Pablo Held Investigates

Shortly before embarking on a tour together, saxophonist Emilio Modeste joins Pablo Held to discuss his profound connection to the music of Wayne Shorter, what he learned from Wallace Roney, and the meaning of going ‘all the way’. They also talk about following Chick Corea around, Emilio’s composition ‘Elliptical’, Star Wars, and working with Cindy Blackman and Stanley Clarke. Catch the Pablo Held Trio & Emilio Modeste on tour: SEPT 10 // Osnabrück // Jazz49 SEPT 11 // Berlin // Zig Zag SEPT 12 // Bielefeld // Bunker Ulmenwall SEPT 13 // Cologne // Philharmonic Hall SEPT 14 // Heilbronn // Zigarre SEPT 17 // Schwäbisch Hall // Hospitalkirche SEPT 18 // Stuttgart // BIX SEPT 19 // Neuburg a. d. Donau // Birdland tickets & more info at https://pabloheld.com/tour

Pianist and composer Rasmus Sørensen joins Pablo Held to discuss dynamics, odd meters, their shared piano duties on a Sasha Berliner tour, and lessons learned from studying with Phil Markowitz. Other topics include harmonic progressions in Herbie Hancock’s “Textures”, comping ideas, transcription, what Rasmus loves about composing and his upcoming album project “You Live And You Learn”.

Pianist & composer Kris Davis returns to the podcast to discuss the compositional process behind music from her latest albums “The Solastalgia Suite“ and “Run The Gauntlet“, practice methods, their favorite composers, and finding fresh ways to improvise. Other topics include working with Dave Holland, piano technique, preparing for a tour, and challenging musical constructs.

Saxophonist Walter Smith III joins Pablo Held to discuss working on articulation, Walter’s compositional process behind songs like “Seesaw“, “ACE“ and “A Brief Madness“ and lessons learned from jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Roy Haynes. Other topics include learning standards like “I Should Care“, “Little Melonae“ or “Nothing Like You“, working with the Bill Stewart Trio and Terence Blanchard and what goes into planning an album like his newest record “TWIO Vol.2“.

Pedal steel guitarist Ian McGimpsey joins Pablo Held to talk about his journey with the instrument, exploring its mechanics, tuning systems, and his unique approach to improvisation and harmony. Other topics include Ian’s composition ‘Etude #1’, arranging ‘Danny Boy’, and how Ian is documenting his creative process.

Trumpeter Alexandra Ridout joins Pablo Held for a conversation ahead of their upcoming tour together. They talk about playing sessions, learning standards, composing, and her thoughts about the flugelhorn. Other topics include Alexandra’s trumpet heroes, sitting in on gigs, being kind to yourself as a musician, performing with Artemis and Melissa Aldana, and the influence of Geri Allen. Catch Alexandra Ridout on tour with the Pablo Held Trio: May 1 // Basel (CH) // Bird’s Eye May 2 // Basel (CH) // Bird’s Eye May 3 // Denzlingen // Fuge Trifft Fuge May 5 // Köln // King Georg May 6 // Düsseldorf // Jazz Schmiede May 7 // Wuppertal // Insel May 8 // Hannover // HMTMH [masterclass] May 9 // Hannover // Jazzclub May 10 // Nieder Olm // Begegnungen tickets and more info: https://pabloheld.com/tour

Drummer and composer RJ Miller joins Pablo Held to talk about the creative process behind his albums “Ronald’s Rhythm” and “Free Soul”, finding specific grooves for songs and what he thinks about endings. Other topics include playing in the groups of Jorge Rossy and Aaron Parks, seeing Paul Motian at the Village Vanguard, and lessons learned from Ornette Coleman and Masabumi Kikuchi.

Saxophonist & composer Chris Potter returns to ‘Pablo Held Investigates’ for an in-depth conversation, recorded just before heading out on their European tour together. Zooming in on their repertoire, Chris shares insights into his compositional process. Other topics include Herbie Hancock’s ‘Actual Proof’, what Chris pays attention to when listening to Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, playing on ‘Alegria’ by Wayne Shorter and much more. https://pabloheld.com

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Becca Stevens joins Pablo Held to talk about her new album “Maple To Paper” and the compositional process behind the title track. Other topics include learning standards, the power of lyrics and their inner rhythm, balancing creativity and parenting, and studying songs like “The Rainbow Connection,” Ornette Coleman’s “What Reason Could I Give,” and Charles Mingus’ “Portrait”.

Chris Weisman joins Pablo Held for a special episode about their unique long-distance collaboration in which they made albums for each other. They talk about exchanging songs on paper, giving up control over arrangement, production and instrumentation, and releasing records on which neither of them plays a single note of their own music. Moving beyond process, the conversation dives into questions of authorship, musical identity, and trust, as they reflect track-by-track on both albums and on the emotional experience of hearing one’s music transformed through another artist’s imagination—and how this project reshaped their understanding of what the term “my music” really means. Album links: Chris Weisman – Pablo Held Plays My Music https://chrisweisman.bandcamp.com/album/pablo-held-plays-my-music Pablo Held – Chris Weisman Plays My Music https://pabloheld.bandcamp.com/album/chris-weisman-plays-my-music 00:00:00 The origin story of this project 01:33:20 How Chris made Pablo’s album 03:14:27 How Pablo made Chris’ album

Pianist, composer & recording engineer Pete Rende joins Pablo Held to talk about strong melodies, finding your own voice and playing what you hear. Other topics include Pete’s whispering exercise, composing, working with jazz legends Paul Motian and Ron Carter, and his return to playing after a long break.

Saxophonist & composer John O’Gallagher joins Pablo Held to talk about sound and projection on the alto saxophone, his PhD research on late-period Coltrane, and how pitch-class set theory shapes his music. Other topics include stories behind the making of his new album ‘Ancestral’, playing together at Pablo’s ‘Alice Coltrane Tribute’ concert in Cologne, recording on Joe Henderson’s big band album, memories of Andrew Hill, and much more.

Bassist Larry Grenadier interviewed by Pablo Held

Pianist, composer & singer Patrice Rushen interviewed by Pablo Held

Drummer Kush Abadey interviewed by Pablo Held

Saxophonist Nicole Glover interviewed by Pablo Held

Chris Weisman interviewed by Pablo Held

Pablo Held talks about the recording process of his latest album 'Unity'

Pianist & composer Albert Sanz interviewed by Pablo Held

Drummer Eric McPherson interviewed by Pablo Held