Kris Davis: defining jazz's vanguard

01/18/24 • 47 min

Today, the Spotlight shines On Grammy-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis.

Kris joined us in the wake of the September 2023 release of her album Live at the Village Vanguard, out on her own Pyroclastic Records label.

Live at the Village Vanguard is the second release from her band Diatom Ribbons, an adventurous quintet featuring drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, turntablist and electronic musician Val Jeanty, bassist Trevor Dunn – and new addition guitarist Julian Lage.

In addition to talking about that band and album, Kris guides us through her musical path and development while hipping us to her important work at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

(all musical excerpts heard in the interview are taken from Live at the Village Vanguard by Kris Davis and Diatom Ribbons)

------------------

Dig Deeper

Listen to Live at the Village Vanguard by Kris Davis and Diatom Ribbons on Bandcamp or your streaming platform of choice
Visit Kris Davis at krisdavis.net
Visit Pyroclastic Records at pyroclasticrecords.com
Follow Kris Davis on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) and Pyroclastic Records on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X).
Kris Davis Is A Powerhouse and A Polymath
Kris Davis, a Pianist Fighting for Fringe Music
Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice
Be sure to peruse this episode's extensive show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

------------------

• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.

• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the Spotlight shines On Grammy-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis.

Kris joined us in the wake of the September 2023 release of her album Live at the Village Vanguard, out on her own Pyroclastic Records label.

In addition to talking about that band and album, Kris guides us through her musical path and development while hipping us to her important work at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

(all musical excerpts heard in the interview are taken from Live at the Village Vanguard by Kris Davis and Diatom Ribbons)

------------------

Dig Deeper

Listen to Live at the Village Vanguard by Kris Davis and Diatom Ribbons on Bandcamp or your streaming platform of choice
Visit Kris Davis at krisdavis.net
Visit Pyroclastic Records at pyroclasticrecords.com
Follow Kris Davis on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) and Pyroclastic Records on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X).
Kris Davis Is A Powerhouse and A Polymath
Kris Davis, a Pianist Fighting for Fringe Music
Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice
Be sure to peruse this episode's extensive show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

------------------

• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Angelica Sanchez: jazz keys and nighttime creatures

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Angelica Sanchez, who joined us late last year to discuss her latest record, Nighttime Creatures, out on Pyroclastic Records.

Since moving to New York from Arizona in 1994, Angelica has collaborated with artists including Wadada Leo Smith, Paul Motian, Richard Davis, Tim Berne, Ben Monder, and many others.

On Nighttime Creatures, Angelica leads a nonet through material she composed while living in a secluded cabin in Upstate New York. There, she was inspired by the sights, sounds, and, yes, creatures of the nocturnal environment surrounding her.

Angelica has been recognized with awards, grants, and fellowships that honor her creativity. She is also an assistant professor at Bard College.

And now, she is a guest of Spotlight On.

(all musical excerpts heard in the interview are taken from the album Nighttime Creatures by The Angelica Sanchez Nonet)

------------------

Dig Deeper

Listen to Nighttime Creatures by The Angelica Sanchez Nonet on Bandcamp or your streaming platform of choice
Visit Angelica Sanchez at angelicasanchez.com
Follow Angelica Sanchez on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Composer Angelica Sanchez takes inspiration from the sound of the woods at night
A Toy Piano Played Like A Grand, Baby
Be sure to peruse this episode's extensive show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

------------------

• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Susan Alcorn: Nueva Canción on Pedal Steel

Today, the Spotlight shines On the innovative pedal steel guitar player Susan Alcorn.

While Susan got her start playing in country & western bands in Texas, she has taken the pedal steel into new and uncharted territories, exploring 20th-century classical music, improvisational jazz, and various world musics.

On her latest project, CANTO, Susan explored Chilean folk music and nueva canción, which translates as “new song” and refers to an intertwined musical and leftist social movement so important to the pro-Democracy organizations throughout Latin America over the last 50 years or more.

Released back in November 2023 on Relative Pitch Records, CANTO features Alcorn’s Septeto del Sur, a new ensemble featuring a cross-generational group of musicians versed in folk and improvisational traditions.

(all musical excerpts heard in the interview are taken from the album CANTO by Susan Alcorn and Septeto del Sur)

------------------

Dig Deeper