In this episode I sat down with Grammy winning tenor saxophonist, composer and educator Darryl Yokley. Born to an African-American father and a first generation Mexican mother, Yokley draws deeply from his diverse cultural roots. During our conversation we hear about him playing multiple instruments at an early age, his exposure to jazz and classical music and the influence of John Coltrane. The conversation moves into a deep dive of his new album, which is dedicated to the great novelist and father of magical realism, Gabriel Garcia Marquez - "Un Mundo En Soledad." We also dive into the daunting task of studying the author's memoirs and rereading his novels to do a proper tribute. He also touches on being part of Alicia Keys' Grammy winning Broadway show, "Hell's Kitchen."

https://www.darrylyokley.com

During my recent trip to South Africa, I was honored to be invited to a rehearsal of Cape Town’s own Thanda Choir. Afterwards, I sat down with two choir members, Iva Sogiba and Siyasanga Mhlekwa, and two managers, Asavela Mpayipeli and Zikhona Mapisa. We discussed the choir’s founding and the importance of recognizing and bringing awareness to Khayelitsha Township. Our conversation encompassed the church music that has inspired them and the passion and hopes for healing that Mhlekwa and Sogiba, along with their fellow choir members, bring to their songs. Traumas experienced by choir members and the larger community both are attended to with care, through the mentorship of Mpayipeli and the strong mothering of Mapisa, a well-known gospel artist in her own right.

https://thandachoir.co.za

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with the Ugandan-born, UK-raised runner Deo Kato—a man who, doing what had never been done, ran from Cape Town to London to raise awareness of social injustices and human migration. It all started in 2020, when he first connected running with activism. For 381 days in a row, he ran a 10k, to honor the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its duration. During our conversation, he considers the ways his childhood in Uganda developed his deep appreciation for community, a sustaining value throughout the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, he has faced. His running has, in profound ways, reflected that, taking place in all terrains and weathers. He once ran through Egypt when the temperature approached 125 degrees Fahrenheit. He talks about his biggest setback—being imprisoned for three weeks in South Sudan for so-called improper paperwork. The support he received from his fellow prisoners gave him a new motivation to continue when he was considering quitting. We end with his final, solo journey into London from Greece, arriving at 10 Downing Street—home to the UK prime minister—where he took a knee with hundreds of supporters behind him.

Ofosu Jones-Quartey—performing as Born I—is a conscious hip-hop artist and meditation teacher. A native of Washington D.C., his early life was impacted by the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. His strong, educated, cultured Ghanaian parents helped him navigate tough times. Born I talks about being exposed to Buddhism at an early age, by his mother. His interest in conscious hip-hop led him to black history and spiritual studies. He discusses the appeal of the Dharma path and how he once considered living a monastic life. We dive into how he now balances his spiritual practice with being a husband and father; his connection with jazz music and the great John and Alice Coltrane; his great sense of fashion and why his attire is important to him; and—lastly—the release of his latest book, Lyrical Dharma: Hip Hop as Mindfulness, and his new CD, Komorebi.

https://bornimusic.com

For this episode, I sat down with Brooklyn native Ken “Shadow” Goodman, founder and chief combatives coach of 52 Blocks VTK (Violent Tactics Knowledge). We talk in depth about what it was like growing up in Bed-Stuy and trying to navigate the pull of the streets. He learned early on from elders in the community, but street life eventually got the best of him, and he ended up spending over twenty-five years inside the New York State prison system. It was there that he honed his skills as a 52 blocks practitioner. Our conversation ends with Shadow discussing his new path in life, giving back to his community in a positive way. Since his release from prison in December 2014, he’s used martial arts as a tool for healing, fostering resilience, and finding the will to prevail in the midst of chaos.

Guy Nattiv—the Israeli-born director, producer, and screenwriter—won an Oscar in 2019 for his short film Skin. His latest release, Tatami, is out now in select theaters. In this episode, we speak about the subject matter of Skin, his filmmaking process, and the impact it had on him and on the actors. It's a highly unconventional story of revenge, making Nattiv, in my mind, one of the most important filmmakers today. We discuss his upbringing in Israel and some of his personal and professional influences, including those fostered at Camera Obscura film school in Tel Aviv, from which he graduated in 2012.

My guest for this episode is flautist, vocalist, and composer Naïssam Jamal. Born in Paris to Syrian parents, she entered a conservatory at age six to study classical flute. We discuss her early life in Paris and issues surrounding her cultural background; she talks about her experiences in the conservatory and her subsequent travels throughout the Middle East and Africa. Master musicians whom she’s met along the way have been major influences. Her latest album is Souffles, French for “breaths.” It’s composed of eight pieces, all duets, and features jazz saxophone legend Archie Shepp. Join us.

https://naissamjalal.com

In this episode, I talk with the talented trumpeter, composer, and arranger Milena Casado. Born and raised in Spain, she’s a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, where she honed her skills working with amazing teachers. She shares about growing up in a small village town, looking different from other members of that community; about meeting her father for the first time; about getting in touch with her Dominican roots; and about her acceptance to Berklee. We also discuss the major influence of her mentor, drummer extraordinaire Terri Lyne Carrington, and dive into her album Reflection of Another Self, a stunning debut that's a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and resilience.

https://www.milenacasado.com