#31: Few guitarists have shaped the emotional landscape of modern music the way Bill Frisell has. Across five decades, his playing has stretched the boundaries of jazz, Americana, folk, film scoring, and improvisation. In this episode, we trace the artistic philosophy behind one of the most quietly revolutionary careers in contemporary music.
Frisell reflects on his formative years at Berklee in the early 1970s, where he studied under giants like Herb Pomeroy, Gary Burton, Michael Gibbs, and John Damian—and how the real education often came from the hallways, jam sessions, and friendships that shaped him. He talks about leaving Denver to chase possibility, the intimidating brilliance of a young Pat Metheny, and the long thread that led to his 30-year collaboration with drummer Paul Motian.
We explore what it means to remain true to your own experience: why Frisell ultimately opened his jazz vocabulary to the music of his childhood—The Beatles, Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, James Bond themes, folk songs, surf melodies, and hymns. His interpretations feel both familiar and completely revolutionary.
