We're closing out our celebration of Black History Month with one of David's favorite artists and the inaugural guest of the podcast Christian McBride! From the age of seventeen, Christian has been playing with jazz legends and, over the past 30 years, has become one himself. The eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist recalls a brief stint at Juilliard, the strong influence of his musical family, and how the music of James Brown got him through some tough times.Check out Christian McBride on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Christian McBride by David Salafia.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on September 9, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we continue our celebration of Black History Month by featuring the eight-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Oscar nominee Terence Blanchard whose interview with David originally aired in April of 2023. Original show note: Six-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee Terence Blanchard is a famed trumpeter, band leader, and composer. Recently, he also became the first Black composer commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera since it opened in 1883. Terence discusses his debut at the Met and the enormity of the experience, along with his start at age 19 with The Jazz Messengers, and the greatest lesson he learned from jazz legend Art Blakey. Terence reflects on his expansive work for film, including 17 collaborations with Spike Lee, and answers David's specific questions about a pivotal scene in Mo' Better Blues.Check out Terence Blanchard on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Terence Blanchard by Cedric Angeles.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on April 11, 2023. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re continuing our celebration of Black History Month with Avery Fisher Prize winner and clarinetist Anthony McGill. Anthony is the first African-American to hold a Principal chair in the New York Philharmonic’s 180-year history. He sees his high-profile position as an opportunity to inspire a new generation of diverse musicians. Anthony discusses his work as an artist and activist, the greatest experience of his life, and how Michael Jordan inspired him to strive for excellence.Check out Anthony McGill on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Anthony McGill by Chris Lee.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on October 15, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we begin our celebration of Black History Month by featuring David's conversation with his longtime mentor and dear friend, the legendary Wynton Marsalis. The Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, nine-time Grammy Award winner, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center talks about his musical development, the benefits of music, and a treasured gift with David.Check out Wynton Marsalis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, Vimeo, YouTube, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Wynton Marsalis by Luigi Beverelli.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on October 11, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eight-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Emanuel “Manny” Ax has performed in the world’s greatest concert halls, playing on a different piano in each city, and enjoys the challenge of adjusting to each unique instrument. He recalls how an accidental trip to Carnegie Hall ignited his fantasy to perform on that very stage and reveals the secret to making the piano sing.Check out Emanuel Ax on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Emanuel Ax by Lisa Marie Mazzucco.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on September 19, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International violin virtuoso, Ray Chen is redefining the role of today’s classical soloist. Using social media, Ray aims to educate, enlighten, and entertain his audience before they get to the concert hall. He credits his grit and determination to his experience of being a first-generation immigrant and likens playing his ten-million-dollar Stradivarius violin to wielding Thor’s hammer.Check out Ray Chen on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Ray Chen by John Mac.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on November 1, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard describes how she navigates the occasional chaos of backstage as she prepares to sing in the world’s greatest opera houses. She enjoys the challenge of finding emotional inroads to the operatic roles she’s portrayed, even if it's a love-stricken teenage boy.Check out Isabel Leonard on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Isabel Leonard by Sergio Kurhajec.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on September 26, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conductor Joshua Weilerstein catapulted to international attention at a young age when he won first prize of the world-famous Malko Competition for Young Conductors with hardly any formal training. He discusses growing up in a musical family, how performing for thousands of youth who had never heard a live concert profoundly influenced his career, earning the trust and respect of musicians, and paying homage with his popular classical music podcast "Sticky Notes" to the late Leonard Bernstein.Check out Joshua Weilerstein on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or the web and the Sticky Notes Podcast.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Joshua Weilerstein by Paul Marc Mitchell.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on November, 8, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast is taking a short break while we work on new episodes. In the meantime, we're airing some of our most memorable episodes from the first season. Metropolitan Opera Orchestra trombonist Denson Paul Pollard had an unconventional path to the stage and credits his grit, determination, and humble roots for taking him from a small town in rural Georgia to Carnegie Hall. Paul's work ethic is inspiring as he describes the jobs he’s held from Iowa to Hong Kong and his daily commute from Indiana to New York City.Check out Denson Paul Pollard on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Denson Paul Pollard by Rose Callahan.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview originally aired on September 26, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, David reflects back on guests from the first season of Speaking Soundly who spoke about their growth as musicians. Hear from Ray Chen, Joyce DiDonato, Christian McBride, and Dr. Denson Paul Pollard.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or the web.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode David talks about how Speaking Soundly got its start, what he loves most about interviewing his friends and colleagues, and his own musical background and relationship to practice. David is guest interviewed by Jason Blitman of 76West: A Podcast from the Marlene Meyerson JCC.Special thanks to 76West: A Podcast from the Marlene Meyerson JCC, host Jason Blitman, and audio engineer Matt TemkinFollow Speaking Soundly on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or the web.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.