World

Laura Cortese: Fiddling everywhere

julgiamb

150930_0Mandorichard had a great time chatting with singer, songwriter, and fiddler Laura Cortese, on Sept. 6, 2016. Laura studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has since submerged herself in the city’s indie music scene. Her vocals and fiddle have been notably featured on numerous albums, but her most recent work, All In Always, is something she is incredibly proud of. She explains to Mandorichard how she was inspired by other artists and their shared appetite for melody–no matter what country they live in. Laura loves being drawn-in instrumentally by other artists and these moments of inspiration lead to some amazing cross-cultural collaboration on her album.

It was interesting to hear Laura talk about her previous works, her initial desire to be a performer, and her hopes for the future. Right now she is running a “pledge music” campaign with her band “Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards” so that fans can contribute to and be a part of the making of their upcoming album.

For more information on Laura and her most recent projects check-out the podcast!

The Interview

Laura Cortese hosted by Mandorichard. Recorded live on Sept. 6, 2016.
26:09
50.2 MB

The Music

Artist Song Album Year
Laura Cortese  I Am The House  Into The Dark 2013
Laura Cortese  Mångatskrinna  All in Always  2015
Laura Cortese California Is Calling
(Podcast contains an excerpt.)		 Forthcoming album

 

Parade of One: From Newark to New York, Kigali and beyond!

Richard Gordon
Jeremy Danneman and Bill Barnett

Bill Barnett (l) and Jeremy Danneman (r)

The song says, “It’s my birthday I’ll cry if I want to,” but Newark native Jeremy Danneman had something else, something more radical and upbeat, in mind for his birthday. In 2009, he decided to celebrate by parading through New York in lieu of a party. He and his saxophone marched around the boroughs of New York and stopped to serenade the United Nations with some jazz and a sharing spirit.

Jeremy and his clarinet and saxes have been all around the world, playing for people in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Rwanda. We had a great time talking with him about some of his experiences in New York, Kigali, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phnom Penh. When you listen to the interview, which we spread out into two episodes of The Music Room, you’ll appreciate how much enthusiasm Jeremy has for using music to make connections with people from different cultures.

The Interview

Jeremy Danneman (l), and Sara Sajer

Jeremy Danneman (l), and Sara Sajer

Jeremy Danneman Part 1, 29:58, 28.7 MB

Jeremy Danneman Part 2, 30:00, 28.8 MB

(Recorded 06/17/15; original air dates: 6/30/15 and 7/7/15; hosts: Mandorichard, Bill Barnett, and Sara Sajer)

The Music

The following music is heard in these episodes of The Music Room:

Artist / Song / Album (or source) / Date / Notes
Jeremy Danneman and Sophie Nzayisenga / Untitled Improvisation in Atlantic Ave. Subway Station, Brooklyn, NY, March 20, 2015 / 2015 / http://www.paradeofone.org
Jeremy Danneman / Mutobu March / Lady Boom Boom / 2015
Jeremy Danneman, Sophie Nzayisenga, William Parker, and Tim Keiper / Honey Wine (Unreleased)* / 2015 / http://www.paradeofone.org
Jeremy Danneman / Murambi Blues / Help / 2015
Jeremy Danneman / Lady Boom Boom / Lady Boom Boom / 2015

*An excerpt of Honey Wine plays at the end of the first part of the interview, and another excerpt opens the second part of the interview.