Miguel Zenón joins me on The Playful Musician. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and living in New York City Miguel is a Grammy Winner, Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, and a Doris Duke Artist.

Growing up in San Juan, Miguel Zenón originally thought he would study engineering, but during his senior year of high school he was drawn to jazz, much to his family’s surprise. With no musicians in his family, the transition was stressful, and he describes it as a leap of faith. Today Miguel is a Grammy-winning saxophonist, composer, and educator, recognized as a true alto saxophone legend. He is releasing his eighteenth album, and his first live recording, Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard.

Described as “one of the most esteemed and singular-voiced alto saxophonists in jazz,” it is an honor to interview Miguel. We discuss his Tiny Desk Concert, his path from classical to jazz saxophone and back again, the culture shock of leaving Puerto Rico to study at the Berklee College of Music, and how he has kept his quartet together creating music for more than 20 years.

His new album, released the same day this podcast airs, captures what it feels like to perform on the sacred ground of the Village Vanguard. It is more than a tribute to the Vanguard. It honors the foundation of music itself, the people who paved the way for Miguel to be where he is today, and the groundwork he is now laying for those who will follow.

Filipino-American saxophonist and composer Jon Irabagon joins the ranks of legendary saxophonists sharing their stories on The Playful Musician. Born in Chicago, Irabagon studied at DePaul University before moving to New York City to earn his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music, followed by postgraduate studies at Juilliard. He has taught on four continents and is currently on the faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he teaches jazz saxophone, directs combos, and leads courses in jazz history.

Jon’s story begins in the Windy City, a place that shaped and molded his unique, evolving expression on the alto saxophone. His parents had emigrated from the Philippines in search of a place where they could find work, start a family, and feel accepted in a new country. Irabagon’s sweeping career is like hearing the American Dream set to the brassy, warm tones of the alto sax.

With his newest album, Someone to Someone, from his label Irabbagast Records debuting today August 15 we sit down to discuss how he went from being a little kid too small to carry a saxophone to the bus stop to become one of Time Out’s “25 Essential New York City Jazz Icons” and one of my personal favorite alto sax players.

In this episode, we discuss why he started his own label and his theory on releasing albums authentically, his insights from private lessons with Dick Oatts and Dave Liebman, his teaching philosophies and techniques (covering everything from goal setting to social media), how he landed a gig with Billy Joel simply by asking the right question, and his dream of one day releasing an album featuring all nine saxophones he owns and plays.

Jon’s passion for music and his ability to cut straight to the heart of what it means to be a working musician will leave you inspired and ready to stream his music.

Lafayette Gilchrist is a keyboardist, composer, and the newest piano chair in the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra.

In this episode, Gilchrist shares his story of growing up in Washington, DC, and what led him at age 17 to finally sit down at a piano and begin teaching himself to play and compose. He describes how his early love of hip-hop, funk, and go-go evolved into a passion for jazz, sparked by Chuck Brown’s riffs and inflections woven into the popular music of the time. After earning a degree in economics, Gilchrist left college to begin his professional life but also launched his band, spending hours in music stores selecting jazz albums purely by their cover art.

His is a story of individualism and discovery, a reminder that there is no single path to virtuosity or success in music. Like many professional musicians, he understands the many roles required to build a career and his journey offers inspiration to musicians of all ages.

Fulfilling the unrealized aspiration of his paternal grandfather to become a conductor, Roberto Kalb’s early life was shaped by supportive parents, teachers, and mentors, combined with unrelenting drive and courage.

Where many might have shied away from the pursuit, Roberto carved his own path. His journey to becoming a composer and conductor, with a biography that reads like a travel guide through the Midwest, is marked by bold opportunity-taking and the determination to create new milestones within an institution often viewed as rigid in its traditions.

Roberto moves with lightness, joy, and genuine encouragement for his peers and fellow artists. This episode will leave you eager to spend an evening on The Hill at Britt, sipping wine and enjoying the beautiful life journey that brought Roberto Kalb from a kid in Mexico to Southern Oregon’s verdant Applegate Valley, baton in hand.

In this episode I sit down with Tibi Cziger, clarinetist, founder, and Artistic Director of the Israeli Chamber Project before his visit and performance with the Chamber Music Concert December 4th in Ashland, Oregon. The Israeli Chamber Project consists of strings, winds, harp, and piano. They were named the winner of the 2011 Israeli Ministry of Culture Outstanding Ensemble Award and 2017 Partos Prize

Tibi is the founder, and Artistic Director of the Israeli Chamber Project. It’s been 16 years since their group first debuted, and we sit down to talk about how it came to be. We discuss his love of programming, how he manages a traveling chamber orchestra, including where the harp comes from, “a harp in every port”. It wasn’t always that way, how wanting to include a new composition by a new Israeli composer in each program is a great idea that proved challenging. Of course, speaking with another reed player, we dive into and “nerd out”, on reeds. Tibi’s dreaming spirit, self-starter work ethic and idealism is sure to inspire.

Carla Ecker, concert violinist, and I sat down in Ashland, Oregon, for a delightful in-person conversation. She has performed with renowned orchestras, including the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, El Paso Symphony, and the Phoenix Symphony. Currently residing in Tucson, Carla maintains an active performance schedule across the U.S. and has served as the Concertmaster of the Rogue Valley Symphony for the past eight years.

During our conversation, we explore the definition of a Concertmaster and delve into this fascinating and vital role within an orchestra. Carla shares her experience working with Martin Majkut, Music Director of the Rogue Valley Symphony and a friend of the podcast. She explains how the collaboration between the Conductor and Concertmaster is essential for creating an efficient and effective orchestral environment—one that, when successful, elevates the music to extraordinary levels.

Carla’s natural grace and leadership make her a perfect fit for the role of Concertmaster. We also discuss the challenges she has faced and overcome in her life, as she has continually sought opportunities and refused to let struggles define her. Her perspective on how music can unite us, even during times of deep division, offers a hopeful and uplifting message for citizens of both the United States and the world.


Angela Johnson’s music is rich and funky, featuring smart and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny, soul-baring lyrics. She broke onto the music scene as a member of Cooly's Hot Box, which showcased her unique blend of jazz, soul, and R&B. Johnson then released her first solo album, “They Don't Know,” jumpstarting her solo career and highlighting her production skills. As a singer, songwriter, and producer known for her soulful voice and compelling compositions, she has a soul made for storytelling, and boy does she.

I sit down with Angela on the day her latest album, “The Best of Both Worlds,” is released by Reel People Music —a collaboration with Opolopo (AKA Peter Major). We discuss the trials and triumphs of being a female producer, her writing process and inspiration, her attraction to high-vibration music, and her new endeavor of writing scores for films. This episode is packed with her unique playfulness, which you'll find infectious.

I’m grateful to be sitting down once again with Martin Majkut, Music Director of both the Rogue Valley Symphony in Oregon and the Queens Symphony Orchestra in New York. We haven’t spoken since 2020, and there’s much to catch up on.

We geek out over Beethoven's 5th Symphony and the ongoing debate about its proper tempo. Martin shares how fatherhood has transformed him as both a person and a conductor, explaining why becoming a father later in life has been ideal for him. We also delve into the aftermath of the pandemic and how it has positively changed both him and the makeup of his orchestra. This conversation, like all my discussions with Martin, is delightful. You'll come away with wisdom to apply to your own path in life and an intimate look at this wonderful composer.