A long way from the block

Mar 04 2025 112 ep. 93 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. 111-Interrogating black history—my conversation with Dr. Kamau Rashid

Mar 04 2025 98 mins

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kamau Rashid, professor and director of the Kemetic Institute of Chicago. We speak in detail about the importance of African and African-American history and its power to transform the lives of younger generations, and he references the historians and intellectuals who were his own forebears and inspirations. We discuss Nile Valley civilizations, We

Ep. 110-African Time—my conversation with Elder Herbie Tsoaeli

Feb 08 2025 87 mins

South African bassist, composer, and arranger Herbie Tsoaeli is affectionately known, in certain circles, as Malume, a term of respect for older men who serve as elders. In this episode, we discuss his origins and inspiration. He was raised in Cape Town during the 1976 Soweto Uprising and describes the effects of Apartheid on his development. His parents, wanting him to be a doctor

Ep. 109-Poetry is my foundation—my conversation with Liza Jessie Peterson

Jan 04 2025 90 mins

Liza Jessie Peterson’s parents provided her with a grounding that allowed her, she says, to teeter at the edge of the cliff but never jump. The artist, activist, poet, playwright, and actor had early success as a model but discovered it wasn’t her true path. In this episode, she shares how her writing career began with journaling and poetry, eventually leading to her performing

Ep. 108-Activate my blessings—my conversation with Professor Zahalea Anderson

Dec 21 2024 35 mins

Professor Zahalea Anderson is a second-generation student of Sanuces Ryu JuJitsu System and founder of RA Life Defense. We recently met at her makeshift outdoor studio, at Bluff Park in Long Beach, to discuss her upbringing and martial arts journey. Anderson learned from her father, Grand Master Urban Muhammad, who was a first-generation student of the legendary Dr. Moses Powell. S

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