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Theater


Amy Brenneman

'Staying on Top' • Amy Brenneman adds both luster and depth to the female characters she portrays, whether on stage, television, or in film. As she has gained acclaim and influence through a succession of hit TV shows, from "NYPD Blue," to "Judging Amy," and "Private Practice" she has been able to be selective about her projects. By design or empathy, her work has increasingly been in collaboration with women writers, and helped raise their acclaim and influence. • READ

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Betty Buckley

'Comin' Back' • The Tony®-winner and Theater Hall-of-Famer talks about her 2016 appearances at the Segerstrom Center and Ahmanson Theatre, and returning to the places and passions of her youth. • READ

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Marsha Mason

'Goodbye Girl' to 'Wife' • In 2007, prior to her recording of Charles Busch's 'The Allergist's Wife' for LA TheaterWorks, the four-time Oscar-nominee talked about her film and stage work. • READ

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Aaron Posner

'The Dazzle' • Aaron Posner's work was terra incognitafor me until spring of 2013, when Arye Gross told me his next stage role would be Dr. Sorn – a marriage of brother Sorin and Dr. Dorn from Chekhov's The Seagull – in a zesty adaptation entitled Stupid Fucking Bird. The adapter was Aaron Posner. I caught up with Posner before South Coast Repertory's 2014 West Coast premiere of The Tempest, adapted by Posner and Teller • READ

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Jazz


Karrin Allyson

'All Original' • Karrin Allyson is a great contemporary example of the few who combine two qualities that distinguish enduring jazz vocalists: the character of the voice and phrasing. In 2018, following the release of her first recording of originals and prior to her Catalina's Jazz Club appearance, a look back at our 2006 conversation. • READ

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Kenny Barron

'Dizzying Heights' • Pianist Kenny Barron, one of four headliners from the 2009 Monterey Jazz Festival touring the U.S. in Spring 2010, speaks about his career and collaborators. • READ

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Gary Burton

'Lasting Vibes' • When I spoke with the great Indiana-born vibraphonist, the reigning masters of mallet and metal were Burton, Bobby Hutcherson and Stefon Harris. Following the passing of Hutcherson and the emergence of Warren Wolf, Burton remains the dean of the instrument. • READ

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Terri Lyne Carrington

'Mosaic Maker' •.Prior to her appearance at the Segerstrom Center with Geri Allen and Esperanza Spalding – as the ACS trio – the busy drummer took time to discuss her career, her composing, and her exciting musical projects. • READ

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Kurt Elling

'Moving Ahead' • Vocalist Kurt Elling has earned acclaim for both recordings and live performances. The Washington Post wrote that he has a “sense of being on a musical mission,” while Jazztimes applauded his “triumphant reign as the thinking man’s vocalist.” • READ

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Emilio Castillo

'Decades Together' • In 2018, on the occasion of Tower of Power's 50th Anniversary and first release of original material in a decade, I sift through four interviews with band co-founder and leader, Emilio "Mimi" Castillo, conducted between 1977 and 2017, for a survey of the group's remarkable history. • READ

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Stefon Harris

'Global Vibes' • Capable of driving vibraphone runs as leader of his band Blackout, Stefon Harris was driving through New York on an errand run for his pregnant wife when we caught up with him for a first profile. In 2011, he was stationary, the baby was healthy, and he was engaging in many projects. • READ

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Rickie Lee Jones

'Beat Angel' • Communication via email didn't diminish this fascinating interview with this singular poet songwriter prior to a concert in Cerritos. • READ

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Ramsey Lewis

'Having an In' • The year 2015 marked the 50th Anniversary of The Ramsey Lewis Trio's historic hit record, 'The In Crowd.' However, our conversation had to begin with my thanking him for his 2006 PBS program, 'Legends of Jazz,' with its invaluable interviews with and performances by 30 jazz artists. • READ

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Joe Lovano

'Cleveland Bops' Many jazz musicians grew up in homes filled with music. For saxophone great Joe Lovano, a healthy portion of the music in his Cleveland home was live: His father, Tony "Big T" Lovano, barbered by day and played tenor saxophone by night. • READ

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Marcus Miller

'Never Too Much' • In 2006, on assignment from the Long Beach Press-Telegram, I spoke to the multi-instrumentalist behind Miles Davis’ landmark Tutu’ about his upcoming show and past work with the great Luther Vandross. • READ

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Jane Monheit

Playing Favorites • A CNN report'ers question about the sultry vocalist's choicest tune prompts a follow-up and some number-crunching during this 2012 conversation. • READ

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Dianne Reeves

'Introductions' • Dianne Reeves was the veteran and Gregory Porter the new face at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts when she and I spoke as background for a feature in the venue's online newsletter. • READ

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Sonny Rollins (2006)

'Colossal' • One indisputable legend who I was able to interview twice for different feature articles is this great tenor saxophonist. In addition to his songwriting and distinctive playing, he has worked with a jazz Who's Who … and generously provided snapshots of his famous friends. • READ

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David Sanchez

'Musical Summit' • It began when the Puerto Rican-born saxophonist was invited to a Havana studio to join vibraphonist Stefon Harris and trumpeter Christian Scott in a collaboration with Cuban artists.. • READ

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Poncho Sanchez

'Heart of the Conga' • It was great to chat with the Southern California jazz percussionist a few years ago, and learn how a fast food stand's outdoor speaker helped inspire him to pursue music as a child. • READ

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Tierney Sutton

'Two Bass Hit' • Tierney Sutton not only possesses an impeccable knack for phrasing, she has one of the finest voices in contemporary jazz to go with one of the finest bands: pianist Christian Jacob, drummer Ray Brinker, and alternating bassists Kevin Axt and Trey Henry. • READ

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Steve Tyrell

'The Good Life' • Whether composing hits for others or singing standards, it's an 'artist's life' for him. • READ
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