ECM Records Podcast

In the 71st episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by pianist Ayumi Tanaka, whose new ECM album "Windflower" was recorded in a collective trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and Thomas Strønen on percussion. Ayumi talks about universality, nature, collaborative music and more.

In the 70th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bassist Steve Swallow on the occasion of his latest sextet album "Winter Songs". Steve talks about grief, gratitude, time and much more.

In the 69th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by pianist Fred Hersch on the occasion of his latest quartet album "Feebles, Fables and Ferns", recorded in 1988 with guitarist Mick Goodrick. Frad talks about connection, memories, conversation in music and much more.

In the 66th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by singer Elina Duni and guitarist Rob Luft on the occasion of their latest duo album "Reaching for the Moon". Joe talks about magi, connection, trust and more.

In the 67th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by singer and pianist Judith Berkson on the occasion of her latest trio album "Thee, They, Thy". Judith talks about spirituality, sounds, trust and much more.

In the 66th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by singer Elina Duni and guitarist Rob Luft on the occasion of their latest duo album "Reaching for the Moon". Elina and Rob talk about languages, dreams and much more.

In the 65th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by saxophonist Mark Turner on the occasion of his latest quartet album "Patternmaster". Mark talks about sci-fi, books, all the art forms and much more.

In the 64th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bassist Anders Jormin on the occasion of her latest duo album "Memento". Anders talks about the art of listening, nature, silence and more.

In the 63rd episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by pianist Julia Hülsmann on the occasion of her latest octet recording "While I Was Away". Julia talks about joy, sisterhood, languages in music and more.

In the 62nd episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bassist Björn Meyer on the occasion of his latest solo recording "Convergence". Björn talks about nature, loneliness, the art of the solo and much more.

In the 61st episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by guitarist and composer Steve Tibbetts on the occasion of his latest ECM recording "Close". Steve talks about presence, absence, parenthood, guitars and much more.

In the 60th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by two of jazz´s contemporary masters: guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Hollandi, to talk about the release of “Memories of Home”, their first duo album.

In the 59th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by lyra player Sokratis Sinopoulos and by pianist Yann Keerim, to talk about the release of “Topos”, their new duo album. Sokratis Sinopoulos and Yann Keerim talk about their collaborative past, the music ok Béla Bartók, what the term "topos" means to them and much more.

In the 58th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel to talk about the release of “Tokyo”, his new album played in trio with Scott Colley on double bass and Brian Blade on drums. Wolfgang talks about telepathy, how to write a song, music, life education, and so much more.

In the 57th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by bass legend Marc Johnson to talk about the release of “Tramonto”, the live album of John Taylor with Joey Baron and Marc Johnson, recorded in Birmingham during a Contemporary Music Network tour in 2002. Marc talks about the art of the trio, the love for the beat, long-term relationships and more.

In the 54th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the great reedsman and composer Bennie Maupin, whose iconic leader-debut "The Jewel In The Lotus" was just reissued as part of ECM's Luminessence vinyl series. Bennie talks about spirituality, arts, Miles Davis and much more.

In the 53rd episode of the ECM podcast the great saxophonist and composer Joe Lovano joins us to discuss his second recording alongside the Marcin Wasilewski trio “Homage”, which was produced by Manfred Eicher. Joe talks about the evolution of his work with the trio, about the heritage that this new album falls in line with. He also talks about ballads – how to not play something the way it looks – and much more.

In the 52nd episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Greek singer Savina Yannatou, who talks about her new album "Watersong", produced by Manfred Eicher. She talks about languages, nature, emotion through art and much more.

In the 51st episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Yuval Cohen and discuss his ECM debut album "Winter Poems", which features his new quartet with Tom Oren on piano, Alon Near on double bass and drummer Alon Benjamini. Yuval talks about his inspirations from classical music, about how a single word or melody can fix a broken heart and much more.

In the 50th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith to speak about their second offering as a duo "Defiant Life", which follows their almost a decade old collaboration for ECM, 2016's "A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke". Vijay and Wadada talk about the album's main themes: resistance, defiance, the art of the present and much more.

In the 49th episode of the ECM podcast Norwegian trumpet player Mathias Eick speaks about his new record "Lullaby", recorded in Oslo and produced by Manfred Eicher. We talked about musical education, lyrics, the magic of the studio and so much more.

In the 48th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the German-American pianist Benjamin Lackner, to discuss his new record "Spindrift", recorded with Mathias Eick, Mark Turner, Linda May Han Oh and Matthieu Chazarenc - produced by Manfred Eicher. Benjamin talks about dynamics in the band, creative process and routine, the healing properties of music and more.

In the 47th episode of the ECM podcast the Norwegian percussionst Thomas Strønen joins us to discuss his latest album "Relations" - a collaborative project with Craig Taborn, Chris Potter, Sinikka Langeland and Jorge Rossy - produced by Manfred Eicher. Strønen talks about promises, distance, sounds and much more.

In the 46th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the German violoncellist Anja Lechner to discuss her frist solo album after years of collaboration with ECM: "Bach/Abel/Hume", produced by Manfred Eicher. Anja talks about freedom, composer's dynamics, the art of playing solo and much more.

In the 45th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by the Swiss pianist Colin Vallon, who talks about his new trio record "Samares", on which he is joined by his longstanding trio with Patrice Moret on bass and Julian Satorius on drums. Colin talks about his family tree, botanical inspirations, how he collects objects on travels which he uses to make music, and much more.

In the 44th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by two guitar heros, Jakob Bro and Bill Frisell, and discuss Jakob's new album "Taking Turns" recorded alongside an all-star lineup and produced by Manfred Eicher. We talked about Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, ECM-history and guitar cases.

In the 43rd episode of the ECM podcast the pianist Marilyn Crispell joins us to discuss her trio album "Amaryllis", originally released on CD in 2001 and now available, for the first time, on vinyl as part of the Luminessence series. We talked about Marilyn's journey in music, her friendship and collaboration with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock, the encounters that changed her life and much more.

In the 42nd episode of the ECM podcast drummer Ziv Ravitz and pianist Yonathan Avishai of Avishai Cohen's quartet join the podcast to discuss the group's new album "Ashes To Gold". They talk about the art of "Kintsugi", the choice of hope and light and storytelling.

In the 41st episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Florian Weber, who's new recording "Imaginary Cycle" sees the pianist in the company of a major brass section plus a flute. Florian talks about the various inspirations that went into the cycle, including madrigals and Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble's "Officum" album. He talks about his conpirators in music, the process of developing this major musical project in collaboration with producer Manfred Eicher and about how in music, asking a question can be a lot more interesting than finding the answer.

In the 39th episode of the ECM podcast, Lucain Ban and Mat Maneri join us to discuss the fascinating process of making their new album "Transylvanian Dance". They talk about Béla Bartók, the duo's shared passion for folk music, and the beauty of transmission.

In the 38th episode of the ECM podcast, we're joined by the trio of Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas and Misha Mullov-Abbado, who present a rare alchemy on their trio debut "Za Górami", fusing folk idioms from a multitude of sources with free flowing interplay and fluid structures. Inhabiting their own stylistic realm, the trio encompasses folk song, chamber music, improvisation and acoustic jazz, and presents the full span of their reach in a mesmerizing whole. Alice, Fred and Misha talk about the meaning behind the Polish term "Za Górami", the emotional impact of Ladino songs, how the three came together and where they meet in music as well as aobut the recording session at the Auditorio in Lugano, and more.

In the 37th episode of the ECM podcast, we're joined by Italian pianist Giovanni Guidi, whose new album "A New Day" features his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and João Lobo on drums, plus the new and exciting addition of James Brandon Lewis on saxophone. Giovanni talks about the individual band members, the collaboration with Manfred Eicher as a producer and what "A New Day" means to him.

In the 36th episode of the ECM podcast, the legendary singer Norma Winstone joins us to talk about her new duo album "Outpost of Dreams", recorded in duo with pianist Kit Downes. Norma talks about her incredible career, her history with ECM and the collaboration with Kit Downes.

In the 35th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by saxophonist Oded Tzur, whose third recording for the label features an altered version of his quartet, with Nitai Hershkovits on piano, Petros Klampanis on bass and new arrival Cyrano Almeida on drums. "My Prophet" was recorded at Studios La Buissonne, in Southern France, and produced by Manfred Eicher. Oded talks about love, faith and how music can save lives.

In the 34th episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by pianist Fred Hersch, whose solo-debut for ECM Records, "Silent, Listening", was recorded in Lugano, in 2023 and produced by Manfred Eicher. In the conversation, Fred talks about the close collaboration with Manfred Eicher, the serendipity of life and how special this album is to him.

In the 33rd episode of the ECM podcast we're joined by Arve Henriksen and Harmen Fraanje, whose duo debut "Touch of Time" presents the musicians in both freely improvised forms and carefully wrought themes, picking up and finishing each other's phrases. They talk about their approach to improvising, how "Touch of Time" presents exactly where they meet in music and about how various literature informed the titles on this album.

In the 32nd episode of the ECM podcast we're once again joined by Vijay Iyer, whose new album "Compassion" is the pianist's second outing with his trio of Linda May Han Oh on bass and drummer Tyshawn Sorey and was co-produced with Manfred Eicher. Vijay talks about the state of the world, the bond created when making music in collaboration with others, album titles and compassion.

In the 31st episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by the French Saxophonist Matthieu Bordenave, whose second leader-date for ECM, "The Blue Land" features a quartet with Florian Weber on piano, bassist Patrice Moret and new addition James Maddren on drums. The album was produced by Manfred Eicher. Matthieu talks about the inspirations behind the music, his approach to composition and how it all comes together in collaboration with Manfred Eicher.

In the 30th episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by Nils Økland & Sigbjørn Apeland, whose second duo recording with ECM, Glimmer, showcases their special musical chemistry in a trans-idiomatic context. On the album the violinist and harmonium player equally draw from traditional folks songs and contemporary music. Nils and Sigbjørn talk about the inspirations behind the music on the album, and how much of it is actually improvised in the moment.

In the 29th episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by pianist Nitai Hershkovits, whose leader-debut for ECM Records is an impressive piano-solo album, recorded in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher. In our conversation, Nitai talks about his inspirations, the old wise ones in his life, the recording of this album and the magic of music.

In the 29th episode of the ECM Podcast Sinikka Langeland joins us to talk about her new album "Wind And Sun", featuring a Norwegian cast of ECM-stalwarts including trumpeter Mathias Eick, saxophonist Trygve Seim, bassist Mats Eilertsen and Thomas Strønen on drums. Sinikka talks about nature, sounds and poetry.

In the 27th episode of the ECM Podcast we are joined by John Scofield, whose newest recording, the double-album "Uncle John's Band" - the guitarist's third leader-date for the label - features Vicente Archer on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. John talks about the music he loves, the joy of playing with friends and how to turn anything into a jazz song.

In the 26th episode of the ECM Podcast we met up with Austrian guitarist/composer Wolfgang Muthspiel to talk about his new trio recording "Dance of the Elders" with Scott Colley on bass and Brian Blade on drums. On the album the group's interplay has grown even more fluid. Wolfgang takes us through the album song by song and talks about the collaborative spirit he shares with his sidemen and about the magic of being able to tell a good story through the sequencing of an album.

In the 25th episode of the ECM Podcast Polish alto-saxophonist Marciej Obara joins us to talk about his new album "Frozen Silence", recorded with his long-standing quartet of Dominik Wania on piano, Ole Morten Vågan on bass and drummer Gard Nilssen. It is the group's third album for the label and perhaps the quartet's strongest musical statement to date, inspired by the dramatic landscapes of South West Poland. Maciej talks about the different voices and colours his bandmates bring to the group, and about the various influences - from free jazz musicians like Bill Dixon to classical composers like Rachmaninoff - that informed the writing process of the music for the new album.

In this 24th episode of the ECM Podcast we're joined by Elina Duni to talk about her new recording "A Time To Remember", which sees her continuing her intimate musical conversations with Rob Luft on guitar, Fred Thomas on piano and percussion as well as Matthieu Michel on flugelhorn. Elina talks about images, sounds, exile, water and love.

In this 23rd episode of the ECM Podcast, guitarist Jacob Young joins us to talk about his new trio recording "Eventually", with Mats Eilertsen on bass and Audun Kleive on drums. Jacob talks about the process of writing and recording his first guitar trio album, about other guitarists and guitar trio records that inspired him and about the influence ECM stalwart Jon Christensen - his mentor of many years - had on him.

In the 22nd episode of the ECM Podcast, trumpeter Ralph Alessi talks about his new quartet recording "It's Always Now", on which he is joined by pianist Florian Weber, bassist Bänz Oester and Gerry Hemingway on drums. The album was produced by Manfred Eicher. Ralph gets into the differences of being a musician in the US and Europe, talks about education in music and about the art of naming songs.

In the 21st episode of the ECM Podcast, Zsófia Boros joins us to talk about her new album "El último aliento". The Vienna-based, Hungarian guitarist recorded the album at the Auditorio Stelio Molo in Lugano, with Manfred Eicher producing. On the record Zsófia interprets contemporary Argentinian compositions from Carlos Moscardini, Joaquín Alem, Quique Sinesi and Alberto Ginastera as well as expressive pieces by French composer Matthias Duplessy. In our conversation Zsófia talks about the recording session in Lugano, about how she lets instinct guide her choices of repertory, and she outlines her relationtionship to the songs she interprets and how they become her "good friends".

In the 20th episode of the ECM podcast, we are joined by acclaimed American guitarist Ralph Towner, who has been with ECM since back in 1973, when his debut for the label was released. On his new solo album, “At First Light”, recorded in Lugano in 2022, the guitarist presents new and familiar original compositions as well as a couple of songs from the Great American Songbook, performed on classical guitar. In our conversation, Ralph goes all the way back to the beginnings of his collaboration with Manfred Eicher and talks about his days as a piano player, or studying guitar in Vienna and then founding the band Oregon. Of course, we also speak about his new record.

In this 19th episode of the podcast, we are joined by British drummer and composer Sebastian Rochford, whose leader-debut for ECM, “A Short Diary”, was just released and finds him in intimate performances of deep feeling and hymn-like clarity, together with pianist Kit Downes. The album is dedicated to Rochford’s father, Aberdeen poet Gerard Rochford (1932-2019) and to his family. Seb talks about loss, grief and how the music of this special album came to him.

In this 18th episode of the podcast, we are joined by the Norwegian saxophonist-composer Mette Henriette, whose sophomore recording for the label, “Drifting”, was just released and finds her in an intimate trio setting with Johann Lindvall on piano and Judith Hamann on violoncello. Mette talks about the relationship between improvisation and composition, how important it is to give ideas time to let them mature, as well as about the recording, mixing and mastering of her new album in Oslo, France and Munich.

In this 17th episode of the ECM Podcast we got together with German-American pianist Benjamin Lackner, whose ECM debut “Last Decade” features Mathias Eick on trumpet, Jérôme Regard on bass and drummer Manu Katché. Benjamin talks about the recording of the album at Studios La Buissonne, about his past ten years and why they ended up as the album’s title, about studying with his teachers Charlie Haden and Brad Mehldau as well as about what it’s like to work with this specific group and the groove that they bring.

For this 16th episode of the ECM Podcast we met up with both Joe Lovano and Jakob Bro whose new album “Once Around The Room” is a tribute to Paul Motian and features bassists Thomas Morgan, Larry Grenadier and Anders Christensen as well as both Joey Baron and Jorge Rossy on drums. Joe and Jakob talk about the influence of Paul Motian in their music and their life, the importance of “transmission” and much more.

In this 15th episode of the ECM Podcast, we get together with German pianist Julia Hülsmann, whose new album “The Next Door”, was just released. It’s the second album by her quartet lineup with Uli Kempendorff on saxophone, Marc Muellbauer on bass and Heinrich Köbberling on drums. Julia talks about her different approaches to creating new music, what her colleagues bring to the table and what “fluidity” has to do with it all.

In this 14th episode of the ECM Podcast we’re joined by Norwegian drummer and composer Gard Nilssen, whose ECM leader-debut, “Elastic Wave”, features André Roligheten on saxophone and Petter Eldh on bass. Together the three are known as Acoustic Unity. Gard Nilssen talks about his new album, his influences – such as Ornette Coleman and Louis Moholo – and what Jon Christensen’s ride-cymbal has to do with it all.

In this 13th episode of the ECM Podcast, we meet up with Enrico Rava and Fred Hersch to discuss their duo album “The Song Is You”, produced by Manfred Eicher. We talk about friendship in music, the dynamic of this duo and the music they love to play together.

In this 12th episode of the ECM podcast we’re joined by the acclaimed American guitarist and long-time ECM recording artist Steve Tibbetts, whose discography-spanning anthology „Hellbound Train“ was released in July 2022. The double album comprises music from eight albums recorded over 40 years, from as early as his debut for the label, Northern Song, from 1982. Steve explains the nature of this double-disc set and talks about his collaborators over the years, his influences as well as the tuning and sampling techniques that make his guitar playing so unique.

In this 11th episode of the ECM podcast, we’re joined by saxophonist, bandleader and composer Oded Tzur, who released his latest ECM album “Isabela” alongside Nitai Hershkovits on piano, Petros Klampanis on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums. Oded talks about love, classical Indian music, rhythms and inspirations.

In this 10th episode of the ECM Podcast, we’re joined by trumpeter Mathias Eick, whose latest record, “When we leave” features his band with violinist Håkon Aase, Andreas Ulvo on piano, bassist Audun Erlien, Stian Carstensen on pedal steel guitar as well as drummers Torstein Lofthus and Helge Andreas Norbakken. In our conversation Mathias talks about his influences, the album tracks’ titles, his band and the “art of goodbye”.

In this ninth episode, we meet guitar legend John Scofield to talk about his first-ever solo album, “John Scofield”, released on May 6. In our conversation, John talks about his solo work, what inspires him and how to stay fresh.

In this eight episode, we catch up with Norwegian pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen, whose newest trio record, “Opening”, was released on 8 March. On the album, Tord is joined by his longtime collaborator Jarle Vespestad on drums and new addition Steinar Raknes on bass. Tord talks about what happens when you’re able to channel spontaneous inspiration into your music, the new addition to the trio on bass, how songs just come to him in the spur of the moment, and much more.

In this seventh episode, we are joined by saxophonist, bandleader and composer Mark Turner, whose new album, “Return from the Stars”, was released on 25 March. The album features Mark’s quartet with Joe Martin on bass, trumpeter Jason Palmer and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Mark talks about his fascination for sci-fi novels, the titles of his compositions and his work with Manfred Eicher, who produced the album.

In this sixth episode, we meet with Israeli trumpet player, composer and arranger Avishai Cohen, whose fifth album as a leader for ECM Records, “Naked Truth”, was released on February 25th. The album features his long-time comrades: pianist Yonathan Avishai, bassist Barak Mori and drummer Ziv Ravitz. Avishai talks about the inspirations and the process of creation that guided this album, the journey of the band and the music as well as about the importance of letting go.

In this fifth episode, we got together with pianist Kit Downes to talk about his third leader date with ECM called „Vermillion“. The new record was recorded at the Auditorio Stelio Molo in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher. On it, Kit introduces us to his piano trio featuring bassist Petter Eldh and drummer James Maddren. The pianist talks about his longstanding relationship with his collaborators, their many qualities, about how the compositions for this album evolved and the experience of recording them in Lugano with Manfred Eicher.

In this fourth episode, we met with pianist Vijay Iyer in Central Park New York and talked with him about his new trio album called "Uneasy" which was recorded with Linda May Han Oh and Tyshawn Sorey in New York. Vijay talks about his relationship with the trio, the repertoire of this project and the "unease" this album is about.

In this third episode, we are meeting with Jakob Bro, the Danish guitarist who made his first appearance on ECM as a member of drummer Paul Motian’s band. For his fifth album as a leader for ECM, Bro presents a new trio featuring Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen and Spanish drummer Jorge Rossy. Jakob talked to the signification of his titles, the particularity of this trio, and what inspired this album Uma Elmo.

In the second episode pianist, bandleader and composer Shai Maestro, talks about his new quartet album called “Human” on ECM Records, recorded together with producer Manfred Eicher in studio La Buissonne, in the south of France. Shai talks about the process of composition, the evolution of his band, and about what being human means for him.

In this first episode, saxophonist, bandleader and composer Joe Lovano talks about his new trio album called „Garden of Expression“ which was recorded together with producer Manfred Eicher in Lugano, Switzerland. A conversation about the evolution of „Trio Tapestry“ with Marilyn Crispell and Carmen Castaldi, about how he sees the momentum of the music in the melody and the harmonic sequence, about how creating music within the music is an artistic goal for him, and about how the „Seeds of Change“ on the group’s debut have taken root in „Garden of Expression“.