Shows
MFM SPEAKS OUTWKCR INTERVIEWABOUT THE EVENTMusicians For Musicians Celebrates 10 Years of Music Advocacy with Star-Studded Performance Event at The Cutting Room"In this crazy time with so much social-political-cultural turmoil happening here in the US and around the world,” says Ladjevardi, “I firmly believe that musicians' vital role is to speak out for their communities and come up with messages that will create solidarity among a particular group of people and unite them to fight for their cause. Musicians are the most powerful artists whose sounds can have an impact on people's conscience in a second." - Sohr...
2025-09-151h 05
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 52: SoSaLa and Dawoud Celebrating MFM's 10th AnniversaryIn this episode of MFMSpeaks Out, Dawoud Kringle and Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi discuss the birth, history, mission, and future of Musicians For Musicians. Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi's inspiration for founding MFM, the problems in putting the organization together, including how to define its objectives and methods, MFM's relationship with other musician organizations (such as the Musicians Union), how to attract and grow our membership, the economics of the music business and the importance of musicians getting paid fairly for their work, the state of mind many musicians are in where they do not understand how to turn their music into a profes...
2025-08-291h 36
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 50: Mark Chimples on the Origins of the "No Wave" Music Scene"We Had Changes We'd Never Thought of That Created Surprise and a Chaotic Feel."Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Mark Chimples, a.k.a. Mark C. Mark is the guitarist and synthesizer player with Live Skull. Formed in 1982, Live Skull is considered by many aficionados to be the quintessential New York City noise band. Rising concurrently with bands such as Sonic Youth and Swans, Live Skull helped define the post-No Wave underground "noise rock" in the 1980s music scene in New York City. Over the following decades, Live Skull released five albums and thr...
2023-05-261h 22
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 48: Keyna Wilkins on Being a "Musician with Attitude (MwA)""I think Live Music Will Always be Very Exciting and There Will Always Be a Market For It."Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Keyna Wilkins. Wilkins holds a Master of Music Composition at Sydney Conservatorium, studied composition, classical and jazz piano, and classical flute with several prestigious instructors, and intuitive conceptual improvisation with Tibetan Buddhist musician Tenzin Cheogyal. holds an MA in Flute Performance at Bristol University (UK) in 2008.She is known as a soloist and leader of cutting edge ensembles, and has written over 60 compositions, including 4 major orchestral works. Her works have been c...
2023-03-241h 21
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 46: Haana on Combining Classical with Electronic Music"When I Started to Consciously Put it all Together, I was Forging My Own Path and Creating My Own Way of Putting These Elements Together."Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Haana. Haana is a violinist, vocalist, electronic music artist, visual performer, and entirely self-contained as a one woman orchestra. She played with Kanye West, Alvin Ailey, as well as festivals such as Joshua Tree Festival and Coachella and others in the US, Canada, UAE, and Australia, and other gigs such as Barack Obama's inaugural ball and at Michael Jordan's wedding. Haana has e...
2023-01-201h 26
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 42: Jeff Slatnick & Music Inn"I Like the Power of the Simple Expression of a Musical Idea."Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Jeff Slatnick. Jeff has been an employee and later the owner of Music Inn for over 54 years. Music Inn is one of the oldest music stores in New York City (second in longevity only to Sam Ash). It is a landmark music store in the West Village of NYC specializing in imported world and western instruments, rare and exotic music items, and records. Music Inn has been described as “a museum, rich with music history fr...
2022-09-2356 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 41: Bruce Lee Gallanter Speaking About His Beginnings with the Downtown Music Gallery and the Future of Music Retail"I find Joy in Discovery All the Time!"Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Bruce Lee Gallanter, the owner and proprietor of Downtown Music Gallery (DMG), a Manhattan based music store that specializes in new, used, hard to find, and out of print CDs, Vinyl, DVDs, and books. DMG was started in 1991 by David Yamner & Steve Popkin, with Gallanter working for the store. They remained in their first location on east 4th street in Manhattan for 12 years until 2003, and started having weekly free concerts, an idea that Gallanter had started with Manny Maris when they...
2022-08-261h 14
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 40: William Parker on the Spiritual Essence of Music and Improvisation"Music is Defined as Anything that is Beautiful, and What Makes Something Beautiful is Music"Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is free jazz bass master William Parker. Parker was born in the Bronx, New York City, and grew up in the Melrose housing project. His first instruments were the trumpet, trombone and cello. Parker had no formal training as a classical player, but in his youth studied with Jimmy Garrison, Richard Davis and Wilbur Ware.In the 1980s, he first came to public attention playing with Cecil Taylor. He has also perf...
2022-07-221h 20
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 39: Baba Don Eaton On African Drumming and His Harlem Roots"You Gotta Make Them Say 'Wow!'"Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Baba Don Eaton Babatunde. He is a percussionist and master of African drumming and the rhythms of the African Diaspora in the Americas.Baba Don has performed and recorded with Abidun Oyewole and The Last Poets, Pattie Labelle, Joe Henderson, Donald Brown, Jason Linder, Tyrone Jefferson, Tevin Thomas, James Spaulding, Ron Carter, George Clinton, Pharaoh Sanders, the Metropolitan Orchestra, Bill Laswell, and Philycia Rashad to name a few. His work with dance companies and choreographers includes The Dance...
2022-06-301h 28
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 38: Banning Eyre on Expanding Our Conception of the Guitar in Africa"Recognizing yourself in (this music) or finding a mysterious familiarity is something completely unexplainable."Our guest for this episode is Banning Eyre. Banning Eyre is a writer, guitarist and producer, and the senior editor and producer of the public radio program Afropop Worldwide. He has traveled and done music research in over 20 African countries, as well as in the Caribbean, South America and Europe. His latest initiative is the launch of Lion Songs Records, an independent label dedicated to uplifting overlooked, mostly acoustic music from the African universe. June 2021 sees the release of Boubacar “Badian” Diabate’s Mande G...
2022-05-271h 16
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 37: Neel Murgai on Brooklyn Raga Massive and the New Raga Renaissance"We're Creating New Musical Art Forms Indigenous to Brooklyn."Our guest for this episode is Neel Murgai. Neel is a sitarist, overtone singer, percussionist, composer, teacher, and Co-Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Raga Massive, a raga inspired musician's collective. He is a graduate of Goddard College's MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts program, and studied sitar with Pundit Ravindra Goswami in Banaras. Neel's music ranges from Indian classical to original compositions and contemporary cross-cultural collaborations. Neel has worked with a diverse array of artists and ensembles, including Adam Rudolph, Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper, Karsh Kale, Samir Chatterjee, Dr. Lonnie Smith...
2022-05-131h 01
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 36: Ariel Hyatt on New Ways to Monetize Music"The Old Ways of Music Monetization are Gone, and We Have to Think of Other Ways of Monetization"In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Ariel Hyatt. Ariel is a digital marketer, writer, and teacher who assists independent musicians in career development. She is the author of Music Success in 9 Weeks (2009),Cyber PR For Musicians(2013), Crowdstart(2016), and other books. Hyatt worked at New York City's WNEW-FM, and the What Are Records? record label. She moved to Boulder CO, where she managed and handled publicity for the funk band, Lord of Word. She is also the founde...
2022-03-2555 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 35: Ken Butler on Music Meets Sculpture"I've Always Been Interested in Finding Connections Between Art and Music" - Ken ButlerOur guest today is Ken Butler. Ken is a musician, experimental musical instrument builder, and visual artist. He builds hybrid musical instruments and other artworks that explore the interaction and transformation of common and uncommon objects, altered images, sounds and silence. His work combines live music, instrument design, performance art, theater, sculpture, and other forms of visual art. He is internationally recognized as an innovator of experimental musical instruments created from diverse materials including tools, sports equipment, and household objects. Butler has performed with Jo...
2022-02-2558 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 34: MFM Salutes 2021" You inspire us to work hard to improve the service we do for the music community." Episode Summary:In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle offers a summary of our progress as a podcast and of MFM as a whole during the year 2021, and shares music from our guests. Episode Notes:In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle offers a summary of the work he, Adam Reifsteck, and Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi did on the podcast, our progress of the MFM Speaks Out podcast.The gues...
2022-01-011h 11
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 33: Anne Wichmann on Infusing Electronics with Live Performance"We cannot be in lockdown forever with this virus…we need events…we need art in our lives, and we need interaction with art and with music. More importantly, music cannot be taken for granted. We can make shows happen in a safe and positive way for everyone involved."In this episode of the "MFM Speaks Out," Adam Reifsteck interviews Brooklyn-based producer and powerhouse performer Anne Wichman about immigrating to the United States from Germany and finding a home in the New York underground Indie Electronica music scene. Topics also discussed include the issue of gender inequality in t...
2021-11-2651 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 32: Jeffrey Green on Musical Instrument Retail and its Relation to the Professional Musician"It's All About Building Relationships" - Jeffrey GreenOur guest today is Jeffery Green. Jeffrey is a professional sales engineer, musician, composer, and theorist with Sweetwater, the world’s largest online musical instrument retailer, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He holds a Bachelor of Music & Music Engineering Technology from Ball State University, where he also won a Distinguished Music in 2012. He holds certifications from Avid/Digidesign, Apogee, Moog Pro, and is skilled with recording, synthesizers, software/DAWs, MIDI, and controllers. He is also a talented and experienced cellist, with experience performing on the electric cello at raves, cla...
2021-10-2955 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 31: Michael Harrison on Bridging Indian and Western Classical Music"I'm happy to continue exploring music for the rest of my life"Our guest for this episode of MFM Speaks Out is Michael Harrison. Michael is a composer, pianist, vocalist, and music educator. His unique approach to piano includes the use of tunings and structures that extend the ancient concept of just intonation, and the incorporation of elements of Indian classical music. He studied piano from the age of 6, composition from the age of 17,and Indian raga from the age of 18. He attended Phillips Academy Andover, graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.M. in com...
2021-09-241h 04
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 30: Flaviyake on the Importance of Skill Stacking to Achieve Music Career Success"The secret to success in the music industry is to always be learning and never stop improving your skills."In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews singer-songwriter, DJ, and producer Flaviyake (aka Duck The Bass) about the importance of combining multiple musical skills to achieve lasting success, immigrating to the United States, the issue of gender inequality in the music industry, and the biggest challenges musicians and DJs face in the current digital landscape. Flaviyake is a record label owner, Pop and EDM producer, songwriter, DJ and Grammy NEXT alumna with releases on...
2021-08-2757 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 29: Alina Bloomgarden on Bringing Jazz to the Classical Music World and Music to the Prisons"If one person's sense of value as a human being is renewed, their family, their community, all of us are affected by it in a positive way. We all benefit"In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, our guest is Alina Bloomgarden. Alina was the original producer of Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC), the Lincoln Center Reel to Real series, and Director of Visitors Services for 23 years, where she received the Directors Emeriti Award for outstanding achievement. Proposing that jazz had a rightful place at America’s preeminent performing arts center, she invited Wynton Marsalis to participate as A...
2021-07-3059 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 28: Axel Mueller on the Founding of Pro Musik"We need a better way of living for the music scene."In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews German saxophonist and composer Axel Mueller about his work as a musician and activist which led to co-founding a new union in Germany called Pro Musik that supports freelance musicians. Topics discussed include the challenges gigging musicians face in Germany that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic and the importance of coming together as a community to enact social and political change that uplifts the livelihood of all professional musicians.Saxophonist & multi-instrumentalist Axel...
2021-06-2558 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 27: A Professional Musician's Perspective on Drug and Alcohol Addiction"Music is service."This episode of MFM Speaks Out will be different from our usual format. Dawoud Kringle will be interviewing his guest; a professional musician and recovering drug addict and alcoholic. Out of respect to our guest and the tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous and other substance abuse recovery programs, we are protecting our guest’s anonymity and referring to him as Dave. Our discussion will center around alcoholism, drug abuse, and substance abuse recovery among musicians.Topics discussed: How did substance abuse and music enter Dave's life and how they intersected, the presence of drugs an...
2021-05-281h 02
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 26: Geraldine Anello on Building a Successful Career as a Broadway Musician"Success in music is not guaranteed, but as long as you are persevering and helping others along the way, you will reach your goals."In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews conductor and pianist Geraldine Anello about immigrating to the United States from France in her early 20s which ultimately led to a career as a Broadway musician. Topics discussed include how she created an online community and professional development resource called Theatre Music Directors, the issue of gender inequality on Broadway, and finding a new creative outlet as a writer and poet during...
2021-04-2358 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 25: Royal Bayyan on Record Production and a Lifetime in the Music Business“Stay true to yourself, and stay true to the game. If you give music your all, and be honest with yourself, you will be rewarded.”In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Royal Bayyan. Royal is a Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Music Supervisor, Personal Manager, Executive Brand Consultant. He played with and was a founding member of Kool & the Gang. He established several Production Companies such as Bayyan Internationale’, “The Forecast”, America’s Best Entertainment, Spook Productions Inc.& Urban Media Sound. He is the CEO of Raven Entertainment Group Distribution, partnered with Nile Rogers’ & Andy Uteroni, worked as...
2021-03-261h 05
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 24: Roger Blanc on Working as a Musician During a Pandemic"We're operating under a significant cloud... it is important to not only take care of yourself but support your fellow musicians in any way that you can."In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews composer, guitarist, and MFM Board member Roger Blanc. His concert music has been performed at major New York City venues and abroad. As an arranger, orchestrator, and music producer for media including the Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Arsenio Hall, as well as 80 feature films such as Frida, The Untouchables, Wag The Dog, Flirting Wit...
2021-02-261h 00
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 23: Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi on the Founding of Musicians For Musicians“Musicians With Attitude...in order to be active collectively you have to change as a person. So in order to become not only a better musician but also a better human being, you must change yourself.”In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (a.k.a. SoSaLa). Ladjevardi is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, producer, entrepreneur, activist, and the founder and president of Musicians For Musicians (MFM. He has lived in and performed in Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United States as well as releasing several independently produced albums. The topics discussed focused...
2021-01-221h 08
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 22: Chris Reza on Activism in the Broadway Music Scene"Employers benefit from the disorganization of freelance musicians. But when we come together and have conversations about our working conditions, there is a power that arises which brings about change."In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews multi-instrumentalist Chris Reza about his work in the Broadway music scene. His performance credits include Fun Home, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular. Book of Mormon, Matilda, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and many more. Reza is also composer, lyricist, and book writer for the musical Question 1 , a satirical musical dramedy about a closeted politician who...
2021-01-0158 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 21: Karl Evangelista on the Bay Area Improvised Music Scene"An Alternative (music business) infrastructure is one of the things that helps us keep this sustainable."In this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Oakland, California based guitarist Karl Evangelista is among the new wave of 21st century experimental / improvisational musicians. His work blends contemporary improvised music with popular song, 20th century composition, psychedelic rock, free jazz, and multicultural concepts. The topics discussed include his beginnings and inspiration as a professional improvisational / experimental musician, his work with Oliver Lake, Fred Frith, Eddie Gale, Trevor Watts, Hafiz Modizradeh, Muhal Richard Abrams, Roscoe Mitchell and many others, his...
2020-12-1159 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 20: Philo Farnsworth on the Role of Sample-based Music in the Digital Age"There needs to be a mechanism in place so that sampling is no longer a controversial issue and that all musicians are fairly compensated for their work." - Philo FarnsworthIn this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews an electronic musician and founder of sampling record label Illegal Art who goes by the alias Philo Farnsworth about the use of samples in recorded music. the label gained immediate notoriety from legal threats surrounding Deconstructing Beck, a compilation made exclusively from sampling Beck's music. While Philo believes that the use of samples of music copyrighted by ot...
2020-11-2757 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 19: DeLaurentis on The New Wave of European Electronic Music"For me, there is a strong connection between music and images." - DeLaurentisIn this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Cecile DeLaurentis, commonly known as DeLaurentis. DeLaurentis is a French innovative electronic musician and producer. She studied music at the Perpignan Conservatory and at the University of Mirail in Jazz Musicology in Toulouse. Her work has been described as electro-cinematic music and stands out from most other electronic music artists as having an emotional and beautiful quality. She developed a unique style and technique for performance and voice manipulation with innovative use of Ableton softwar...
2020-11-131h 00
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 18: William Deresiewicz on How Musicians Can Survive in the Digital Age"Now is the time to organize...[in the face of the pandemic] as inequality and workers issues get put on the table more, artists need to make sure they are not left out of the conversation." -- William DeresiewiczIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews William Deresiewicz, a leading critic of the arts and contemporary culture and New York Times bestselling author about his new book, The Death of the Artist: How Creators Are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech--specifically, what he learned from artists that are m...
2020-10-3043 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 17: Sal Cataldi on Surviving and Prospering as an Improvising Musician"To me, there isn't a middle zone between creative paths of improvisation and traditional paths... Musicians deserve to be compensated and deserve a decent environment to play their music." - Sal CataldiIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Sal Cataldi. Sal is a guitarist, composer, improviser, producer, a contributor to nysmusic.com, MFM member, and founder of Cataldi Public Relations Inc," In this episode, Sal discusses his Spaghetti Eastern Music project, His recent release "One Act Sonix" with the Vapor Vespers project, his other music projects such as the Hari Karaoke Trio of...
2020-10-1655 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 16: Donald Malloy on Creative Ways to Monetize Your Music Online“If you want to make money with your music, make it happen...you just gotta find the way."In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews trumpeter and producer Donald Malloy, aka Wave Magnetik. The topics discussed include how he infuses jazz with electronic dance music to reach new audiences, creative ways to monetize music online while live gigs have been canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of reclaiming respect for the livelihood of musicians.The following music featured in this episode is from Virtual Vibes EP by...
2020-10-0246 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 15: LaRonda Davis on the History and Mission of the Black Rock Coalition"If you're seeing only one side of 'Blackness,' and you think that is diversity, you're missing the point."In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews LaRonda Davis, National President of the Black Rock Coalition (BRC), co-founder and CCO of Flaming Yoni Productions, and Group Creative Director of Publicis. The topics discussed include the history of the BRC, it's mission and accomplishments, their unique approach to music activism and their relationship with organizations such as MFM, AFM, Local 802, combating racism in the music industry, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, and looking toward the future.
2020-09-1159 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 14: Ed Hartman On Generating an Income from Music Sync Licensing"If there is no community, create it." - Ed HartmanIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews percussionist and composer Ed Hartman. The topics discussed include the evolution of Hartman's music career, the challenges musicians continue to face during the Coronavirus pandemic, and how to get started in the world of sync licensing as a lucrative income stream.Ed's music has been heard on television (HBO, NBC, ABC, CBS, MTV, Discovery, Green, TLC, WE, Travel, Women, Animal Planet, MSNBC) and in feature films, shorts commercials, documentaries, and even a planetarium. Ed's s...
2020-08-2852 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 13: Arturo O'Farrill on the Evolution of Latin JazzIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews master pianist, composer, producer, music educator, music activist, and MFM Advisory Committee Member Arturo O'Farrill. The podcast began with a discussion of O'Farrill's work with Chico O'Farrill, Harry Belafonte, and Dizzy Gilespie. O'Farrill talked about the evolution of Latin Jazz and the problems inherent in musical genres, and his work as a composer and as a collaborator with multi-disciplinary projects, such as his work with various dance companies. The dialogue explored his recent CD release and collaboration with Dr. Cornel West "Four Questions,"and how Dr. West inspired O...
2020-08-1459 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 12: Keith Levenson on Musicians Navigating Pandemic Unemployment AssistanceIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews Keith Levenson. Keith's career has run the gamut from Broadway's Annie to Meatloaf, from the London Symphony Orchestra to The Who. He is equally at home in a regional shed, Broadway theatre or a large arena. In 2018 Keith helmed a very successful tour of the rock opera "Tommy", with band and symphony orchestras across the country. It resulted in the 2019 release of "Tommy Orchestral" album produced by Keith and Roger Daltrey. The album went straight to the top of Billboard magazine's classical crossover chart."The (my) ra...
2020-07-2450 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 11 : Jackie Venson - A Rising Star Out of Austin“I very quickly realized that a music career without Internet presence in 2012 and beyond was not a music career.”In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews Austin TX based guitarist, singer, songwriter, & producer Jackie Venson. Venson began as a classically trained pianist and student at the Berkeley School of Music. Eventually, she took up the guitar, and developed her approach to her multi-style music with blues as a foundation. In addition to several self-produced recordings and extensive experience touring and performing, Venson also has a prolific output of music videos. Her business model makes...
2020-07-1058 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 10: Peter Wetzler on Why You Deserve To Be Paid for Your MusicIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews Hudson Valley based composer and pianist Peter Wetzler about the evolution of his music career over the years, how current events are affecting the livelihood of professional musicians, and the importance of coming together as a community to become advocates for change.A dual citizen of the US & Canada, now living in Kingston, NY, Wetzler’s resume is as impressive as it is varied. He studied at Yale, Princeton University, The Mozarteum, Conservatory in Salzburg, Brown University, UC Santa Cruz, and 20 years of classical/jazz piano stud...
2020-06-2642 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 9: Mark Deutsch Discusses the Artistic and Professional Aspects of Pursuing a Unique Musical VisionIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews California based musician, improviser, composer, and inventor of the Bazantar Mark Deutsch about his personal evolution from contrabass and sitar virtuoso to designing an unprecedented musical instrument, his artistic and spiritual philosophies on music, and the struggles of being an innovator and iconoclast. Mark started as a "go to guy" on both bass and sitar, before immersing himself in the Bazantar. He produced The Fool, his first recording of the Bazantar, and recently, The Picasso Tunings; a four CD release of music utilizing a set of tuning systems a...
2020-06-121h 05
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 8: Jeannie Hopper on the Evolution of the Underground Club Scene in New YorkIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out, Adam Reifsteck interviews DJ and producer Jeannie Hopper about the evolution of the underground club scene in New York, the issue of gender inequality in the music industry, and the biggest problems musicians and DJs face in the current digital landscape. Jeannie started producing for New York’s WBAI Radio in 1987 as a political reporter. She traveled extensively and produced radio pieces documenting popular movements and human rights violations in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Palestine. Jeannie founded Liquid Sound Lounge in 1993 as a program dedicated to the soulful driven independent el...
2020-05-291h 03
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 7: Stephen Johnson Discusses Issues Facing Musicians TodayIn this episode of MFM Speaks Out, Dawoud Kringle interviews guitarist Stephen Johnson; Polydor recording artist formerly of Victorian Parents, and Son of John, and presently with Future350), musical director of the Movita Dance Theater, and the co-founder and head of the MFM Hudson Valley Chapter in Kingston. Some of the topics discussed will include the changes in the music scene in Johnson's native Staffordshire UK, Cork County Ireland, and the US, the changing issues facing musicians today (especially in the pandemic), the need for community and solidarity, and the founding of MFM's first chapter outside New York City.
2020-05-0859 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 6: Christopher St. Hilaire on Professional Musicians Navigating Uncertainty During COVID-19In recent weeks, COVID-19 has devastated our music community, leaving thousands of music creators and professionals without work and an uncertain future. But there are resources available for musicians if we know where to look. In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out podcast, Chris St. Hilaire and host Adam Reifsteck discuss how musicians can navigate this difficult time and the importance of coming together as a community to support each other. Hilaire is not just a talented drummer but also a social political active musician. He cares for his peers and his community. He's the co-founder of...
2020-04-2453 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 5: Jeffrey James Speaks About the Future of Contemporary Classical Music.In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out podcast, co-host Dawoud Kringle interviews Jeffrey James, founder of Jeffery James Arts Consulting. The topics discussed included the founding and mission of Jeffery James Arts Consulting and 4Tay Records, James' work on the Board of Directors of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, the California AB5 Law, composer’s issues, and the future of contemporary classical music.The three songs featured are: Kyle Gann - FaithJollee Wallach - Making Love to the MilkmanParathen Viols - Fantasia di sei Bassiby Alphonso Ferr...
2020-04-1057 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 4: Mario Guarneri on How California's Assembly Bill 5 Affects MusiciansIn this episode of MFM SPEAKS OUT podcast, co-host Adam Reifsteck and trumpeter and founder of Jazz in the Neighborhood Mario Guarneri discuss how the enactment of California's Assembly Bill 5 is affecting musicians. Under the new law, a musician is now considered an employer when he/she hires another musician to play in that musician’s band (even if it’s just for one show instead of an on-going arrangement); someone to perform on a record (even as a one-off, work for hire session); a producer (or beatmaker) for their record and more! During the interview Mario repea...
2020-03-271h 00
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 3: Singer-Songwriter Lyndol Descant Advocates Unity In The Music CommunityIn this episode of the MFM Speaks Out podcast, Dawoud Kringle interviewed pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, music educator, and music rights activist Lyndol Descant. The topics discussed included musician's rights activism, music education, the responsibilities of musicians and their function in society, and women's rights and issues in the music business.
CreditsProducer and host: Dawoud KringlePublisher: Musicians For Musicians (MFM), Inc. and Sohrab Saadat LadjevardiTechnical support: Adam Reifsteckhttps://musiciansformusicians.org
2020-03-1359 min
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 2: Ken Hatfield on What Musicians Need to Know About CopyrightsIn this episode of MFM SPEAKS OUT podcast, co-host Adam Reifsteck and guitarist, composer, and music rights activist Ken Hatfield discuss the ongoing struggle between those who create music and those who profit from the labors and creations of others. We are witnessing the greatest expansion of technological knowledge in human history. Consequently, more secure copyright is necessary to protect the legal ownership of the individual’s creations – despite what Big Tech wants you to believe. The responsibility of making sure you are getting compensated for your work and not unfairly exploited is on the musician. It is more impo...
2020-02-281h 08
MFM SPEAKS OUTEP 1: David Liebman on the Importance of Musician's Rights ActivismIn the debut episode of the MFM SPEAKS OUT podcast series, host Dawoud Kringle interviews saxophonist, composer, music educator, and music rights activist David Liebman. The topics discussed include jazz history, the process of music education, changes in the music profession, and the history and development of musician's rights activism. Liebman brings a perspective on the music business and music activism that focuses on the issues relevant to the modern musician.The two songs are courtesy of David Liebman Journey Around the Truth with Andy Emler, and Round Midnight with Richard Beirach.Liebman is a...
2020-02-1455 min