Episode 11 – Byron Wallen

Episode 11 of the Turquoise Coconut Podcast. We spoke to composer and trumpeter Byron Wallen about his music, global travels, computational Zodiac prediction, freedom and more. Turquoise Coconut is a UK-based independent record label. For more info, visit us at turquoisecoconut.com or find us on Facebook. New music for curious ears.

Recorded on 7 June 2017.

Music featured in this podcast:

Harmony of the Spheres: Byron Wallen [trumpet, flugelhorn, sepik flutes, shenai, murex shell, ocarina, gamelan, talempung, anklung, percussion, samples], Tony Kofi [baritone and soprano sax], Larry Bartley [bass], Tom Skinner [drums] | ‘Indigo’ [2002]

Moonchild: Byron Wallen [voice, trumpet, flugelhorn, samples], Alan Weekes [guitar], Jonathan Shorten [keyboards], Ed Jones [tenor sax], Dennis Rollins [trombone], Peter Martin [bass], Richard Ajileye [percussion], Airto Moreira [ride cymbal], Jerry Brown [drums], Sound Advice [backing vocals] | ‘Byron Wallen’s Sound Advice’ [1995]

Rhythm of the Gods: Byron Wallen [trumpet, flugelhorn, sepik flutes, shenai, murex shell, ocarina, gamelan, talempung, anklung, percussion, samples], Tony Kofi [baritone and soprano sax], Larry Bartley [bass], Tom Skinner [drums] | ‘Indigo’ [2002]

Healing Ceremony: Byron Wallen [trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards, vocals, panpipes, trombone, programming], Richard Ajileye [percussion], Alan Weekes [guitar], Peter Martin [bass], Arif Durvesh [tabla, dholak, shenai, nakari] | ‘Earth Roots’ [1997]

Ali Bambaraka: Byron Wallen [trumpet, producer], Oumarou Namazarou [peul flute], Si Mohamed Chaouqi [tbel drum, guimbri], Martin Colliver [producer] | ‘Bambaraka’ [Automatic Original 1997]

Initiation: Byron Wallen [trumpet, shells, samples, percussion], Boujemaa Boubul [vocals, guimbri, gogo, percussion], Tony Kofi [baritone and soprano sax], Larry Bartley [bass], Tom Skinner [drums] | ‘Meeting Ground’ [2007]

Spirit of the Ancestors: Byron Wallen [trumpet, flugelhorn, shells, piano, percussion], Rob Luft [guitar], Paul Michael [bass guitar], Rod Youngs [drums], Plumcroft Primary School Class 3G & 3H [vocals] | ‘Portrait’ [2020]

Erratum: Guitarist Dave Okumu was born in Vienna to Kenyan parents, ultimately settling in London via Edinburgh and Paris.