A long way from the block

Dec 07 2024 108 ep. 94 mins 3

A long way from the block Podcast artwork

Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz

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Ep. 107-Honoring Ethiopian roots—my conversation with Romeo Regalli

Dec 07 2024 17 mins

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, embedded in family and community. He described his sense of purpose to make the world healthier and happier one meal at a time, the core of his work, and we dished about his restaurant's origi

Ep. 106-Daughter of the soil—my conversation with Thandiswa Mazwai

Oct 28 2024 64 mins

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 place are vivid. She recalls experiencing a great sense of freedom upon Nelson Mandela's release from prison and describes meeting South African legends Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela

Ep. 105-Cultivators of conscious culture—my conversation with Derrick Banks

Oct 05 2024 82 mins

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 over sixty years. In this conversation we start by discussing his upbringing and the standards his parents set for him. Black history and culture were always important. Banks studied

Ep. 104-Claiming your own DNA—my conversation with Carl Hancock Rux

Sep 16 2024 124 mins

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 making, from bringing in his own background singers to recording the powerful song "I Recall" in a bathroom, for the acoustics. We talked through the album track by track, enriching their me

Ep. 103-My culture informs my voice—my conversation with Linda Sikhakhane

Sep 02 2024 60 mins

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, who was raised in Umlazi township, talks about the cultural aspects of being Zulu and the importance of preserving his culture. He shares about his time attending The New School, learning

Ep. 102- The process of discovery—my conversation with Kris Davis

Aug 05 2024 61 mins

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 her energy and passion for performing live. The Canadian-born artist fell in love with jazz at an early age, studied jazz piano at the University of Toronto, and cites the legendary Do

Ep. 101- The seat of my soul Pt. 3—my conversation with Lynel “Dukeysticc” Allen III

Jul 19 2024 75 mins

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) while discussing his childhood in greater depth. He touched on personal issues such as his heavy drug use, the loneliness of incarceration, and when he decided to turn his life arou

Ep. 100- Great Highland Park Stories Vol. 1

Jul 01 2024 142 mins

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 kids met every day after school and for entire summers. The friendships I forged there lasted; most, I still call friends today. For this episode I called on peers and on the OG’s

Ep. 99- "I started this to heal myself"—my conversation with Azikiwee Anderson

Jun 19 2024 50 mins

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; from there he became a household name in the city’s sourdough movement. In this episode, we discuss his humble beginnings, his mother’s profound influence, his logo, and the power of

Ep. 98-Surrender to the music—my conversation with Corcoran Holt

May 25 2024 34 mins

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 the early influences of African drum and dance and learning about African culture from his parents. We also talked about djembe player Mamady Keïta’s influence on the drumming scene in