Shows
The Arts SalonEpisode 71: Why you might be wrong about American arts fundingToday we’re unpacking the myths and realities of American arts funding. While many artists envy Europe’s government subsidies, the U.S. actually sustains a vast cultural sector through a decentralized system of tax incentives that channel billions of private dollars into the arts each year. This approach empowers individuals to decide which projects to support, sparking innovation and independence while also creating inequality, since established institutions often attract the lion’s share of donations. Unlike government-controlled systems that rise and fall with political winds, the American model relies on a mix of philan...2025-06-3033 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 70: Peter Rotter, founder of Encompass Music Partners and Encompass CreativeToday’s guest is Peter Rotter, one of the most respected figures in the world of film and television music. As a music contractor, he has supervised the orchestral recordings for countless major studio projects and helped create opportunities for musicians in Los Angeles for decades. He's also the founder of Encompass Music Partners, which plays a crucial role in connecting musicians with projects across the industry.I invited Peter on the podcast after reading his recent Hollywood Reporter op-ed, which lays out a powerful call to action about the urgent challenges facing screen music in L.A...2025-06-121h 10
The Arts SalonEpisode 69: Sarah Viens Part 2, Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Northwest Ballet OrchestraOn the last episode, Sarah and I discussed the trappings of academic careers, orchestral careers, and orchestral economics! Today, we discuss the importance of grit and persistence despite adversity, and the importance of this trait to every artist. I hope you enjoy it!2025-04-301h 25
The Arts SalonEpisode 68: Sarah Viens Part 1, Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Northwest Ballet OrchestraSarah Viens is Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Symphony Tacoma, and is an active performer in the Pacific Northwest. Sarah frequently performs with the Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Auburn Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, and the Seattle and Portland Operas. She is Second Trumpet with the Sunriver Music Festival, and has performed with the Britt Festival Orchestra, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Oregon Bach Festival.In this episode, we discuss the trappings of academic careers, orchestral careers, and orchestral economics! Tune in for part 2 with Sarah later this month!2025-04-091h 28
The Arts SalonEpisode 67: Breaking the Arc: Art, History, and the Illusion of ProgressThis episode of The Arts Salon is an exploration of the philosophical tensions between historical inevitability and artistic freedom. We delve into the ideas of Hegel and Hume, questioning whether art follows a predetermined arc of progress or exists on a more fluid and open-ended plane. Through the lens of Picasso’s insights on artistic creation, the episode challenges the notion that innovation requires rejection of the past. Instead, it argues that framing art within rigid historical narratives distorts its purpose and limits its potential. In a world where artistic movements often define themselves in opposition to wh...2025-02-2836 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 66: Ben Neill, Diffusing Music: trajectories of sonic democratizationI hope you enjoyedmy talk with Håkan Hardenbeger!Today,Ben Neill returns to The Arts Salon to discuss his new book,Diffusing Music: Trajectories of Sonic Democratization!This book explores the diffusion and democratization of music in our current era through the proliferation of digital technologies. Music has become ubiquitous and increasingly intertwined with everyday life, rendering previous models of creation, performance, and consumption obsolete. Neill explores how technology is reshaping music, enabling unprecedented levels of creativity and transforming how we share and experience sound. From digital tools tha...2025-02-101h 28
Terrenal50. Lo creo porque es absurdo: los antecedentes medievales de la reforma protestante (Reforma protestante # 1)En este episodio , Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro, celebran los primeros cincuenta episodios de Terrenal.
Lo hacen abriendo la serie sobre la reforma protestante.
En este episodio discuten sobre los antecedentes de la Reforma y del mundo medieval de la iglesia cristiana de occidente.
Reforma protestante: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reforma_protestante
Edward Gibbon: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gibbon
Diarmaid MacCulloch: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diarmaid_MacCulloch
Carlos Eire: https://history.yale.edu/people/carlos-eire
El cisma de oriente: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cis...2025-02-061h 51Terrenal49. "Pensamiento exacto en tiempos dementes": el Círculo de VienaEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan sobre el "Círculo de Viena", el grupo de filósofos que se organizaron en la Universidad de Viena entre 1924 y 1936 y que intentaron refundar la filosofía basada en premisas exactas y en comprobaciones empíricas.
La gran encuesta de Terrenal: https://forms.gle/WvHjkiGgA4AHLzKt9
El círculo de Viena: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%ADrculo_de_Viena
Wittgenstein: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Wittgenstein
Russell: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki...2025-01-232h 05
The Arts SalonEpisode 65: Håkan Hardenberger, what does it mean to be an interpreter?Håkan Hardenberger returns to the Arts Salon to share his thoughts on what it means to be an interpreter of music and how cultural consumption informs his artistic process. If you have not listened to episode 64, I highly encourage you to do so, as it serves as a primer for this conversation.
I hope you enjoy it!2025-01-211h 11
Los DanielesColumna - Ana Bejarano - FactchequeoEn Caracas con el golpe de Estado que concluyó el dictador Nicolás Maduro al jurar ante la Asamblea Nacional que empleó para acabar con los poderes públicos y la gavilla de narcotraficantes y lavadores de plata con los que se dedica a saquear las arcas públicas.2025-01-1604 minTerrenal48. Grandes libros: Cien años de soledad (Gabriel García Márquez)En este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan de Cien años de soledad, la gran novela de Gabriel García Márquez y la gran novela colombiana.
Hablan de la vida de García Márquez, de su historia personal con el libro y del gran peso que tiene el libro sobre la vida de las personas en Colombia.
Gabriel García Márquez: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Garc%C3%ADa_M%C3%A1rquez
Cien años de soledad: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cien_a%C3%B1os_de...2025-01-092h 06
The Arts SalonEpisode 64: You Are What You Eat: The importance of cultural input for good interpretationIn this episode of The Arts Salon, we prepare for our conversation about interpretation with international soloist Håkan Hardenberger!
We talk about how universities and conservatories are failing their student bodies, and how artists can improve the quality of their cultural consumption and bolster their artistic education.
For a transcript of this read, visit my website. 2025-01-0726 minTerrenal46. Anécdotas caleñas, Jodie Foster y duraznos: pregunte lo que quiera (250 mil reproducciones de Terrenal)En este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro celebran las 250 mil reproducciones de Terrenal. Para eso, y con gratitud y sorpresa, se unen para responder preguntas de algunos oyentes sobre series de televisión, grandes libros, ideas importantes, sistemas de valores, las críticas al liberalismo y anécdotas nocturnas en Cali.
Música original de Nicolás Bejarano (www.bejaranomusic.com)
Nuestro Substack: https://terrenal.substack.com
Nuestro correo: terrenalpodcast@gmail.com
Este episodio de Terrenal es patrocinado por Desmarginalizar: https://www.desmarginalizar.com/
2024-12-121h 44Terrenal45. Esta sombra fabulosa: Moby Dick, de Herman Melville (Grandes libros)Con este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro arrancan una serie itinerante sobre grandes libros con Moby Dick , la novela de 1851 de Herman Melville. La conversación pasa por el capitalismo del siglo XIX, con la industria ballenera como ejemplo temprano de las economías basadas en commodities, y las tensiones entre religión, ciencia y expansión industrial.
También hablamos de cómo Melville, inspirado por escritores como Shakespeare y la traducción de la King James, buscó capturar la complejidad de su época. Hablamos de cómo su relación con Nathanie...2024-11-281h 42The Arts SalonEpisode 63: Artificial Intelligence and Artistry vs. CraftIn this episode, I deal with the debate surrounding the role of AI in the creative industries, which exposes deeper tensions within society regarding labor, creativity, and human value. Join me in exploring the distinctions between craft and art and the complications that we face in the creative economy.
To hear more from Jan Swafford listen to my talk with him. If you would like a transcript of this episode you can find it on my website.2024-11-2033 minTerrenal44. Una conversación (difícil) sobre las elecciones en Estados Unidos: realismo, ideas y moralidad públicaEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro discuten sobre los resultados de las elecciones de Estados Unidos, en las que Donald Trump resultó ganador.
Fue una conversación difícil sobre las ideas filosóficas del trumpismo, sobre la posibilidad de hacer una crítica moral a la elección individual de un votante y sobre la diferencia entre liberalismo y republicanismo.
La columna de Andrés Caro: https://www.lasillavacia.com/opinion/la-peor-eleccion/
Entrevista a Eric Posner en Freakonomics: https://freakonomics.com/podcast/how-to-predict-the-presidency/
New Labour (nuevo laborismo): https://es.wikiped...2024-11-142h 08Terrenal43. Democracia y republicanismo en Estados Unidos - un especial por las eleccionesEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan, desde una perspectiva "terrenal", de las elecciones en Estados Unidos, en las que la candidata demócrata, Kamala Harris, se enfrenta con el candidato republicano, Donald Trump.
Hablamos sobre la historia y la filosofía política de Estados Unidos, sobre el problema de la demagogia, sobre la esclavitud y sobre el pensamiento político en Estados Unidos.
Paul Mendes-Flohr: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Mendes-Flohr
Martin Buber: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber
Sermón del rabino Eliot Cosgrove de la Si...2024-10-311h 49Terrenal42. ¿Por qué fracasan los países? El premio Nobel de economía de 2024 - con Leopoldo FergussonEn este episodio de Terrenal, discutimos el trabajo de Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson y James Robinson, ganadores del premio Nobel de economía de este año (2024) con Leopoldo Fergusson, profesor de economía de la Universidad de los Andes, y quien ha sido discípulo y coautor de los tres ganadores.
Leopoldo Fergusson: https://www.leopoldofergusson.com/
TREES: https://trees.uniandes.edu.co/es/
Premio Nobel de Economía: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/2024/press-release/
Daron Acemoglu: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daron_Acemo%C4%9Flu
Simon Johnson: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon...2024-10-172h 00Terrenal41. Terrenal en vivo - Simón Bolívar: la muerte y los fantasmas (1819-1830)En este episodio de Terrenal, grabado en vivo el 1 de octubre en la Librería Lerner, en Bogotá, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan de los últimos años de Simón Bolívar, desde la batalla de Boyacá hasta su muerte en Santa Marta, derrotado y triste, en diciembre de 1830.
Librería Lerner: https://www.librerialerner.com.co/
Música original de Nicolás Bejarano (www.bejaranomusic.com)
Nuestro Substack: https://terrenal.substack.com
Nuestro correo: terrenalpodcast@gmail.com
Este episodio de Terrenal es patrocinado por Desmarginalizar: https://www.2024-10-031h 43
The Arts SalonEpisode 62: Is prioritizing innovation over insitutional health more important when choosing leaders?On this episode of "The Arts Salon," we explore the current challenges facing cultural organizations like classical music presenters, museums, and non-profits. With programs shrinking, ticket sales declining, and costs rising, many institutions are looking for new leadership to navigate these troubled times. The prevailing thought is that entrepreneurial leaders—akin to founders—are the answer, promising to reshape organizations with visionary zeal. But is this approach the right fit for long-established institutions with rich histories?
We dive into the allure of charismatic leaders who draw comparisons to figures like Steve Jobs, and discuss why hiring individuals who...2024-09-2429 minTerrenal40. Con la espada en la mano: Bolívar, libertador (1812-1819)Este es el tercer episodio de Terrenal sobre la vida y el pensamiento de Simón Bolívar.
Hablamos sobre Bolívar, por fin, triunfando: primero en Venezuela y luego en la Nueva Granada, y fundando la Gran Colombia.
Manifiesto de Cartagena: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifiesto_de_Cartagena
Republicanismo: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republicanismo
La campaña admirable: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campa%C3%B1a_Admirable
José Tomás Boves: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Tom%C3%A1s_Boves
Carta de Jamaica: https://es.wikipe...2024-09-191h 46Terrenal39. Contra España y contra la naturaleza: Bolívar y el fracaso de la Primera República (1805-1812)n este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro continúan su ciclo sobre la vida y el pensamiento de Simón Bolívar (el niño rico de Caracas, el criollo, el diplomático, el romántico, el general, el libertador, el exiliado, el escritor y el pensador político).
En este episodio, hablan de la primera guerra de independencia de Venezuela y de la relación de Bolívar con Miranda.
Simón Bolívar: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim%C3%B3n_Bol%C3%ADvar
F...2024-09-051h 47Terrenal38. Un caraqueño: el mundo criollo de Simón Bolívar (1783-1805)En este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro abren su ciclo ("el ciclo admirable") sobre la vida y el pensamiento de Simón Bolívar (el niño rico de Caracas, el criollo, el diplomático, el romántico, el general, el libertador, el exiliado, el escritor y el pensador político).
Simón Bolívar: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim%C3%B3n_Bol%C3%ADvar
Libro de Lynch: https://www.planetadelibros.com.co/libro-simon-bolivar/293044
Libro de Marie Arana: https://www.librerialerner.com.co/libertad...2024-08-221h 44Terrenal37. El cuestionario Proust: un especial por los 175 mil oyentes de TerrenalEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro responden el cuestionario Proust y celebran los 175 mil oyentes del podcast. Descubren su ansiedad, el amor de Mejía por el frío, por la niebla, por la tundra y el páramo y el amor de Caro por la tierra caliente, los mosquiteros, las novelas de detectives y los vasos con mucho hielo.
Diccionario de Proust: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuestionario_Proust
Música original de Nicolás Bejarano (www.bejaranomusic.com)
Nuestro Substack: https://terrenal.subst...2024-08-082h 28Terrenal36. Anarquismo en acción y anarcocapitalismoEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro vuelven a hablar sobre el anarquismo. En este episodio, hablamos del anarquismo en acción y del anarcocapitalismo.
Esta es la segunda parte de un ciclo de dos episodios de Terrenal sobre el anarquismo, la teoría y práctica política que propone abolir el Estado.
Primera parte del ciclo de anarquismo: https://terrenal.substack.com/p/anarquismo
Nada me obliga - La pestilencia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cioG3i7vbkM
Ni dios ni...2024-07-251h 51Terrenal35. Ni dios ni amo: el anarquismo # 1En este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablamos sobre el anarquismo. Empezamos hablando de sus raíces en el pensamiento clásico y terminamos con el funeral de Peter Kropotkin en 1921.
Esta es la primera parte de un ciclo de dos episodios de Terrenal sobre el anarquismo, la teoría y práctica política que propone abolir el Estado.
Ni dios ni amo - Los muertos de Cristo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TOnr7CC1_g
Ian Rubbish and the Bizzaros: https://www.yout...2024-07-111h 44
The Arts SalonEpisode 61: Geoff Baker & Catalina Lobo-Guerrero, Venezuela and El SistemaFind a comfy chair or get ready for that drive...this is a long one! Today we have Geoff Baker and Catalina Lobo-Gerrero to discuss the complex subject of Venezuela and it's "El Sistema." If you remember my episode demystifying Cuban propaganda, you will know I have a deep suspicion of programs that emerge from undemocratic regimes.
Catalina, a prominent journalist and author of Los Restos de la Revolución, will be our guide to understanding the context of Venezuela's political disaster and why it is a failed state generating more refugees than Syria. T...2024-06-302h 51Terrenal34. Saber morir, saber vivir - con Tatiana AndiaEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan con Tatiana Andia, profesora de sociología de la Universidad de los Andes, sobre su vida y su aproximación a su propia muerte, luego de un diagnóstico de cáncer. Hablaron sobre Michel de Montaigne, el ensayista francés, sobre Bolivia y sobre la historia de la sociología en Colombia. Hablaron sobre Marx, sobre el neoliberalismo y sobre la educación italiana.
Sobre todo, hablaron sobre la vida y cómo la vida prepara para la muerte y de cómo la muerte...2024-06-272h 17Terrenal33. ¿Qué es el fascismo?En este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan del fascismo, el tipo de organización y movimiento político que surgió en Europa después de la Primera Guerra Mundial. Terrenal trata de definir uno de los términos políticos más escurridizos, hablando sobre la historia, el método y las características comunes de los varios "fascismos".
Fascismo: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascismo
Fascismo italiano: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italia_fascista
Nazismo: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazismo#:~:text=El%20naciona...2024-06-132h 05
The Arts SalonEpisode 60: Revisiting Tom Stevens & Håkan Hardenberger, reflections from my first ITGIn this episode, I discuss my visit to the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) conference. I was there for two events: a panel honoring the late Tom Stevens and a recital by Håkan Hardenberger and Roland Pöntinen.
This episode is a reflection on Stevens' efforts to elevate the trumpet beyond flashy technical pieces, and his plight to create a catalog of new music for trumpet players.
I also discuss Hardenberger’s performance highlighting Stevens' influence and contributions, reinforcing his enduring impact on the trumpet world. 2024-06-1028 minTerrenal30. Las posiciones de Milton FriedmanEn este episodio de Terrenal, el segundo de la serie de Terrenal sobre Milton Friedman, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan sobre las ideas de Milton Friedman.
Milton Friedman: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman
Historia monetaria de los Estados Unidos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monetary_History_of_the_United_States
Anna Schwartz: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Schwartz
Monetarismo: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monetarismo
Teoría cuantitativa del dinero: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teor%C3%ADa_cuantitativa_del_dinero
Irving Fisher: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Fisher
"Ahor...2024-05-021h 46
The Arts SalonEpisode 59: Alex Mansour, Composer/cellist/jazz pianistToday's guest is Alex Mansour! Alex is a composer, cellist, and jazz pianist, and one of the true multi-hyphenates of Los Angeles. In this talk we discuss many issues related to the film music scene, the challenges facing the symphony (again lol), and many more issues.
We will announce exciting things during our 60th episode so stay tuned!2024-05-022h 51
The Arts SalonEpisode 58: Lucy Humphris, International Trumpet ArtistLucy Humphris and I sat down to talk about a great many things including the state of the arts, the attention economy (with comments on the great article by Ted Gioia), Chosen Vale, the decay of artistic education, and many more subjects.
We will close out the month with a conversation with LA composer/cellist/jazz pianist Alex Mansour. 2024-04-181h 45Terrenal28. Pensar rápido, pensar despacio: Daniel Kahneman (1934-2024) - con César MantillaEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro reciben al economista César Mantilla para conversar sobre Daniel Kahneman (1934-1924), el psicólogo israelí ganador del premio Nobel de economía y que murió el 27 de marzo. En este episodio, Terrenal hace un homenaje a Kahneman, autor del best-seller Pensar rápido, pensar despacio, y cuenta su vida, su trabajo con Amos Tversky y hace una introducción a la economía del comportamiento, a los sesgos y a las heurísticas.
César Mantilla: https://sites.google.com/site/cesarmantila...2024-04-041h 57The Arts SalonEpisode 57: A Farewell to American Youth Symphony and what it tells us about the industry (comments on the San Francisco Symphony)The news of the closure of the American Youth Symphony has sent shockwaves through the music community, especially in Los Angeles. AYS was not just another youth music program; it was a vital stepping stone for many musicians, offering a gateway into the competitive Los Angeles freelance scene. Alumni of AYS have gone on to become prominent figures in the classical music world, shaping the landscape of the industry.The closure of AYS raises questions about the state of the classical music sector as a whole. Small non-profits like AYS often serve as the canaries in the...2024-04-0336 minTerrenal27. La gran novela de la selva: cien años de La Vorágine - con Margarita Serje y Erna von der WaldeEn este episodio de Terrenal, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro hablan con Margarita Serje, profesora titular de antropología en la Universidad de los Andes, y con Erna von der Walde, traductora e investigadora, sobre La Vorágine, la novela de José Eustasio Rivera, que cumple cien años este año.
Serje y Von der Walde son las editoras de una nueva edición “cosmográfica” de La Vorágine, que recupera los mapas de la quinta edición y documentos contemporáneos sobre la región amazónica, las caucherías y el genocidio del Putu...2024-03-211h 30
The Arts SalonEpisode 56: Maggie Kilgour, John Milton & Paradise LostToday's guest is Maggie Kilgour, she is Molson Professor of English Language and Literature at McGill University—my Alma Mater. She sat down to talk with me and Andres Caro about John Milton and his epic poem Paradise Lost.
Although this conversation is technically part of our "off-topic" series with Andres as co-host, the conversation is very much about the arts.
Paradise Lost is a central accomplishment of Western culture, and as such it is a book everyone should read at least once. I hope if you have never picked it up, this inspires you to...2024-03-201h 38
The Arts SalonEpisode 55: Otto Sauter, Baroque Music Specialist, Trumpet SoloistOtto Sauter is well-known as one of the world‘s leading trumpet soloists. As a specialist on the piccolo trumpet, the German musician has already appeared in all major concert halls.
Otto Sauter and I sat down to talk about his illustrious career as a trumpet soloist specializing in baroque music. We discuss many issues including the changing listening habits of current students, his World Brass Association, the genius of J.S. Bach, Thomas Stevens, and many more subjects.
This month we will release a talk about John Milton featuring Professor Maggie Kilgour (McGill University), an e...2024-03-081h 13Terrenal26. Aniversario TerrenalEn este episodio, Andrés Mejía y Andrés Caro celebran el primer aniversario del podcast, estrenando música y Substack.
Música original de Nicolás Bejarano (www.bejaranomusic.com)
Nuestro Substack: https://terrenal.substack.com
Nuestro correo: terrenalpodcast@gmail.com
2024-03-0753 minThe Arts SalonEpisode 54: The Chosen Vale International Trumpet SeminarThis conversation is a real treat. I talk with Conductor Ryan Bancroft, and trumpeters Edward Carroll, Dave Bilger, Dovas Lietuvninkas, and Bailey Paugh about the Chosen Vale International Trumpet Seminar. We discuss the powerful environment, the unrivaled faculty, and many subjects about art making and directing a career in music in 2024.
We will close off January with our monthly conversation with Andres Caro where he will ask me questions about how to listen to classical music!2024-02-211h 23The Arts SalonEpisode 53: The Challenges Facing the Los Angeles Movie Music IndustryIn this solo episode we dive into the challenges that are facing the Los Angeles movie music industry as the decade evolves. I lay down the following as the main challenges facing the industry:
Changing fashions where less movies and TV shows use orchestras
The (currently) unprofitable streaming platforms threaten the movie studios as a whole
International markets favor competition
Union protections favor a small number of musicians making loyalty unlikely
AI & improving sound libraries will upend the industry
For a transcript of this episode, check out my website. Hope you enjoy this!
In a...2024-02-1434 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 52: Robert Flanagan, Economist, Author "The Perilous Life of Symphony Orchestras"We launch this February with this conversation with economist Robert Flanagan professor emeritus at Stanford Business School, and author of the great book The Perilous Life of Symphony Orchestras. We discuss the effects of Baulmol's "Cost Disease" on performing arts organizations, the proclivity of orchestras towards "silver bullet solutions" to long-term issues, and many other topics surrounding the performing arts.
In a week I will be posting a solo episode discussing the economic challenges facing the Los Angeles movie and TV studio musicians with the advent of AI technologies and growing competition in international...2024-02-071h 10
The Arts SalonEpisode 51: Tyler Cowen, Economist & Host of Conversations with TylerWe close out January with another Arts Salon "Off-Topic" with co-host Andres Caro (episode 45) featuring economist Tyler Cowen, leader of Marginal Revolution and host of Conversations With Tyler.
In our conversation, we delved into the art of thinking like an economist and how this mindset can shed light on various aspects of life. Tyler shared insights into the intersection of economics, music, and commercial culture, providing a unique perspective on the forces that shape our cultural landscapes.
Our discussion also took us on a global tour as we explored Tyler's experiences with travel and his observations on the economic...2024-01-291h 15
The Arts SalonEpisode 50: Susana Castellanos, Second Generation of Olympian GodsWe continue this January with the return of Susana Castellanos to discuss the second generation of Olympian Gods (Athena, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Ares....and Aphrodite...sort of).
Listen to episode 46 of the podcast to hear about the first generation of Olympian Deities. If you speak Spanish, also listen to Susana's podcast Relatos de Sherezade.
We will close out January with another Arts Salon "Off-Topic" with co-host Andres Caro (episode 45) featuring economist Tyler Cowen, leader of Marginal Revolution and host of Conversations With Tyler.2024-01-181h 45
The Arts SalonEpisode 49: Peter Evans, Improviser/International Trumpet SoloistPeter Evans returns to The Arts Salon to talk about his artistic practice, the cultish nature of "new music," the 30 Years War, Bach, John Coltrane, American education, music education, and how Peter is convinced the internet is just a fad (lol not really).
If you are unfamiliar with Peter, you can listen to episode 8 of the podcast to get acquainted with his work.
Later this month we release part 2 of my talk about Greek Mythology with Susana Castellanos where we discuss the second generation of Olympian Gods (for part 1 listen to Episode 46).
We...2024-01-081h 50
The Arts SalonEpisode 48 "Off-topic:" Joshua Simon, The Ideology of Creole RevolutionToday we launch The Arts Salon Off-Topic, with cohost Andrés Caro! To get to know Andrés better, please listen to Episode 45 of the podcast. This new series within The Arts Salon will focus on many topics that intersect with the arts and sometimes don't.
Our first guest is political scientist Joshua Simon. We discuss his book The Ideology of Creole Revolution: Imperialism and Independence in American and Latin American Political Thought. 2023-12-171h 52
The Arts SalonEpisode 47: Daniel Rosenboom, Trumpet Artist & ComposerThis discussion with Dan Rosenboom deals with AI, the nature of creativity, love songs, and much more. Dan is an insanely creative musician in Los Angeles, an educator, and one of America's most important trumpet players and improvisers. To get to know Dan more check out episode 6 of The Arts Salon and check our his record label Orenda Record!2023-12-011h 55
The Arts SalonEpisode 46: Susana Castellanos, First Generation of Olympian GodsThis episode is the first of a series on Greek Mythology. This episode deals with the origins and characteristics of the first generation of the Olympian gods (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia, & Demeter).
The conversation is with Susana Castellanos, professor of mythology at the Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia. She is also the host of the tremendous podcast Relatos de Sherezade. Coming soon we will discuss the second generation of Olympian gods. 2023-11-121h 30
The Arts SalonEpisode 45: Andres Caro, our convictions in the WestWhy does the West matter to Andrés and me? Listen to this podcast.
Andrés Caro Borrero is a Colombian lawyer currently pursuing a J.S.D. at Yale Law School, where he also obtained his LL.M. degree in 2020 and for which he received the Henry Ralph Ringe Scholarship, after which he was a Fox Fellow for the year 2020-2021. He received the 2020 Barry S. Cohen Prize for the Best Paper on a Subject Related to Literature and the Law from Yale Law School.
Andrés is also...2023-10-112h 18
The Arts SalonEpisode 44: Stanford Thompson, Founder Play on PhillyStanford Thompson is a musician and educator who serves as the Founder and Executive Director of Play On Philly and Founding Board Chairman of El Sistema USA and the National Instrumentalist Mentoring and Advancement Network. Recognized as a TED Fellow, Stanford believes that music is a powerful tool for positive personal and community change. Mr. Thompson serves on the faculty of the Global Leaders Program and regularly presents for major arts and business conferences, institutions, and stakeholders about leadership, entrepreneurship and social justice. As a principal of Goldsmith Strategies, he has guided the strategic development of dozens of organizations a...2023-09-191h 07
The Arts SalonEpisode 43: Chris Smith, Principal Trumpet San Diego SymphonyI talked to Chris Smith (SDSO) about the discipline required to succeed in the music industry and confronting hard truths. 2023-09-011h 53
The Arts SalonEpisode 42: Aubre Hill, Dance Artist, Choreographer, Educator, ProducerAubre Hill is an international dance artist, choreographer, somatic teacher, and event producer. The artistic director of the Qabila Folkdance Company, Lumina Dance Co, and Beyajja Dance Theatre as well as a prolific performer, Aubre is known for her diverse stylings rooted in cultural understand and pushing the boundaries of expectations with innovation. With over twenty years of teaching experience, her classes, private training, and workshops are highly valued for their inclusion, rigor, and well rounded approach. A quintessential artist in everything she does…welcome to the journey!2023-06-081h 49
The Arts SalonEpisode 41: Ahmad Baset Azizi, Peace AmbassadorAhmad Baset Azizi is one of the most inspiring human beings I have ever met. You can read some of his stories here or here. His story is truly rare in the circles most musicians in the United States move in, and his understanding of foreign affairs is refreshing and marked by the type of nuance that only someone who has seen the world's cruelty firsthand can possess. We discuss the situation in Afghanistan, his life through music, and his unique relationship with former Principal Trumpet (and guest of the Arts Salon) Dave Bilger. I look forward to many...2023-05-042h 37
The Arts SalonEpisode 40: Aaron Smith, Trumpet Freelancer & ComposerAaron Smith is a freelance trumpet player based in Los Angeles, CA. He also writes, arranges, and publishes music through his small business, TrumpetSmith Publishing (ASCAP).
As a freelance artist, Smith performs for live orchestral events, musical theatre, big band, motion pictures, television, and video games which have included ABC, BroadwayHD, Disney+, E3, Fathom Events, the Game Awards, Microsoft, PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center, Riot Games, Spike, Touchstone Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers. He has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, Disney’s Encore!, Ellen, the LATE LATE Show, and The Voice. Ensemble appearances include the Hollywood Stud...2023-03-232h 54The Arts SalonEpisode 39: Woman, Life, Liberty: Conversation with Persian Musicians Pirayeh Pourafar & Houman PourmhediWelcome, my name is Nico Bejarano, and this is the Arts Salon. You were just listening to the latest musical project from today’s guests, my friends and mentors, Persian musicians Pirayeh Pourafar and Houman Pourmhedi. This composition was made in support of the protesters in Iran whose chants Women, life, liberty with alternations of death to the dictator have been heard across Iran for many months now.
As is now routine in these cases, there has been a sleuth of unpalatable commentary from so-called foreign-affairs analysts—who have travelled little and know less—attempting to dissect the re...2023-02-212h 01
Los DanielesColumna -Ana Bejarano- Frontera resbalosa.“Porque lo cierto es que Nicolás Maduro es un dictador y preservar su cooptación abusiva del poder es una de sus más apremiantes preocupaciones. Por eso debe anticiparse que este nuevo puente diplomático también será utilizado para ello, y Colombia no debe colaborar con esa aspiración injusta.”2022-10-1005 minThe Arts SalonEpisode 38: Gustav Melander, Principal Trumpet, Malmö Symphony OrchestraToday is a real treat for me, because Gustav is one of my best friends and one of the best people I know. Gustav Melander is regarded as one of Europe’s most talented young trumpet players. Having studied with Bo Nilsson and Prof. Håkan Hardenberger at the Malmö Academy of Music, since graduating, Gustav has gone on to become one of the most in demand players.
Currently the tenured Co-principal Trumpet of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Gustav also regularly features with other Scandinavian Orchestras such as the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Oslo...2022-10-011h 38
The Arts SalonEpisode 37: Jerome Burns, improviser & Stockhausen specialistToday’s guest is my good friend Jerome Burns. For those of you who might not know Jerome, he is that crazy trumpet player that has been posting his insane transcriptions for the trumpet of Meshuggah guitar solos. Jerome is a graduate of the Manhattan School of music where he studied under Mark Gould, and is also a specialist on the music of Karheilnz Stockhausen, having completed the Master’s Degree in Aus Licht under the tutelage of Marco Blaauw in Holland. This episode deals with many subjects most notably “student” mentality and its trappings, and the music of Karlhein...2022-08-191h 57
The Arts SalonEpisode 36: Jan Swafford, Composer & HistorianJan Swafford's music has been played around the country and abroad by ensembles including the symphonies of St. Louis, Indianapolis, and the Dutch Radio; Boston's new-music groups Musica Viva, Collage, and Dinosaur Annex; and chamber ensembles including the Peabody Trio, the Chamber Orchestra of Tennessee, and the Scott Chamber Players of Indianapolis.Over the years his music has evolved steadily, but in all its avatars his work is forthrightly expressive, individual in voice, and steadily concerned with lucidity of texture and form. Beneath the surface there are contributions from world music, especially Indian and Balinese, and from...2022-07-151h 39
The Arts SalonEpisode 35: Anthony Plog, ComposerAnthony Plog has had a rich and varied international career in music—as a composer of operas, symphonic music, and chamber works; as an orchestral musician, soloist, and recording artist; and as a brass teacher and coach at some of the great music conservatories internationally and now online to students around the world.
It was a great gift to re-visit my conversation with Tony as I return to bringing my thought to a broader audience. These last months have been spent deep in books, deep in the study of the economics of art, and immersed in the wr...2022-06-141h 43
The Arts SalonEpisode 34: Arturo Sandoval, International Trumpet SoloistToday’s guest is Arturo Sandoval. I will read a short bio taken from his website. Arturo Sandoval is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time, and has been seen by millions at the Oscars, at the Grammy Awards, and the Billboard Awards. Arturo Sandoval reaches beyond the scope of mere effort. His struggles while in Cuba and since his defection have given him more energy and strength, urging him to accomplish and surpass his childhood dreams. Filled with a virtuoso capability, he desires nothing more than to share his gift with others who fe...2022-03-051h 06
The Arts SalonEpisode 33: Trent Austin, Austin Custom BrassTrent is the owner of the successful retailer Austin Custom Brass, and I could not think of a better way to start 2022 and tell you to prepare for another difficult year, than by having my friend Trent Austin talk about his success in another avenue in the arts. A common narrative we heard during the beginning of this pandemic was that we would soon experience a glorious roaring twenties in our era. The idea was that as the pandemic ended people around the world would be out everywhere spending money and attending events. But I have to tell you...2022-01-271h 54
The Arts SalonEpisode 32: Mauricio Rodriguez, International Relations SpecialistToday’s guest is my good friend Mauricio Rodriguez. You may remember Mauricio from my three-part conversation about Colombia some months back. He is one of my dearest and oldest friends, and we share a passion for history and reason. He has a background in international relations, and has worked for many NGOs as well as private industry.
This discussion is a lot about the history of Latin America, and particularly the absurd nature of how many people have been taught to look back in time as moralistic crusaders. The reason this is a relevant topic in th...2022-01-072h 00
The Arts SalonEpisode 31: Jeroen Berwaerts, Trumpet Soloist & EducatorBelgian trumpeter Jeroen Berwaerts is a paramount musical force with an all-inclusive love for music that knows not how to discriminate. Praised for his outstanding technical capabilities and sensitive musicality, his repertoire encompasses every epoch, from baroque music to contemporary music to jazz. With a flourishing solo career of recitals as well as concerts with the world's leading symphony orchestras, Jeroen Berwaerts still finds time to devote himself to chamber music.
Born in 1975, Jeroen Berwaerts' musical talents had already been awarded with prizes from various competitions such as the Concours Maurice André (1991) and Concours Européen de Je...2021-11-241h 32
The Arts SalonEpisode 30: Clément Saunier, Solo Trumpet Ensemble IntercontemporainToday's guest is Clément Saunier. After studying with Clément Garrec at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, he obtained prizes in several international interpretation competitions: Citta di Porcia (Italy 2002), Prague Spring (2003), Jeju (South Korea 2004), Théo Charlier (Brussels 2005), Tchaikovsky (Moscow 2011). Clément Saunier is also the last French laureate in the last Maurice André trumpet competition (Paris 2006).
In 2013 he was named solo trumpet with the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris and thus collaborates with influential composers and orchestral conductors of our time such as Peter Eötvös, Matthias Pintscher, Pierre Boulez, Simon Rattle...2021-11-051h 32
The Arts SalonEpisode 29: Nate Wooley, Trumpet/Composer/WriterNate and I talk about a lot of things in this conversation, which is one of the ones that has stuck with me the most. One sentiment in particular has been with me since we talked, Nate said “I don’t like any traditions that exclude any other traditions.” This sentiment is so powerful, and applicable to many of the issues that are plaguing art in the West, from the era’s bizarre obsession with authenticity and cultural appropriation policing, to the conservative orthodoxy that has made the arts sluggish and numb.
Speaking to Nate, and listening to this...2021-10-221h 30
The Arts SalonEpisode 28: Joseph Horowitz, Author, ScholarToday’s guest is Joseph Horowitz. Joseph is without a doubt one of the most influential thinkers in classical music in the world. His work should be a staple of any modern musician’s library. I wish to thank him for his time and generosity, it was a pleasure getting to know him during the couple of hours we spent chatting.
In our conversation we discuss his upcoming book Dvorak’s Prophecy and the Vexed Fate of Black Classical Music, as well as the NPR documentary he produced and is linked to in the description of this podcas...2021-09-281h 30
The Arts SalonEpisode 27: Cuba Libre, a Cocktail of Lies and MythsIn such condition there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain, and consequently no culture of the earth, no navigation, no use of the commodities that may be imported by sea, no commodious building, no instrument of moving and removing such things as require much force, no knowledge of the face of the earth, no account of time, no arts, no letters, no society; and, which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
(Hobbes, Leviathan, Part I. Ch...2021-09-101h 22
The Arts SalonEpisode 26: Joshua Banbury & Kevin Sherwin, Forgotten FolkloreTodays guest, Joshua Banbury & Kevin Sherwin are on to talk about their recently release EP, Forgotten Folklore. We talk about the project, folk music, performance practice and other subjects.
Check out the project here: http://kevinsherwin.com/forgotten-folklore/
Check out Joshua: https://www.joshuabanbury.com/forgotten-folklore2021-08-141h 12
The Arts SalonEpisode 25: Christine Chapman, Horn Soloist Ensemble MusikfabrikToday’s guest is Christine Chapman, an eclectic American horn player, and a member of the innovative and explosive Ensemble Musikfabrik. I will read her bio now for those listeners who might not be familiar with her work.
Raised in the coastline woods of western Michigan, Christine Chapman has traveled far and wide to pursue her passion for music. In 1990, after finishing her musical studies at the University of Michigan and Indiana University, she broke out of the rural heartland of America for an orchestra job on the still fresh border between East and West Germany. The de...2021-07-101h 56
The Arts SalonEpisode 24: Charles Schlueter, Former Principal Trumpet, Boston Symphony OrchestraToday’s guest is Charlie Schlueter. It was a pleasure getting to know Charlie over this talk. I applied to be his student at NEC after high school, but eventually ended up getting second-hand smoke from his old student Russell Devuyst. I was interested in having him on the podcast for this reason, but also to gain some more insight into the earlier career of my hero, Thomas Stevens.
Charlie and I talk at length about his interests in music making, and some of the growing trends in the trumpet community that have shifted this artistic profession in...2021-06-232h 04
The Arts SalonEpisode 23: Brian McWhorter Music Director Orchestra NEXT, Professor of Music University of OregonToday’s Guest is Brian McWhorter. I first met Brian many years ago when he first made an appearance on the faculty at Chosen Vale International Trumpet Seminar. He made an impression then, and I was very taken by his thoughtful approach to art making and willingness to question the trajectory of the arts.
Brian has been an invaluable critic of music education and conservatory curricula. This discussion touches on many of these subjects, and while we may disagree on the degree to which the patriarchy is even real, we share a concern for the future of th...2021-06-091h 54
The Arts SalonEpisode 22: Ben Neill, Composer/performer & inventor of the MutantrumpetToday’s Guest is Ben Neill. I first met Ben when I got the opportunity to perform LaMonte Young’s The Melodic Version of The Second Dream of The High-Tension Line Stepdown Transformer from The Four Dreams of China with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for their Fluxus Festival. Ben is a truly unique thinker, and I must admit this conversation is amongst my favorite not just on this podcast, but in my life in general.
As you will hear in this conversation, Ben and I both share a concern for some of the trends in arts and educ...2021-05-181h 49
The Arts SalonWhat is happening in Colombia? Part III: Conclusions (Electoral Jeopardy & Cruelty Free Cocaine)1,956 Cases of Police Brutality, 313 victims of physical violence by the police, 40 victims of homicide (allegedly committed by the police), 1,003 arbitrary arrests, 418 violente interventions by the public force, 28 victims of injuries to their eyes, 129 cases of firearm shootings by the police, 12 cases of sexual assault by the public force.
Just what IS and has been happening in Colombia?2021-05-121h 10
The Arts SalonWhat is happening in Colombia? Part II: The Background (Frogs in Boiling Water)1,956 Cases of Police Brutality, 313 victims of physical violence by the police, 40 victims of homicide (allegedly committed by the police), 1,003 arbitrary arrests, 418 violente interventions by the public force, 28 victims of injuries to their eyes, 129 cases of firearm shootings by the police, 12 cases of sexual assault by the public force.
Just what IS and has been happening in Colombia?2021-05-121h 19
The Arts SalonWhat is happening in Colombia? Part I: Tax Reform (The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back)1,956 Cases of Police Brutality, 313 victims of physical violence by the police, 40 victims of homicide (allegedly committed by the police), 1,003 arbitrary arrests, 418 violente interventions by the public force, 28 victims of injuries to their eyes, 129 cases of firearm shootings by the police, 12 cases of sexual assault by the public force.
Just what IS and has been happening in Colombia?2021-05-1248 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 21: David Rosenboom, ComposerOur conversation today is—if I may be immodest—an accurate display of David’s eclectic biography. We talk about neuroscience and music, artificial intelligence and the future role of the artist, and the creative logic of artists.
David has been fascinating to me since I met him at CalArts, where he was the Dean of the Herb Alpert School of Music and ushered in a particularly bright period at the institution whose graduates are important members of innovative music communities from Los Angeles to Cologne, New York, and Paris. My interest in David has a lot to do...2021-05-041h 30
The Arts SalonEpisode 20: Russell Devuyst, Former Associate Principal Trumpet Montreal Symphony, Professor & Brass Area Coordinator McGill UniversityToday’s guest is Russ Devuyst, former Associate Principal trumpet of the Montreal Symphony, and current head of brass as my alma mater, McGill University. Russ was my undergraduate teacher; he was also my first teacher of such a caliber. Before him, I had never really spent an extended period of time sitting next to someone who could make the trumpet sound that way. The reality is that no matter how many hours I had spent listening to recordings, nothing can prepare you for hearing the real deal next to you. Marco Blaauw once told me that sound memory is...2021-04-202h 16
The Arts SalonEpisode 19: José María Barrero, Assistant Professor of Finance at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) — Business School.I’m really excited for today’s guest because he represents the first departure from the small sphere of influence of the music industry. Jose Maria Barrero is currently Assistant Professor of Finance at the Instituto Tecnológico Autonomo de Mexico, in the business school. This is one of the leading higher-education institutions of Mexico. To read more about Jose Maria and discover his work, visit: https://www.jmbarrero.com/ 2021-04-061h 47
The Arts SalonEpisode 18: Mike Sachs, Principal Trumpet, Cleveland OrchestraToday’s guest is Mike Sachs, principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra. I want to thank Mike for his generosity, and for sitting with me for over 3 hours, despite the fact that we had never met. Mike and I share a common hero, Thomas Stevens. As some recurring listeners may recall, I dedicated this podcast to Stevens when I launched it. I miss Tom, and what he represented. His death has left a void in the trumpet community, which has continued its forward push into a type of teaching that favors technical prowess over musical integrity.
Mike an...2021-03-232h 36
The Arts SalonEpisode 17: Kristen Klehr, Owner/Founder Produced by BEAR & The Den CollectiveToday’s guest is Grammy nominee, Kristen Klehr. Kristen has been a friend of mine for some times, as forms part of my monthly dinner party, which had become a recurring event in the months leading up to the pandemic. At these parties I would host a group of Los Angeles musicians to spend an evening socializing away from the gig-economy “hang.” She is one of the hardest working people I have ever met, and also a brilliant entrepreneur.
She hit the ground running when the pandemic first hit, starting the Den Collective’s online platform for musician...2021-03-091h 48
The Arts SalonEpisode 16: Marco Blaauw, International Trumpet Soloist, Ensemble MusikfabrikThis is a special conversation to me, as Marco has been an important influence, and mentor for me throughout the last decade. Marco embodies all of the rarest qualities in the trumpet community, and like anything this rare, it makes Marco a huge asset to us all.
Marco taught me how to listen more deeply, to enjoy sound to its fullest, and to be grateful for the moments spent making music. He has also been an important influence to me in having the courage to be outspoken and fierce in defending the arts. In our time together...2021-02-231h 21
The Arts SalonEpisode 15: Thomas Gansch, Jazz Artist, Founding Member Mnozil BrassMy guest today is Thomas Gansch. This has been so far one of my favorite conversations on The Arts Salon. Thomas is an incredibly generous man, and I was humbled by his openness. This conversation was a joy to listen back to and edit, it helped me bring to words, sentiments I have for years been espousing. We touch on many topics, but I want to briefly highlight the one that is most important to me.
In talking about the classical musical industry, Thomas correctly diagnosed many of its most salient issues. The stagnation art music, like...2021-02-091h 26
The Arts SalonEpisode 14: Felix Del Tredici, Creative Artist — TromboneI remember starting my sophomore year at McGill University, and meeting with Ed Carroll who told me there was a killer bass trombonist joining the class. “No Nico, this guy is something else,” said Ed. By way of coincidence, we were paired up in a dreadful brass quartet, and from the atrociousness, was born one of my most cherished friendships. I look back often, but seldom wish to vividly relive the past; my weekly conversations with Felix, powered by our mutual love for music, coffee, literature, and philosophy, are one of those exceptions. I cherished them so, that I wish...2021-01-261h 47
The Arts SalonEpisode 13: Dave Bilger, Principal Trumpet, The Philadelphia OrchestraMy guest today is Dave Bilger. Our conversations examines many subjects that are dear to my heart: revolution vs. evolution, the role of the educator, living a cultural life, cancel culture, and many more topics which I’m sure you will enjoy as much as I did. If you’re new to the Arts Salon, this might not be the conversation with Dave Bilger you expect, but probably the one you need to hear.
But before beginning I would like to talk about the events of last week, live in the US Capital, and the subsequent responses I am...2021-01-121h 49The Arts SalonBonus Episode 2: In Defense of European Culture/The Courage of Loyalty and LoveThe 20th and 21st centuries have been a period of extreme progress in matters of human development. Technologically, we have advanced more in a century than in the previous millennia. Over the last 40 years the distances between nations have become negligible, and democratically rooted systems have taken hold of a majority of the world, where even until the 1950s, only a minority of nations had successfully implemented them for extended periods of time. Superstitions were receding at a commendable rate until the first decade of the 2000s, but the last 10 years have seen a strange regression in the perception...2021-01-0532 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 12: Steph Richards, Trumpet Soloist, Creative ArtistToday’s guest is Steph Richards. Editing this episode in the wake of the New York Philharmonic’s news, seemed serendipitous. During this pandemic we have all been scrambling to find a way forward, and most artists have been lost in this effort, because they have not been accustomed to swimming in the waters of change and hunger for far too long. This is obviously not the case with artists like Stephanie Richards, whose latest project, Supersense, is awe inspiring. Steph is NOT going to be caught in the wave of extinction facing many artists in the coming years.
2020-12-151h 39
The Arts SalonEpisode 11: Dave Taylor, Trombone VirtuosoToday’s Guest is Dave Taylor, the extraordinary Bass Trombonist, who for decades has disproven that a muted personality will land you in a lucrative career. Dave is a great hero of mine, and I feel like I’ve known him for years through my dear friend Felix DelTredici. Meeting him for this podcast was a real joy, and he proved to live up to my expectations.
Dave and I talk at great length about many subjects including bravery, and going all out. I value this perspective enormously, as I do not believe history ever rewards the cowar...2020-12-012h 09
The Arts SalonEpisode 10: C.J. Camerieri, Trumpet & French Horn Player, Co-founder of yMusicWelcome to another episode of the arts salon. Today’s guest is CJ Camerieri. I Met CJ when we did a concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the great American composer LaMonte Young. CJ can be heard with the innovative new music ensemble YMusic, as well as with legendary musician Paul Simon.
Nobody on that gig was average, half of them will appear on this show if they haven’t already (Stephen Burns, Steph Richards, Ben Neill), but CJ is the exceptional within the exceptional. He is an interesting individual, a fierce thinker, and a brave prop...2020-11-1757 min
BIENVENIDOS A HISTORIA DEL CINE IPODCAST 11 - LOS FORMALISTAS RUSOS (1920’s)Un poderoso, movimiento político, social y económico estalla en 1917 en el Imperio Ruso. Está dirigido por obreros, campesinos y soldados, y trae como resultado el derrumbe de la dinastía despótica de los Zares, con Nicolás II como ultimo soberano. Este es el caldo de cultivo para que aparezcan LOS FORMALISTAS RUSOS (1920’s). Bienvenidos.2020-11-0407 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 9: John Wallace, Trumpet Soloist & ScholarJohn is one of the Trumpet’s leading scholars, and one of its main practitioners. His work with composers throughout the 20th Century has left a rich legacy of pieces that are truly spectacular. In this, his work with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is particularly salient. As a thinker he is unparalleled, and I wanted to have him on, because he is one of the Trumpet’s most educated and interesting advocates, and a gentleman through and through. As my friend Jonah Levy said to me once: “I would tune in to hear John speak about anything, even if he was...2020-11-031h 39The Arts SalonBonus Episode 1: The Case Against Latinx & Critical TheoryThis bonus episode deals primarily with the erosion of Reason first world countries have been experiencing, primarily through the exploration of what I believe to be one of the most useless additions to the English language, the word Latinx.
Earlier this month, I received a sleuth of emails in a single day from prominent academic and artistic institutions inviting me, a Latino, to seminars, festivals, and several assorted events for the “Latinx” community. On Facebook I wrote a very short version of an argument against the use of the term Latinx, which I had been building over the...2020-10-2950 min
The Arts SalonEpisode 8: Peter Evans, International Improviser & Trumpet SoloistPeter Evans is one of the world's most astounding improvisers on any instrument. His technique mixes with his vast musical flexibility seamlessly. I was in college when I first heard an old recording of Peter playing a version of Body and Soul, I had never heard so many complex techniques put together into a coherent idea with such nonchalance. I also had never had my mind working on overdrive to keep up. It was an explosion of sound. From 2011–2015 I got to hear Peter during his frequent visits to Montreal, and was constantly astonished at his insane artistic development fro...2020-10-201h 30
The Arts SalonEpisode 7: Mark Gould, the MasterMark has been criticized by lesser intellects for his bold activities, but it is undeniable that behind Mark’s antics is a true concern for the arts and a deep love for music. I cannot overstate how important this love is when attempting to transform or criticize the nature of art. Currently there is a lot of talk about how to improve classical music to better reflect modernity, and the sinner’s and catholic school children mea culpas in vogue are more often than not repulsive and useless. Most people joining these conversations seem to be dishonest actors. We need...2020-10-061h 19
The Arts SalonEpisode 6: Dan Rosenboom, Trumpet Artist, Composer, Founder Orenda RecordsDan is one of the creative artists I respect almost more than anyone I’m in contact with. His work with his many bands is legendary and important, and brings joy to the audiences of LA, and wonderment to the many musicians who can’t understand where Dan and his peers can possibly find the time to get everything done.
This conversation touches on many subjects including Dan's creative practice, his sources of inspiration, pre-concert talk inefficiency, institutional cowardice, and many more things. I decided not to cut it up and leave it at its full-length because Dan...2020-09-221h 42
The Arts SalonEpisode 5: Edward Carroll, Director of the Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen ValeWhile Ed’s records, particularly his Italian Trumpet, are worthy of praise, and although his students plague every imaginable institution of prestige; Ed’s most lasting and important legacy without a doubt is the creation of the Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale.
It is, to quote a statement (I find hilarious) made in the promotion of a recent brass album, “a minor miracle” that this festival has managed for to put the most important minds in the trumpet world together for 2 weeks in rural New Hampshire for 17 years. As a focal point of contemporary and new...2020-09-081h 09
The Arts SalonEpisode 4: Lucas & Mickael Lipari-Mayer, Solo Trumpet Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pianist ExtraordinaireThis episode is mostly a conversation tracing the differences and similarities between the Piano and Trumpet competition worlds, their repertoire, and some of the complicated realities of the field. We’re talking about the REAL trumpet competitions hosted in Europe, where participants have to learn an average of 6–8 major trumpet works, not those rather simplistic events hosted in America like the National Trumpet Competition and the one hosted by the International Trumpet Guild.
Lucas and Mickael are both active members of the competition community, and so I offer my voice when needed to speak the truth of the...2020-08-251h 36
The Arts SalonEpisode 3: Stephen Burns, Founder & Artistic Director, Fulcrum Point New Music ProjectWhenever I have mentioned his name in musical circles the reactions are often mixed…but I have long understood that in the arts such a reaction more often than not means I’ve struck intellectual gold. Beneath an often-misunderstood character, is an intellect of such massive value, that what should shock American trumpet players is that he isn’t more widely lauded as one of the best American trumpet players of the 20th and 21st centuries. I am happy he has joined the Faculty at DePaul, and would encourage anyone entering this dying industry to consider joining his studio, it mig...2020-08-111h 26
The Arts SalonEpisode 2: Håkan Hardenberger, International Trumpet SoloistHåkan Hardenberger is arguably the greatest classical trumpet soloist of all time, and the only one active today who is a regular at the most important concert halls in the world with the finest orchestras. I cannot say anything about Håkan that hasn’t been said a million times, or written down in thousands of concert programs and record booklets since the late 80s. He is without a doubt the finest artist to have ever held a trumpet in his hand in the classical music world…period…end of sentence…game, set, and match.2020-07-281h 13
The Arts SalonEpisode 1: Bob Malone, Director, Ateliers - Yamaha Artist Relations Group, Yamaha Corporation of America, Inc.I invited Bob to join me to talk a little about his unique relationship to Thomas Stevens, the path that led him away from pursuing a career in the performing arts, his approach towards design from artistry, his many years with Yamaha, and the unique historic moment that led him to briefly host two of the most important trumpet players of all time under one roof during a strange number of months in Los Angeles. There’s a little bit of everything in this one, even some design history for the gearheads…
Music generously supp...2020-07-141h 20