Shows
Contrabass ConversationsJames VanDemark on playing in UkraineIn this episode, we speak with acclaimed double bassist James VanDemark about his remarkable musical journey to Ukraine, where he recently premiered two new works with the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Theodore Kuchar. We discuss the commissioning and premiering of two new concerti by Ukrainian composers Maksim Kolomiiets and Mykhailo Shved as part of Lviv's 44th Virtuosos International Festival. We explore the dramatic story behind creating these works during wartime, James' personal connection to Ukraine dating back to his teenage years in Ontario, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to learn more...2025-07-3121 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkBlacklisted?Is there really a list that keeps me from eternity? This and more on today's episode.2025-06-141h 44
Xpresso Coffee TalkChanging Lanes In A RoundaboutChange: For some a dreaded six-letter word. For others, an adventure. Where do you fall?2025-04-241h 15
Xpresso Coffee TalkThe Holes, ThomasNavigating our aptitude for doubting. How do you deal with it when it comes? Can you deal with it at all? Join in the conversation.2025-03-101h 17
Xpresso Coffee TalkChasing Rainbows...And UnicornsWhat does true faith look like and what if some of what you believe is false teaching? Grab your coffee and let's go2025-02-131h 12
Xpresso Coffee TalkDivine Reconnaissance? The Future of "Church"Perhaps it's not the future, but a restoration of church? Join in as we navigate the trajectory of church.2025-01-201h 26
Xpresso Coffee TalkVanity of VanitiesIn this episode, I've invited my mom and Dan to dive in to the concept of Heaven. Let us know what you think!2025-01-101h 28
Xpresso Coffee TalkThe Gregorian ShamJust another guy telling you when he thinks Jesus was really born and how I've come to that conclusion.2024-12-2448 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkNavigating the Perfect StormAfter battling some personal stuff spiritually, it caused me to seek out the one person who's been there from day 1. And now, we bring it to you.2024-12-191h 12
Xpresso Coffee TalkThe Problem With Roses...They Have ThornsThis is an episode dedicated to the journey of two men on the road of faith...the fears and failures and angers and triumphs. It's raw, unfiltered, and vulnerable. Enjoy!2024-12-041h 30
Xpresso Coffee TalkHow To Be Qualified For NothingIn this episode, we are talking about qualifications in the work force, in the realm of relationships, and my love life...apparently. Enjoy!2024-11-271h 13
Xpresso Coffee TalkContracts, Covenants, Addendums, AssertationsIn this episode, Dan and I dive into the covenants and potential contracts set up by God on earth and in the heavens. 2024-11-201h 37
Xpresso Coffee TalkThe Commodity of GenuinityMet up with my friend Stephanie to talk about what it looks like to be truly genuine. One take-away is Proverbs 11:25. The difference between serving others and people pleasing is the intent for which you're doing things. In all things, whatever your work, do it for the Lord.2024-11-141h 06
Xpresso Coffee TalkWelcome To Xpresso Coffee TalkHi, I'm Jason and this is my podcast. I hope you find little gems that you can take with you.2024-11-1201 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkThe Man & His MarkThis week I'm diving into understanding more about the man of lawlessness (antichrist) and his mark with Dan McClure. WARNING: Not to be taken as gospel truth. I'm not THAT smart.2024-11-111h 19
Xpresso Coffee TalkRapture Ready....or NotThis episode dives into the origins of rapture. Is it biblical or maybe not so much. WARNING: we do not claim to be right. Please listen to the end.2024-11-041h 33
Xpresso Coffee TalkSatan: Angel, Antagonist...Or BothIn this episode, I dive into the idea that the entity we call satan, or the devil, could have been once an angel of light, with my guest, Dan McClure2024-10-281h 07
Xpresso Coffee TalkTo Infinity And Beyond....or is it?In this episode I dive into an idea that maybe earth was created to be the final destination for all things with special guest, Dan McClure.2024-10-251h 06
Xpresso Coffee TalkYour Survival Guide To Church HurtStay tuned as I dive into getting hurt in a church with special guests Dan McClure and Stephanie Howard2024-10-151h 17Xpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 12: What Fear?Diving deeper into a healthy fear of the Lord.2024-02-2940 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 11: What Jesus Do You KnowA step further into Sunday's message. What Jesus do you know and what Jesus are you putting out there?2024-01-2936 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 10: TCBTaking Care of Business. A Step Further into what it means for us to take care of business! Esther 4, 2 Timothy 3:1-52024-01-1731 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 9: 2 MarksA step further into 2 Marks. Revelation 13, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Isaiah 14:162023-11-2841 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 8: 3 WordsA step further into Sunday's message called 3 Words2023-11-2235 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 7: How Are You Responding?A step further into how are you responding to the problems going om in the world today? Main scripture is John 17. Also 2 Timothy 3:1-52023-11-1537 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 6: EutychusTaken from Acts 20:1-12, we are diving deeper into the idea of waking up to the truth. Don't want to miss this one!!!2023-11-0637 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 5: Power and AuthorityDiving deeper in to Power and Authority. Main scriptures include 1 Samuel 17, Acts 1:8, Job 412023-10-3141 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 4: Another RoundDiving deeper into Sunday's message entitled: Another Round2023-10-2334 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 3: Temple-Minded pt 1A step further into the idea of wearing the right label as a believer in Jesus.2023-10-1640 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 2: Rebuilding the Temple pt. 2Taking a step further into part 2 of rebuilding the temple and what this means for the days ahead. Scripture references: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Revelation 13:11-18, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Genesis 3:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-182023-10-0942 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 1: Rebuilding the Temple pt 1Diving deeper into Sunday's message on rebuilding the temple. Understanding what (or who) the temple actually is.2023-10-0239 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 8: Reclaiming Your InheritanceWhat it means to reclaim what the devil has taken from you. Diving deeper in to Sunday's message.2023-09-2739 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 7: The Feast of TrumpetsDiving further into the deeper mystery of the feast of trumpets and what it means for us!2023-09-1945 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 6: The Days of Noah pt 3Diving deeper into the idea of being left behind. Is it real?2023-09-1140 minXpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 5: Days of Noah pt 2Continuing on in our series, The Days of Noah, this week we are diving into who was there in the days of Noah and what that means for us today2023-09-0536 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 4: Days of Noah pt 1Join in for a deeper look at the Days of Noah part 1 from this past Sunday morning2023-08-2924 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 3: Power StationThe difference between the power and authority we have as believers!2023-08-2230 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 2: Warrior StrengthA step further into what it means to have warrior strength according to the Bible.2023-08-1428 min
Xpresso Coffee TalkEpisode 1: Pray Like ThisA step further into understanding the Lord's Prayer2023-08-0822 min
Contrabass ConversationsDeveloping Your SoundToday’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of developing your sound: Christine Hoock - German bassist and pedagogue Dan Styffe - Oslo Philharmonic David Allen Moore - LA Phil David Murray - Butler University Ethan Jodziewicz - newgrass artist James VanDemark - Eastman School of Music Mark Dresser - University of California San Diego Matthew McDonald - Berlin Philharmonic Pablo Aslan - tango bass specialist Thierry Barbe - Paris National Opera Volkan Orhon - University of Iowa Listen to more “best of” episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights. Listen to Contrabass Convers...2020-03-0529 min
Contrabass ConversationsBrett Shurtliffe on auditions and winter adventuresBrett Shurtliffe is the Associate Principal Bassist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Brett is a former student of the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with James VanDemark, and of Duquesne University, where he studied with Jeffrey Turner. In 2003, Brett was the Top American Prizewinner at the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, and two years later took 1st Prize at the ISB Orchestral Competition. Other honors include 1st Prize PADEASTA Solo Competition, and Top Honors for Double Bass at the National ASTA Solo Competition. Brett and I caught up at the 2019 International Society of...2019-08-1235 min
Contrabass ConversationsCareer Advice panel discussionToday’s episode features a Q&A panel with several clinicians from the 2019 Chicago Bass Festival. A big thanks goes to Liz Clawson for actually amplifying this panel discussion - I never got my acts together enough to make that happen The audience questions didn’t get caught on the microphone, but Liz restates most of the questions, and I break in to let you know what they asked a few times as well Moderator: Liz Clawson Panel: Jason Heath Tracy Rowell, Oberlin Conservatory James VanDemark, Eastman School of Music Sara...2019-04-1153 min
Friday Night StripesPlayoff prep with Jason CarrollJason Carroll returns to talk about how he approached playoffs as a referee for a crew that went to a state championship game.2019-03-1327 minFriday Night StripesWhat Are You Working On? with Jason CarrollJason Carroll from central Florida joins the podcast to talk about new officials, preparing for the start of the season, the 2018 new rules, and the mindset to take into each game.2018-08-0932 min
Contrabass ConversationsDominic Duval Jr.As the son of Dominic Duval Sr. (Cecil Taylor’s bassist for a decade), Dominic Duval Jr. grew up immersed in the world of avant-garde jazz. Dominic attended the Eastman School of Music, working with James VanDemark and Jeff Campbell. He has performed at venues like Carnegie Hall, Avery Fischer Hall, and many New York jazz clubs. The classmate of former podcast guests Danny Ziemann and Eric Steffens, Dominic and I dig into all kinds of topics, like: playing cruise ships (it can be a crazy gig!) daily routines the highs and lows of a mus...2018-04-3056 min
Contrabass ConversationsEric Snoza on starting your own projectWe’re chatting with Eric Snoza of Fifth House Ensemble on today’s episode. Eric has built a remarkable career for himself as a chamber musician, educator, and entrepreneur, and we dig into the hows and whys of his journey. About Eric Snoza: Eric Snoza has been a double bass performer before he could even properly reach the fingerboard. He received his Bachelors and continuing Masters degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. At Eastman, Eric studied solo performance with one of the world’s leading double bass performers, James VanDemark. He has per...2018-01-0854 min
Contrabass ConversationsHalloween Special: The Curse of the Dittersdorf starring James VanDemarkCan a piece of music be cursed? After hearing this tale of repeatedly bizarre circumstances surrounding James VanDemark's repeated Dittersdorf Concerto performances, you'll be asking that same question! A big thank you to James for his idea for this episode, and be sure to check out James' past podcast appearance for more about his career as a double bass performer and teacher.2017-10-3117 min
Contrabass ConversationsKieran Hanlon on teaching the fundamentalsKieran Hanlon is Assistant Professor of String Bass and Jazz at The State University of New York at Fredonia. In addition to his teaching, Kieran is a first call performer in both the classical and jazz idioms, and enjoys a diverse performing career in both genres across Upstate New York and Pennsylvania. We dig into all kinds of topics, including: what it was like starting college as a violin and jazz bass student Kieran’s varied career path going to Eastman for orchestral studies with James VanDemark studying wth Steve Molina and Colin Corner nuts & bolts te...2017-07-0332 min
Contrabass ConversationsJames VanDemark on boxing, projection, and 40 years of teaching at EastmanJames VanDemark just celebrated his 40th year of teaching at the Eastman School of Music. His students have held positions with many of the world’s major orchestras, including the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Francisco, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Rochester Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and the orchestras of Syracuse, Buffalo and Wichita. We dig into many topics, including: boxing and what it has done for James as well as his students the experience of being a principal bassist of a professional orchestra at 17 how he ca...2017-06-1255 min
Contrabass ConversationsEric Steffens on Vienna, studying abroad, and life in a German orchestraI have had a great time following along with Eric Steffens and his remarkable career over the years. Starting off at Eastman studying with James VandeMark and then heading to Vienna to work with Alois Posch in Vienna, Eric won a position in 2012 as principal bass of the Philharmonie Südwestfalen. What's extra-cool to me is that Eric was my very first serious bass student. We worked together in the early 2000s, and it has been so cool seeing where life has taken him. We cover all sorts of topics: working with Jeff Ca...2017-01-2534 min
Contrabass ConversationsKatie Ernst on Singing, Jazz Bass, and CreativityToday’s episode features jazz bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst. Katie was recently featured in the Chicago Reader, and Jason Moran describes her as “a great bassist, composer, and lyricist, she has an uncanny ability to mix traditions... following her voice is like reading a great novel." She is one of Chicago’s most active young bassists, with two recent album releases: her solo project Little Words and her trio album Twin Talk. We talk about Katie’s years growing up in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, her “yearly check-ins” at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center with Jeff Campbe...2016-06-2044 min