Shows / Close Enough for Jazz
Close Enough for Jazz
Tired of the old jazz paradigm? We call this Close Enough for Jazz because "Modern-Avant-Garde-Polyrhythmic-Sound-Art" was too long for the RSS feed. Join Lindsay and Alan Bjorklund (Birch Grove Media) for unfiltered dialogues with the composers and improvisers pushing the boundaries of the modern and avant-garde jazz scene.
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Episodes
Close Enough for JazzScat Singing, Physics, and Getting Roasted by Jazz Times with Lorin Benedict
We sit down with scat singer and physicist Lorin Benedict to explore his highly unique vocal improvisations and what it’s like to start a serious music career…
Close Enough for JazzBook Review: Nik Bärtsch on Aikido, Ritual Groove Music, and "Zen Beginner's Mind"
We take a break from our regular programming for a deep exploration into the fascinating world of Swiss pianist, composer, and "cultural entrepreneur" Nik…
Close Enough for JazzA Rare Matt Brewer Recording and the Warehouse Sound of ShapeShifter Lab
We open the vault for another installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back to October 16, 2014, for a rare bootleg of Matt Brewer's group Mythology live…
Close Enough for JazzWhy Physical Media Matters and the NYC DIY Scene with James Paul Nadien
We sit down with incredibly prolific drummer James Paul Nadien to explore his packed gig schedule, ranging from free improvisation and brutal death metal to…
Close Enough for JazzCombating Writer’s Block, Composing for Big Bands, and Extended Techniques with Anna Webber
We sit down with composer and saxophonist Anna Webber to explore her disciplined compositional process and look ahead to her upcoming nonet album, It's Easier…
Close Enough for JazzPure Improvisation, the Denver Jazz Scene, and Turning Off the Inner Critic with Kenny Warren
We sit down with trumpeter Kenny Warren to explore the boundless possibilities of modern improvisation and the magic of trusting your instincts on the…
Close Enough for JazzRevisiting the Golden Era of Williamsburg Jazz with the Alessi Quartet
We open the vault for another installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back 20 years to September 15, 2006, for a rare bootleg of the Ralph Alessi…
Close Enough for JazzJazztronica, Dream Melodies, and The Big Machine with Aaron Burnett
This episode features saxophonist Aaron Burnett to explore his evolution into "Jazztronica," discussing everything from auditioning for Wynton Marsalis over…
Close Enough for JazzInside the Mind of Chris Tordini: Upright Bass vs. Electric and Prioritizing Opportunities
We sit down with highly in-demand bassist Chris Tordini to discuss his unique approach to the instrument, from his early days playing South Jersey bookstores…
Close Enough for JazzThe Blind Pig Series - Bootleg from August 24, 2011
We open the vault for another installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back to August 24, 2011, for a rare recording of the Steve Lehman Trio featuring…
Close Enough for JazzDiscovering Freedom in Frameworks and the Forgotten Borough with Julie Maniscalco
Julie Maniscalco sits down to explore the logistical nightmares and creative triumphs of managing an 18-piece jazz orchestra in New York City. We discuss her…
Close Enough for JazzWater as a Muse, Augmented Bass, Sound Curtains and More with Pascal Niggenkemper
We sit down with bassist and composer Pascal Niggenkemper to explore his fascinating approach to the "augmented bass" and look back on our early days together…
Close Enough for JazzAnthropic, Media Destruction, and the Dystopian Future of Music AI
We explore the dystopian reality of tech companies destroying physical media to train their AI models and what this terrifying trend could mean for the future…
Close Enough for JazzThe Disappearing Middle Class of Music Venues
We record through a tornado warning to explore the global crisis facing live music venues, from the Live Nation antitrust lawsuit to the tragic closure of…
Close Enough for JazzThe Bling Pig Series - Bootleg from July 23, 2012
We open the vault for the second installment of our Blind Pig series, traveling back 14 years to July 23, 2012, for a rare bootleg recording of Nicolas…
Close Enough for JazzFace’s Upcoming Album and the Glory Days of the Bushwick Loft Scene
We step back to the gritty 2009 Brooklyn loft scene to announce the upcoming Birch Grove Media vinyl release of Fall 2009 by Alan's acoustic avant-garde band…
Close Enough for JazzThe 1985 AI Music Prophecies from a Computer Science Genius
We unearth a 41-year-old time capsule from the first edition of OPtion Magazine that accurately predicted the rise of AI in music. We review a 1985 article by…
Close Enough for JazzThe Military Histories of Ayler, Coltrane, and Threadgill
To celebrate America's 250th birthday, we explore the wild stories of three legendary jazz musicians whose time in the US military permanently altered their…
Close Enough for JazzThe Blind Pig Series - Bootleg from June 25, 2004
We open the vault to launch "The Blind Pig," a new ongoing series featuring rare, unreleased bootleg recordings of legendary live performances. To kick things…
Close Enough for JazzBehind the Scenes, Studio Tour, the How & Why: CEFJ x Podfuel
This week we take a step back to reintroduce the mission of Birch Grove Media and provide a behind the scenes tour of the studio driving the podcast. They…
Close Enough for JazzCarlos Homs and the Psychotic Work Ethic Behind Music Production
Keyboardist and producer Carlos Homs sits down with Lindsay to trace his journey from the highly intellectual avant-garde jazz scene back to his roots in…
Close Enough for JazzMusic You Can't Pigeonhole: Danny Sher on Emotion Over the Analytical
Drummer and composer Danny Sher sits down to discuss the tug-of-war between highly intellectualized composition and raw emotion. Danny breaks down his desire…
Close Enough for JazzSpecial Edition: Is AI the Death Blow for Creative Music?
In this Special Edition episode, Lindsay and Alan tackle the massive disruption of Artificial Intelligence in music. They break down the controversy…
Close Enough for JazzJosh Lopes: Dither, John Zorn, and the Art of Blasting White Noise
Guitarist and composer Josh Lopes opens up about the intersection of classical chamber music discipline and underground experimentation. He walks through the…
Close Enough for JazzSam Ospovat: From Cecil Taylor to Blight Music
Drummer Sam Ospovat discusses his technical evolution and the historical weight of performing with masters like Cecil Taylor. He breaks down the differences…
Close Enough for JazzSmirk: Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz and the Birth of a Label
Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund explore the decade-long journey of the album Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz featuring Tyshawn Sorey, Matt Mitchell, Jeremy Viner…
Close Enough for JazzKevin Scott: Scene Building and the Dancing Poodle
Bassist Kevin Scott shares lessons from the road and the technical secrets of playing "out" while keeping the pocket. From touring with Gov't Mule to the…
Close Enough for JazzRecording Unobtainium: The Bear Skinner Session
Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund join Matt Scollante to explore the intensive process of recording the new Bear Skinner album, Unobtainium. They discuss the…
Close Enough for JazzTrevor Lagrange on the Philosophy of Performance
Keyboardist Trevor Lagrange joins the show to discuss the evolution of his creative voice and the necessity of visual entertainment in live music. He breaks…
Close Enough for JazzThe Producer’s Craft: Alan Bjorklund Interviewed by Matt Scollante
Matt Scollante interviews Alan Bjorklund on the technical and philosophical evolution of the producer's role in creative music. Alan breaks down the high-level…
Close Enough for JazzBig Ears 2026: The Festival Experience
Alan & Lindsay Bjorklund and Ryan Clackner gather in Knoxville to review a weekend of live performance. They discuss the importance of "play" in improvised…
Close Enough for JazzVersatility and the "Soft Prune": Nick Jost
Bassist Nick Jost joins Lindsay to discuss his "prepped-for-anything" mindset and the reality of the creative music scene. He breaks down his roots in St…
Close Enough for JazzExit NYC: Building a Home Studio Near the Poconos
Alan and Lindsay break down the move from New York City to their new headquarters in Blairstown, NJ. They discuss the "obsessive" process of building a…
Close Enough for JazzRyan Clackner on the Death of Creative Music
Guitarist Ryan Clackner joins the show to discuss why jazz guitar often fails to harness the true power of the electric instrument. From the "incestuous"…
Close Enough for JazzIntroducing Birch Grove Media - Sovereignty, Vinyl, and 180 Grams of Jazz
In the debut episode, founders Alan and Lindsay discuss why they decided to "choose themselves" and launch Birch Grove Media. They break down the importance of…