Trombonist Jeff Albert joins me for a two-part conversation. The beginning of this episode explores the unique Guthman Musical Instrument Competition at Georgia Tech which celebrates musical inventors from around the world. You’ll be hearing some of these instruments from this year’s competition and you’ll find that information linked in the show notes. The second half of this episode is about Jeff’s life as a trombonist, improvisor, music technologist and professor. You’ll hear about his many years playing and recording in New Orleans across many styles and how digital media pairs with his interest in experimental music. All the music excerpts you’ll hear are linked in the show notes for you, from several of Jeff’s albums. Whether you play in a laptop orchestra or have only the vaguest idea what that means, you’ll enjoy Jeff’s great stories and insights.

I’ve been following the Guthman competition for a couple of years and I’ve also linked several previous episodes for you with musical instrument inventors in the show notes, as well as some of the other trombone players I’ve featured.

You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the complete show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast.

(00:00) Intro

(02:12) Guthman Musical Instrument Competition

(06:14) clip of USAWI, video linked

(06:56) College of Design at Georgia Tech

(10:20) clip of Masterpiece, accessible instruments

(13:09) Guthman competition, clip of Demon box, Letheliam Lateef Martin

(20:29) Fiddle Henge with clip

(22:45) Gajveena Debjit Mahalanobiswith clip, remembering Mark Deutsch’s Bazantar

(25:49) VERTO with clip Michael Doron, about Klimchak

(29:14) Krzysztof Cybulski post-digital Sax with clip

(31:53) Jeff Albert, trombonist, New Orleans career

(32:10) linked episodes, newsletter, podcast merch

(32:58) New Orleans scene, improvised music, New Normal album with clip of Sidereal Will

(35:24) Jeff’s blog, changes in the internet for musicians

(41:24) pandemic, album Alone Time with track Grocery Run

(43:47) life of a trombonist, album Unanimous Sources, with clip of Oregano with Intent

(48:05) New Orleans music scene, unexpected path to academic life

(54:37) laptop music, wife trumpeter Alexandria Smith, Atlanta Georgia Tech

photo: Dennis McDonough