffalo, mourning a gut-wrenching, Game 7, overtime Sabres loss against the Montreal Canadiens. We talked about how a European television appearance by Bobby Bare (above) inspired a boy from the German Black Forest to become one of the most important American Roots songwriters of our time.We also talked about refusing to submit to despair in dark political times, Jungian psychology, the art of Max Beckmann, and more.As always, you can listen to Media Room Live! as a podcast on Substack or Apple Podcasts.I’ve been a fan of Thomm’s music for some time and I am enjoying his new album Ring-A-Bellin. Listen to “Settle Me Down,” above.Media Room Live! With Aaron IrwinJoin me next week, Thursday, May 28, for my interview with saxophonist Aaron Irwin. Details to follow, as Aaron is on the road right now. A Spark CD came in the mail just prior to its March 6, 2026 release and has since been on heavy rotation in my car. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Bassist David Ambrosio joined me today to talk about his album Civil Disobedience which will be released tomorrow on Blue Frog Records. A documentary will follow, and you can watch the trailer below.Thanks again to David and everybody who watched live.Media Room Live! With Thomm JutzJoin me next week, Thursday, May 21 at 5:00PM for my interview with singer-songwriter Thomm Jutz.I’ve been a fan of Thomm’s music for some time. I am looking forward to meeting him and talking about his music and his new album Ring-A-Bellin.Click here to watch live . Please note the later time. Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today I spoke with Yolanda Kondonnassis, one of the world's premier harpists. We talked about how she chose the instrument, the development of contemporary music for the harp, and the Terra Infirma Project.Terra Infirma is both a harp concerto and a multi-media performance. The digital recording was released April 17, it comes out on physical media May 15, and the live concert video is expected by the end of May 2026. The Terra Infirma Project also includes a poem of the same name by Robert Walters. Click here to watch a reading.Watch the trailer, below.Media Room Live! With David AmbrosioJoin me at next week, Thursday, May 14, at Media Room Live! with bassist David Ambrosio. His album Civil Disobedience will be released the next day. Watch the trailer below.Click here to watch live. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today I spoke with Liz Freivogel, violist for the Jupiter String Quartet. Their album, Undreamed Shores was released April 17 and features the world premiere recordings of three new quartets written for the ensemble.Liz and I talked about the new album, the Jupiter’s new first violinist, and the life of a string quartet.Above is one of the pieces Liz discussed in our interview, “Chaconne/Labyrinth” by Stephen Andrew Taylor.Thanks to Liz and everyone who watched live.Media Room Live! With Yolanda KondonassisJoin me next week, Thursday, May 7 at 11:00AM EST, when I will interview harpist Yolanda Kondonassis about her new album Terra Infirma composed by Reena Esmail. Click here to watch live. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Australian composer and pianist Alister Spence joined me from Sydney to discuss jazz, improvisation, and his album Always Ever. Our video feed dropped at 15:09 so please stop watching at that point. Thanks to Alister and everyone who tuned in live.Media Room Live! With Liz Freivogel Of The Jupiter String QuartetAt 11:00AM EST on April 30, join me for an interview with Liz Freivogel, violist for the Jupiter String Quartet. Their album, Undreamed Shores was released April 17 and features the world premiere recordings of three new quartets written for the ensemble.Listen to “Rise Up” by Michi Wiancko, above.Click here to watch live. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Media Room Live! With Allison Loggins-HullComposer Allison Loggins Hull recently completed a three year composer residency with The Cleveland Orchestra. Its recording of three of her compositions (above) will be released tomorrow. We discussed her musical background, her training as a flautist, and how she transitioned into composing. A second album, Patchwork, features members of The Cleveland Orchestra performing chamber works alongside Loggins-Hull on flute. It will be released May 1. Click here to purchase the recordings. Our interview was part of Media Room’s “Contemporary Composer” series. Click here to see previous installments. Thanks to Allison and everyone who watched live.Media Room Live! With Alister SpenceAlister Spence is an Australian pianist and composer and his upcoming release Always Ever (above) consists of 16 wholly improvised pieces for solo piano.Click here to watch our live interview Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 5:00PM EST. Please note the later time. This is to accommodate Alister who is in Australia and 14 hours ahead of EST. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Watch my interview with classical guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas who will perform Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” with the Buffalo Philharmonic this weekend.The BPO will be led by Guest Conductor Anna Sułkowska-Migoń in a program that includes Fauré, Borodin, and a rare performance of Grażyna Bacewicz‘s “Overture for Orchestra.”The BPO’s “Pablo’s Guitar” program will be performed Saturday night at 7:30PM and Sunday afternoon at 2:30PM.Look for my review at Media Room with photos by Kirsten Anderson after Saturday night’s performance.For tickets and more information go to bpo.org. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Dave Soldier is truly an iconoclast. An author, neuroscientist, and professor at the Columbia University Medical Center, he is also an accomplished musician. His first album of symphonic works, Vipers at the Onyx (above) will be released tomorrow, April 10, 2026.We took a deep dive into the life and music of Stuff Smith and Dave explained how Stuff’s music inspired the first composition on the album. We discussed Smith’s broad influence, including how Bob Wills incorporated Smith’s sound into Texas Swing. Vipers At The Onyx also features Soldier’s “Jaleo,” dedicated to McCoy Tyner and Eddie Palmieri, whose music Soldier heard at age 15 and whom he credits for inspiring him to become a composer.For more information and to purchase the album click here.Thanks to all those who tuned in live and thanks to them and to Dave for their patience as we worked through some technical problems. I think it well worth it. I hope you agree. Media Room Live! With Allison Loggins-HullJoin Media Room Live! next week, Thursday, April 16 at 11:00AM EST for my interview with composer Allison Loggins-Hull. We will discuss her three year composer residency with the Cleveland Orchestra and her upcoming recordings (above). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Please watch my interview with jazz drummer and composer Gregory Hutchinson. His all-star, Miles Davis tribute album, Kind Of Now: The Pulse of Miles Davis (below), will be released tomorrow (April 3, 2026). Note that our interview contains casual profanity (mostly by me) and discussion of current events that ardent supporters of the current administration might find off-putting. I don’t wish to trigger anyone, so please feel free to skip the interview and put on some Kid Rock.April 9: Media Room Live! With David Soldier Join Media Room Live! next week, Thursday, April 9, 2026, for my interview with musician and neuroscientist Dave Soldier whose album Vipers at the Onyx (above) will be released April 10, 2026. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Please watch my interview with pianist and composer Julia Hülsmann, whose album Octet: While I Was Away was released by ECM January 30. It was a fascinating, wide-ranging discussion. Thanks to Julia and everyone who watched live.April 2: Media Room Live! With Gregory Hutchinson Join Media Room Live! next week, Thursday, April 2 , 2026, for my interview with drummer Gregory Hutchinson. His album Kind Of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis will be released April 3 on Warner Records. Please note the interview will be at 5:00PM EST to accommodate Gregory who will be overseas. You can stream the early single, “Orbits,” here and watch the album trailer below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Please watch my interview with pianist and composer Vadim Neselovskyi, who album Perseveranita was released February 27. Click here for Media Room’s written interview with Neselovskyi published February 17.Perseverantia is a 72 minute suite for piano and string trio and we were joiined by Ysyae String Trio violist Emlym Stam from The Hague. As you will see, we caught up with Emlyn in his car as he was picking up his daughter.We talked about composition, improvisation, classical vs. jazz, and much more. Media Room Live! With Julia HülsmannJoin Media Room Live! next week for my interview with German composer and pianist Julia Hülsmann whose recording Octet: While I was Away was released on ECM January 30.Media Room Live! is upgrading its video platform, so watch this space for more information about how to watch. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Technical issues prevented Jay Beckenstein and me from talking live on Substack, but no matter. Above, please find our interview recorded today, March 12, 2026.Jay and Spyro Gyra will return to Buffalo for a 50 year anniversary concert March 28, 2026 at Buffalo State College. Tickets and more information can be found here.Next Week: Media Room Live! With Vadim NeselovskyiOn March 19 I will interview Ukrainian pianist and composer Vadim Neselovskyi. Readers may recall Media Room’s interview published February 17. Since the interview was published, Perseverantia was released February 24 he hosted his album release party in Brooklyn March 5. I look forward to catching up with Vadim and continuing our fascinating discussion.Click here to watch live. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

This morning at Media Room Live! I spoke with jazz trumpeter and composer Ingrid Jensen about her music and her new album, Landings.We had a fascinating discussion about improvisation, musical interplay, and how she makes music. On March 18 she will host an album release event at Dizzy’s Club in New York. Thanks to Ingrid and to everyone who tuned in live.Media Room Live! In March Editor’s Note: at the end of the interview above I mistakenly said next week’s interview is with Vadim Neselovskyi. Actually, that interview is in two weeks (see below). Apologies. Spyro Gyra’s Jay BeckensteinJoin Media Room Live! next week, Thursday March 12 at 11:00AM EST, when I will interview Buffalo’s own Jay Beckenstein. He returns home for a March 28 performance at the Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, celebrating 50 years of Spyro Gyra. Click here to watch live.Vadim NeselovskyiOn Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 11:00AM EST, I will talk with composer and pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, whom I recently interviewed about his album Perseverantia, released February 27. Julia HülsmannOn Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:00AM EST watch my interview with Julia Hülsmann. On January 30 she and her Octet released While I Was Away on ECM. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

This morning at Media Room Live! I spoke with classical pianist David Korevaar. He recently released his recordings of the complete cycle of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas on Prospero. We had a fascinating discussion about Beethoven, the piano, and some of music’s greatest compositions.Thanks to David and to everyone who tuned in live.Join Media Room Live! next week, Thursday March 5 at 11:00AM EST, when I will interview composer and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen whose album Landings will released tomorrow from Newvelle Records as part of the Newvelle Ten Collection.Click here to watch Ingrid and me live. Below is “Amsterdam After Dark” from her upcoming album. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

This morning at Media Room Live! I spoke with singer-songwriter Courtney Hartman. Her album With You was released in November and has been in heavy rotation at Media Room.Courtney discussed her musical inspirations, training, and how With You was a celebration of community. Listen to “Companion” below.Thanks to Courtney and everyone who tuned in live. Join Media Room Live! next week when I speak with classical pianist David Korevaar who recorded all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in 2025. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today, David Leisner and I talked about being a composer, a guitarist, and his recent album Dedications (below), released January 16. You can buy it here.Below is the video mentioned during the interview. David performs “Farewell, R.W.” by David Del Tredici, one of the compositions on Dedications, at Plaza Blanca in Abiquiu, New Mexico.Thanks again to everyone to tuned in live.Next Week At Media Room Live!Join me next week for an interview with singer-songwriter Courtney Hartman whose new album With You is one of the finest recordings of this young year. Below is “Companion”Courtney and I will go live at 11:00AM Thursday, February 19 at 11:00AM EST. Click here to watch live. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to the live video. Michael Stephen Brown and I talked about being a composer and pianist, the state of contemporary classical music, and the upcoming release of TWELVE BLOCKS (below).Media Room Live! is now a weekly feature. Join us every Thursday at 11:00AM EST when I interview an artist doing some of today’s most interesting work.* On February 12 I will talk with classical guitarist David Leinser about his new album Dedications, released January 16.* On February 19 I will be in conversation with singer/songwriter Courtney Hartman, whose new album With You, is one my favorite releases of this young year.* On February 26 I will interview classical pianist David Korevaar, who has just released the complete recordings of Beethoven’s piano sonatas.* On March 5 I will meet jazz trumpeter and composer Ingrid Jensen, whose album Landings will be released is out February 27, 2026 as part of Newvelle Records 10th Anniversary Collection.* On March 12 I will interview Buffalo’s own Jay Beckenstein, leader of Spyro Gyra, about the band’s 50th Anniversary and its March 28 performance at Buffalo State.Media Room Live! events are free to all Media Room subscribers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you to everyone who tuned into the live video. The video above is the continuation of a discontinued live stream that had to be abandoned due to technical issues. For those of you that were with us for that, we traced it to a bluetooth issue.I apologize for any inconvenience the technical issues may have caused and I hope you enjoy our discussion.Join us for another Media Room Live! event 11:00 AM EST February 5, 2026 when I talk with pianist and composer Michael Stephen Brown about his music and his new album “Twelve Blocks.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review “The Search For Squarepants,” published today.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Paid subscribers receive audio posts for all movie reviews. This review has been made available to all subscribers. In 2026, audio and video posts will only be available to paid subscribers.If you are a free subscriber check your email for a special upgrade offer that expires Christmas Day. As always, thank you for reading Media Room, and Happy Holidays. Cover image: Still image from “SpongeBob Squarepants: The Search For Squarepants.” Released December 19, 2025. © Paramount Pictures. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mediaroom.substack.comThank you to everyone who tuned in! Click here to read more about the two compositions on the recording, including my reviews of the BPO performances. Click here to read Atlanta music critic William Ford’s recent article, mentioned in the interview. Buffalo Philharmonic coverage is for paid subscribers only. Take advantage of Media Room’s Holiday Special

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review of “Pluribus,” published today. It is currently streaming at Apple TV.Following the review is a six minute performance of Renaissance composer Johannes Ockeghem’s “Dei Gratias” performed by the Huelgas Ensemble conducted by Paul Van Nevel. “Dei Gratias” plays over one of the most beautiful scenes in Plurbius, as the Others silently conduct an exodus from Albuquerque. You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Paid subscribers receive audio posts for all movie reviews. This review has been made available to all subscribers. If you like what you hear please consider becoming a paid subscriber.This Holiday, Give The Gift Of Quality Arts WritingMedia Room is quality arts writing, not “entertainment content.”Media Room’s 30% off Holiday Special ($65/$45.50) goes through the end of the year. Paid subscribers receive a full year of posts and benefits including paywalled Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra coverage with concert reviews before the repeat performance.Paid subscribers also receive insightful movie and TV reviews, exclusive audio and video posts, access to over 450 posts in the archive, and “The Song of the Day” playlist on Tidal, now with 24 hours of nonstop music.Give the gift of quality writing this holiday.Cover image: Still image from “Pluribus.” L-R Karolina Wydra (Zosia), Samba Schutte (Koumba Diabaté). © Vince Gilligan, SONY Pictures Television, and Apple TV.Deo Gratias · Huelgas Ensemble · Johannes Ockeghem · Paul Van NevelUtopia Triumphans: The Great Polyphony of the Renaissance℗ 1995 Sony Classical, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENTReleased on: 2014-01-24Choir: Huelgas EnsembleConductor: Paul Van NevelLyricist: AnonymousComposer: Johannes OckeghemProducer: Wolf Erichson This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review of “Tapawingo,” published today. It began streaming at Amazon Video and Apple TV December 2.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Paid subscribers receive audio posts for all movie reviews. This review has been made available to all subscribers. If you like what you hear please consider becoming a paid subscriber.This Holiday, Give The Gift Of Quality Arts WritingMedia Room is quality arts writing, not “entertainment content.”Media Room’s 30% off Holiday Special ($65/$45.50) goes through the end of the year. Paid subscribers receive a full year of posts and benefits including paywalled Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra coverage with concert reviews before the repeat performance.Paid subscribers also receive insightful movie and TV reviews, exclusive audio and video posts, access to over 450 posts in the archive, and “The Song of the Day” playlist on Tidal, now with 24 hours of nonstop music.Give the gift of quality writing this holiday.Cover image: Still image from “Tapawingo.”© Tapawingo Film, LLC. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review of “Wake Up Dead Man,” published today. The movie is in theaters now and begins streaming December 12 at Netflix.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Paid subscribers receive audio posts for all movie reviews. This review has been made available to all subscribers. If you like what you hear please consider becoming a paid subscriber.This Holiday, Give The Gift Of Quality Arts WritingMedia Room is quality arts writing, not “entertainment content.”Media Room’s 30% off Holiday Special ($65/$45.50) goes through the end of the year. Paid subscribers receive a full year of posts and benefits including paywalled Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra coverage with concert reviews before the repeat performance.Paid subscribers also receive insightful movie and TV reviews, exclusive audio and video posts, access to over 450 posts in the archive, and “The Song of the Day” playlist on Tidal, now with 24 hours of nonstop music.Give the gift of quality writing this holiday.Cover image: Still image from“Wake Up Dead Man.” © Netflix. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today, Amaury Faye joined me from Paris to discuss Rust, his recently released album featuring music inspired by jazz’s source, the great city of New Orleans. Rust was recorded at Maringy Studios in the Crescent City and features New Orleans musicians Julian Lee (tenor sax), Amina Scott (bass), and Herlin Riley (drums). The album was released digitally November 14 with physical media scheduled for December 12. Media Room debuted the album’s trailer, below. In our interview, Amaury explains the panda head. Thanks to everyone who tuned in to watch. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Amaury Faye is French jazz composer and pianist who, after a visit to New Orleans, recorded “Rust” with some of that great city’s jazz artists. It was released digitally November 14 with physical media to follow in December.Watch the album’s trailer (above), first released here at Media Room.Faye and I will discuss “Rust” during our live event tomorrow Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:00AM EST. Click here to watch live.I promise to ask him about the panda head. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Guest Conductor Eric Jacobsen will be leading the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra this weekend in its “Grieg & Schumann: Romantic Impressions” program.Paid subscribers received the interview Wednesday. I hope you enjoy our discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review of “Nouvelle Vague,” published today. The movie begins streaming tomorrow at Netflix.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Paid subscribers receive audio posts for all movie reviews. This review has been made available to all subscribers.Media Room paid subscribers receive special audio and video posts, access to paywalled coverage of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and much more. Click below to subscribe.Cover image: See written review for caption. © Netflix. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Alma Mahler married Gustav Mahler in 1902 when he was 41 and she was 22. Both were accomplished composers. In a famous letter, Gustav famously insisted that Alma cease composing as a condition of their marriage. Watch Cate Blanchett read that letter in the video below.‘You Must Surrender Yourself To Me’#AlmaTooIn her essay #AlmaToo: The Art of Being Believed, published in 2022 by the Journal of the American Musicological Society, University at Albany Professor of Music Nancy Newman writes about Alma Mahler in the context of the contemporary #MeToo movement.Nancy and I discussed issues of consent, gaslighting, and the sexual politics between powerful men and younger women.The BPO’s ‘Mahler & Mahler’On Friday November 7 and Saturday November 8 the Buffalo Philharmonic will present its “Mahler & Mahler” program which begins with six songs composed by Alma Mahler and performed by soprano Andrea Bickford (above).Media Room will publish my review of Friday’s performance in plenty of time to catch the repeat on Saturday, November 8 at 7:30PM.For tickets and more information click hereBPO coverage is only for paid subscribers. Click here to subscribe. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

The Ariel Quartet formed in Jerusalem two decades ago and is currently in residence at The University of Cincinnati. It is one of the finest musical ensembles performing today, noted for its sophisticated, passionate sound. Ariel has recorded all of Beethoven’s sixteen quartets in three recordings on the Orchard Classics label. Volume I was released April 4, 2025 and Volume II comes out November 7, 2025 (above). The final volume, Volume III, will be released in June 2026 followed by a boxed set in 2027, in time for the 200th Anniversary of Beethoven’s death (March 26, 1827). Alexandra and I discussed all of this, as well as the majestic opening movement of Opus 127. You can hear it below.Thanks to Alexandra and everyone who tuned in live. I hope you enjoy our thirty minute discussion as much as I did.Get 50% Off A Paid, Annual Subscription Until October 31Media Room is one of the few places where you can read quality, independent journalism about classical music. Please consider an annual subscription. Until Saturday, you can take advantage of the year’s biggest discount. Until October 31 you can receive 50% off of an annual subscription ($80 $40). Paid subscribers receive paywalled Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra coverage and insightful reviews of all types of music, film, and TV.Paid subscribers also have access to video, podcasts, Media Room’s growing archive of 460 articles, and “The Song Of The Day Playlist” at Tidal.Click here to listen to my review of “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” and here to read my review of the BritBox TV series “Ludwig,” recently nominated for an International Emmy. I have temporarily moved them from behind the paywall.Thank you for reading Media Room. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for being a paid subscriber.I hope you enjoy this reading of Media Room’s review of “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues," published today.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here. Below is the lyric video for “Cups And Cakes,” a verse of which was quoted at the end of my review. You mark my words. This “Paul McCartney” will be a big star one day. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe