Interview Guests – Page 110

380: Jonathan Glawe on landing jobs, delegation, and the state of music education

I’ve followed along with the incredible career of Jonathan Glawe for many years.

Jonathan has established himself as one of the rising stars in the music education world. He is the current Director of Orchestras for Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he is in demand across the country as a clinician.

Glawe has played an important role in the their return to the GRAMMY Signature School list, in which the Pioneer Music Department was honored as one of the top 3 music programs in the nation in 2010 and 2015, and earned the honor of being the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2011.

Glawe was recognized as MSBOA District 12 Orchestra Director of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2015. He was a finalist for the Michigan Orchestra Director of the Year in 2012.

Jonathan also attended and represented the US in a symposium of Music Education in Stockholm, Sweden with a quartet from the Pioneer ensemble.

379: Dennis Whittaker on opera life, endurance, and career paths

Dennis Whittaker has had a fascinating journey through the music world.

After his studies in music education at Baylor University and a masters degree with Jeff Bradetich at Northwestern University, Dennis found himself teaching middle and high school orchestra in Texas.

After seven years of teaching in the Waco and Houston public schools, a series of events occurred that propelled him into the professional performing world:

he landed the principal bass position for the Houston Grand Opera
he was hired to teach bass at the University of Houston
he began subbing regularly in the Houston Symphony

We dig into the events surrounding this transition and much more!

Check out the opera excerpts that Dennis talks about here!

378: how wood choice affects tone with Seth Kimmel

I’m so pumped to bring you today’s episode covering the tonal differences of various woods with Seth Kimmel!

Seth is an awesome luthier located in Eugene, Oregon. I had the chance to play some of his basses at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention and was blown away.

Seth uses a wide variety of woods for his basses, including:

maple
walnut
myrtle
spruce
pine
cedar
redwood

We dig into the tonal characteristics of these various woods today. Totally fascinating!

I took notes on everything that Seth covered and put them all into a PDF.

If you have our Contrabass Conversations app, the PDF is included with this episode in the bonus content.

You can also click here to get a copy of these notes.

Enjoy!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton’s Bostonian was conceived at the 2009 International Society of Double Bassists convention at State College, Pennsylvania, while world-renowned jazz bassist and Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, Lynn Seaton and Upton Bass String Instrument Co. President and Founder, Gary Upton Birkhamshaw were playing and discussing the various instruments Upton Bass had created for the convention. They started with a blank sheet of paper, and together began jotting down Lynn’s preferences and suggestion with each model. The result was a rough outline of what would become the UB Bostonian Concert Double Bass.

Bass Violin Shop – Offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Check out all luthier episodes at contrabassconversations.com/luthiers

377: Alexis Cuadrado on technique, composition, and 21st-century careers

Barcelona-born Alexis Cuadrado is one of New York’s most sought-after musicians.

In addition to performing as a sideman with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour, Dianne Reeves, Omara Portuondo, Steve Wilson and Seamus Blake, Alexis maintains a thriving career as a composer and educator.

I had the chance to see Alexis at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention, and it was great to catch up with him for this deep dive into his craft.

This episode is divided into three parts:

Part 1 – discovering François Rabbath
- starting to play upright in Barcelona and developing severe tendinitis
- trying to “start the house from the roof instead of the foundation”
- meeting Barry Green – the link to Francois
- the benefits of “starting from the beginning” with Rabbath
Part 2 – the language of jazz
- improvisation
- composition
- approaches with students
- work habits
Part 3 – 21st-century careers
- multiple income streams
  multiple skills sets
  how you present yourself to the world – what’s your outlook?
- moving to New York

Links to check out:

Check out all jazz-related episodes at contrabassconversations.com/jazz

375: Jessica Valls on improvisation, emotion, and finding your voice

Jessica Valls has created a fascinating career as a double bass performer, educator, and free improvisor.

She performs regularly with the Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and the vocal group Conspirare. She also plays chamber music, jazz gigs, and solo performances.

Jessica teaches at Southwestern University, Austin Community College, and Huston-Tillotson University. She is also the founder and director of the Austin Bass Workshop.

Jessica is a dedicated free improvisor, incorporating singing, bass playing, and other elements on a regular basis into her performances.

This episode is divided into three parts:

Part 1 – Being Onstage
Part 2 – Improvisation: The Hows and Whys
Part 3 – Reflection and Advice