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. 100- Great Highland Park Stories Vol. 1
To celebrate the 100th episode of this podcast, a podcast inspired by the concept of roots, I offer you a tribute to Highland Park. In San Diego, when I was young, this park was Mecca—the place where…
Ep. 99- "I started this to heal myself"—my conversation with Azikiwee Anderson
Azikiwee Anderson founded his San Francisco bakery, Rize Up, as a way to heal. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Anderson began channeling his feelings one loaf at a time in his home kitchen; fro…
Ep. 98-Surrender to the music—my conversation with Corcoran Holt
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Corcoran Holt before his performance with the Kenny Garrett group, at the world-famous Blue Note. The jazz bassist, composer, and educator discussed th…
Ep. 97-From block to bishop—my conversation with Cornelius Bowser
In 1984, Bishop Cornelius Bowser experienced a major transition: he decided to leave gang- and street-life behind and turn his life over to Christ. In this episode, we talk about the years that prece…
Ep. 96-Food, Family, Music—my conversation with DJ Nu-Mark
In this episode, I talk with DJ Nu-Mark, world-renowned producer, turntablist, and member of the legendary hip-hop group Jurassic 5. He has a brand-new cookbook/memoir out, called Amu Nu. In describi…
Ep. 95-Show them that light—my conversation with Sanah Kadoura
Prior to her performance at Dizzy's Club, I had the pleasure of talking with Lebanese-Canadian drummer, composer, producer, and educator Sanah Kadoura. This week's episode encompasses that conversati…
Ep. 94-The Sun Rises in The East—my conversation with Tayo and Cynthia Giwa
In this episode, I sat down with Brooklyn’s own Tayo and Cynthia Giwa, the husband and wife filmmaking team and creators of Black-Owned Brooklyn. Their current documentary, “The Sun Rises in The East…
Ep. 93- “My fingers are dancing grassroots”—a tribute to Horace Tapscott
In this episode, we celebrate the legendary Los Angeles community leader, mentor, jazz pianist, and composer Horace Tapscott. Among my guests are former members of the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, f…
Ep. 92-A competitor like no other-my conversation with Keith Barksdale.
For this episode, I sat down with a former Hoover High basketball backcourt teammate. Back then, he went by Keith Williams; later in life, he changed his last name to Barksdale, in recognition of his…
Ep. 91-Drums of Passion-my conversation with Nic Cacioppo
While traveling on the East Coast, I stopped by the Jersey City apartment/studio of jazz drummer and composer Nic Cacioppo, to discuss his jazz journey. In this interview, he talks about the influenc…
Ep. 90-Wordsmith of the highest degree—my conversation with Myka 9
Myka 9 is one of the most prolific MCs of all time. In this interview, he talks in depth about the components of thought and influence that shape his rhyme style. His entire approach is inflected wit…
Ep. 89-“She is known for her soil”—my conversation with Dr. Theresa “T” Ford
Dr. T. Ford is a venerable elder in San Diego. As part of my series dedicated to documenting elders, we sat down together to discuss her upbringing—how her parents showed her at an early age what bla…
Ep. 88-You're not going to pass me—my conversation with Regina Peters and Hannibal Smith
For this episode, I sat down with two incredible ultra-runners: Hannibal Smith, who has appeared on this podcast before and is a trainer and co-owner of NXPT Fitness; and Regina Peters, who is also a…
Ep. 87-Make room in the mouth for grass—my conversation with Layli Long Soldier
In this episode, I sat down with Layli Long Soldier in her Albuquerque studio to talk about her upbringing. I spoke with the Oglala Lakota poet, writer, artist, and activist about some of the history…
Ep. 86-Do no harm—my conversation with John Williams
In this episode, I talk with John Williams about his unique approach to coaching, training, and mentoring athletes. At the core of his teaching is the Hippocratic oath. He discusses how he adapts and…
Ep. 85-The sweet spot of discovery—my conversation with Tongo Eisen-Martin
Tongo Eisen-Martin is the current Poet Laureate of San Francisco, his hometown. He's also an educator and an activist. We talk about the influence of his activist mother and the role she played in hi…
Ep. 84-The knight of swords—my conversation with JD Allen
To mark the release of his new album, THIS, I sit down with tenor saxophonist and composer JD Allen. We talk extensively about what went into making the album, the musicians he chose for the project,…
Ep. 83-"I think of my parents"-my conversation with Tamar Greene
In this episode, I talk with Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in the current Broadway production of "Hamilton." We discuss his upbringing in Rochester, NY, and—thanks to his parents—his earl…
Ep. 82-Purveyor of sonic eclectics—my conversation with LeRoy Downs
For this episode, I sat down with the Jazzcat himself, LeRoy Downs, to talk about all things jazz. Born and raised in LA, listening to KDAY, it wasn't until he saw artists like Roy Hargrove and Teren…
Ep. 81-"The seat of my soul" Pt. 2—my conversation with Lynell "Dukeysticc" Allen III
In my follow-up interview with Lynell Allen, we talk about his growing up on the Coast and spending time at the local rec center and boys' club. We delve into his father's influence and the time Alle…