Episode 72: Moira Smiley

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/336832744&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

The talented and lovely Moira Smiley is my guest, this week! Not only talented and lovely, Moira is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer whose music can be heard on feature films, BBC & PBS television programs, NPR, and on more than 60 albums. We play, “Bring Me Little Water, Silvy” all the time around the house while we sing to our kids. It may be the Chicken Tikka Masala of her catalogue to all you deep-cuts-only die-hard Moira fans, but hey- I never get tired of Chicken Tikka, so sue me. Anyway- welcome back, thanks for listening, and enjoy!

Our Final Summer Break Flashback: John Powell

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/335685475&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Composer of over 50 blockbuster soundtracks, including the upcoming beloved animated tale, “Ferdinand” and, “HAN SOLO”!!! Yup, it’s John Powell, y’all! Enjoy!

Summer Break Flashback: Jeff Beal

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/334612484&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Jeff Beal!! One of my favorite humans is making his re-appearance for my Summer Flashback extravaganza! Jeff is everywhere- I honestly don’t know how he does it all, and he really does do it all (unlike some other film composers we know who shall go unnamed). Jeff and his lovely wife, Joan are proof that you can be fun, considerate, open and genuinely nice and still be wildly successful in Hollywood. Enjoy our chat, and thanks for listening!

Summer Break Flashback: Tony Silvestri

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/333529597&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Happy summer, y’all! For this week’s episode of my Summer Flashback Series, I’ve got poet, scholar, professor and all-around great guy, Tony Silvestri on the show! We had this chat a year ago, but it’s every bit as relevant as it ever was- we talk about life, death and everything in between- Enjoy!

Summer Break Flashback: Michael Nielsen

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/332550989&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Today, for my Summer Break Flashback series, Ninja Tracks composer and guitarist, Michael Nielsen, is my guest! Michael is a great guy, and I guarantee you know his music… Forza 6/7 and Splinter Cell for XBOX, independent film scores and just about every major motion picture trailer you’ve heard in the last ten years. He’s also got a terrifically entertaining YouTube channel called “Big Hairy Guitars”, where he reviews all sorts of guitars, pedals and gear, so make sure to check it out- Enjoy!

Summer Break Flashback: James Conlon

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/331395805&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Maestro James Conlon, y’all! I bet you’re curious how one becomes the Music Director of Los Angeles Opera and Principal Conductor of the Italian RAI National Symphony Orchestra- well, here’s your chance! We cover it from nuts to bolts- stories, stories, stories- Maria Callas, Juilliard, The Big Break and a whole lot more! Happy summer, everyone- Enjoy!

Summer Break Flashback: Grant Gershon

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/330212211&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Continuing my summer break, I’m reissuing another one of my favorites: Grant Gershon! The LAMC, LA Opera and the International stage are his homes. A master musician, Grant is not only one of the best in the biz, he’s also unbelievably pleasant, inspirational and dedicated to his art. I hope you enjoy our extended chat!

Episode 71: Roberto Cani, Concertmaster- LA Opera Orchestra

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/327751117&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Roberto Cani, concertmaster of the LA Opera Orchestra, is my guest this week! We get into it- childhood, career, defeats, and triumphs. Roberto is an open book, and it’s one of the qualities I enjoy most about this fascinating master musician. Enjoy!

Episode 70: Nino Sanikidze

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/326298882&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Nino Sanikidze, pianist extraordinaire, is my guest. There’s nothing better for a singer than finding a collaborator who LOVES singers, has a tremendous breadth of knowledge and is one of the very best at what he or she does. Nino is all of these things. Oh, and she’s really sweet and supportive. Nino is one of a kind, and I hope you enjoy our chat- I sure did.

Episode 69: Miah Im

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/325070089&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Pianist, conductor, coach, prompter and erstwhile violinist, Miah Im is my guest this week. She’s one of those people who almost always has a smile on her face, despite the fact that she’s a musical force to be reckoned with. That seem like a rare find in any field, especially music. This is another great episode for folks who are interested in getting into the classical music biz, because Miah seems to do a bit of everything! Thanks for listening- Enjoy!