The Mindful Musician

In this episode of The Mindful Musician Podcast, Matt Oestreicher sits down with Victor, Joseph, and Roy "Future Man" Wooten for a wide-ranging conversation about music, mentorship, creativity, parenting, identity, and what it means to live a meaningful life. While the Wooten Brothers are known extraordinary musicians, educators, mentors, innovators, and Grammy-winning artists, this conversation quickly moves beyond music itself. Together, they explore how young musicians discover who they are, the importance of mentorship, the deeper meaning of groove, and how music can serve as a model for navigating differences in the world around us. It also explores the connection between becoming a better musician and becoming a better person. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 03:00 – Growing up as The Wooten Brothers 17:00 – Family, parenting, and mentorship 18:30 – How young musicians discover their identity 26:10 – Becoming who you already are 27:40 – The role of teachers and mentors 35:30 – What is groove? 37:30 – Joseph Wooten on connection and humanity 41:00 – The Wave Story 46:00 – Music as a model for life 52:30 – Roy Wooten and "The Symphony of Life" 54:00 – Victor Wooten's closing reflections 56:00 – Outro Notable Moments • The Wootens discuss how their upbringing shaped their approach to music and learning. • Why great mentorship has more in common with great parenting than most people realize. • A discussion of how artists discover their authentic voice rather than trying to become someone else. • Joseph Wooten's reflections on groove, connection, and the human experience. • Roy Wooten's powerful concept of "The Symphony of Life" and the idea that music offers an intelligent path forward for our differences. • Victor Wooten's thoughts on creativity, growth, and becoming fully yourself. Artists Mentioned • Jacob Collier • Kandace Springs • Scat Springs • James Genus • Carter Beauford • Cory Wong Recommended Listening: • Kandace Springs CATCH THE WOOTEN BROTHERS LIVE: Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers will be appearing live at the SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield, Connecticut. Tickets and information: https://www.shucommunitytheatre.org/all-events/victor-wooten-and-the-wooten-brothers Victor Wooten: https://www.victorwooten.com/ Joseph Wooten: https://josephwooten.com/ Roy Wooten: https://www.instagram.com/royfuturemanwooten/?hl=en Matt Oestreicher: https://www.mattoestreicher.com/ The Mindful Musician Podcast Home: https://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician

Tickets for BOTH SIDES NOW on Saturday April 25th at SHU Community Theatre: https://www.shucommunitytheatre.org/all-events/-both-sides-now%3A-the-music-%26-lives-of-leonard-cohen-and-joni-mitchell About the show BOTH SIDES NOW: "Two singer-songwriters sit on the edge of a cliff…" With these words, we are drawn into the world of Both Sides Now - a theatrical concert that explores the music and lives of long-time friends and one-time lovers, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Created by, and starring Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz, the cabaret-style performance traverses decades alongside songs such as A Case of You, Hallelujah, Big Yellow Taxi, Suzanne, and many more. Both Sides Now is at once a piece of the 60's and 70's, and of right now -- offering us a story about the messiness of being human, of lives persistently lived at the edge of growth, and of finding the courage to turn toward one another, again and again. Artist Bios: Robbie Schaefer Robbie is a rabbi, singer-songwriter and theatre/film artist. The guitarist and songwriter for the indie folk band Eddie From Ohio has several solo releases as well, including the 2023 single Under the Sun. He is the founder of Lamplighters, an online community that cultivates small-batch, relationship-driven, inclusive Judaism. He is also the founder of OneVoice, an international non-profit that unites and empowers youth through music and the creative arts. The organization was active from 2011-2023 and completed projects in Tanzania, Nicaragua, India, Greece, and Israel. Robbie has shared the stage with Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Josh Groban, Keb ' Mo, and Emmylou Harris, among others. His first work for musical theater, Light Years, which explores his relationship with his father, a Holocaust survivor, saw its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in 2018. The musical is now a feature film entitled Burst The Silence (Rolling Pictures), which is due for release on streaming platforms in 2025. He is currently at work on a new musical, The Blue Poppy, an Irish-Jewish ghost story written in collaboration with Scottish playwright Grace Barnes, and Songs From The Wilderness, a new album of Jewish musical midrash (interpretation), due for release in early 2026. Also, he likes olives. A lot. Danielle Wertz Danielle is a storyteller, collaborator, jazz musician, composer and arranger. Described as, "untarnished by the politics of music" (Jazz Music Archives) and "a masterful ballad interpreter" (New York City Jazz Record) she has rapidly gained national acclaim. After being named a 2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition semi-finalist, Danielle independently released her debut album, Intertwined, which ranked #4 on Capital Bop's list of "Best DC Jazz Albums of 2017." That same year she placed 2nd in the Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition and 3rd in the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Vocal Competition. In 2023 Danielle released her sophomore album, Other Side. With this project she made a quantum leap as a composer and conceptualist. Reimagined and rewritten during the pandemic, the album pairs her original compositions with carefully crafted arrangements of standards from the Great American Songbook. Jazziz called the album "expressive and polished" and Jazz Weekly noticed a "Joni Mitchell'd tenderness to her material." Danielle continues to be an avid collaborator internationally and as a member of the NYC jazz scene, and is looking forward to headlining her first European tour in 2025. Also, she loves chocolate. A lot. CORRECTION: The show is at SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield, CT on Saturday, April 25th NOT April 26th. Matt Oestreicher is the host of The Mindful Musician Podcast: https://www.mattoestreicher.com/

Charlie Hunter Interview | The Mindful Musician Podcast with Matt Oestreicher 🎟️ See Charlie Hunter live at SHU Community Theatre on Thursday March 26, 2026: https://www.shucommunitytheatre.org/all-events/charlie-hunter-trio In this episode of The Mindful Musician, host Matt Oestreicher interviews Charlie Hunter. Charlie Hunter is known for his groundbreaking hybrid guitar instrument which allows him to play bass and guitar simultaneously—creating a unique contrapuntal style rooted in groove, blues, and jazz. Over a decades-long career, he has collaborated with artists like D'Angelo, Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Mos Def, Bobby Previte and developed a reputation for subtle, deeply musical and groove-oriented playing that prioritizes feel over flash. This episode explores jazz as a model for collaboration and democracy, the long journey of artistic development, and how modern forces like streaming economics, income inequality, and "enshittification" are reshaping the music industry. The conversation also touches on early influences like Blind Blake(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Blake) and the evolution of American roots music into Charlie's current sound. Other artists and music mentioned by Charlie: Lo Steele (with Charlie Hunter): https://open.spotify.com/album/0joGHqwP9PD2x443YwjmFB?si=1PvrErNdRWObqDbefP4xnQ Bobby Previte: https://www.bobbyprevite.com/ Monty Croft: https://www.montecroft.com/ 🎟️ See Charlie Hunter live at SHU Community Theatre on Thursday March 26, 2026: https://www.shucommunitytheatre.org/all-events/charlie-hunter-trio The Mindful Musician Podcast is hosted by Matt Oestreicher, featuring conversations with world-class musicians on creativity, career, and meaning in the arts. https://www.mattoestreicher.com/

Nathan East & Noah East The Mindful Musician Podcast with Matt Oestreicher In this episode of The Mindful Musician, Matt Oestreicher sits down with legendary bassist Nathan East and his son Noah East for a wide-ranging conversation about musicianship, philosophy, legacy, and what it truly means to sustain a life in music. This episode is connected to the March 1st performance at the SHU Community Theatre, where Nathan and Noah will appear live, opening for 11-time Grammy Award winner Christian McBride. About Nathan East Nathan East is one of the most recorded bass players in modern music history. A founding member of the contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay and a longtime member of Eric Clapton's band for more than four decades, Nathan has also performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Anita Baker, Barry White, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and countless others. He co-wrote the hit song "Easy Lover" and has played on some of the most iconic recordings of the past 40 years. About Noah East Joining him is Noah East — pianist, composer, and collaborator — whose new album Father Son marks the first full recording project between father and son. While Noah grew up immersed in musical excellence at the highest level, he is carving his own artistic identity with clarity and depth. In this conversation, Matt makes a point to engage Noah directly, exploring the experience of growing up in a legendary musical household while building an independent voice. Their dialogue touches on intergenerational collaboration, ego, listening, favorite drummers, Yamaha basses, longevity, and the responsibility of raising a musical child. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions on Facebook — several of them made their way directly into this conversation. Live at SHU Community Theatre Nathan and Noah East will perform live at the SHU Community Theatre on March 1st, opening for Christian McBride and Ursa Major. The SHU Community Theatre is a 500-seat nonprofit performing arts center in Fairfield, Connecticut presenting world-class music, film, and live events. More information and tickets: https://www.shucommunitytheatre.org/all-events/christian-mcbride-%26-ursa-major The Mindful Musician is hosted my Matt Oestreicher find him at https://www.mattoestreicher.com/

🎙️ New Episode of ON THE MARQUEE This week on The SHU Community Theatre Podcast, we welcome legendary guitarist John Scofield. John Scofield's guitar work has influenced jazz since the late 70's and is going strong today. Possessor of a very distinctive sound and stylistic diversity, Scofield is a masterful jazz improviser whose music generally falls somewhere between post-bop, funk edged jazz, and R & B. Born in Ohio and raised in suburban Connecticut, Scofield took up the guitar at age 11, inspired by both rock and blues players. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. After a debut recording with Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, Scofield was a member of the Billy Cobham-George Duke band for two years. In 1977 he recorded with Charles Mingus, and joined the Gary Burton quartet. He began his international career as a bandleader and recording artist in 1978. From 1982–1985, Scofield toured and recorded with Miles Davis. His Davis stint placed him firmly in the foreground of jazz consciousness as a player and composer. Since that time he has prominently led his own groups in the international Jazz scene, recorded over 30 albums as a leader (many already classics) including collaborations with contemporary favorites like Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Eddie Harris, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Mavis Staples, Government Mule, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano and Phil Lesh. He's played and recorded with Tony Williams, Jim Hall, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Dave Holland, Terumasa Hino among many jazz legends. Throughout his career Scofield has punctuated his traditional jazz offerings with funk-oriented electric music. All along, the guitarist has kept an open musical mind. Touring the world approximately 200 days per year with his own groups, he is an Adjunct Professor of Music at New York University, a husband, and father of two. John Scofield Trio will be performing at SHU Community Theatre on 11/23/25 For Tickets and More Information go to: https://www.shucommunitytheatre.org/all-events/john-scofield-trio John Scofield's Website: https://www.johnscofield.com/

  Matt shares his new episode of the SHU COMMUNITY THEATRE PODCAST with the Mindful Musician.   VENUE WEBSITE: https://shucommunitytheatre.org/   This week on The SHU Community Theatre Podcast, we welcome singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Coley O’Toole. A proud Connecticut native, Coley shares the incredible story of his journey from playing local gigs to touring the world as a keyboardist and vocalist with Green Day.  He opens up about his roots in CT, his early love of music, and the bands he helped build — including the platinum-selling pop-rock group We the Kings, who are hitting the road this summer with Avril Lavigne.  Whether you're a musician, a music lover, or just curious about life on the road and inside the industry, this episode offers an honest, inspiring look at what it takes to make it in music — and stay there.   Coley’s Website: https://www.coleyotoole.com/ Coley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coleyjotoole/?hl=en WE THE KINGS band: https://www.wethekingsmusic.com/ Their most popular song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CUyWJ7UINM Book a songwriting session with him here:  https://mastermindroad.thrivecart.com/songwriting-coley/ Music: Per Your Request (written and arranged for The Verve Jazz Ensemble by Matt Oestreicher)   GENERAL PODCAST INFORMATION:   The SHU Community Theatre On The Marquee podcast. Welcome to On The Marquee—the podcast that takes you beyond the spotlight and behind the scenes of the performing arts! Hosted by SHU Community Theatre’s Executive Director, Matt Oestreicher, this show shines a light on entertainment and education in concert by featuring exclusive conversations with upcoming performing artists. Each episode, Matt peels back the curtain to reveal the artist’s journey—demystifying the creative process, sharing untold stories, and uncovering what it's like to be a performing artist. Whether you're a lifelong arts lover or just curious about why you should come to a performance, On The Marquee  is your all-access pass to the arts and entertainment world.

Matt returns to the Mindful Musician podcast to talk about his new-ish role as the Executive Director of The SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield Connecticut and to tell you to come see comedian Todd Barry there on Saturday February 24th.      VENUE WEBSITE: https://shucommunitytheatre.org/ GET TICKETS FOR TODD BARRY'S HALF JOKING TOUR:   http://shucommunitytheatre.showare.com/ToddBarry LINK TO THE PODCAST THAT THIS IS FROM (The SHU Community Theatre Podcast) https://sites.libsyn.com/513383/shuct-commedian-todd-barry

link to part 1: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician/2019/10/15/ep35-an-exploration-of-improvisation-with-stephen-nachmanovitchpart-1   part 1 on iTunes:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-35-exploration-improvisation-stephen-nachmanovitch/id1039740479?i=1000453557899   The full length album that we recorded: "The Liquid Between The Styles" - (including the pieces from this podcast) https://themindfulmusician.bandcamp.com/releases   Stephen Nachmanovitch links: Website: http://www.freeplay.com/ His new book The Art of Is: Improvisation as a way of life http://www.freeplay.com/Writings/TheArtOfIs.php His classic book Freeplay http://www.freeplay.com/Writings/2-amazonlinks-fp.php   Host Matt Oestreicher links: The Mindful Musician Podcast Homepage: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician Website: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/

The full length album that we recorded: "The Liquid Between The Styles" - (including the pieces from this podcast) https://themindfulmusician.bandcamp.com/releases   Stephen Nachmanovitch links: Website: http://www.freeplay.com/ His new book The Art of Is: Improvisation as a way of life http://www.freeplay.com/Writings/TheArtOfIs.php His classic book Freeplay http://www.freeplay.com/Writings/2-amazonlinks-fp.php   Host Matt Oestreicher links: The Mindful Musician Podcast Homepage: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician Website: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/

Here's a mini-episode related to ep.33 where I interviewed Jazz Educator Jamey Aebersold.  Mini-episodes are for: talking about a specific idea from the interview that I was inspired by, keeping the momentum of the podcast, and for talking about some of my current projects(self-promotion.)    Music for this episode: Per Your Request - The Verve Jazz Ensemble composed and arranged by Matt Oestreicher https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thevervejazzensemble4   new from Matt and author Brian Leaf:  The Be You Card Deck for Teens -  https://www.amazon.com/You-Card-Deck-Teens-Mindfulness/dp/1683732588   The new book of upcoming guest Stephen Nachmanovitch https://www.amazon.com/Art-Improvising-Way-Life/dp/1608686159   Podcast home page: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician   Link to episode 33 with Jamey Aebersold http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician/2019/9/5/s8jxks0hn1i0ger9xeka661nvl7hy9   My website: www.mattoestreicher.com    

Jamey Aebersold was born July 21, 1939, in New Albany, Indiana. He attended college at Indiana University and graduated in 1962 with a Masters Degree in Saxophone. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Indiana University in 1992. He also plays piano, bass and banjo. In 1989, the International Association of Jazz Educators inducted Jamey into their Hall of Fame at the San Diego convention. With this award, Jamey joins other jazz luminaries such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and others. Jamey is a internationally-known saxophonist and authority on jazz education and improvisation, and has developed a series of Jazz Play-A-Longs (book and cd sets (now numbering almost 130 volumes) as well as various other supplemental aids for the development of improvisational skills. The Aebersold book and recording sets allow a musician the opportunity to practice and improvise with well-known jazz personalities at home as well as in the classroom. The recordings employ some of the best jazz musicians in the world. This concept has been responsible for changing the practice habits of thousands of musicians around the world. In 2007, Jamey was awarded the Indiana Governor's Arts Award by Mitch Daniels, the Governor of Indiana.   In December 2004, the Jazz Midwest Clinic bestowed upon Jamey the "Medal of Honor" in Jazz Education. In 2014, Jamey was awarded The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award, the nation's highest honor in jazz. Jamey Aebersold is the recipient of the 2014 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy, which is bestowed upon an individual who has contributed significantly to the appreciation, knowledge, and advancement of the art form of jazz. Jamey has been a driving force in America's native art form, Jazz, and continues to kindle the fires of musical imagination in those with whom he comes in contact.   Find more about Jamey Aebersold at:      Website featuring Books and Full Bio:  http://www.jazzbooks.com   NEA Jazz Masters page:https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/jamey-aebersold   Find more about The Mindful Musician Podcast at:    http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician   Matt Oestreicher(Host) http://www.mattoestreicher.com   Featured Music on this episode:  Per Your Request performed by The Verve Jazz Ensemble Written & Arranged by Matt Oestreicher https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thevervejazzensemble4  

  Mini episodes aim to clarify and catalog one idea or principle that can be helpful to those of us who manage our own creative careers. This episode features a story from Composer David Friedman(The Today Show, Desperate Measures, We Can Be Kind) about asking for what you want. To hear more from David, listen to episodes 30 and 31. Link to the blog post about this topic: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/music-blog/2019/6/1/an-essential-music-career-skill-asking-for-what-you-want-and-learning-to-deal-with-rejectionnbsp   The Mindful Musician podcast is hosted by Band leader and producer Matt Oestreicher. The homepage can be found here: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician   please subscribe/like/review on iTunes

DAVID FRIEDMAN  David Friedman, composer of the award-winning hit musical, Desperate Measures, (Drama Desk for Music and Lyrics/Outer Critics and Off Broadway Alliance Awards for Best Musical) is one of this country's most beloved songwriters, best known for writing songs that touch our hearts and speak to our souls. He has written songs for everyone from Disney to Diana Ross, produced all of the late/great Nancy LaMott’s CD’s and wrote many of her best known songs, (Listen To My Heart/We Can Be Kind/We Live on Borrowed Time/I’ll Be Here With You/Just in Time For Christmas), conducted and vocal arranged 6 musicals on Broadway and numerous Disney Animated Films (including Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) wrote songs for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, Bambi II and Trick, scored 3 television series, performed his revue Listen To My Heart – The Songs of David Friedman to audiences Off Broadway, all over America and abroad, and is currently in his 10th year of co-writing (with Kathie Lee Gifford) and performing a song-a-month for the Today Show’s Everyone Has a Story Segment. (This month will be his hundredth song.) In addition to Desperate Measures, David has written 4 other musicals with Peter Kellogg: Chasing Nicolette played to rave reviews at The Westport Country Playhouse, the Prince theater in Philadelphia (where David was awarded the Barrymore Award for best score) and Village Theatre in Seattle, and recently had a backer’s presentation in New York with John Rando directing; Stunt Girl, about the life of Nellie Bly, the first woman investigative reporter in New York and the first woman to run a major corporation, was seen in a critically acclaimed production at the Village Theater in Seattle, which was followed by a staged reading at Manhattan Theatre Club in New York. (After seeing this reading, Gloria Steinem called it, “Altogether, the strongest female story I've ever seen on Broadway -- or pretty much anywhere”); Money Talks, a four-character musical that follows the path of a $100 bill as it passes from person to person, with Benjamin Franklin playing the $100 bill, was presented at the Davenport Theatre last year; and Lincoln in Love, a musical about Abe Lincoln’s early years, was presented at Goodspeed. David’s Christmas Oratorio, King Island Christmas, written with Deborah Brevoort, has had over 50 productions around the world. David is also a best-selling author with 5 books including We Can Be Kind - Healing Our World One Kindness at a Time, based on his song of the same name. (Currently in its Fifth printing.) His three books on his Metaphysical Method, The Thought Exchange, explore how to not only choose the thoughts we wish to hold, but how to stay with them and see them manifest in our lives. He is a sought after speaker, lecturer and teacher around the country. For more information, go to www.MIDDERMusic.com.  LINKS Davids Website: www.MIDDERMusic.com We Can Be Kind - book and song    https://www.amazon.com/We-Can-Be-Kind-Kindness/dp/1633536750 Nancy LaMott singing We Can Be Kind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49m0--Wsk6E Koga (animated children’s series):      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvmrHk_ih2E   The Mindful Musician Podcast: www.mattoestreicher.com

DAVID FRIEDMAN  David Friedman, composer of the award-winning hit musical, Desperate Measures, (Drama Desk for Music and Lyrics/Outer Critics and Off Broadway Alliance Awards for Best Musical) is one of this country's most beloved songwriters, best known for writing songs that touch our hearts and speak to our souls. He has written songs for everyone from Disney to Diana Ross, produced all of the late/great Nancy LaMott’s CD’s and wrote many of her best known songs, (Listen To My Heart/We Can Be Kind/We Live on Borrowed Time/I’ll Be Here With You/Just in Time For Christmas), conducted and vocal arranged 6 musicals on Broadway and numerous Disney Animated Films (including Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) wrote songs for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, Bambi II and Trick, scored 3 television series, performed his revue Listen To My Heart – The Songs of David Friedman to audiences Off Broadway, all over America and abroad, and is currently in his 10th year of co-writing (with Kathie Lee Gifford) and performing a song-a-month for the Today Show’s Everyone Has a Story Segment. (This month will be his hundredth song.) In addition to Desperate Measures, David has written 4 other musicals with Peter Kellogg: Chasing Nicolette played to rave reviews at The Westport Country Playhouse, the Prince theater in Philadelphia (where David was awarded the Barrymore Award for best score) and Village Theatre in Seattle, and recently had a backer’s presentation in New York with John Rando directing; Stunt Girl, about the life of Nellie Bly, the first woman investigative reporter in New York and the first woman to run a major corporation, was seen in a critically acclaimed production at the Village Theater in Seattle, which was followed by a staged reading at Manhattan Theatre Club in New York. (After seeing this reading, Gloria Steinem called it, “Altogether, the strongest female story I've ever seen on Broadway -- or pretty much anywhere”); Money Talks, a four-character musical that follows the path of a $100 bill as it passes from person to person, with Benjamin Franklin playing the $100 bill, was presented at the Davenport Theatre last year; and Lincoln in Love, a musical about Abe Lincoln’s early years, was presented at Goodspeed. David’s Christmas Oratorio, King Island Christmas, written with Deborah Brevoort, has had over 50 productions around the world. David is also a best-selling author with 5 books including We Can Be Kind - Healing Our World One Kindness at a Time, based on his song of the same name. (Currently in its Fifth printing.) His three books on his Metaphysical Method, The Thought Exchange, explore how to not only choose the thoughts we wish to hold, but how to stay with them and see them manifest in our lives. He is a sought after speaker, lecturer and teacher around the country. For more information, go to www.MIDDERMusic.com.  LINKS Davids Website: www.MIDDERMusic.com We Can Be Kind - book and song    https://www.amazon.com/We-Can-Be-Kind-Kindness/dp/1633536750 Nancy LaMott singing We Can Be Kind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49m0--Wsk6E Koga (animated children’s series):      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvmrHk_ih2E   The Mindful Musician Podcast: www.mattoestreicher.com

Lipbone Redding is an award-winning vocalist, guitar player, voice-strumentalist, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher and traveler. He is best known for his one-man orchestra show; simultaneously playing, singing and making the instrument sounds with his mouth and without the use of a loop pedal. Lipbone incorporates a full spectrum of musical styles from American Roots and Jazz to throat singing and Indian Classical. Origins A free-range child, native to the swamps, farmlands and beach towns of coastal North Carolina, Lawrence “Lipbone” Redding cites his mama’s Soul, Boogie, Blues and Disco records as early stylistic origins. As a young man he became interested in Art, Opera, Books and Theater and often dreamt of travel to exotic places. At 21 years old, no longer able to be contained by a small town, Lipbone escaped to New York City and discovered Improvisation, Comedy, Jazz, Modern Art, Dance and Performance Art. Lipbone’s decade at the cultural crossroads sparked his curiosity and paved the way for future influences from around the globe. New York became a launching pad for what was to become a lifetime of travel and collaboration with artists and audiences alike. After a brief stint as an actor, carpenter, bartender and producer for the Museum of Sound Recording, Lawrence Redding accidentally became a NYC subway musician and adopted the name “Lipbone.” He made “funny” sounds while playing guitar. Curious folks would often ask, “what do you call that sound?” He would tell them, “It’s my Lip Trombone!…My Lipbone!” Hence the name. It was there in the underground caverns that Lipbone Redding experienced artistic redemption, and honed the skills that eventually allowed him to travel and make a living wherever life took him: India, Europe, South America, New Orleans, San Francisco, and points between. “Music is like pollen that drifts through the air and becomes a seed in the imagination. Music is a carrier wave for revolution. With music, I speak with friends who I have never met. We tell each other, ‘Everything is alright. You are not alone.’” - LB Traveling the world making friends and music, Lipbone spends most nights on the road in his small RV, “The Beautiful Flying Machine.” Outfitted with solar panels, a kitchen and comfortable living area, he boasts waking up to some of the most stunning views on planet Earth. From his mobile headquarters, Lipbone makes art, writes songs, records music, perfects his vegan recipes, interviews fascinating strangers for his podcast, and shares photos and video of nature’s beauty.  Recently Lipbone’s live show was featured on PBS, On Tour with Lipbone Redding. The program has been seen by viewers nationwide. Most recently, Lipbone has released a digital album on his own label, Beautiful Flying Records entitled Return Of The Beautiful, co-produced by Mashti (Mads Nordheim). The two have collaborated on an earlier record entitled Runaway Snail, recorded in Goa, India. Both albums are available in digital format from www.LIPBONE.com, on Spotify and iTunes. With the decline of CDs and physical music merchandise, Lipbone has taken a new tact. Already making art and writing on a daily basis, he has been making small runs art booklets with full album Part of his DIY aesthetic, the physical objects that accompany the albums are a thought provoking collection of art, stories and lyrics. WHERE TO FIND LIPBONE REDDING www.lipbone.com facebook.com/lipbonereddingmusicmaker instagram.com/lipbone twitter.com/lipboneredding youtube.com/user/TeamLipbone   Songs by Lipbone heard in this podcast: 1) Cowgirls Meet on Guadalupe Street 2) Dogs of Santiago 3) Refugees and Vagabonds THE MINDFUL MUSICIAN PODCAST Homepage: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician/ On iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindful-musician/id1039740479?mt=2 Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattoestreicher  

Dwayne Cooper is from Florence, SC and currently lives in NYC.  He began singing in a Christian a cappella group called “The Cunningham Singers”. Often referred as a modern day Sammy Davis Jr. meets Barry White, he is what the industry calls a “triple threat” and has performed in the Broadway casts of MOTOWN, HAIRSPRAY, several National tours and most recently the NY Revival of Smokey Joe's Cafe. He is also one of the founding members of THE DOO WOP PROJECT, a ten piece band that travels around the US performing Doo Wop music. As a songwriter/producer, he has charted #7 on Billboard’s Top Ten (Dance) and as a sketch comedy writer, his personal YouTube videos have been seen by over 1,000,000 people.  Dwayne and Sonny Paladinos Band:   https://www.thedoowopproject.com/ Follow Dwayne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdwaynecooper/?hl=en The production of Smokey Joe's Cafe that we worked on together: http://smokeyjoescafemusical.com/#home   Sign up for The Mindful Musician Mailing List at: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/    

THE MINDFUL MUSICIAN PODCAST HOMEPAGE: http://www.mattoestreicher.com/themindfulmusician/   TODAYS GUEST:  Jeffrey Lee Campbell LINKS: www.jeffreyleecampbell.com BUY HIS BOOK HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Close-Improbable-Adventure-Guitarist/dp/1947309331 BIO:      Originally from North Carolina, Jeffrey Lee Campbell was raised on a steady diet of rock 'n' roll, soul, and Top 40 music. Playing his first PAYING gig at age 13, Jeffrey is a lifer.    Jeffrey picked up the guitar at the tender age of 8, spending his formative years gigging in bands “anywhere and everywhere” (school dances, frat parties, night clubs, etc). After graduating high school, Jeffrey was accepted into the prestigious "Studio Music and Jazz" program at the University of Miami.     Ultimately chasing his dream North, Jeffrey Lee relocated to New York City and quickly established himself as one of the city's top musicians. His performance experiences range from iconic intimate venues such as CBGB, The Bottom Line, The Bitter End, MTV and NBC’s Saturday Night Live . . . to huge concert stages including NYC's Madison Square Garden, London's Wembley Stadium, and Japan's Tokyo Dome.     Jeffrey Lee strummed his way around the world on Sting’s "Nothing Like the Sun" World Tour ("blazing guitar work" - Rolling Stone, "soaring guitar" - USA Today), proudly sharing the stage with musical heavyweights Branford Marsalis, Mino Cinelu, and Kenny Kirkland in twenty-five countriesacross six different continents.     In addition to Sting’s World Tour, Jeffrey Lee was also a part of Amnesty International's "Human Rights Now!" World Tour (featuring Sting, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, and Youssou N'Dour). Playing 20 concerts worldwide (including extraordinary shows in Africa and India), the Amnesty tour was truly a once in a lifetime experience. One of Jeffrey's top Amnesty highlights was sitting in with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Bandat the tour's concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina.     Back at home in NYC, Jeffrey Lee had the extreme pleasure of playing guitar with Aretha Franklin (for "VH-1 Divas Live" - an all-star tribute to the Queen of Soul at Radio City Music Hall). The "Divas" concert climaxed with a finale that found Jeffrey jamming with Ms. Franklin, Mary J Blige, Nelly Furtado and surprise special guest Mr. Stevie Wonder. Other performance credits include Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Bublé, Bob James, and singer/songwriter Sam Phillips.      As a studio musician, Jeffrey has worked with some of the industry's top producers such as T Bone Burnett, Phil Ramone, Rob Cavallo, and David Foster —as well as legendary engineers Bob Clearmountain and Elliot Scheiner. Jeffrey has recorded at The Record Plant, Hit Factory, Avatar (aka The Power Station), Quad, Unique, Sear . . . and many more.        Jeffrey's extensive Broadway credits include Saturday Night Fever, Seussical, Mamma Mia, and School of Rock - the Musical.       Most recently, Jeffrey has added "published author" to his list of accomplishments, releasing his "insightful and engaging," coming-of-age memoir "Do Stand So Close: my improbable adventure as Sting's guitarist" (from Deeds Publishing).

Information about Stas and his band Baraka Moon's new release:    BARAKA MOON Links: http://pressjunkiepr.com/video/bismillah-baraka-moon-album-wind-horse-2017-official-video/ For More Information: www.facebook.com/BarakaMoon www.barakamoon.com e: info@barakamoon.com t: 415-596-3518    sign up for the Mindful Musician mailing list at www.mattoestreicher.com   https://www.facebook.com/themindfulmusician/

One of my most interesting experiences in music has to be the time I toured with the band of a spiritual teacher(read: cult leader.) I was the only one in the band who was not a devotee of his.  Well, about 10 years later, this teachers community dissolved amidst scandal.  For the first time since then I talked to his 2nd in command who was the guitarist in the band.  I finally got some answers about what was going on behind the scenes.  This guitarist, Stas Mavrides, also happens to have had a very colorful career in the music business.  He has toured with the Beach Boys, recorded several award winning albums, and has a new album out with his band Baraka Moon.   For More Information: www.facebook.com/BarakaMoon www.barakamoon.com   and visit me at: www.mattoestreicher.com  

One of my most interesting experiences in music has to be the time I toured with the band of a spiritual teacher(read: cult leader.) I was the only one in the band who was not a devotee of his.  Well, about 10 years later, this teachers community dissolved amidst scandal.  For the first time since then I talked to his 2nd in command who was the guitarist in the band.  I finally got some answers about what was going on behind the scenes.  This guitarist, Stas Mavrides, also happens to have had a very colorful career in the music business.  He has toured with the Beach Boys, recorded several award winning albums, and has a new album out with his band Baraka Moon.   For More Information: www.facebook.com/BarakaMoon www.barakamoon.com   and visit me at: www.mattoestreicher.com