Leslie DeShazor
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
11/26/22
•102m
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Leslie DeShazor is a multi-style violist, violinist and composer based in Detroit. She teaches students both through the Sphinx Organization and the Detroit Symphony as well as privately. She was named one of thirty Professional Movers and Shakers in the Performing Arts by Musical America in 2019 and in 2022 she released her jazz and R&B album “Journey With Me” which features herself as soloist, bandleader, and composer.
Towards the beginning of this episode you’ll hear her composition “Simply Complicated” from “Journey With Me”. This conversation was full of stories and insights from Leslie’s life. She shared valuable perspectives that educators, parents and anyone who mentors children and young adults will find inspiring and thought-provoking. We talked a lot about why kids quit playing music, why so many young adults today have trouble figuring out the direction of their life, and how the educational system can take away people’s innate creativity and confidence. Leslie is such an articulate and engaging speaker; I’m sure listeners everywhere will enjoy this episode! The musicians on Simply Complicated are: Nate Winn - drums, Brendon Davis - piano Brandon Rose - bass Photo: Bruce Turner
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Video and Transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/leslie-deshazor
Leslie DeShazor website: https://lesliedeshazor.com/
Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about
Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter
Timestamps:
(00:00) Cold open quote plus Intro
(02:00) album Journey With Me, accepting help
(06:16) differences playing acoustic and electric instruments
(07:30) intro to tune “Simply Complicated”
(13:25) Leslie’s childhood musical pranks, growing up in Inkster and Canton
(16:10) the importance of Detroit in many different musical genres
(18:36) the influence and importantce of church music
(22:47) Interlochen, perspectives on exposing kids to a competitive atmosphere
(32:43) Leslie’s approach to coaching student ensembles
(36:14) Leslie’s history going to Orchestra Hall, continuity and history of Detroit
(40:52) parenting, guiding children in music
(42:37) University of Michigan and Wayne State college experiences, James Dapogny, how to guide students, the importance of helping music students with options
(51:00) dealing with injury
(53:06) different cultures through dance, learning Spanish, teaching with Sphinx
(56:14) Sphinx organization
(01:03:10) Musique Noire, Eunoia Society, JoVia Armstrong
(01:04:45) problem with labels in music, colonial attitudes
(01:10:44) teaching music using different strategies
(01:16:35) challenges in guiding students
(01:19:53) students who are over-scheduled, the benefits of allowing time for creativity and play
(01:25:42) Cole Randolph taking time off and motivation
(01:26:42) dealing with stress through exercise, jumping rope, keeping balance
(01:30:00) freelance life stress
(01:31:18) teaching body percussion, benefits of community music making, learning from other educators
(01:35:35) Leslie’s advice about bravery
Previous Episode
Derek Gripper
November 19, 2022
•82m
The internationally renowned guitarist Derek Gripper is famous for his groundbreaking technique for evoking the West African kora on the guitar. During this episode you’ll get to hear Derek play quite a bit and you will hear his wonderful insights on how we listen to and learn music, the influence of Montessori and Alexander Technique in his life, his reflections on important collaborations in his career and his perspectives on changes that have been imposed on creators and performers.
Please help me keep this podcast going: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman
The video and transcript are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/derek-gripper
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:45) Bach guitar music with intro (00:04:00) carnatic music studies, album with tabla player Udai Mazumdar (00:06:12) structural improvisation, Bach (00:08:18) Alexander Technique (00:15:28) violin studies (00:16:24) Derek's recording approach (00:20:30) “Billly Goes to Durban” (00:21:28) kora music, Toumani Diabaté (00:25:18) “Tubaka” guitar music (00:26:36) Derek’s transcriptions, Zoom classes (00:30:12) online music economy, Derek’s experiences with selling albums, Platoon label (00:35:35) Montessori method and teaching guitar (00:39:38) "A Year of Swimming" (00:41:34) Alex Van Heerden, “Sagtevlei”, Steve Reich, Bryan Bolton (00:45:36) Guy Buttery and different collaborations (00:48:12) South Africa and COVID’s economic ramifications (00:49:43) Madosini (00:52:06) World Music as a genre and marketing tool (00:58:23) Derek’s style of performing (01:00:31) mental health, touring, mindset with Alexander Technique inhibition and internal resistance (01:04:42) "Seeing Nobody" guitar music (01:07:00) reflections on Derek’s career, being South African, John Williams, Lucy Duran (01:11:30) Derek’s guitars, Paul Galbraith Brahms guitar, “Bloomdorns”, Hermann Hauser, just intonation and bending notes, oud, lute, veena, (01:17:36) Derek’s advice and reflections on too much input
photo: Luke Young
Next Episode
Season 3 Trailer
December 8, 2022
•1m
Hi! I wanted to give you an update on Conversations with Musicians. The next episode will be released January 7 2023, as Episode 1 of Season 3.The world is often a scary place, but my hope is that this series brings a positive and contemplative time into your life, with so many inspiring stories, insights and music from my featured guests. Season 3 is continuing with a fascinating diversity of creative musicians following different paths. In 2021 and 22 I released a total of 50 episodes, with many bonus shorter episodes in my Inspiring Excerpts series. If you look at my episode catalog on my podcast website, you’ll find links to all the episodes in both video and podcast format, with descriptions, photos and many transcripts. If you sign up for my newsletter through my website https://www.leahroseman.com/ then you’ll be getting lots of sneak peeks of upcoming guests. Finally, for less than a monthly cup of coffee, you can sponsor this series and get access to my exclusive Q&As, and a selection of unique perks tailored to your interests, through my Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/LeahRoseman I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness. I so look forward to sharing with you many more musicians’ perspectives! my photo: Curtis Perry
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/messageIf you like this episode you’ll love
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