Art Works Podcast

In the second part of our conversation with 2024 NEA Jazz Master trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, we explore the emotional and creative depths of his work, from his jazz innovations to his evolution as an opera composer.Blanchard shares the challenges of scoring the documentary When the Levees Broke and discusses how his Grammy-winning album A Tale of God’s Will emerged from those themes, evolving into a deeply personal statement on loss and resilience. From jazz to film and opera, he examines how his musical voice has expanded across genres, culminating in his historic operas Champion and Fire Shut Up in My Bones—the first opera by an African American to be produced at the Metropolitan Opera. He also discusses his role in bringing the Monk Institute  (now the Herbie Hancock Institute) to New Orleans after Katrina and his ongoing dedication as an educator and mentor to young musicians.He discusses his then-new role as Artistic Director of SFJAZZ, where he provides opportunities for mid-career as well as emerging musicians and brings innovative programming to audiences. As he reflects on receiving the NEA Jazz Master honor, Blanchard considers the legacy of those who came before him and the responsibility of carrying the music forward.

In part one of this two-part interview, trumpeter, composer, and 2024 NEA Jazz Master Terence Blanchard speaks about his deep musical roots in New Orleans and how the city’s rich traditions shaped his artistry. He reflects on growing up in a household filled with music, his early piano lessons, and the pivotal moment when he switched to trumpet after hearing Alvin Alcorn. Blanchard discusses the educators who had a lasting impact on him, including Roger Dickerson and Ellis Marsalis, and his formative experiences at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Rutgers University. He also shares stories of touring with Lionel Hampton as a teenager, learning the ropes of the jazz world, and his time with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, where he honed his skills as a composer and bandleader. Blanchard also talks about forming a quintet with Donald Harrison and their commitment to innovation, as well as launching his solo career in the early '90s. He describes his unexpected entry into film composition, starting with Mo’ Better Blues, and how that led to a decades-long collaboration with Spike Lee. Blanchard reflects on the challenges and rewards of storytelling through music. Stay tuned for part two of my conversation with Terence Blanchard, where he discusses his work in opera, his ongoing exploration of sound with his current band, taking on the role of  artistic director of SFJAZZ, and his role as an educator mentoring the next generation of musicians. 

Koto musician and 2024 National Heritage Fellow June Kuramoto shares her remarkable journey from Japan to Los Angeles, recounting the challenges of adapting to a new culture as a young child and how a chance encounter with the koto reconnected her with her heritage. Kuramoto discusses her rise as one of the few koto masters in America, her deep exploration of the instrument’s traditional roots, and her innovative work blending the koto with jazz, R&B, and contemporary music. She reflects on co- founding the Grammy-nominated band Hiroshima with Dan Kuramoto, and how the band redefined Asian American music.  Kuramoto also highlights the importance of teaching and passing on tradition while encouraging students to find their unique voices, shares her gratitude for the communities and audiences that embraced the koto’s sound, and reflects on the honor of receiving the National Heritage Fellowship, her commitment to living up to its legacy, and her lifelong mission to expand the koto’s reach across musical genres and cultures. 

A conversation with Hana S. Sharif, Artistic Director of Arena Stage since August 2023. Sharif discusses her transformative first year at the helm and her inaugural season as Arena’s producing artistic director. She reflects on the vibrant theatrical community in Washington, D.C., and her commitment to amplifying dynamic voices in American theater. With an ambitious 2024/25 season featuring eight new works, including her directorial debut at Arena Stage with the world premiere of Death on the Nile, adapted by Ken Ludwig, Sharif shares the careful curation process behind creating a year-long conversation through theater, aiming to reflect the full spectrum of American voices.Sharif also opens up about her journey from running a scrappy theater company begun at Spelman College to leading one of the country’s most prominent regional theaters. As the first Black artistic director of Arena Stage, she reflects on the significance of this milestone, her dedication to fostering inclusivity, and the critical role of theater in bridging divides and exploring our shared humanity. 

To mark the rare convergence of Christmas and Chanukah, we’re revisiting a conversation with one of the nation’s most extraordinary musicians 2012 National Heritage Fellow Andy Statman. A virtuoso clarinetist, mandolin player, and composer, Statman has defied musical boundaries throughout his career. Starting with his early love for bluegrass and mentorship under David Grisman, Statman later embraced jazz before diving into the klezmer music of his Jewish heritage.This podcast weaves together the strands of Statman’s multifaceted career. He reflects on his journey from bluegrass jams in Washington Square Park to collaborations with jazz legends like Richard Grando. Statman shares how he revived klezmer music with the guidance of 1984 National Heritage Fellow Dave Tarras, his inspirations across genres, and his passion for creating music that connects deeply to tradition while pushing artistic boundaries.  Featuring excerpts from his rich discography, including Jewish Klezmer Music and Old Brooklyn, this episode is a celebration of music’s ability to unite cultures and generations. We are taking a two week break for the holidays. But we’ll back on January 7.  We wish all of you the happiest of holidays. 

Opera is being transformed into a more inclusive and innovative art form, and Opera Praktikos (OPrak) is one of the companies leading this movement. Co-founded by librettist Marianna Mott Newirth and opera journalist Greg Moomjy, OPrak is New York City’s first disability-forward opera company, committed to breaking down barriers for artists and audiences. Today, a conversation with Marianna Mott Newirth and mezzo-soprano Hailey McAvoy, who has cerebral palsy and stars in OPrak’s upcoming production, There Will Be Cake. Marianna and Hailey share how OPrak fosters disability creativity, from accessible venues to innovative productions. They discuss how embracing accessibility not only removes obstacles but enriches the art form itself, creating a more collaborative and exciting opera world for everyone, and the inspiration behind There Will Be Cake, a joyful pairing of two opera monologues celebrating food, humor, and community, all served up with a side of cake. 

Today we revisit our 2020 interview with Charles Yu, whose novel Interior Chinatown received the National Book Award for fiction and has been recently adapted into a Hulu series by Yu who is also the showrunner. A novel told in the format of a screenplay, Interior Chinatown follows Willis Wu, a bit player in a TV procedural, as he wrestles with his dreams, identity, and the limitations imposed by a world of rigid racial roles. In our conversation, Yu reflects on growing up with limited and stereotypical representations of Asian-Americans on screen and how those experiences shaped his incisive and inventive novel. He shares his journey from lawyer to writer and the creative process behind the book, the interplay of humor and serious themes in his work, his reflections on the rise of anti-Asian sentiment, and the transformative power of storytelling. In this special reposting of our conversation with Charles Yu, we revisit his insightful, funny, and deeply moving exploration of Asian-American identity and representation in popular culture. 

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Art Works, we’re revisiting our interview with Nick Spitzer, folklorist, radio host, and the 2023 Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellow. Nick discusses his path from college radio to producing the award-winning American Routes, a program that has spent 25 years exploring the intersections of Cajun, Creole, jazz, blues, gospel, and more. He shares stories of cultural discovery, the concept of creolization, and his commitment to bringing traditional and vernacular arts to national audiences. Nick reflects on his formative experiences—from fieldwork in Louisiana to curating programs for the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival—and the profound impact of mentors like Bess Lomax Hawes.  (Don’t miss the special Thanksgiving episode of American Routes celebrating the 2024 National Heritage Fellows!)

Last week, the music world lost two titans of jazz: drummer Roy Haynes and saxophonist Lou Donaldson, both NEA Jazz Masters who reshaped the genre with their artistry. This special episode of Art Works pays tribute to their immense contributions through archival interviews and timeless performances. From Roy Haynes' crisp, innovative drumming that defined the evolution of jazz over seven decades to Lou Donaldson's soulful alto saxophone that bridged bebop and groove, we celebrate their remarkable journeys.Roy Haynes reflects on his first big break with Luis Russell, playing at the legendary Savoy Ballroom, and his unforgettable collaborations with jazz icons like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Sarah Vaughan. Lou Donaldson, known as "Sweet Poppa Lou," shares insights on his trailblazing recordings for Blue Note, the rise of bebop, and his dynamic partnership with Jimmy Smith that popularized the organ-sax sound. Featuring selections from their iconic tracks—including “Green Chimneys,” “Blues Walk,” and “Alligator Bogaloo”—this episode highlights the lives and music of two artists whose impact will resonate for generations. 

In honor of Veterans’ Day, we’re revisiting an episode of Art Works that tells the origin story of the transformative project  Theater of War Productions. Co-founded by classicist, translator, and director Bryan Doerries, Theater of War began with a simple yet profound concept: presenting staged readings of Sophocles' plays Ajax and Philoctetes to military communities as a means of addressing both the challenges veterans face and the lasting impact of war on families and relationships.In this episode, Doerries recounts how he was inspired to bring these ancient military tragedies to contemporary audiences, believing they would unlock conversations around trauma and healing. With excerpts of performances by actors Bill Camp, David Strathairn and Adam Driver, this episode explores the initial journey of Theater of War and its impact on military communities, offering insight into how ancient drama opens pathways for veterans to process their experiences.  Now, with over 20 specialized programs, Theater of War Productions reaches diverse communities worldwide, addressing not only the struggles of veterans but also broader public health and social justice issues, including homelessness, racialized violence, and natural disasters. Doerries also discusses the arts’ power to heal, showing how storytelling and shared experience allow individuals to confront, process, and share pain. Theater of War taps into this capacity, creating safe spaces that support connection, resilience, and recovery. 

We mark Native American Heritage Month with artist Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo) who discusses her work in large-scale public art, and her journey as a creative rooted in Santa Clara Pueblo heritage. Simpson reflects on her process, exploring themes of protection, generational healing, and the deep connection between her art, identity, and community.  Simpson explains how her background in Santa Clara Pueblo pottery and her experiences studying in Japan and at the Rhode Island School of Design ( RISD) have shaped her unique approach, blending cultural reverence with innovative techniques.  We talk in-depth about her recent installation Seed, commissioned by the Madison Square Park Conservancy to mark its 20th anniversary  and funded in part by the NEA, a work inspired by both the Lenape land and Simpson’s own explorations of safety and lineage, and her monumental exhibit Strata currently showing at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Simpson also discusses her automotive training and its impact on her art particularly her work  Maria--the black-on-black El Camino, symbolizing the Pueblo tradition of pottery within lowrider culture.  Simpson shares the challenges of creating art that respects cultural boundaries while pushing expressive boundaries, capturing the spirit of resilience and interconnectedness that defines her work.

In time for Halloween—a conversation with author Christina Henry who has written 19 books of horror.  We discuss her latest book—The House That Horror Built, a chilling story set during the pandemic. The novel follows Harry, a single mother navigating the struggles of parenthood and financial instability, as she takes a job working for a reclusive horror film director.  Henry talks about the story’s atmospheric tension, its exploration of parenthood during the pandemic, and the enduring appeal of classic horror tropes.Henry discusses her creative process, including her love for horror films and how classics from the Vincent Price and Boris Karloff era inspired the novel’s atmospheric tension. She explores the enduring appeal of horror tropes such as haunted houses, eerie atmospheres, and mysterious characters, examining why these elements remain effective across generations. She also discusses why people are drawn to horror, how it provides a controlled thrill, and how moments of societal upheaval, like the pandemic, fuel the genre’s resurgence. Finally, Henry shares insights into her writing approach and finding the balance between character-driven narratives and the tension that horror demands.

A conversation with Todd Goings, a 2024 National Heritage Fellow renowned for his work restoring and building carousels. Goings shares stories from his early days in woodworking, his path to becoming a master of carousel restoration with a shop, Carousels and Carvings, that employs 18 artisans, and the lasting impact of his craftsmanship. He reflects on the magic of carousels and how his work preserves these historic treasures for future generations.Goings walks us through his journey, from pounding nails into woodblocks as a child to becoming a master artisan in carousel restoration. His early experiences in woodworking, combined with a love for building, led him to a career preserving the intricate mechanisms and art of century-old carousels. Goings also discusses his recent honor as a National Heritage Fellow, the joy of sharing his work with other fellows, and the deep personal satisfaction that comes from maintaining these living pieces of art and history.  See a video the Arts Endowment produced about Todd Goings work with carousels here! 

Today, we’re bringing  Hispanic Heritage month to a resounding close  and celebrating Juan Felipe Herrera’s recent MacArthur Fellowship by revisiting my 2015 interview  with the former U.S. Poet Laureate and two-time NEA Literature  Fellow.  In this podcast, Herrera reflects on his upbringing, his love for language, and how his mother’s storytelling shaped his own creative voice. He also shares how his poetry addresses displacement and global issues, using his book Senegal Taxi as an example of his willingness to explore stories from other parts of the world. Herrera talks about taking risks as a writer, and the importance of crossing borders, whether they be cultural, linguistic, or emotional.Herrera also speaks about the universality of poetry and its ability to unite people through shared experiences. He describes his time as California’s Poet Laureate, where he launched community projects focused on inclusivity and uplifting diverse voices. Throughout the episode, Herrera offers insights into his creative process, including his playful use of language, his bilingual writing, and his commitment to making poetry accessible. This episode is a celebration of a poet who is always pushing the boundaries of form and subject while staying deeply connected to his cultural roots.

A conversation with Soo Hugh, showrunner and head writer of the critically acclaimed series Pachinko. Based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee, the series follows four generations of a Korean family navigating life under Japanese occupation, war, and displacement. Soo Hugh discusses the deep emotional core of Pachinko, its exploration of family, identity, and survival, and how the characters’ experiences speak to both a specific cultural context and universal themes of resilience and belonging. As Season 2 concludes on Apple Plus this week, Hugh offers insights into the challenges of adapting a multigenerational story for television, working with a multilingual, international cast and embracing cultural differences on set. Hugh goes on to describe how these cultural and linguistic elements enriched the storytelling, deepening the emotional resonance of Pachinko’s universal themes of identity, belonging, and family. She highlights the importance of creating a collaborative environment where crew members from different countries learned from each other and discusses how Pachinko’s themes resonate across borders, uniting cast and crew in a shared vision to create a deeply human story.

In this episode of Art Works, a conversation with Jocelyn Bioh, the brilliant and funny mind behind Jaja's African Hair Braiding, a play set in a Harlem salon that explores the lives of African immigrant women. Bioh shares how her childhood visits to New York City's hair braiding shops inspired the play and discusses the influence of current immigration debates on its themes. She also discusses the unexpected journey of Jaja's African Hair Braiding having its world premiere on Broadway and collaborating with a creative team to bring the play's unique magic to life—including its Tony Award-winning costumes and wigs.The conversation touches on Bioh's background as a first-generation Ghanaian-American, her transition from acting to writing, and how her personal experiences fuel her storytelling. From the cultural nuances within the African diaspora to the broader themes of community and belonging, Bioh explains how the specificity of her stories connects with diverse audiences and offers reflections on the power of comedy as a tool for addressing serious issues. Note: Jaja's African Hair Braiding has started it National tour.  It is running at Washington DC’s  Arena Stage until October 13. It moves to Berkeley Repertory Theatre November 8, and then  Chicago Shakespeare Theater January 14, 2025.

We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by revisiting my 2023 conversation with Meg Medina, author and the Library of Congress’s 2023-24 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. As the first Latina to serve in this role, Meg discusses how her own immigrant background and experience growing up in Queens, New York, shape her writing. Her work, which includes the Newbery Medal-winning Merci Suárez Changes Gears and the picture book Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, often centers on young Latina protagonists navigating the challenges of growing up while maintaining strong ties to their cultural roots.Meg also shares her goals for the ambassadorship, including reconnecting kids with the joy of reading, supporting public libraries, and amplifying the voices of contemporary children’s authors. She speaks candidly about her journey from teaching to becoming a celebrated author, and how her experiences continue to inspire her mission to create stories that reflect diverse perspectives and universal truths.  

Art Works  is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the National Heritage Awards with a conversation with Chicano muralist and 2024 National Heritage Fellow Fabian Debora. Debora discusses his remarkable journey from growing up in the gang culture of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, to becoming an acclaimed artist and advocate.  He shares how art became his lifeline during difficult times and the profound influence of the Chicano Mural Movement on his work, highlighting how murals serve as a voice for the voiceless, telling stories of his community with deep compassion and tenderness. Debora shares stories of his artistic success, including his large-scale public works like the ceiling mural at LAX. He reflects on his life-long relationship with Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries a pathbreaking gang intervention, rehab and re-entry program where, in 2018, Debora established the Homeboy Art Academy, a space dedicated to healing through the arts for those impacted by gang life and incarceration. Throughout the episode, Fabian emphasizes the power of art to heal, build connections, bring attention to inequalities, and transform lives. He also discusses his ongoing mission to preserve the Chicano mural tradition and ensure that future generations of artists have the tools and support they need to succeed and how receiving the National Heritage Award can help him amplify this. Note: You can celebrate the 2024 National Heritage Fellows tonight, Tuesday, September 17 at the Kennedy Center in DC where the NEA will premiere short documentary films about each of the 2024 National Heritage Award recipients, followed by on-stage conversations with each of the Fellows about their culture and art. And tomorrow, Wednesday, September 18 at the Library of Congress, each Fellow will be honored at an awards ceremony.  Both events are free—you can get more information at arts.gov.  And if you’re not in DC, don’t despair--both the film screening and the ceremony will be webcast at arts.gov/heritage. 

We’re celebrating Arts Education week with James Rees, an accomplished visual artist and arts educator who has spent decades advocating for the importance of arts education. Rees talks about his early inspirations, his time at Brigham Young University, and his unexpected path to teaching. He emphasizes the need for student-centered learning in the arts and the importance of allowing students to find their own creative voices through critical thinking and exploration. Rees also shares how his own studio practice informs his teaching and how failure is an essential part of the creative process. And we touch upon his upcoming show at Wisconsin’s Trout Museum of Art.Rees also discusses the significance of mentorship, providing young artists with opportunities to engage with professionals and showcase their work in public spaces. Rees reflects on his leadership roles, including his advocacy work for the arts at the local, state, and national levels, his times as panelist for the NEA, and how these efforts have impacted both arts education and the wider arts community. This conversation offers an exploration of the impact of art education on students’ lives and the transformative power of making and sharing art. 

As students across the country head back to school, we have a conversation with Dr.Thalia Goldstein about the significant impact of theater education on child development. Dr.Goldstein is an associate professor and director of the Applied Developmental Psychology program in the Department of Psychology at George Mason University where she directs the Play, Learning, Arts and Youth Lab (PLAYlab),  and co-directs the National Endowment for the Arts Lab, the Mason Arts Research Center (MasonARC)  which focuses on arts engagement, child development, and education. Dr. Goldstein discusses how engaging in the arts can foster critical skills like empathy, creativity, and collaboration in young people. She also shares insights from her research at the PLAY Lab, as well as her six-year longitudinal study, which culminated in her book Why Theatre Education Matters. Her research explores the benefits of arts-based learning across various age groups and educational settings.Goldstein discusses what her work reveals about the powerful role theater can play in enhancing emotional and social development, from early childhood through adolescence. Goldstein explains how theater education fosters critical skills such as empathy, self-regulation, and collaboration, offering unique opportunities for personal growth and learning. Whether it's through drama games in preschool or complex improvisation in high school, her findings highlight the importance of integrating arts into education for holistic student development. It’s a fascinating conversation for educators, parents, and anyone interested in the transformative power of theater education.