Season 2, Ep. 5: Jack Cooper

In Episode 5 we catch up with Dr. Jack Cooper. A busy man, Cooper is director of jazz studies at the University of Memphis, currently he also serves as the Composer and Arranger in Residence for the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, and performs with various ensembles. We delve into the nitty gritty of working in music both in and out of the world of academia. We do geek out and get into the weeds at times and details are plentiful, but lots of great information to be had.

Show Notes

1:50     Cooper’s current projects and travels. Memphis as an incubator for musical talent. Former students who have gone on to do great things.

22:38   Carl tosses a Larry King style softball…”What does a jazz education afford someone today?” The Unanswered Ives documentary (check it out below).

42:45   More talk about Charles Ives the great 20th century American composer. We nerd out again but lots of great info. How did Ives project come about? Wow Berg for big band?

56:14   What is the experience like living in both worlds (jazz and classical). Nerd alert

1:01:05  Carl goes to Branson, MO. Jonathan goes to a Prince…more nerd alert. Back on track to thinking about hopes for Memphis. Post Malone?

1:22:00   Teaching composition students. Gee whiz if I am a composer you mean I have to write a lot of music?

1:29:00.  How do you measure your output on a writing day?

1:35:45   Transcribing as a teaching tool. Reverse composition. Get into the weeds…lots of fun.

1:53:30   No I didn’t move. No I’m not moving. Life in Berlin…music, life, history.

links

https://www.memphis.edu/music/fac-staff/bios/cooper-j.php

http://accentus.com/productions/the-unanswered-ives

Season 2, Ep. 4 (:20): Stoned Ninja

In this episode we sit down with the creators of Stoned Ninja at the lovely 409 South Main building in Memphis. Gabriel DeRanzo (writer) and Greg Cravens (artist) have come together to bring life to “a new strain of hero.” We get an education in the world of comic creation and what it takes to make an idea into a reality.

Show Notes

1:50     “Right out of the gate” we talk about the origins of this new Ninjalante character. We quickly get into the nitty gritty of teasing out a viable story.

10:00   The meeting of the Stoned Ninja creators, 901 Comics, Chris Davis.

12:35   Wow. This is your first attempt at publishing? Managing “time suckage” and phone observations…damn phones.

17:30   Greg Cravens: illustrator and comic strip creator. Find him at hubriscomics.com.

21:10   Physical product in the digital age and brick and mortar comic dealers. Future issues. Cannabis culture…and the Devil’s Lettuce stereotypes.

34:14   What should new writers expect from the world of comic book publishing. Give it time, we get there…Copyrighting and trademarks. Being your own advocate.

43:45   “you’re like Tony Robbins with a gallon of whiskey.” Good momentum all positive so far people asking about 2nd issues.

47:50   Finding your inner Hemingway for efficiency. Comic books can be like pop songs. Weapons research.

55:00   Holy smokes Diamond Distribution handles all the English language comics in the US, Canada, and Europe…and they are right here in Memphis!

links

https://stonedninjacomics.com/

http://hubriscomics.com/

http://www.901comics.com/

https://www.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/3/103

Here is an article from Fly on the Wall by previous Memphis Machine guest, Chris Davis.

https://www.memphisflyer.com/FlyontheWallBlog/archives/2018/11/21/roll-local-with-memphis-made-comic-stoned-ninja

Season 2, Ep. 3: Holly Whitfield

Say hello to Holly Whitfield! Holly is the writer, curator, blogger, of www.ilovememphisblog.com, which is the “go to” source of info on what to do in Memphis. If you are planning a trip to Memphis or live here already this is the blog to follow.

Show Notes

1:10     Carl admits that he does not read the blog. We discover that ilovememphisblog.com reads like a personal blog but is actually a product of Memphis Tourism.

6:30     Works at the Commercial Appeal. Holly reveals a dark secret.

10:30   Architecture school first…then writer of creative non-fiction plus a degree in graphic design. Burgers. We go on…and on about food and local establishments.

18:25   Recent Memphis excitement. Memphis is getting intentional about “advancements.” I’m sorry?...kayaking the MISSISSIPPI RIVER?!

24:18   Speaking to other “fears” of downtown.

27:55   Traveling to promote Memphis and other adventures.

31:57   Other cities who are doing the same as ilovememphisblog

35:10   Hey! Let’s talk about music. Writing about music, new genres, pop-up music scene, etc.

41:35   Carl’s Welshman on Beale story…again. More music talk.

47:23   Top 5 ish things to do in Memphis…and other impossible questions.

51:00   What is next for Holly Whitfield?

links

http://ilovememphisblog.com/

Find Holly on Twitter @ilovememphis

On Instagram @ilovememphisblog

Season 2, Ep. 2: Crosstown Arts

Lately, the first place I take visiting friends and family is Crosstown Concourse. It never disappoints. The vendors, the gallery, the (slowly becoming iconic) red staircase, the building’s enormity, etc, eventually lead to them saying “Wow…but…what is this place?” Well in this episode we only get into the question of “What is Crosstown Arts” while scratching the surface of the rest. We chat with Caitlin Hassinger, Eso Tolson, Jenny Davis, and Joy Marseille for a better understanding of the initiative known as Crosstown Arts. Enjoy!

Show Notes

1:45     Introducing the gang and getting right into some history thanks to Caitlin.

5:30     Joy breaks down some of the community programs (art, dance, theatre, music). The metaphors begin lol. Eso Tolson is the performance coordinator. Jenny is a musician and is also currently apart of the music department at Crosstown.

12:14   Outreach. Giving kids a chance to “be” which is essential to the creative process.

15:40   Strategies to actually reach out.

21:00   Love affair with suburbia?

25:40   Not afraid of dead air…and things you might not see, like Shared Art Making Labs

28:00   The Doll House: new state of the art theatre and since the interview Carl and I had the opportunity to perform a concert and it was really fantastic. The acoustics are incredible

31:30   Don’t forget about 430 N Cleveland…its still active and was the incubator for Crosstown Arts. The future and measuring the success of the first year.

34:53   Carl has another “Revelation” moment. Anticipation of the Art Bar. Mentoring and spreading the message of Crosstown.

links

https://crosstownarts.org/

https://www.facebook.com/CrosstownArts/

https://www.instagram.com/crosstownarts/

https://www.instagram.com/crosstownarts/

Season 2, Ep. 1: Joyce Cobb

In this episode we sit down with Joyce Cobb. Cobb is Memphis royalty. She is an incredible vocalist and entertainer and an absolute delight to be around. Cobb’s journey through the world of music is a great example of what it means to hustle, work, and diversify. In addition to her massive repertoire, she is a songwriter, was the last recording artist at Stax Records, and currently teaches voice at Rhodes College here in Memphis. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Show Notes

2:30     The best place to begin is the beginning…Oklahoma. “If I sing…they love me. If I don’t they don’t even know me.”

5:40     b.1945. Father comes home from war, pursues college and Joyce begins to move around the country. Early emphasis on obtaining an education. She begins to diversify her musical tastes.

10:00   First careers…”could’ve, should’ve, would’ve.” Joyce is into “the human” (beautiful)

17:15   “You have the art, and you have the fashion.” Money, music, intrinsic value of music.

21:00   Truth about ego in music

25:13  Nashville. Charline Pride. Gee whiz are you saying that the American Song Book is important to know? We get into the weeds a bit…nerd out etc.

38:15   Song writing. Anthems of Sanity. Sting (again)

43:00   Shoe Productions, original catalogue, Hot Fun Band, Wayne Crook

48:30   Millennials are not…evil?

53:30   Looking ahead…music in Memphis. What Joyce tells her students at Rhodes.

1:02:00    back to the intrinsic value of music. Joyce’s battle with cancer. It gets real.

1:15:20.   Bacon. Revelation. BACON. The afterlife. Bacon and swing. Dealing with mortality.

1:20:20    Humans.

1:24:25    New projects. Legacy. Love from Memphis. Looking back to Joyce’s club.

                Figuring out this whole life thing…being happy. Still gigging still hustling.

https://www.rhodes.edu/bio/joyce-cobb

https://www.resourceentertainment.com/entertainers/Joyce-Cobb

Episode 6: Opera Memphis: Ned Canty and Michael Sakir

Memphis Machine gets classy and goes to the Opera, Opera Memphis. We speak with Michael Sakir (conductor) and Ned Canty (director). These gentlemen are titans of opera and a joy to talk to. We have a very enlightening discussion about opera and its relevance in Memphis. Enjoy.

8:00  Ned’s philosophy of opera and music in general…and he is “trained in fear?” And oh those jaded hipsters.

11:45  Jonathan calls Ned out! “What, if any, is the difference between musical theatre and opera?” Ned expertly breaks this down for us.

17:09  You cannot say you have not heard opera. Michael Sakir!

20:20  An opera testimony. Opera Memphis promotes an open door environment. Come see an open rehearsal!!! Napoleon and opera?

26:14  Memphis musicians’ and vocalists’ roll in Opera Memphis and the life of an opera singer.  

33:20  “Thirty Days of Opera”

38:45  “The Playground King”

43:25   The Summer Conservatory for Teens and other outreach

46:20  Omakase, staying relevant, and Memphis music and musicians in Opera Memphis.

55:10  Opera Memphis partners with…wait for it…the United States Department of Defense.

58:40  What are your hopes for Memphis

links

https://www.operamemphis.org/

Ned’s TED Talk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1IzKcpPW3w

http://www.michaelsakir.com/

Episode 5: Chris Davis

In this episode we speak with Memphis’s own Chris Davis. Chris is a journalist for the Memphis Flyer and writes the blogs Intermission Impossible and Fly on the Wall. He is also a talented actor, song writer, and musician with Papa Top's West Coast Turnaround. We keep it light even when we don’t, and talk about everything under the Memphis sun.

10:50  Chris (the pro journalist) quickly coaches the two hacks pretending to be journalists to ask questions and so we asked him about Fly on the Wall.

13:30  John Daly saves Fly on the Wall…Fibonacci, 19th hole

15:00  Carl misses the “old money” joke, and other weirdness with nudes of George Wallace and black velvet paintings of Richard Nixon and tales of drinking and bidding.

18:57  Observing various aspects of Memphis culture, politics, media, etc. Graceland stories from back in the day.

23:37  existing in Memphis, hearing Memphis music, hanging on the lawn with Rufus Thomas, standing on line with Ernest Withers, or selling steamed veggies to Alex Chilton…MEMPHIS!!!

30:45  Speaking of Cybil Shepard (yeah she was mentioned earlier) check out the Jack Robinson Gallery

33:00  the perpetual “formation” of Memphis and easy questions like “What needs to change and do you see it happening?” The “urban pioneer” speaks. Greenlaw.

42:45  did you know that Carl is from southern California? He was wrong about the bible belt. Chris’s take on the spiritual “ness” or “vibe” (perhaps) in Memphis and other super light conversation on religion.

50:55  Audiophiles in Memphis.

55:00  come back after the break and get into Memphis Theatre scene. David Foster!

1:01:35  Intermission Impossible blog, Chris’s acting and director experiences, McCoy Theatre, Papa Top's West Coast Turnaround, Daddy Drinks Because You Cry. Dale Watson. Honky Tonk and a quick country music history lesson.

1:09:50  the Murder Ballad conversation. The Knoxville Girl

1:19:05  the 68 Comeback Special and the impossible question about Elvis and Memphis. So..Graceland opens and pulls people into Memphis from the world over and someone thinks it’s a good idea to tear down Stax…WHAT?

1:33:10  Hopes for Memphis question

Links

 https://www.memphisflyer.com/blogs/TheaterBlog/

https://www.memphisflyer.com/blogs/FlyontheWallBlog/

http://www.resourceentertainment.com/entertainers/papa-tops-west-coast-turnaround

https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherWadeDavis?fb_dtsg_ag=AdwvPC_FyGUCoZcHEI0tgWq-q-msW73LXGy28REjd3muPA%3AAdxHkdyz9zNIT2ylkP5WNWBp2_fIZAeW8voV3rFwjlZr1Q

Episode 4: Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor is synonymous with Memphis music. He is a drummer, bassist, guitarist, producer, and song writer. We talk about Memphis history, tons of music, and we also nerd out occasionally. This interview happened in the cozy confines of the Crosstown Concourse/Arts studio, an incredible creative space augmenting the arts residency program.

9:15  Paul’s parents and his upbringing around music. Transmaximus and Paul’s Stax songwriting aunt. Steve Cropper may be the reason for Paul’s existence.

13:40  John Hampton teaches Pat Taylor his craft. Crosstown Arts. Paul Learns to handle recording gear early on. Playing at Ardent at 3 years old.

18:10  “accidentally” becoming a bass player. Getting into other music. Discovering Jaco and Mike Watt

24:00  Roll of a bassist. Playing jazz. Sam Shoup gives Paul his Fender Jazz Bass

31:08  knowing how the instruments function in an ensemble. Paul on drums. “Sympathetic to what I want to hear from another instruments.” Song writing and listening more than playing. Givem’ chills

36:00  Eric Gales and other second generation Memphis musicians. Luther, Cody, and Jim Dickinson. Mudboy and the Neutrons. Studio etiquette. King’s Palace with Charlie Wood and Calvin Newborne

41:46  “can’t hang on to the concept that there was this ONE iconic time” (in Memphis music). Humans playing music…the gospel of live performance and Carl’s Wayne Krantz story.

46:33  What changes in the scene have you observed in Memphis.

50:00  The new stuff. The Old Forest Loop and New Memphis Colorways.

56:00  Rejection. These kids today…are pretty stinkin cool.

58:35  Speaking of rooms…lets talk about Crosstown Arts studio. What is it with working at home vs a work place.

1:07:49  Paul has a podcast/vlog as well

1:10:35  Ed Finney, brilliant jazz guitarist, Howard Grimes, Sam Shoup

1:13:30  Carl’s wrap up and Paul disagreeing with Carl’s 90’s assessment. Paul quits playing bass and digs into drums and we nerd out on gear…oh and the great Shawn Lane.

links

http://www.paulsnowflaketaylor.com/

http://crosstownarts.org/