Pablo Held Investigates

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