A long way from the block
Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 93 minutes
- Episodes
- 121
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Ep. 120-Running for justice—my conversation with Deo Kato
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with the Ugandan-born, UK-raised runner Deo Kato—a man who, doing what had never been done, ran from Cape Town to London to raise awareness of social injustices …
Ep. 119-Everyday life is the way—my conversation with Born I
Ofosu Jones-Quartey—performing as Born I—is a conscious hip-hop artist and meditation teacher. A native of Washington D.C., his early life was impacted by the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. His…
Ep. 118-The crucible of survival—my conversation with Ken “Shadow” Goodman
For this episode, I sat down with Brooklyn native Ken “Shadow” Goodman, founder and chief combatives coach of 52 Blocks VTK (Violent Tactics Knowledge). We talk in depth about what it was like growin…
Ep. 117-Humble beginnings—my conversation with Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv
Guy Nattiv—the Israeli-born director, producer, and screenwriter—won an Oscar in 2019 for his short film Skin. His latest release, Tatami, is out now in select theaters. In this episode, we speak abo…
Ep. 116-Healing rituals—my conversation with Naïssam Jalal
My guest for this episode is flautist, vocalist, and composer Naïssam Jamal. Born in Paris to Syrian parents, she entered a conservatory at age six to study classical flute. We discuss her early life…
Ep. 115-Reflection of another self—my conversation with Milena Casado
In this episode, I talk with the talented trumpeter, composer, and arranger Milena Casado. Born and raised in Spain, she’s a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, where she honed her skills worki…
Ep. 114-Space-age Africans—my conversation with Ankh West
In this episode, I talk with Ankh West, a science advocate who focuses on scientific literacy within the African-American community. Science, he explains, can be a tool for promoting rigorous academi…
Ep. 113-Never miss your house—my conversation with Wren T. Brown
I had the pleasure of recording this episode inside the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, in L.A., hometown of the talented Wren T. Brown. Wren is an actor, film producer, and theater director, who…
Ep. 112-The Young Lion-my conversation with Kahlil Childs
For this episode, I sat down with the young lion Kahlil Childs, an alto saxophonist and multi-reedist who leads his own quartet here in San Diego. At 15, he has already made a name for himself on the…
Ep. 111-Interrogating black history—my conversation with Dr. Kamau Rashid
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kamau Rashid, professor and director of the Kemetic Institute of Chicago. We speak in detail about the importance of African and African-American history and its powe…
Ep. 110-African Time—my conversation with Elder Herbie Tsoaeli
South African bassist, composer, and arranger Herbie Tsoaeli is affectionately known, in certain circles, as Malume, a term of respect for older men who serve as elders. In this episode, we discuss h…
Ep. 109-Poetry is my foundation—my conversation with Liza Jessie Peterson
Liza Jessie Peterson’s parents provided her with a grounding that allowed her, she says, to teeter at the edge of the cliff but never jump. The artist, activist, poet, playwright, and actor had early…
Ep. 108-Activate my blessings—my conversation with Professor Zahalea Anderson
Professor Zahalea Anderson is a second-generation student of Sanuces Ryu JuJitsu System and founder of RA Life Defense. We recently met at her makeshift outdoor studio, at Bluff Park in Long Beach, t…
Ep. 107-Honoring Ethiopian roots—my conversation with Romeo Regalli
For this too-short conversation, I sat down with Romeo Regalli, chef and co-owner of Ras Plant Based, located in Brooklyn and New York's West Village. We discussed his upbringing in Ethiopia, embedde…
Ep. 106-Daughter of the soil—my conversation with Thandiswa Mazwai
In this inspiring episode, I talk with South African rebel singer Thandiswa Mazwai, discussing her upbringing in Soweto, South Africa, during the Apartheid era. Her memories of the violence that took…
Ep. 105-Cultivators of conscious culture—my conversation with Derrick Banks
Derrick Banks is the owner and operator of Freshly Faded Barber + Shop in North Park, San Diego. Coming up, he was mentored by local barbers such as those at Gentry’s, part of the San Diego scene for…
Ep. 104-Claiming your own DNA—my conversation with Carl Hancock Rux
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Rux Revue, the groundbreaking debut album by Carl Hancock Rux. Not long ago, we sat down for an in-depth discussion about his hands-on involvement in its makin…
Ep. 103-My culture informs my voice—my conversation with Linda Sikhakhane
In this latest episode, I talk with South African saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane, who honors and pays homage to the great elders and master musicians, including Brian Thusi. Sikhakhane, wh…
Ep. 102- The process of discovery—my conversation with Kris Davis
After seeing Grammy-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis, live at the Village Vanguard, I knew I wanted to sit down with her and dive into jazz. Here we discuss her philosophy of improvisation and…
Ep. 101- The seat of my soul Pt. 3—my conversation with Lynel “Dukeysticc” Allen III
In my first-ever interview with an audience, I sat down with Lynel Allen III for the third installment of “The seat of my soul.” We revisited topics from our prior conversations (Episodes 79 and 81) …