Explore every episode of the podcast Harmonious World
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Marco Cafolla joins me for a chat in a noisy coffee shop
10 Nov 2025
00:44:11
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, where I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.
I was joined in a central London coffee shop by pianist and composer Marco Cafolla to discuss his work with Mama Terra, Federation of the Disco Pimp and solo as Cafolla. Marco is all about collaboration, while taking absolutely responsibility for the quality of his playing, composing and producing.
It was a joy to chat with him about his impressive work, especially having seen him with Mama Terra at Love Supreme in July 2025.
The latest Federation album is Gratuitous and you will find my review of that online here.
In our conversation, Marco reveals the impending album from Mama Terra, which is expected in the spring.
Thanks to Marco for allowing me to use clips from both Mama Terra and Gratuitous alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.
Pianist and composer Erik Deutsch is a busy musician, famous particularly in recent years for his work with The Black Crowes. His new album, This Was Then, came out earlier in the summer and thanks to Erik for allowing me to use clips from it alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Alice Zawadzki joins me ahead of K-Music Festival 2025
22 Sep 2025
00:32:20
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.
It was a delight to chat with vocalist, violinist and composer Alice Zawadski. She was awarded Jazz Vocalist of the Year at the 2025 Jazz FM awards and I saw her perform at Watford Jazz Junction in May and at the Barbican in June. As we spoke recently, she's preparing for her appearance at the K-Music Festival 2025 with Korean ensemble Hilgeum. As well as discussing aspects of her music in general, we also spoke about the time she spent in South Korea as part of this latest collaboration.
Thanks to Alice for allowing me to use clips from her latest album - Za Gorami - alongside our conversation. That album features Fred Thomas on piano and Misha Mullov-Abbado on bass, who I interviewed back in August. We also touched on Alice's work with bassist Daniel Casimir, who I interviewed while at Love Supreme in July.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
For International Jazz Day 2024, I am joined in conversation by harpist Alina Bzezhinska. Her home is wherever she finds herself and she is inspirational in her jazz and in her attitude to life.
Altera Vita is out now, and it's a wonderful album featuring Alina's harp with co-musical-conspirator Tony Kofi.
Thank you to Alina for allowing me to share tracks from Altera Vita alongside our conversation, and I hope you enjoy listening to them.
To help Alina in raising funds for the people of Ukraine, visit her Bandcamp page.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Iva Ljubicic Lukic introduces me to Glazbene staze
27 Apr 2024
00:21:24
The latest episode of Harmonious World takes me (virtually) to Croatia. Thanks to an introduction from previous guest William Susman, I chatted with Iva Ljubicic Lukic from the band Glazbene staze.
The band's new album is Pierrot Project Op 1 and brings a real introduction to the rare pierrot ensemble. Please take some time to listen to this music from Croatia that crosses all bounds of genre.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Finding out about Gypsy Jazz Festival of London 2024
22 Apr 2024
00:19:14
It's all about the jazz festivals at the moment - so much great live music around. This week, I chat with Tobie Medland, who has curated the Gypsy Jazz Festival of London. There are some great acts announced for 6-12 May 2024.
Thanks to Tobie for providing some excellent tracks to hear alongside our conversation, in case you're unsure what Gypsy jazz sounds like.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
If you don't know much about jazz (yet), do the same.
I had a chat with founder and festival director Chris Newstead, who ran through all the delights on offer this year, so if you can, you should pop along to see some of the great acts appearing in Watford.
The Harmonious World theme tune you can hear at the start and end of our conversation was composed and performed by pianist Joe English.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
We start season 16 of Harmonious World with another in-person conversation, This one was with bassist Mark Wade, who first appeared on the podcast in 2020, at the height of the pandemic.
It was great to chat with Mark in the wonderful setting of Benslow Music.
Thank you to Mark for chatting with me before he started tutoring and performing across Europe, and for allowing me to share tracks from True Stories alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
I hope that 2024 is a happy and healthy year for you all so far. Some of my guests and listeners are in parts of the world where that probably seems impossible, and I really hope that we see some progress in seeing a return to sanity and kindness everywhere.
For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Hilary Seabrook and I’m a writer, podcaster and musician (with a little teaching thrown in).
You can find out more about me on my blog - there’s also lots of album and gig reviews
Season 15 was a spectacular one and the statistics for listeners are quite extraordinary. I’ve had some amazing guests, including China Moses, Jeff Atmajian, Joey Alexander, Tim Boniface, Didier Recloux and Mark Lockheart.
I have also been using my theme tune, which you can hear now and was composed and performed by Joe English.
There are some amazing interviews already in the bag for April and more planned for the rest of Season 16 and I hope you enjoy listening to them every week . If you want to know in advance who I’m chatting with, you’ll need to subscribe! Another subscriber bonus is a cute key ring: there’s more merchandise on the way.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Tim Boniface joins me to discuss 'Psalter: Themes for Peace'
29 Mar 2024
00:39:24
Welcome to a special Easter episode of Harmonious World with sax player and Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge, Tim Boniface.
Although I set out to discuss Tim's latest composition - jazz suite Psalter: Themes for Peace - we also discussed his Christmas suite The Infant and The Eight Words, an Easter suite that you can hear extracts of alongside our conversation.
Thank you to Tim for chatting with me in his tranquil study at Girton, and for allowing me to share tracks from the album alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
This album reminds me of the ethos behind Harmonious World itself, in that it's about all of us working to try to make the world a better place - no matter where we call home.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, including the extra section at the front where Paul and I catch up about the impact of lockdown, which can sometimes seem so unreal now. Thank you to both Paul and Vasilis for spending time with me, and for allowing me to share tracks from the album alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Discussing jazz composition and performance with drummer Gustavo Cortinas proved so much of why I love recording episodes of Harmonious World. Gustavo is from Mexico City, living in Chicago and influenced by jazz and classical music from around the world.
Live in Chicago is a stunning album that Gustavo describes as a snapshot of his musical journey.
Thank you to Gustavo for spending time with me, and for allowing me to share tracks from the album alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
The 200th episode features Dan Jennings, erstwhile host of Desperately Seeking Paul podcast
16 Mar 2024
00:34:03
This, the 200th episode of Harmonious World, is somewhat self-indulgent, as it features a conversation with Dan Jennings, broadcaster and host of the podcast Desperately Seeking Paul, who interviewed me back in lockdown. You'll hear in our conversation why it's self-indulgent and why it appears on the 40th anniversary of the release of The Style Council album Cafe Bleu.
Thank you to Dan for spending time with me, and I hope you enjoy listening in to our conversation. The music at the start and end is the Harmonious World theme tune, from pianist, composer and bandleader Joe English.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.
I chatted with Ukrainian musician and composer Artur Dotsiak, who is currently based in the UK. He was a top 20 finalist for the Trophee Mondial de l'Accordeon and is also recipient of the Ukrainian Presidential Scholarship for Excellence in Music and we discuss his desire to share a Ukrainian sound and spirit through his music.
Thanks to Artur for allowing me to use clips from his recent recordings alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
A special episode for International Women's Day 2024 with China Moses
08 Mar 2024
00:47:00
Welcome to my special International Women's Day 2024 episode, featuring a coffee-shop conversation with singer songwriter and radio presenter China Moses.
China kindly allowed me to feature a couple of the tracks from her China Moses & The Vibe Tribe EP from 2021, which I hope give you a taste of her amazing vocal talents. Listen to her show on JazzFM to hear more of her own great taste in music.
Thank you to China for spending time with me, and I hope you enjoy listening in to our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
David Bixler and I discuss 'The Langston Hughes Project Volume 1'
06 Mar 2024
00:27:41
For the latest episode of Harmonious World, I am joined by sax player, composer and educator David Bixler to discuss his latest album, The Langston Hughes Project Volume 1.
As part of the conversation, David introduces the Langston Hughes poem Mother to Son, which is simply stunning and probably an inspiration for us all.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Discussing 'Monsieur Linh and his Child' with composer Didier Recloux
28 Feb 2024
00:30:06
My conversation with composer Didier Recloux was in a noisy coffee bar, but I hope you can hear our chat clearly - it was fascinating.
Didier's latest album is Monsieur Linh and his Child and the first single - First Walk - is out today (28 February 2024).
We also discuss Didier's links with Zeinab Badawi and her BBC World series The History of Africa Part 1 and 2, for which he composed the soundtracks.Thanks to Didier for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Monsieur Linh and his Child alongside our chat. I'm now very much looking forward to reading the book.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
A conversation with classical pianist Burkard Schliessmann
18 Feb 2024
00:15:29
It was a great pleasure to have a conversation with classical pianist Burkard Schliessmann: his album Live & Encores is out now.
If you love classical solo piano, this is the album for you. If you haven't explored the music of Bach, Chopin, Mendelssohn and Schumann, then this is a fabulous starting point.
Not only is this great music, performed brilliantly, the recording quality is outstanding using Dolby Atmos high-definition audio.
Thanks to Burkard for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Live & Encores alongside our chat.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Join me for a conversation with Mark Lockheart in London's Barbican Centre
14 Feb 2024
00:28:26
I really enjoy these live chats and the background noise adds some atmosphere - this time it's a chat with sax player, composer and band leader Mark Lockheart in London's Barbican Centre.
Mark's latest album - Smiling - is out on Edition Records at the end of March and you can hear a couple of tracks from it.
Thanks to Mark for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Smiling alongside our chat.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Pianist Jim Clayton adds vocals to 'Look Out!' and tells me why
05 Feb 2024
00:25:09
Pianist Jim Clayton has unleashed his vocals on the latest album Look Out! and in this conversation he explains why.
This conversation was a joy and - once again - I was reminded why I decided to start this podcast nearly four years ago - there's a sense of people like Jim in this episode simply sharing why they do what they do. And it helps us all understand music a little better.
Thanks to Jim for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Look Out! alongside our chat.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
'Continuance' with pianist and composer Joey Alexander
29 Jan 2024
00:19:44
Pianist and composer Joey Alexander has recently released his seventh album - Continuance - and he joined me to discuss it.
We chatted just hours after he finished a five show run at New York's Birdland to officially launch the album. He's an interesting young man and a truly phenomenal pianist and composer.
Thanks to Joey for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Continuance alongside our chat.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
A delightful and insightful live chat with Jeff Atmajian
22 Jan 2024
00:55:37
I met arranger, orchestrator and composer Jeff Atmajian at Abbey Road studios in November, while visiting past guests on the show Michael Shapiro and Danae Zanthe Vlasse. He kindly agreed to be interviewed by me in person, so we met in Islington when he was finishing a recording for the TV show 'Call the Midwife'.
Jeff is intensely interesting and finding questions to ask him was a breeze. He's worked on many film scores and those for some of the best-known film and TV composers. The tracks you hear at the start and finish of the show are from 'Creation: Once Upon All TIme' by Carol Schuller Milner, but there are numerous tracks I could have selected.
Thanks to Jeff for sparing time to join me in the conversation and sharing the tracks alongside our chat.
I hope you enjoy listening to our chat and the background noise isn't too much of a distraction: this conversation really was a joy.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
A brief chat over a cuppa with singer Lucy-Anne Daniels
08 Jan 2024
00:12:42
This was a delightful conversation and I'm glad to be able to share it with you at the very start of 2024 and season 15 of Harmonious World.
Singer Lucy-Anne Daniels is very much one to watch and I can highly recommend you search for a gig where you can hear her sing and watch her own the stage.
Although it's a great honour for me to be able to interview some titans of music, I'm really going to seek out new artists like Lucy-Anne (and composer of my Harmonious World theme tune, Joe English) to promote. You can watch a video of her performing with fellow musicians from the Birmingham Conservatoire.
Watch out for my new blog feature of upcoming gigs - mostly UK but anything that looks interesting and especially those that feature past or future guests.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Season 15 trailer - Here's to a happy and healthy 2024
02 Jan 2024
00:02:07
Welcome to a brief trailer for season 15 of Harmonious World. It's really just an excuse to wish you - listeners and guests - a very happy and healthy 2024.
Thanks to pianist and composer Joe English for my theme tune.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Ending 2023 with a 'Reunion' and greetings to friends in Colorado
31 Dec 2023
00:22:51
As a fitting end to 2023 and an amazing Season 14 of Harmonious World, I was delighted to be joined by Colorado-based sax player Drew Zaremba. Two of my closest (albeit most distant geographically) friends live just a few miles from Drew and I have happy memories of visits to that part of the world.
Drew's latest album is Reunion - a big band celebration that brings the joy so important to Drew. I hope you enjoy our conversation and manage to check out the whole album.
Thanks to Drew for allowing me to play extracts from Reunion alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
I was joined in conversation by Ben Brown and Dominic Conway from Malleus Trio: their new album On/Off is out now and if you like some of the jazz crossover acts like Keith Jarrett and Sons of Kemet, you'll love this album.
On/Off is the trio's third album, but they've been around since 2007 and there's a collective maturity about their music - drums, tenor and bass - that brings a subtlety and collective interplay that is joyous.
Thanks to Malleus for allowing me to play extracts from On/Off alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Violinist Benet McLean has released Green Park on Sea Mammal Records and he joins me to chat about his music, the album and life in general.
Benet has appeared alongside many great names as a pianist and now he's returning to his first instrument - violin. He has an inspirational group of musicians in his band and these tracks allow them all to shine. You'll get a flavour of the album here, but try to listen to the whole thing when you can.
Thanks to Benet for allowing me to play extracts from Green Park alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Having met saxophonist Soweto Kinch at Ladbroke Hall a few weeks ago, I was delighted that he agreed to join me in conversation.
Soweto is more than a great musician, as evidenced by his album White Juju(recorded live at the Barbican in November 2021 with the London Symphony Orchestra) and I hope that comes across in our conversation. The music conveys so much about the pandemic and other major issues of our times. I cannot recommend it highly enough and if you have the chance to hear Soweto play, please do so.
Thanks to Soweto for allowing me to play extracts from White Juju alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
It was a delight to interview bassist Christian McBride for the latest episode. A real delight. You can probably tell.
Christian has worked with so many great musicians and we discuss his work with just a few of them (and the eight Grammys he has been awarded), including Sting, Dee Dee Bridgewater. We also talk about some of the tracks on Prime, his album that was released earlier in 2023.
You can catch Christian with some of his musical friends at the Village Vanguard, as we discuss. Alternatively, check out some of his videos and you can see what I meant about the concentration that goes alongside the fun.
I hope you also enjoy the first playing of the new Harmonious World theme tune, composed and performed by Joe English.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
David Deacon and his fifth album 'Good Day Good Night'
20 Nov 2023
00:22:17
In the latest episode, I am joined by Canadian singer songwriter David Deacon, to discuss his fifth album - Good Day Good Night.
A collection of original tracks, this album also features David's version of the Bob Dylan classic Knockin' on Heaven's Door and we discuss his inspiration and where life has taken him.
Thanks to David for allowing me to play tracks from Good Day Good Night alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Bassist and psychotherapist Bill Harrison shares thoughts on music and life
17 Nov 2023
00:42:16
This is a long episode, because Bill Harrison and I had so much to discuss - his former career as a bass player, his book and his work as a psychotherapist. If you're a musician, there are some insights into how we work, and if you're not, those insights might help you understand us better.
Thanks to Bill for allowing me to play two of the tracks from his life as a bass player alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
'All we're made of is borrowed' - expansions on grief in evocative music from Paramorph Collective
08 Nov 2023
00:20:50
With a focus on grief, and how we survive it, Paramorph Collective have released All we're made of is borrowed. My discussion with the musicians responsible - An Laurence and Kim Farris-Manning - focuses on this dynamic work that brings together fascinating creative and some complex concepts.
Paramorph Collective combines a tonal range and extraordinary combinations of instruments and voices in what promises much for their musical future.
Thanks to An and Kim for allowing me to play extracts from All we're made of is borrowed alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Quynh Nguyen introduces her album 'The Flower of France'
26 Oct 2023
00:23:22
Completely by chance, the episode follows nicely from last week's. Instead of American compositions, though, this time it's French music performed by award-winning Vietnamese American pianist Quynh Nguyen.
Quynh has gathered together some of the finest compositions of Germaine Tailleferre into a delightful album - The Flower of France.
Thanks to Quynh for allowing me to play extracts from The Flower of France alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Exploring 'Ban: Stories of Censorship' with Matthew Detrick from Apollo Chamber Players
07 Sep 2025
00:36:06
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.
This is my third episode chatting with Matthew Detrick, one of the founding musicians of Apollo Chamber Players. You can listen to our earlier episodes from November 2021 and January 2023 to find out more about the work the ensemble is doing, especially in commissioning new work.
For this episode, we're discussing Ban: Stories of Censorship, which includes The Book of Names by Marty Regan, which includes narration by George Takei, who is so much more than the actor who portrayed Mr Sulu in Star Trek. You will find out why during our conversation.
The discussions around censorship and this fascinating music were particularly interesting as I have just finished reading James, by Percival Everett, which is a brilliant version of Huckleberry Finn. I can heartily recommend the book as well as this album.
Thanks to Matthew and the other members of Apollo Chamber Players for allowing me to use tracks from Ban: Stories of Censorship alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
A discussion of 'Tower Music' with composer and percussionist Joseph Bertolozzi
18 Oct 2023
00:28:00
For this week's episode of Harmonious World, composer, organist and percussionist Joseph Bertolozzi joins me to discuss his album Tower Music (Musique de la Tour), which samples the sounds of the Eiffel Tower and creates music.
Although this is experimental classical music, it is not a difficult listen and the whole time there is something of the resonance of the Tower itself throughout.
Thanks to Joseph for allowing me to play extracts from Tower Music alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
SPECIAL episode: Gadi Stern from Shalosh Trio and 'Tales of Utopia'
09 Oct 2023
00:30:30
This is a very special episode of Harmonious World.
I am joined by pianist Gadi Stern, who is one third of the Shalosh Trio. Gadi was speaking to me from Jerusalem, just hours after the start of a particularly violent and tragic escalation in the war.
There are no words to properly thank Gadi for sharing his story and that of tthe trio's album - Tales of Utopia. You can sense something from the incident in the middle of the episode. Thankfully, we were able to continue and all was well.
Shalosh are intending to continue with their plans to tour this album so please keep an eye open for news of their dates.
Thanks to Shalosh for allowing me to play extracts from Tales of Utopia alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Matthew Whitaker prepares to perform at FMDG in Manhattan
04 Oct 2023
00:15:47
This episode of Harmonious World features pianist Matthew Whitaker, who is set to perform at his alma mater - The Filomen M D'Agostino Greenberg (FMDG) Music School. This is his way of giving back to a unique organisation which has helped him so much along his journey as a pianist.
Matthew's album Connections was conceived during the pandemic and it bears witness to a difficult time in all our lives, and to the people who have always helped him through. It's all about the connections we make.
Thanks to Matthew for allowing me to play extracts from Connections alongside our conversation, and if you're in Manhattan on 17 October, please do get yourself a ticket to the FMDG concert.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Joshua Espinoza in conversation about ‘Songs From Yesterday’ and ear worms
27 Sep 2023
00:34:55
This episode of Harmonious World was particularly easy to record. Pianist Joshua Espinoza's trio album Songs From Yesterday is delightful and insightful, and chatting to him about it was easy.
It's a shame this is a podcast, rather than a video, because Joshua's face lit up when I asked him about performing and recording with his band mates Kris Monson (double bass) and Jaron Lamar Davis (drums). I think you can hear something of that joy in his voice when talking about the experience.
Thanks to Joshua for allowing me to play extracts from Songs From Yesterday alongside our conversation. The album is out this week, so do please enjoy it.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Sherri Chung joins me to discuss making music for film and television
20 Sep 2023
00:26:02
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You may have never heard of Sherri Chung, but you have almost certainly heard some of her music on the film and TV shows we all watch from time to time. We had a fascinating chat about her background and how she composes within the confines of visual media.
If the quality is occasionally a little less than perfect, it's because Sherri was in her car - she's a busy woman. Alongside her composition, she was recently elected the first female governor of the Television Academy's music branch - the people who award the Emmys.
Thanks to Sherri for allowing me to play extracts from her scores for Gremlins and Based on a True Story alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
* * Now you can subscribe to Harmonious World for special subscriber-only content
'Celeste' is the new album from acclaimed Danish jazz singer, songwriter and guitarist Mette Juul. This is a collection of classic standard tunes you will recognise and some original tracks which will take your breath away.
Mette and I had a conversation about the choice of tracks and her storytelling alongside Mike Moreno (guitar) and Lars Danielsson (cello, celeste, kalimba, melodica, cymbals, double bass).
Celeste is out on Naxos-Prophone records on 10 November 2023.
Thanks to Mette for allowing me to play extracts from Celeste alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
* * Now you can subscribe to Harmonious World for special subscriber-only content
Melodic Collective is guitarist Chris Allard's latest project, in which he works with John Turville (piano), Robbie Robson (trumpet), Oli Hayhurst (bass) and Will Glaser (drums). Their self-titled album is out now on Perdido Records and it's a quasi-live album which delivers a classy, cohesive jazz quintet.
I spoke to Chris last year alongside pianist Ross Stanley for episode 136 of this podcast and saw them perform their album Tortuga live at London's 606 Club. This new project promises more great things live and please watch out for a review of the album's official London launch.
Thanks to Chris for allowing me to play extracts from Melodic Collectivealongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Freddie Bryant and I chat about his song cycle 'Upper West Side Love Story'
28 Aug 2023
00:34:18
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Freddie Bryant played in the Upper West Side as a small child and grew up on its streets. His song cycle really is a Love Story to these streets and playgrounds. In our discussion, Freddie tells the story of the poetry and the music and how it all came together.
This is a poignant album and it tells a different story about an area of New York some of us have seen in films through the decades but that Freddie knows personally. His poetry and music have a dynamic interplay that tell a tale of his home, reflecting on homelessness and the dark side of gentrification.
Thanks to Freddie for allowing me to play extracts from Upper West Side Love Story alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
I promise you'll love this episode with singer Sara Shiloh Rae and The Sondheim Project - Sara wasn't dismayed when I said that she and the band Bluebird Junction had "taken Broadway and moved it into the middle of nowhere."
This really was a great discussion. Sara is a classically-trained singer with opera and concert hall credentials, but there's something joyous and blues-infused about this approach to some classic Sondheim tracks. We had a blast discussing it.
Thanks to Sara for allowing me to play extracts from The Sondheim Project alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
* * Now you can subscribe to Harmonious World for special subscriber-only content
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with composer and pianist Tania Giannouli.
Tania's latest album - on Rattle Records from New Zealand - is called Solo and it's her first completely solo release. It's a beautiful collection of tracks composer and improvised by Tania. We spoke just a few weeks after I had visited her homeland of Greece and it brought back lots of memories for me, although the music itself is quintessentially international.
Thanks to Tania for allowing me to play extracts from Solo alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
Starting autumn discussing 'Still' with pianist Ann Sweeten
01 Sep 2025
00:21:47
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious.
Released on 1 September, when autumn is definitely in the UK air, this episode features a discussion with pianist Ann Sweeten: she released Still a few weeks ago. As she explains in our conversation, she's already working on tracks for the next album, so watch this space.
Thanks to Ann for allowing me to use tracks from Still alongside our conversation, particularly ending our chat with Autumnal Breeze.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
* * Now you can subscribe to Harmonious World for special subscriber-only content
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with composer, and vocalist Elina Duni. Elina's latest album is A Time To Remember- out now on ECM Records.
Elina's album of stunning original tracks and jazz standards features guitarist Rob Luft, Matthieu Michel on flugelhorn and Fred Thomas on percussion and piano. Our conversation touches on the composition process of these tracks, which came out of the isolation of the pandemic and travels to the Sinai Desert and the Red Sea.
Thanks to Elina for allowing me to play extracts from A Time To Remember alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
* * Now you can subscribe to Harmonious World for special subscriber-only content
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with composer, arranger and pianist Scott Dunn. Together with vocalist Claire Martin, Scott has released I Watch You Sleep, a tribute to Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.
It was wonderful to chat with Scott about this album and working with Claire Martin and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and commemorating the 10th anniversary of the death ofSir Richard Rodney Bennett. We discuss the arrangements and the recording, as well as how the tracks were selected - some by Bennett himself and some tunes that he particularly enjoyed himself.
Thanks to Scott for allowing me to play extracts from I Watch You Sleep alongside our conversation, especially the incredible reimagining of It's Only A Paper Moon, which is definitely my favourite track.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."
* * Now you can subscribe to Harmonious World for special subscriber-only content
Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with guitarist Tom Guarna, whose latest album - Reimagine - features some really delightful reworkings of classic guitar tunes.
Our conversation delves into the skills of the various musicians involved in the album, as well as the choice of tracks and the approach Tom took to the arrangements.
Thanks to Tom for allowing me to play extracts from Reimagine alongside our conversation.
Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show.
Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."