Current yoga teaching schedule at Mudita
Correction to the last post.
Only one class since my Tulane teaching schedule interrupted things.
Tuesday 1:30-3pm-intermediate yoga class.
Teaching regular yoga classes again. Starting October 5th, 2023.
After a 5 year gap, I will be teaching two classes a week at the new center, Mudita Yoga and Therapy. It is located in the Healing Center. The website for further info is here...
My classes:
Mondays 12-1:30pm- Intermediate
Fridays 10:30-11:45am- All levels.
Since most of this website is about my life and interests in music not much has been said about my background in yoga. The short bio I wrote for the new center says:
Jonathan began the adventure of yoga in 1997 at the old BKS Iyengar Institute of New Orleans. He studied with many of the senior students of BKS Iyengar and was certified in 2001. He has taken many trips to study with Prashant Iyengar in India, as well as continuing study with expert teacher, Ramanand Patel and spiritual teachers from other lineages. He was also co-founder and owner of Yoga Bywater. Although his teaching points towards the classical, he believes that each individual has to find the interests and fire that will drive their personal practice and that yoga offers something for every seeker regardless of background or perceived limitations.
That’s the short story. For further inquiries or for private classes feel free to contact me through this website.
Getting the site back on the move- Post-Pandemic
Well the site definitely went on hold. I’m going to be making all efforts to get it back moving. For starters, gigs are being posted to the schedule page so you can come to the shows. It has been a historical break but I’m glad to be moving back into web action mode.
Interview with Taj Mahal
I recently had the opportunity to interview Taj Mahal for the Banjo Studio. For as much of an influence as his records have had on me, it was a very special moment.
Banjo Studio says:
Taj Mahal has been one of my favorite musicians since I was a teenager. We were very honored that Taj would take time to speak with us. Initially slated for a short 15-20 minute interview, Taj had a good time speaking with the Banjo Studio Podcast host, Jonathan Freilich, and spoke with him for over an hour!
Listen as Taj talks about his beginnings, how he got started playing the banjo, his approach to the banjo and the way he tunes it, and much more.
If you aren't familiar with Taj Mahal, now is the time to start checking out his very deep catalog of recordings.
If you are interested in Taj’s life and work, the blues, music around the world, and/or the banjo, you will find it fascinating.
Interview with David Grier for Banjo Studio
At the end of January I interviewed flat picking guitar phenom, David Grier for the Banjo Studio Podcast.. He has a very extensive career and an incredibly dextrous touch. If you are interested in bluegrass at all, this will be something to check out.
Banjo Studio says:
David Grier is one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time. Listen to his reflections on Tony Rice's influence, the direction of bluegrass today, his own influences, and more.
Check out the podcast here…
NPR covers "Peter Stampfel's 20th Century".
Here is an album 20 years in the making. Peter Stampfel’s favorite songs of the 20th century, one from each year. I’m on most of it and was also Associate Producer.
Peter Stampfel is most famously of the Holy Modal Rounders, a band that I was a huge fan of after coming across their amazing first two albums when I was about 14. Mark Bingham produced many of Peter’s solo stuff over the years and I am really happy that he brought me in so generously for this amazing project.
It has an incredible lineup across the multi record set and is well worth having in your collection if you enjoy some very unusual song delivery and also an introduction to some incredible songs from the earlier part of the 20th century.
And here is the NPR coverage of it…
Check out the interview with purple witch of Culver.
Interesting name, don’t you think. This is a fairly new project based in Los Angeles with two very interesting people, Evan Taylor and Sarah Safaie. They have been putting out about one new single a month. Available on their band camp page
Purple Witch Culver
interview with Phil Degruy/Cranston Clements
Cranston Clements
Phil DeGruy
… a rambling conversation with two killer guitar players and subversive musical comedians from New Orleans, Phil DeGruy, and Cranston Clements. They often perform together as The Self-Righteous Brothers. In this episode we eventually meander through their musical origin stories. Light listening on heavy topics…or is it the other way around?
U2/Elton John/Hal Willner tribute to T.Rex is out...w/ horn arrangement by Jonathan Freilich
My latest credit is somewhat high profile. The late Hal Willner was making a tribute album to T.Rex and asked me to write and contract the horn section for the track. It’s the single from the record. It’s also the great T.Rex number, Bang A Gong. I see it’s now available on iTunes and elsewhere so I thought I’d throw the post up. Hit the link and check it out.
I got some of my favorite fellows from New Orleans to play on it-
Ashlin Parker-tpt
Charlie Halloran & Jeff Albert&Trombone Shorty-tb
Brad Walker/Ray Moore-sax
Interview with David Immergluck for the Banjo Studio Podcast
I recently interviewed David Immergluck, the multi-instrumentalist dripping with personality who is quite notorious for his long membership in the Counting Crows, as well as Camper Van Beethoven, John Hiatt, and Monks of Doom. He also has an intriguing new project with Dave Alvin that you can find out about in the interview. It is really worth hearing.
Banjo Studio says:
David Immergluck is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom, as well as for his tenure with American singer-songwriter John Hiatt. A versatile musician, Immerglück plays mandolin, pedal steel guitar, bass, slide guitar, electric sitar, keyboards, and sings.
David Immergluck
Interview with Mark Bingham on Michot's Melody Makers Live album and Peter Stampfel's 20th Century
A new interview with Mark Bingham. There are a few different interviews with him on the site but this one is narrower in scope and hinges around a couple of very cool recent records he is playing on and producing. (One of them I have an Associate Producer credit on…so look out for that.)
The interview is on the page with them all…HERE.
New separate page with all collected Banjo Studio podcast episodes
Have you checked out the cool series of interviews I have conducted for Banjostudio.com. A place for epically great guitars and banjos.
The interviews are with some very amazing musicians: players of banjo and guitar and incredible songwriters, grammy winners, people with ideas. They are now collected on this page.
So far the list of posted interviews includes Joe Henry, Mary Gauthier, Valerie June, Adam Levy, Steve Khan, Jens Kruger, Riley Baugus, Alison Brown, Rob McCoury, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ryan Cavanaugh, Danny Barnes, Adam Levy and Jens Kruger.
If you don’t know who they are and you are interested in a wide variety of music, you will be boosted in to some very fascinating new musical and cultural (are they the same?) areas.
The Page is here…
Interview with banjo virtuoso, Jens Kruger for The Banjo Studio Podcast
There is a new episode up for this interview I conducted recently with Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers.
Banjo Studio says:
Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers is a modern master of the 5 string banjo who is taking the instrument to places it has never been. Born in Switzerland and now living in North Carolina, Jens' music bridges American folk music and European classical music styles. He has composed for a full symphony orchestra as well as a number of string quartets and more.
In this interview, we dig deep into his compositional techniques, style, and more. Enjoy!
Double MacGuffin Ep. 4- Savage Messiah (Ken Russell,1972) / Nightwatching(Greenaway,2007)
Henry and I have posted the next episode of our film podcast. Listen on the double macguffin page here…
The theme of this episode is biopics about visual artists.
Henry Griffin chose Ken Russell’s, Savage Messiah (1972) about French sculptor, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. The film features the young Helen Mirren and Dorothy Tutin.
Jonathan Freilich picked Peter Greenaway’s, Nightwatching (2007) about Rembrandt’s painting of the Nightwatch and the murderous circumstances hidden in the painting. The film stars Martin Freeman as the Dutch master.
Two really interesting movies by iconic and singular British filmmakers.
Critters Buggin Releases Count Cancellation. Guitar feature on 'Rooster Time'.
Critters, the legendary band from Seattle, asked me to sit in on their House of Blues show in 2001 when they were on tour with a couple of the Moroccan Master Musicians of Jajouka. They called the result ‘Rooster Time’. You can hear on their bandcamp page here…
…Honor to be asked and I hadn’t remembered what the sound was but I did remember the great feeling of playing.
I think you’ll find it right in line with what else you need that you forgot.
Interview with songwriter, producer, Joe Henry, for Banjo Studio
It was a privilege to speak with with, Joe Henry. His work covers a lot of ground. The accomplishment is quite staggering. Through all that though, he has very lucid and articulate awareness of the work and the subjects and fields in which he is involved. He is also very philosophically engaging which makes for a great and special interview. He speaks a lot about music, producing, poetry, songwriting, literature, and other things too. Enjoy!
The Banjo Studio says:
Joe Henry is a prolific songwriter, guitarist, producer, and author. He has won multiple Grammy awards, has 15 studio albums under his own name, and has produced countless artist’s recordings. His production credits include Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Rhiannon Giddens, Aarron Neville, Soloman Burke, and many, many more.
This is a fascinating interview with one of the great creative forces in American music of our time. Listen to Joe Henry go into depth about his songwriting process, production process, and more. If you’re a fan of music of any kind you will enjoy and learn from this interview.
Podcast: Interview with guitar giant, Steve Khan for Banjo Studio
I’m really happy to see this conversation I had with Steve Khan just posted. Really worth checking out if you are interested in music for the last 40 or so years. Without hesitation, if you have ever sat around trying to get around a guitar. And look at that ES-335- a favorite machine for some folks around here too.
The Banjo Studio says:
In this episode, we talk with the legendary jazz guitarist Steve Khan. Steve has had an extensive recording career as a solo artist, one that encompasses some 30 albums as a leader - from 1977's "TIGHTROPE" to 2019's "PATCHWORK." Perhaps beginning with his groundbreaking group, Eyewitness , he has devoted himself to creating a place for the guitar as a principal melodic voice in Latin jazz. In a recent cover story, Steve was referred to as "The Voice of the Guitar In Latin Jazz."
The conversation was fascinating and enjoyable for me. You might also check out Steve’s website where he wrote about this any many other things too. Here is the link to STEVE KHAN’S SITE…
Steve Khan
Interviewed by Jeff Albert for the Scratch my Brain podcast
Jeff Albert runs an intriguing podcast. He also recently ditched Facebook because he is better at being decisive about the losing direction than many. Jeff is a hell of a musician, educator, and music event conspirer. This series is worth listening to. But why not start with me as an induction.
It is different than the ones produced over here.
Podcast – “Here’s the thing…” a conversation with Jonathan Freilich
Interviewed Valerie June for the Banjo Studio
A couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to interview Valerie June for the Banjo Studio. Have a listen, her music is great and her positivity is infectious and inspiring.
Banjo Studio says:
This week we talk with the mesmerizing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, ukulele) Valerie June. Valerie hails from Tennessee and has a unique sound that blends blues, country, and Appalachia. She has an amazingly effervescent, positive spirit and this comes across in her music. Host Jonathan Freilich talks about her influences, her songwriting process, and more.
This is a fantastic interview. Take a listen. Valerie also performs a song for us on the banjo!
THE INTERVIEW CAN BE HEARD HERE…
Podcast: Interview with Rob McCoury for The Banjo Studio
The link to the cast is here…
Banjo Studio says:
Host Jonathan Freilich talks with 5 string banjoist Rob McCoury of the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin' McCourys. Jonathan talks with Rob about what he is currently working on, how he is getting on during the Covid lockdown, what it was like growing up around the music of his father Del McCoury, and who his influences are.
Rob McCoury