New separate page with all collected Banjo Studio podcast episodes

Have you checked out the cool series of interviews I have conducted for Banjostudio.com. A place for epically great guitars and banjos.

The interviews are with some very amazing musicians: players of banjo and guitar and incredible songwriters, grammy winners, people with ideas. They are now collected on this page.

So far the list of posted interviews includes Joe Henry, Mary Gauthier, Valerie June, Adam Levy, Steve Khan, Jens Kruger, Riley Baugus, Alison Brown, Rob McCoury, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ryan Cavanaugh, Danny Barnes, Adam Levy and Jens Kruger.

If you don’t know who they are and you are interested in a wide variety of music, you will be boosted in to some very fascinating new musical and cultural (are they the same?) areas.

The Page is here…

Interview with banjo virtuoso, Jens Kruger for The Banjo Studio Podcast

There is a new episode up for this interview I conducted recently with Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers.

Banjo Studio says:

Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers is a modern master of the 5 string banjo who is taking the instrument to places it has never been. Born in Switzerland and now living in North Carolina, Jens' music bridges American folk music and European classical music styles. He has composed for a full symphony orchestra as well as a number of string quartets and more. 

In this interview, we dig deep into his compositional techniques, style, and more. Enjoy!

https://www.banjostudio.com/blogs/banjo-studio-podcast/jens-kruger-banjo-studio-podcast-episode-14

Double MacGuffin Ep. 4- Savage Messiah (Ken Russell,1972) / Nightwatching(Greenaway,2007)

Henry and I have posted the next episode of our film podcast. Listen on the double macguffin page here…

The theme of this episode is biopics about visual artists.

Henry Griffin chose Ken Russell’s, Savage Messiah (1972) about French sculptor, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. The film features the young Helen Mirren and Dorothy Tutin.

Jonathan Freilich picked Peter Greenaway’s, Nightwatching (2007) about Rembrandt’s painting of the Nightwatch and the murderous circumstances hidden in the painting. The film stars Martin Freeman as the Dutch master.

Two really interesting movies by iconic and singular British filmmakers.

Critters Buggin Releases Count Cancellation. Guitar feature on 'Rooster Time'.

Critters, the legendary band from Seattle, asked me to sit in on their House of Blues show in 2001 when they were on tour with a couple of the Moroccan Master Musicians of Jajouka. They called the result ‘Rooster Time’. You can hear on their bandcamp page here…

…Honor to be asked and I hadn’t remembered what the sound was but I did remember the great feeling of playing.

I think you’ll find it right in line with what else you need that you forgot.

Interview with songwriter, producer, Joe Henry, for Banjo Studio

It was a privilege to speak with with, Joe Henry. His work covers a lot of ground. The accomplishment is quite staggering. Through all that though, he has very lucid and articulate awareness of the work and the subjects and fields in which he is involved. He is also very philosophically engaging which makes for a great and special interview. He speaks a lot about music, producing, poetry, songwriting, literature, and other things too. Enjoy!

The Banjo Studio says:

Joe Henry is a prolific songwriter, guitarist, producer, and author. He has won multiple Grammy awards, has 15 studio albums under his own name, and has produced countless artist’s recordings. His production credits include Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Rhiannon Giddens, Aarron Neville, Soloman Burke, and many, many more. 

This is a fascinating interview with one of the great creative forces in American music of our time. Listen to Joe Henry go into depth about his songwriting process, production process, and more. If you’re a fan of music of any kind you will enjoy and learn from this interview.

THE INTERVIEW IS HERE…

Calling all chronic mask debators- New Tune: 'Mask Debating'

Sometimes you just have to give away the tune of the hour. Just finished writing and putting together this one…

Interview with guitarist Adam Levy for The Banjo Studio

I recently had the opportunity to interview the great guitarist/songwriter, Adam Levy. Folks have described this one as inspiring. You may too. Adam’s record output is filled with greats and worth checking over at his band camp page.

THE INTERVIEW>>>

Banjo Studio says:

Guitarist Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracey Chapman) is known for his tone and taste. Adam talks with host Jonathan Freilich about his concept on the guitar, how he looks at the guitar from a more compositional/pianistic approach as oppose to a cliche guitar licks approach, his studies with Ted Greene, his current online guitar lessons course, and more.

Adam is an in demand sideman, songwriter, bandleader, guitar journalist, and guitar educator. Take a listen, you'll be sure to learn something that will improve your own playing.

Podcast: Interview with guitar giant, Steve Khan for Banjo Studio

I’m really happy to see this conversation I had with Steve Khan just posted. Really worth checking out if you are interested in music for the last 40 or so years. Without hesitation, if you have ever sat around trying to get around a guitar. And look at that ES-335- a favorite machine for some folks around here too.

The link to the podcast…

The Banjo Studio says:

In this episode, we talk with the legendary jazz guitarist Steve Khan. Steve has had an extensive recording career as a solo artist, one that encompasses some 30 albums as a leader - from 1977's "TIGHTROPE" to 2019's "PATCHWORK." Perhaps beginning with his groundbreaking group, Eyewitness , he has devoted himself to creating a place for the guitar as a principal melodic voice in Latin jazz. In a recent cover story, Steve was referred to as "The Voice of the Guitar In Latin Jazz."

The conversation was fascinating and enjoyable for me. You might also check out Steve’s website where he wrote about this any many other things too. Here is the link to STEVE KHAN’S SITE…

Steve Khan

Interviewed by Jeff Albert for the Scratch my Brain podcast

Jeff Albert runs an intriguing podcast. He also recently ditched Facebook because he is better at being decisive about the losing direction than many. Jeff is a hell of a musician, educator, and music event conspirer. This series is worth listening to. But why not start with me as an induction.

It is different than the ones produced over here.

Here is the episode…

Podcast – “Here’s the thing…” a conversation with Jonathan Freilich

Interviewed Valerie June for the Banjo Studio

A couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to interview Valerie June for the Banjo Studio. Have a listen, her music is great and her positivity is infectious and inspiring.

Banjo Studio says:

This week we talk with the mesmerizing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, ukulele) Valerie June. Valerie hails from Tennessee and has a unique sound that blends blues, country, and Appalachia. She has an amazingly effervescent, positive spirit and this comes across in her music. Host Jonathan Freilich talks about her influences, her songwriting process, and more.

This is a fantastic interview. Take a listen. Valerie also performs a song for us on the banjo! 

THE INTERVIEW CAN BE HEARD HERE…

New podcast: Interviewed Banjoist, Riley Baugus for the Banjo Studio.

Recently I had a conversation with Riley Baugus for the Banjo Studio Podcast.

The link to that is here…

Banjo Studio says…

In this episode, we talk with master old time Appalachian musician and banjo builder Riley Baugus. Riley plays in the Round Peak style which comes from the area of Surry County, North Carolina. Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Riley about the Round Peak style, what is old time music, his musical path, and more. Riley has recorded with Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Allison Kraus, and more. He also sang on the Academy Award Nominated soundtrack for the movie Cold Mountain. 

Riley plays and sings a few tunes! Take a listen!

Podcast: Interview with Rob McCoury for The Banjo Studio

The link to the cast is here…

Banjo Studio says:

Host Jonathan Freilich talks with 5 string banjoist Rob McCoury of the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin' McCourys. Jonathan talks with Rob about what he is currently working on, how he is getting on during the Covid lockdown, what it was like growing up around the music of his father Del McCoury, and who his influences are.

Rob McCoury

Freilich interviews guitarist, Chris "Critter" Eldridge for The Banjo Studio podcast

Had the opportunity to interview acoustic guitar wizard, Chris Eldridge. I think this one will be interesting to many people with many different interests. If you don’t know his work you will find a new lane to check out. If you like the sound of steel string guitar, his playing draws out all the iconic color of the instrument.

The Banjo Studio interviews have really been intriguing to be involved with and this one is right at the top end of what is becoming a great archive of interviews.

Banjo Studio wrote:

Chris "Critter" Eldridge is a master of the dreadnought guitar and is the guitarist & sings with Punch Brothers, Live From Here, Julian Lage, and more. This is a great interview and host Jonathan Freilich talks with Chris about compositional form of the Punch Brothers tunes, Chris' training with legendary guitarist Tony Rice, how to get the best live sound and recorded sound for an acoustic guitar, and more!

The link to the interview…

Episode 2 of the Double MacGuffin with Henry Griffin

This time, on the Double MacGuffin podcast, we talk about ‘The Tree of Wooden Clogs’(Olmi,1978) and ‘The Last Mistress’ (Breillat, 2007). These are two excellent, fascinating, and unusual films that will really get you away from the pandemic and saturation in corona journalism.

More information and the audio is available here…

Alison Brown interview for The Banjo Studio podcast now up.

She also has two Grammy’s and did a long stint with Alison Krauss and Union Station, as well as having a very large catalogue of her own.

Link to the interview…

Continuing with the series for The Banjo Studio where you can get my favorite guitars (Collings) and also great instruments from the banjo family (Deering)…

I spoke with master 5 string banjoist and Compass Records founder Allison Brown.

Banjo Studio says:

In this interview we talk with Allison about the development of the Deering Julia Belle banjo, how she made the jump from the business world to becoming a full time professional musician, how she balances being an artist and CFO of a successful record company, and much more.

appeared on the It's New Orleans, Happy Hour show this week.

Grant Morris, the host invited me back for one of the quarantine zoom episodes. Entertaining show with quick conversation fun and games from an interesting crew- music, sex therapy etc.

The show is here…

New interview with Ketch Secor at Banjo Studio.com

I recently interviewed Ketch Secor of The Old Crow Medicine show. The podcast is up now and available at Banjo Studio.

Banjo Studio says:

In this episode, we talk with Ketch Secor, a founding member and frontman of the band Old Crow Medicine Show. Take a listen to stories of how the band came to be, what brought Ketch down this path. Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Ketch about a number of subjects including the effect the banjo had on Ketch's musical journey, how Old Crow Medicine Show got its start, the influence of African Americans in country and old-time music, and more.

The direct link to the episode.

Podcast interview with Mary Gauthier at Banjostudio.com

Another episode of the series I’m working on for The Banjo Studio. This time with Mary Gauthier. If you don’t know her songwriting, you should!

Banjo Studio says:

Mary Gauthier is one of the most articulate and poignant songwriters of our time. She grew up in southern Louisiana, moved to the Boston area where she started her singer/songwriter career and is now based in Nashville. Her most recent record, Rifles And Rosary Beads was nominated for a Grammy Award. This record consists of songs she co-wrote with U.S. military veterans and their families. Mary is currently working on a book about her life journey. 

Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Mary about what brought her to a place of such clarity in her songwriting, what motivates her, and what she is currently working on.

The podcast is available here…

New: Lessons page- yoga and music

I have finally got a lesson page up where you can sign up for:

Guitar Lessons
Composition Lessons
Music arranging lessons
Music Theory Lessons

-all styles BTW

Yoga instruction

If you are wondering about qualifications-

I have a BFA in composition from Calarts.

I have played guitar professionally for 32 years.

I am a certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher with 20 years of teaching experience and much instruction from the institute in India, as well as some of the most profound senior teachers.

Brand New: store is open for business... music downloads are on SALE!

Finally the store is up.

Check it out here…

Download some of my original works that you might not have. The album tunes are listed individually so you can cherry pick and consume in that most contemporary style.

Much on the site is still free though, and you are invited to to enjoy what is here. Feel free to hit those donate buttons if keeping an artist in work and providing living music ideas to you inspires.