A long way from the block

In this episode, I talk with DJ Nu-Mark, world-renowned producer, turntablist, and member of the legendary hip-hop group Jurassic 5. He has a brand-new cookbook/memoir out, called Amu Nu. In describing the book, he offers some stories about his beloved mother and extended family, and we talk about how it all came together. He also touches on his time in Jurassic 5, and we bond over our love for comedy and our favorite comedians.https://djnu-mark.com

Prior to her performance at Dizzy's Club, I had the pleasure of talking with Lebanese-Canadian drummer, composer, producer, and educator Sanah Kadoura. This week's episode encompasses that conversation. We discuss the Arabic and popular American music that was prevalent during her growing up in Calgary, Canada. Sanah talks about her role as an artist and musician, and how she came to understand that her work involves more than just playing music. Her jazz journey was informed by masters of the craft. She discusses her work as a contribution in the midst of current world events. Lastly, she describes her latest album, "Duality."https://sanahmusic.com

In this episode, I sat down with Brooklyn’s own Tayo and Cynthia Giwa, the husband and wife filmmaking team and creators of Black-Owned Brooklyn. Their current documentary, “The Sun Rises in The East,” is streaming now on Amazon Prime. We talked in detail about the filmmaking process and the vital role that current elders play in preserving black history and culture. They discussed the standards in place during their upbringings, in their households, and why a film such as theirs is so necessary now: it shows what potential can look like when a group of like-minded people come together to display black excellence.The subject of the film, The East, was cofounded by educator and activist Jitu Weusi. It embodied black self-determination, building dozens of institutions, including its own African-centered school, food co-op, newsmagazine, publishing company, record label, restaurant, clothing shop, and bookstore. https://www.sunrisesintheeast.com

In this episode, we celebrate the legendary Los Angeles community leader, mentor, jazz pianist, and composer Horace Tapscott. Among my guests are former members of the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, founded by Tapscott in 1961, and others who appreciate his contributions to the culture. Tune in to hear poets Kamau Daáood and Anthony Joseph; saxophonists Abraham Burton, Michael Session, and Steve Lehman; former Eso Won Books co-owner James Fugate; pianist Eric Reed; bassist Roberto Miranda; and author Steven Isoardi. Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship delivers the intro. 

For this episode, I sat down with a former Hoover High basketball backcourt teammate. Back then, he went by Keith Williams; later in life, he changed his last name to Barksdale, in recognition of his biological father. Together we reminisced about our time in high school and his stellar career as one of the best overall athletes ever to play at Hoover, following his arrival in San Diego from Kentucky at age 15. He talked about his brief stint in the Army and how he returned to fitness, personal training, and athletics. Keith is a self-taught tennis player who eventually became a full-time tennis coach, teaching and coaching his daughter, a back-to-back CIF Singles champion. His daughter is now a college player, planning to pursue the WTA after graduation. Keith has his own clothing line, Top Bark Apparel, and recently co-authored a book, Behind The Mirror - 24 Exceptional Men Volume 2.   

While traveling on the East Coast, I stopped by the Jersey City apartment/studio of jazz drummer and composer Nic Cacioppo, to discuss his jazz journey. In this interview, he talks about the influence of his parents, both classically trained musicians. Nic has been blessed to play with jazz greats like Slide Hampton, Gene Perla, Wallace Roney, David Murray, and Tyshawn Sorey. I ask him about his relationship with tenor saxophonist JD Allen, with whom he’s played and recorded for several years, and what it's like being a member of JD’s band. Nic describes his approach to playing the drums and the fire he brings to his live performances. Lastly, he talks about the influence of the legendary jazz drummer Papa Jo Jones, and what his playing style has meant to him.

Myka 9 is one of the most prolific MCs of all time. In this interview, he talks in depth about the components of thought and influence that shape his rhyme style. His entire approach is inflected with jazz, with random sounds sparking melodies and harmonies. These are overlaid and interwoven with an extensive vocabulary. In 2022 the folks at Medium found that Myka 9 has the largest and most unique vocabulary in hip hop history. Myka discusses the importance of reading everything from the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita to books on African history. He reminisces about a pivotal point in his rapping career, when he opened up for some hip hop legends on the East Coast. Lastly, he shares news of an upcoming Freestyle Fellowship project. 

Dr. T. Ford is a venerable elder in San Diego. As part of my series dedicated to documenting elders, we sat down together to discuss her upbringing—how her parents showed her at an early age what black excellence looked like, and how she carries their influence and example in all she does. (Her great-great grandmother, who shared her own wisdom, lived to be 109.) We discussed Dr. T. Ford’s contributions to communities both local and nationwide, including her involvement with the Black Storytellers of San Diego; Rite of Passage; and the former Fanno Academy School. In addition to possessing expertise as a grant writer, she has worked as an activist and organizer. She shared about her journey to achieve her Juris Doctor, and the relevance of the law to her other endeavors. Lastly, we touched on her relationship with Sister Helen Prejean, a leading voice for death penalty abolition and the author of Dead Man Walking.

For this episode, I sat down with two incredible ultra-runners: Hannibal Smith, who has appeared on this podcast before and is a trainer and co-owner of NXPT Fitness; and Regina Peters, who is also a trainer at NXPT and, like Hannibal, has competed in 100-mile marathons. Together we discussed the preparations involved in taking on the Spartan Race, Deka, Hyrox, and many others. They described the physical and mental exertions of racing, including hallucinations, cramps, and major body pain. They talked about being African-American ultra-runners and how they hope to inspire and teach young African-Americans about resilience and perseverance. Lastly, they both shared their philosophies of success within grueling challenges. Although their perspectives on success differ somewhat, each expressed that once they start a race, they would rather die than quit. https://www.nxptfit.com

In this episode, I sat down with Layli Long Soldier in her Albuquerque studio to talk about her upbringing. I spoke with the Oglala Lakota poet, writer, artist, and activist about some of the history of broken treaties experienced by Native peoples. We discussed the 2022 documentary "Lakota Nation vs. United States," a film in which she plays a major role, and her response to the 2009 U.S. Congressional apology to all Native peoples. We talk about the craft of poetry and her approach to writing. Lastly, we discuss her latest book of poetry, titled "Whereas."

In this episode, I talk with John Williams about his unique approach to coaching, training, and mentoring athletes. At the core of his teaching is the Hippocratic oath. He discusses how he adapts and adjusts to various athletes from different athletic discipline, including NFL players, ballerinas, and even exotic dancers. He touches on his approach to building trust among his students, and how that helps him reach students with more complicated backgrounds. We land, at the end, on tennis and some of its current stars, including Novac Djokovic, Rafael Nada and current US Open champion Coco Gauff. 

Tongo Eisen-Martin is the current Poet Laureate of San Francisco, his hometown. He's also an educator and an activist. We talk about the influence of his activist mother and the role she played in his life. Tongo discusses major issues in the city, including gentrification, homelessness, and mass incarceration, all of which have impacted his writing. Tongo speaks about poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph, an important figure on the scene as he came up, and Thich Nhat Hanh, another vital influence on his life and work. Finally, we share our appreciation of John Coltrane.

To mark the release of his new album, THIS, I sit down with tenor saxophonist and composer JD Allen. We talk extensively about what went into making the album, the musicians he chose for the project, and the meanings behind some of its track titles. JD also explains why incorporating electronics was vital to the album's sound. We discuss THIS's bold album cover, designed by his longtime collaborator, Rebecca Meek. Tracks like "The Revelator," "Boom-Bap," "Beeyondsay," and—my personal favorite —"The Knight of Swords" are discussed. THIS, from Savant Records, is available now on all platforms.https://bnatural.nyc/artists/jd-allen/

In this episode, I talk with Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in the current Broadway production of "Hamilton." We discuss his upbringing in Rochester, NY, and—thanks to his parents—his early exposure to the arts. His Jamaican-born father—Ras Courtney, a well known reggae DJ—helped shape him musically and influenced his appreciation for culture, history, and cooking. From 90s hip-hop to opera, Greene's background has been an asset to his theater career. He describes in detail his long, arduous "Hamilton" journey, starting with his first auditions. Finally, he talks about his involvement in the "Hamilton" racial justice task force, Ham4Progress.https://www.tamargreene.com

For this episode, I sat down with the Jazzcat himself, LeRoy Downs, to talk about all things jazz. Born and raised in LA, listening to KDAY, it wasn't until he saw artists like Roy Hargrove and Terence Blanchard that he was pulled into the music that changed his trajectory. Traveling back in time, he took a deep dive into the history of the music and its founders. We talk about the dues he paid on his journey to becoming a radio host, and how seeing DJ Red Alert at Hot 97 showed him how seriously he needed to take his craft. He shares how he creates his playlist, meeting listener expectations while giving airtime to lesser known, but no less important, musicians. Lastly, we discuss his connection and collaboration with trumpeter Chief  aTunde Adjuah and his contribution to the culture.https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/leroy-downs

In my follow-up interview with Lynell Allen, we talk about his growing up on the Coast and spending time at the local rec center and boys' club. We delve into his father's influence and the time Allen spent with adults starting at a very early age. He offers an honest appraisal of prison life and advice to those coming up about the prison system. Lastly, we discuss several of the most important people in his life, who have seen him through trials and tribulations and supported his great work as a mentor and community activist.

In  this episode, I join jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Omer Avital in his beautiful, intimate studio in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Givatayim, Israel, to Moroccan and Yemeni parents, Omer studied classical guitar from age 11 before eventually shifting to acoustic bass. We talk about his 1992 arrival in New York, where he shook up the city playing in groups with jazz legends Roy Haynes, Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Garrett, and Rashied Ali. We discuss his musical influences and the importance of learning about the elders and jazz masters who paved the way for him, as well as politics in the Middle East and how he views it all as an artist. Lastly we consider the Brooklyn oasis he created called Wilson Live. Founded in 2018, Wilson Live provides a platform that enables local artists to document and present their work in an easy and effective way, all while forming a musical community in the heart of the borough. Wilson Live hosts weekly musical happenings with great homemade food by its culinary curator, Yoav Adereth.https://www.omeravital.com

In this episode, I sit down with one of the greatest Pop Warner running backs of all time, as well as one of the best pop lockers in San Diego history and an OG from the West Coast Crips. We discuss his upbringing, his dad's influence, and the tension he felt between sports and the pull of the streets. We talk about gang culture and the way it robbed him of his youth. His long battle with substance use and his nearly thirty years, off and on, of incarceration were also a focus of conversation, along with a near-death experience he had when he was shot five times at point-blank range. Lynell shares how he turned his life around and found numerous ways to give back to the place he calls home, as a group facilitator, a change agent, the founder of Speak On It Recovery, and a community activist.This interview took place at the historical St. Stephen's Church of God in Christ

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Lehman, visionary alto saxophonist and composer, to discuss his project "Ex Machina," a collaboration with the grammy-nominated Orchestre National de Jazz (ONJ). We talk in detail about his approach to composing and how the process varies according to the size of the group he's composing for—big bands versus quartets—and how he writes for other musicians so that they can shine while leaving space for his own solos. We compare classical to jazz and their differing approaches to improvisation, as well as improv in general, exemplified in his latest work, an interweaving of forms and patterns. Last but not least, we discuss his musical influences, including trombonist George Lewis and alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, with whom he studied for several years."Ex Machina" releases September 15, 2023MUSICIANS-Steve Lehman - alto saxophone, electronicsJonathan Finlayson - trumpetChris Dingman - vibraphoneMembers of Orchestre National de JazzFrédéric Maurin - direction, electronicsFanny Ménégoz - flute, alto flute, piccoloCatherine Delaunay - clarinet, basset hornJulien Soro - tenor saxophone, clarinetFabien Debellefontaine - baritone saxophone, clarinet, fluteFabien Norbert - trumpet, flugelhornDaniel Zimmermann - tromboneChristiane Bopp - tromboneFanny Meteier - tubaBruno Ruder - piano, synthesizerStéphan Caracci - vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel, percussion, synthesizerRafaël Koerner - drumsSarah Murcia - double bassJérôme Nika - generative electronics creation & artistic collaborationDionysios Papanikolaou - IRCAM electronicshttps://www.stevelehman.com/

In this episode, I interview Chicago-based investigative journalist Yohance Lacour. Our conversation ranges from his upbringing—books he was given by his parents, the influence of an uncle, and his early awareness of the African-American experience—to his ten-year incarceration for selling drugs. We also discuss his podcast, "You Didn’t See Nothin’," a history of a young black boy named Lenard Clark who was beaten into a coma in 1997 for riding his bike into a white neighborhood. The podcast, part investigation and part memoir, reviews the case and the complex characters involved.https://invisible.institute/yohance-lacourhttps://www.yjlacour.comhttps://www.withanthonythomas.com