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. 80-Music beyond the notes—my conversation with Omer Avital
In this episode, I join jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Omer Avital in his beautiful, intimate studio in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Givatayim, Israel, to Moroccan and Yemeni parents, Omer studied …
Ep. 79- "The seat of my soul" -my conversation with Lynell "Dookie Stick" Allen III
In this episode, I sit down with one of the greatest Pop Warner running backs of all time, as well as one of the best pop lockers in San Diego history and an OG from the West Coast Crips. We discuss …
Ep. 78-Creativity from an artificial source—my conversation with Steve Lehman
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Lehman, visionary alto saxophonist and composer, to discuss his project "Ex Machina," a collaboration with the grammy-nominated Orchestre National de Jazz (ONJ)…
Ep. 77-A series of negotiations—my conversation with Yohance Joseph Lacour
In this episode, I interview Chicago-based investigative journalist Yohance Lacour. Our conversation ranges from his upbringing—books he was given by his parents, the influence of an uncle, and his e…
Ep. 76-A collaboration interview with filmmaker Rose Sanchez
During this episode I sat sown with local San Diego film maker Rose Sanchez to do my first ever collaboration interview. We go back and forth interviewing each other. She recently graduated from SDS…
Ep. 75-Heritage, home and remembrance-my conversation with Jahsun Edmonds
In this episode I sat down with Jahsun Edmonds aka Oluwo Ifakolade, head priest of Idin Kaa Ifa Temple in Los Angeles. We discussed his recent journey to Nigeria for the World Ifa Orisha Festival. …
Ep. 74-Raising the planetary frequencies-my conversation with Bigg Jus & Orko Eloheim of the hip-hop group NMS.
In this episode I talk with mc's and producers of the hip-hop group NMS (Nephlim Modulation Systems). We discuss they're upcoming album NMS 3- Liberation Is The Only Thing Left. Their two previous al…
Ep. 73-The Sage of Buxton—a special tribute to Baba Eusi Kwayana
In this episode I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for a celebration, It was Baba Eusi's 98th birthday. Friends, family, former students and many others who walked with him in the struggle gathered t…
Ep. 72-No Tables No Chairs-my conversation with Mausiki Scales
In this episode, I sit down with musician, bandleader, professor, and historian Mausiki Scales. We talk about his growing-up years in Gary, Indiana, where he was raised in a household that promoted e…
Ep. 71-Capoeira Angola Beyond the Roda—my conversation with Mestre Roxinho
In this episode, Mestre Roxinho and I discuss his childhood in Bahia, playing soccer and living on the streets. We talk about the strong sense of cultural identity instilled in him by his mother—his …
Ep. 70-Seeing the bandstand as a place for ritual-my conversation with Nduduzo Makhathini
In this episode, musician Nduduzo Makhathini and I talk extensively about African spirituality and cosmology and their influence on his creative process. We discuss the effects of apartheid in South …
Ep. 69-Protecting human and civil rights—my conversation with Andrea Guerrero
A lawyer by trade, Andrea Guerrero approaches the law with an eye toward change. In this episode, she shares how being multilingual and multicultural—she was raised in Mexico—has helped to shape her …
Ep. 68-Reflection & Action—my conversation with Brett Cook
Interdisciplinary artist Brett Cook's current exhibit, at The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, is profound. In this episode, we talk about the history of some of the installations, i…
Ep. 67-Blacktronika: Afrofuturism in Electronic Music- my conversation with King Britt
Philadelphia born and Pew Fellowship recipient, King James Britt (his real name) is a 30+ year, producer, composer and performer in the global advancement of electronic music. As a composer and produ…
Ep. 66-John Coltrane—a tribute to the man and the music
In this episode, I discuss legendary saxophonist John Coltrane with talented historians, writers, and, of course, musicians. One of those musicians, Charles McPherson, knew Coltrane personally. Coltr…
Ep. 65-A true team player—my conversation with former NBA forward Bobby Ray Jones Jr.
Bobby Ray Jones Jr. grew up in a two-parent household in Compton, CA. In this episode, I talk with him about how home, sports, academics, and being an introvert all helped keep him busy and out of …
Ep. 64-When philanthropy cultivates black excellence--my conversation with Ivy Newman
In this episode, we hear how Ivy Newman developed her passion for entrepreneurship as a young child. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, she grew up in a strong religious household, her mom a deac…
Ep. 63-Sports, Family, and Community—my conversation with lifelong friends Andre Hardy and Yogi
Andre Hardy and Yogi have been friends since childhood. In this conversation, we discuss how they met and how sports, family, and community—three of the things that have mattered most in my own life—…
Ep. 62-"There's a voice for us"—my conversation with jazz vocalist Dwight Trible
Musical intro sung by legendary underground Hip-Hop MC Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship.
Origins and influences are featured in this episode's conversation with Dwight Trible, including his love and ap…
Ep. 61-Fire music and hymn rhythms—Anthony Joseph talks jazz, poetry, and his Trinidadian roots
In this episode, Anthony Joseph discusses growing up in a culturally rich community, raised by his grandparents, playing soccer and eating mangoes. We talk about his move to the United Kingdom in his…