Sam Sadigursky: Clarinetist for Philip Glass Ensemble, The Band’s Visit, The Solomon Diaries
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
10/10/25
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Sam Sadigursky is a renowned clarinetist, composer, and member of the Philip Glass Ensemble. In this episode, we explore his latest project The Solomon Diaries with Nathan Koci, his work on Broadway in The Band’s Visit, and his career spanning jazz, classical, and contemporary music. Sam shares stories from touring with Philip Glass, mentors Brad Mehldau and Lee Konitz, and his upbringing in a musical immigrant family.
We also dive into improvisation beyond music, the impact of streaming algorithms, and the cultural legacy of the Borscht Belt. Listen to insights into Sam’s unique voice as a composer and performer, and hear excerpts from some of his wonderful creative output.
Podcast website: episode page with YouTube, Transcript
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Other episodes you'll love: Meg Okura
Tasha Warren Yale Strom Colleen Allen Rachel Eckroth and John Hadfield
(00:00) Intro
(02:11)Sam’s musical family and early influences
(08:02) jazz, hearing heroes play teen years in L.A.
(10:12) Isaac Sadigursky, VNP Hora with clip
(14:26) move out to New York
(17:05) about Six Miles at Midnight with clip, Nathan Koci, Satie influence
(21:07) Touring with Philip Glass Ensemble
(25:23) influence of Glass, Migrations Vol. 5 Solomon Diaries
(28:59) clarinet music, Eleven from 24 Rhythmic Duets for Clarinet, teaching, Vince Trombetta
(33:54) other linked episodes you’ll love and ways to spread the word!
(34:33) about “Lucky” vol. V The Solomon Diaries, wife Sarah, Danny Fox
(40:10) early jazz mentors and opportunities, Brad Mehldau, Bill Berry
(42:31) parenting, streaming and music industry challenges
(45:44) Broadway: The Band’s Visit and beyond
(51:18) solo piano music, Incidentalee dedicated to Lee Konitz, from Figures/Broken Pieces performed Nick Sanders
(54:39) many instruments, decision to focus on clarinet
(57:38) Borsht Belt history, Marisa Scheinfeld, The Solomon Diaries
(01:03:24) Guy Klucevsek, “Secondhand” The Solomon Diaries Vol. IV by Nathan Koci
(01:08:17) creative output, music industry challenges, Words Project, upcoming projects
Previous Episode
Composer and audio producer Pat McCusker joins me to talk about his work creating music for The Ezra Klein Show, his role at The New York Times, and what it’s like touring the world as a musician with actor David Duchovny. Pat's music also appears on The Daily, Modern Love, and many more.
🎶 What we talk about in this episode:
- Composing the theme for The Ezra Klein Show
- Scoring for podcasts and working with The New York Times
- Touring internationally with David Duchovny
- The power of music in shows like Severance and White Lotus
- Tools and gear Pat uses as a composer
- Managing anxiety and building creative community
If you're a composer, musician, or podcast fan, you'll find plenty to connect with in this conversation.
Web page for the episode includes transcript, YouTube link.
Other episodes with some of the media composers I've featured: Pat Irwin, Christoph Zirngibl, Adam Blau, Anže Rozman and Kara Talve
🎙️ About the show: Conversations with Musicians. with violinist Leah Roseman: weekly episodes featuring a fascinating diversity of musical guests worldwide.
(00:00) Intro
(02:55) how Pat became a podcast composer
(07:16) creative process Magical Tree Creatures theme for “The Ezra Klein Show” with clip
(10:37) composing for podcasts at The New York Times, the function of music in podcasts
(18:01) listening and appreciating great podcasts, Marc Maron
(23:11) The Big Question Mark with clip, "Interesting Times with Ross Douthat”
(26:37) Severance and White Lotus inspirations, Moog synthesizers
(32:09) other episodes you’ll love, ways to support this podcast
(32:58) rock career, Buzzbody, David Duchovny, Pat Irwin
(41:00) Holding Patterns with David Duchovny (website linked in show notes)
(45:57) joy of performing and touring, his dad
(49:35) Pat’s youth, discovering guitar, Berklee
(55:43) Buzzbody Full of Fear, dealing with anxiety
(01:03:12) some personal creative projects, wife Simo
(01:10:52) suggestions for books, podcasts, music
Next Episode
Gaelynn Lea is a violinist, singer-songwriter, disability rights advocate, author, and public speaker. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, Gaelynn began her musical journey with the support of a childhood music teacher and her musical family. You’ll hear about how her big break happened when she won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, which led to a fascinating creative life which in the last few years has included international touring and scoring Macbeth on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga. Gaelynn is really open to trying new things, and this really came through as she talked to me about how she’ll never have enough time to explore all her curiosities, reflections on her first compositions and songs, how she collaborated with mentors Alan Sparhawk, and Charlie Parr, and how she created a new musical fable for the stage called Invisible Fences with disabled storyteller Kevin Kling.
You’ll be hearing clips from some of Gaelynn’s albums during the podcast, and her Bandcamp is linked in the show notes for you. We begin with a look at her upcoming memoir—It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect— a warm, funny and deeply-felt exploration of disability, music, and the messy creativity of an artist’s life. I plan to welcome Gaelynn back for a future episode focused on that work. You can find the pre-order link in the show notes. It will be published by Algonquin Press in April 2026.
Episode page with video, transcript and other episodes you'll love!
Gaelynn Lea Website Albums on Bandcamp
Order It Wasn’t Meant to be Perfect Invisible Fences with Kevin Kling
Newsletter Podcast Merch Buy me a coffee
photo: Explore Duluth
(00:00) Intro
(03:32) Gaelynn’s upcoming memoir—It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect
(10:42) Macbeth score and album, meeting Michael Stipe, Whippoorwill Arts Fellowship
(16:02) about “Perfect”, with clip from Macbeth album
(18:50) Gaelynn’s childhood, learning the violin in an adapted way, her instruments
(26:20) decision not to have surgery
(29:01) Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun with clip
(32:06) other episodes you’ll love, ways to support this independent project
(32:53) how winning Tiny Desk changed her life and for her husband
(38:32) disability visibility, mindset, beginning of song-writing and composing Alan Sparhawk, Charlie Parr
(45:56) The Long Way Around with clip from The Living Room Sessions
(49:46) Dragons and Fairies with clip from The Living Room Sessions, joys of improvisation, looping
(54:45) fiddle repertoire, jamming in Edinburgh
(59:45) Invisible Fences with Kevin Kling, disability activism, psychological challenges
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