Video, podcast and text transcription of interviews produced by or about Ed Joffe.
I first heard Steve “live” while he was subbing on the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and subsequently started listening to him. It was clear that he was the real deal—an improviser who had studied the music and his instrument with great thoroughness. Steve has his own voice on saxophone while reflecting the influences of many of …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 22 (JWP22) features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Steve Wilson—The Total Jazz Musician.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 21 (JWP21) features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Stanley Drucker—The Heavyweight Champ.
Growing up in New York and having lived in the city my entire life, I had a chance to see and hear Stanley Drucker play hundreds of times. He was our hometown kid who made good and always seemed to succeed regardless of any musical challenges he faced. His musical commitment, confidence, passion, personality and …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 20 (JWP20) features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Bobby Porcelli—Alto Saxophonist Supreme!
I first heard about Bobby from my first clarinet/saxophone teacher, Joseph Porcelli, who was Bobby’s father. Mr. Porcelli was a first-class gentleman who played the woodwinds beautifully and always conveyed his love of playing them in our weekly lessons. He was never one to ever boast about his abilities or accomplishments and was egoless. One …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 19 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Eddie Daniels—Woodwind Virtuoso.
I first heard of Eddie Daniels when I began my woodwind studies with Joe Allard in 1971. Joe recommended that I go to hear Eddie play with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra at the Village Vanguard on a Monday night when he realized my desire to play jazz on clarinet. Hearing that band up close …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 18 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Paul Lustig Dunkel—A Flutist’s Journey.
I first met Paul when I was an undergraduate at Queens College, CUNY. I was a saxophone/clarinet player who had recently become interested in learning the flute and had been impressed by the performances of Paul as well as his students. I had about one year’s worth of experience playing the flute when he agreed …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 17 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled William Hudgins—Principal Clarinet.
I have always been a fan of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, attending their performances in New York, Boston and at Tanglewood as well as owning many of their recordings. As a woodwind player, I was particularly attracted to the sophisticated elegance of the woodwind sections in that orchestra throughout my adult life and in particular, …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 16 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Dr. Ron Odrich—Renaissance Man .
I first listened intently to Ron Odrich when I purchased a Music Minus One recording, Wood on Wood, in the 1970s that had copies of his solos transcribed by Buddy DeFranco. Already infatuated by DeFranco, Goodman, Shaw & Eddie Daniels’ jazz clarinet playing, I quickly became acquainted with the good doctor’s performances and have remained …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 15 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Ted Nash—A Musician for All Seasons.
I have known Ted for many years and always regarded him as one of the finest musical talents of my generation. His ability to use various disciplines to inspire his music (art, literary contexts, speeches, etc.) reflects his continuing interest in the world and our society. I have had the opportunity to play with him …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 14 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Lew Tabackin—The Evolution of a Jazz Artist.
I first heard Lew Tabackin play on an album called Introducing Duke Pearson’s Big Band, released in 1967. Lew took an extended tenor solo on “New Girl” that remains to this day one of my favorite sax solos within the context of a big band. Since that experience, I have purchased many albums with Lew …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
In this video interview, clarinet mouthpiece maker Brad Behn discusses his innovative mouthpiece designs along with his new barrels and bells. I first met Brad a little over 10 years ago when a former teacher of mine, Ron Reuben of the Philadelphia Orchestra, introduced me to his work. Brad’s desire to create a mouthpiece using …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 13 features the audio portion of the video interview entitled Brad Behn–Clarinet Mouthpiece Innovator.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 12 features the audio portion of The Legendary Joe Soldo Speaks video, an interview with legendary woodwind doubler/contractor Joe Soldo.
I had heard about Joe Soldo from my saxophone/clarinet teacher, Joe Allard, some 40 years ago. Soldo was Allard’s dear friend and favorite pupil—a term Mr. Allard liked to use. When I finally met Joe Soldo 12 years ago, I understood why Joe Allard liked him so much. It wasn’t just that Joe Soldo played …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 11 features the audio portion of the Woodwind Repairmen Roundtable video, an interview with four expert woodwind repairmen: Mark Jacobi, Bill Singer, Tomoji Hirakata and Tony Salimbene.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 10 features the audio portion of the Reed V Summit video. Ron Jannelli, Roger Rosenberg & Allen Won discuss the world of the players who are the foundation of any woodwind section—whether in a pit band, big band, movie soundtrack, or a symphonic setting.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 9 features the audio portion of the Broadway Conductors Forum video. Charlie Alterman, David Chase and Constantine Kitsopoulos carry forth their responsibilities with not only great talent and integrity but also create a positive feeling within the orchestra and cast. This interview provides great insight into the conductor’s world.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 8 features the audio portion of the The Contemporary Oboe Doubler video. Rick Heckman & Dan Willis offers rare insight into the world of the double reed doubler. Rick & Dan discuss the nature of what today’s oboe doublers encounter on the job and offer solutions to performance problems.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 7 features the audio portion of the Clarinet Fundamentals with Larry Guy video. His sense of elegance in playing and professionalism on the job was gleaned from his years of study with some of the great woodwind/musical minds of the 20th Century—Robert Marcellus, Anthony Gigliotti, Kalmen Opperman, Alan Balter, and Marcel Moyse.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 6 features the audio portion of the Keith Underwood—Flute Exercises video, in which he provides invaluable information on historical flutes, recordings, exercises and a variety of other topics.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 5 features the audio portion of the Keith Underwood—Flute Fundamentals video, in which he shares some of his thoughts on breathing and developing greater resonance in the tone as a result of improving one’s breathing efficiency.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 4 features the audio portion of the Jerry Dodgion—A Career Retrospective video, an interview with Jerry Dodgion discussing his perspective into woodwind doubling, the music business and life.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 3 features the audio portion of the Charles McPherson on How to Practice Jazz video. Charles McPherson has been a role model to generations of alto saxophonists and is still exploring new avenues of expression within the bebop/post bebop tradition.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 1 features the audio portion of the Lawrence Feldman on Woodwind Styles video, an interview with Lawrence Feldman discussing and demonstrating his rare ability to imitate diverse musical styles on all of his woodwinds with great accuracy.
Joffe Woodwinds Podcast 2 features the audio portion of the Lawrence Feldman on Building a Career video. In this interview with Lawrence Feldman—one of the most knowledgeable woodwind players regarding equipment concerning saxophone, clarinet and flute—shares some insights on his career.
Expert woodwind repairmen are among the most important professional associations for any performing artist. They often are the difference between having a good performance or a great one and allow us to achieve our potential. In this video, we examine the careers and artistry of four of the most respected woodwind repair technicians in the …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
My first foray into the world of podcasting came as a result of a former student of mine, Dustyn Richardson, recommending me to clarinetist Sean Perrin for his series of online interviews. Sean is the creator of Clarineat.com, a website that features podcasts related to the world of clarinet playing. (Sean and Dustyn are both Continue reading →
This video is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of the players who are the foundation of any woodwind section—whether in a pit band, big band, movie soundtrack, or a symphonic setting. The low reeds set the pitch center and help determine the overall volume, balance and rhythmical stability of any woodwind ensemble. The players …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
During the 35-year period that I have worked in musical theater, I have encountered a few conductors who carried forth their responsibilities with not only great talent and integrity but also created a positive feeling within the orchestra and cast. The three gentlemen interviewed here represent that type of individual and this interview provides great …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
This video interview with Rick Heckman & Dan Willis offers rare insight into the world of the double reed doubler. Rick & Dan discuss the nature of what today’s oboe doublers encounter on the job and offer solutions to performance problems. They also describe what they emphasize in their practice routines and demonstrate how they …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
I met Larry Guy a number of years ago while freelancing around New York. Larry was always a colleague in the truest sense of the word—a team player and positive influence in the section whether playing principal, second or auxiliary clarinet. His sense of elegance in playing and professionalism on the job was gleaned from …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
In this video segment, Keith Underwood provides invaluable information on historical flutes, recordings, exercises and a variety of other topics. He plays several of his historical instruments, including flutes previously owned by Tom Nyfenger and Albert Tipton. He also references recordings/videos by some of his favorite players (Rampal, Baker, Kincaid, Nyfenger, Glenn Gould) as a …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
I first met Keith when both he and I were studying flute with Tom Nyfenger in the late 1970s. He was one of Tom Nyfenger’s prized students and would sub for Tom on gigs, often with little upfront notice. Nyfenger recognized Keith’s tremendous technical prowess and ability to handle almost any situation without fuss or …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Jerry Dodgion was the first great lead alto saxophonist I experienced in a live setting when he headed the formidable saxophone section of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra beginning in the early 1970s. He made it all seem so easy and fun at the same time and I’ve never heard a better saxophone section …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Charles McPherson has been a musical hero of mine for decades. The fact that we have become good friends over the past 25 years has only enhanced my respect for Charles as a musician and as a human being. He is a self-effacing individual who manifests integrity in everything he does and is always available …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
Lawrence Feldman has the rare ability to imitate diverse musical styles on all of his woodwinds with great accuracy. His ability to capture the musical voices of renowned artists such as Dave Sanborn, Johnny Hodges, Michael Brecker, Les Robinson, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Benny Goodman, etc. has allowed him to remain a mainstay in the …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
I’ve known Lawrence Feldman since the mid-1970s, having played in a sax quartet with him for a number of years and worked with him on gigs in New York for close to 40 years. Lawrence is one of those rare birds whose love for music and desire to find new techniques to employ on his …continue reading, watch the video, or download the podcast→
This interview was conducted by Ed Joffe on Saturday August 19, 2006 at Lew Tabackin’s upper westside townhouse, which he shares with his pianist/composer/arranger wife, Toshiko Akiyoshi. It was originally published in the November, 2006 issue of The New York Flute Club Newsletter.
Lew Tabackin has been a vital part of the New York music scene since 1965. A virtuoso on both the flute and tenor saxophone, he has enjoyed a diverse career as a sideman working with some of the great jazz legends (Elvin Jones, Shelley Manne, Tal Farlow, Donald Byrd, Attila Zoller); a featured soloist in a variety of big bands (Maynard Ferguson, Duke Pearson, Chuck Israels, Cab Calloway, Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, and Toshiko Akiyoshi); a studio musician (Doc Severinsen’s Tonight Show Band and the Dick Cavett Show Orchestra); and as a leader of his own jazz groups. Beginning in the 1980s, he won both the Down Beat critic’s and reader’s poll awards as top jazz flutist. He continues to tour the world extensively as a soloist, performing in both clubs and jazz festivals. His biography, discography, and upcoming performances can be viewed on his website: http://lewtabackin.com/.
A discussion of the similarities in preparing for performance in both music and sports and how they are mutually beneficial. Doug Doyle interviews Ed Joffe in this podcast originally aired on WBGO-FM Radio.
Dr. Edward Joffe: A Man of Multiple Talents A 2009 Interview by Joseph d’Auguste It is said that the person at the top influences all those below him. In that case, New Jersey City University is most fortunate to have Dr. Edward Joffe at the helm of the Woodwind and Jazz departments. He is a Continue reading →