David Krakauer in conversation with CJ Shearn
In this installment of the podcast I spoke with clarinet virtuoso David Krakauer who has been fusing Klezmer and jazz for over a decade. Along with John Zorn and Anthony Coleman he is at the forefront of blending Jewish influences and jazz together and since his 1995 debut on Zorn’s Tzadik label Klezmer Madness the clarinetist has been refining his unique conception of Klezmer, improvisation, sample based, and classically influenced music.
His new release on Table Pounding Records, Checkpoint further extends his singular vision by adding funk, and hip hop, with a stellar cast including bassist Jerome Harris, guitarist Sheryl Bailey and guests, keyboardist John Medeski and avant garde guitarist extraordinaire Marc Ribot. My conversation with Mr. Krakauer about the album and his influences was terrific, his infectious enthusiasm for his craft was palpable and he was a joy to talk with. Special thanks to Antje Hubner of Hubtone PR for coordinating the interview.
This podcast is dedicated to the memory of the Greatest Of All Time, Muhammad Ali who passed away Friday, at 74.
I have been the staff writer for the New York Jazz Workshop School of Music blog in midtown Manhattan since 2014, and that has broadened my freelance writing skills considerably. In addition to writing artist bios, and articles of interest that pertain to the mission of the school, I have interviewed (in print on the site) legendary guitarist and NEA Jazz Master Pat Metheny, trumpeter Cuong Vu, and in 2015 embarked on producing a podcast for the school where I have achieved my dream and interviewed jazz giants such as Dave Liebman, Lenny White, rising talents like Thana Alexa, Logan Richardson, guitarist and bassist Brian Kastan, among others. I also work on SEO optimization for the blog. In 2015 I started my blog Jazz Views with CJ Shearn, and have written liner notes for 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, Antonio Sanchez (for his latest recording “Channels of Energy”) and guitarist Gene Ess for his latest recording, scheduled to be released in November 2018.
My passion for jazz music is what drives me, which is an interest I’ve had since I can remember. I initially began writing about jazz at the age of 13 for my high school newspaper, and in my late teens contributed occasionally to jazzreview.com. In college I was member of the Harpur Jazz Project which brought jazz acts to campus. I’ve also contributed in the past to AllAboutJazz where I was mentored by John Kelman. I decided to focus on my passion for jazz music journalism after a job in the social services field as a caseworker went south, and as a person with a physical disability I work on going against the odds, living independently and having accomplished things people had said I’d never do.