August 09, 2023
Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana but based in New Orleans, Doug Belote is one of the most in demand drummers on the scene today. He has played or recorded with too many musicians to name but some of these include Jerry Douglas, Derrick Trucks, Dr. John, John Oates, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter, Anders Osborne, Ryan Cavanaugh, and many more (including yours truly). Doug can play anything, from the most avant garde jazz to a rock solid train beat.
Take a listen to Doug's musical story, some of his concept about locking in a groove but playing in the cracks, as well as one of the most hillarious stories about how he got hired to be Jerry Douglas' (the dobro player) drummer and how he thought he was trying out for the Jerry Reed gig!
August 02, 2023
We're glad to feature shredding 5-string banjoist Ryan Cavanaugh back on the Banjo Studio podcast as we reboot our podcast in this 1st episode of Season 2. Ryan just released a fantastic record called Ryan Cavanaugh Screams Electric with his New Orleans based jazz fusion trio. We get into the process of making this record as well as a number of other topics.
February 10, 2022
In this episode we interview French guitarist Antoine Boyer. Antoine has his roots in gypsy jazz but progressed to study in depth classical guitar and modern jazz.
July 10, 2021
May 03, 2021
We recently sat down to talk with 5-string banjo legend Tony Trischka. Tony has been a pioneer in progressive bluegrass and 5-string banjo for decades. He has won numerous awards and has pushed the banjo into new territories.
March 04, 2021 2 Comments
February 14, 2021 1 Comment
David Grier is one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time. Listen to his reflections on Tony Rice's influence, the direction of bluegrass today, his own influences, and more.
August 21, 2020 1 Comment
David Immergluck is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom, as well as for his tenure with American singer songwriter John Hiatt.
August 06, 2020 2 Comments
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.
July 24, 2020
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.
July 09, 2020
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.
June 27, 2020 1 Comment
June 07, 2020
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.
May 31, 2020 2 Comments
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 plays and sings a few tunes! Take a listen!
May 21, 2020 1 Comment
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, and what it was like growing up around the music of his father Del McCoury.
May 09, 2020