Best Chris Thiessen Podcasts (2025)

1
Harry Bartlett: Guitar, Old-Time & Bluegrass with Improv 1:21:33

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4d ago1:21:33

1:21:33

Harry Bartlett talks about the left hand versus the right on guitar, bluegrass, jazz, and more. Harry is a Nashville-based guitarist originally from BC who has also spent time in Toronto. Harry is playing an early show at Tyrant Sudios on Friday, November 21st with his Mountain Air project, featuring Evan Snoey and James Meger. His latest release i…

1
Jason Winikoff: In-Person This Time! 1:30:13

18d ago1:30:13

1:30:13

Jason Winikoff talks about Broadway songs, Zambian music, and more. Jason is a percussionist and ethnomusicologist known for playing in trad-jazz scenes and other music traditions. He first came to Vancouver from the U.S. in 2018 but moved back stateside earlier this year. Jason recently played the annual Rocky Horror Music Show and has upcoming sh…

1
Nick Peck: Keys, Guitars, & Technology Intersect 1:19:44

1M ago1:19:44

1:19:44

On the Rhythm Changes Podcast, Nick Peck talks about coming from England to BC, machine learning and the textures and forms that technology produces in collision with the arts, and guitars versus keyboards. Nick is an English composer, pianist, and computer programmer among other things. He is known on the scene for playing in bands with Len Arulia…

1
Bill Coon: Standard Elegance 1:53:21

2M ago1:53:21

1:53:21

Bill Coon talks about his solo guitar album Standard Elegance releasing on Cellar Music October 3rd, the nature of music education, learning from Jim Hall, playing at O'Doul's, and what it means to be happy but not satisfied with your artistic work. Bill is one of our scene's long-tenured and treasured guitarists, known for his playing in groups li…

1
Ardeshir: "The music doesn't owe us anything." 2:07:36

3M ago2:07:36

2:07:36

Ardeshir Pourkeramati talks about meeting your heroes, staying hungry to learn more from mentors and friends in the music, practicing, confronting the raw truth of your playing by recording yourself, stories from coming up in the 2010s scene, and studying at the University of Oregon and the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Mus…

1
Trent Otter: "Put me behind any drumkit." 1:31:44

4M ago1:31:44

1:31:44

Trent Otter talks about his busy session playing lifestyle, bandleading, the battle of music labour versus streaming, gear, moving from teaching lessons toward full-time playing, and the nuances of how you start to enjoy playing when you're young. Trent is a drummer with an unmatched work ethic in our generation on the scene. Some bands he plays in…

1
Cole Schmidt: Guitar, Jazz Festival Co-Artistic Director 1:23:32

5M ago1:23:32

1:23:32

Cole Schmidt talks about the upcoming 40th Vancouver International Jazz Festival presented by the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, where he is the co-artistic director. Cole is a guitarist and composer who is an absolute mainstay of our scene and has been for many years now. To say that Cole has a full plate at any given time is a gross understateme…

1
Jessica Hawkes: Songwriter, Vocalist, Engineer, Nashville 1:09:27

5M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

Jessica Hawkes talks about the Nashville songwriting scene and her perspective on that world coming from a jazz background. Jess is a vocalist, songwriter, producer, and engineer who goes way back with me to formative years at CapU. Originally from Lake Country, BC, she has split her time between Vancouver, New York City, and Nashville. Become a me…

1
Dean Thiessen: Composer, Piano, Stranger Friends Orchestra 1:08:27

6M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Dean Thiessen talks about his Stranger Friends Orchestra (I'm a band member) and their upcoming performance at the Fox Cabaret on May 31 presented by Infidels Jazz. The large ensemble will celebrate the release of a live EP that weekend on the Infidels Jazz label. Dean is a pianist and composer from Alberta who has been active in Vancouver as a wor…

1
Biboye Onanuga: "It's happening here, it's cool." 1:19:16

7M ago1:19:16

1:19:16

Biboye Onanuga talks about his latest of what is now several trips to Vancouver from Edmonton, and the different flavours inspiring him as he goes about his creative life today, from the literally food-based to the musical. He played two Infidels Jazz shows this weekend: one at the VIFF Centre playing the music of Thelonious Monk, and the other at …

1
Shruti Ramani: Juno Nominated with Raagaverse - Jaya 1:25:09

8M ago1:25:09

1:25:09

Shruti Ramani talks about her Juno nomination at the 54th awards taking place in Vancouver this weekend, for her band Raagaverse's album Jaya in the Jazz Album of the Year - Group category. Raagaverse consists of Shruti as the vocalist-bandleader and the composer of most tracks on Jaya, Noah Franche-Nolan as the pianist and co-arranger, Jodi Prozni…

1
Ben Frost: What is a Composition? 1:28:23

8M ago1:28:23

1:28:23

Ben Frost talks about the nature of composition, some anonymized tales of difficulty on the bandstand, and being a side musician versus a leader. This is Ben's second appearance on the show, the previous one having been hosted back in December 2022 by Will Chernoff. Ben and I will play together as a duo at Is That French? next Thursday, March 27; a…

1
Bellbird: Claire Devlin, Allison Burik, Eli & Mili return 1:24:06

9M ago1:24:06

1:24:06

The entire Montreal-based band Bellbird sits down for our only 5-person episode ever! Reedists Claire Devlin and Allison Burik join Eli Davidovici and Mili Hong, who were influential on the Vancouver scene while they were based here and previously appeared on Will Chernoff's edition of the podcast as a duo. The members variously played four Infidel…

1
Jacob Wutzke: Drums, You Better Bet, Tour, Montreal, NYC 55:03

9M ago55:03

55:03

Jacob Wutzke talks about his new album You Better Bet, which showcases his compositions alongside several Tony Williams tunes, and his first tour as a bandleader surrounding the album. After two performances here in Vancouver, Jacob continues on to Portland, Oregon and then to Edmonton and his native Calgary (tour date info here on his website). He…

1
Kevin Romain: Drums, DIY Spaces & Scenes, Autopoietic 1 1:21:55

9M ago1:21:55

1:21:55

Kevin Romain talks about his longtime creative residence in our local scene including a solo drum record called Autopoietic 1 forthcoming on the Infidels Jazz label, his band Salience Network, and much more. Raised in Windsor, Ontario, Kevin brings DIY values and "unapologetic" advocacy – as well as coffee roasting and brewing skills at his own ini…

1
Jodi Proznick: Bass, Jazz at VSO School, Ostara Project 1:42:55

10M ago1:42:55

1:42:55

Jodi Proznick talks about becoming the Director of Jazz Studies at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music and her work there spanning more than a decade, her values as an educator, and her musical history where she has been one of Canada's most prominent jazz bassists since the 2000s. Jodi's current ensembles include the Ostara Project, T…

1
Jason Winikoff: Drums, Percussion, NOLA, Ethnomusicology 1:00:19

10M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Jason Winikoff talks about playing drums and percussion in the Vancouver scene since his arrival in 2018 from the US, though he is now on the cusp of returning to the states. Jason came here to study at UBC after moving from New Jersey to New Orleans to Boston. He is known for leading his Hot Five, Crescent, and Postcards from Zambia ensembles, for…

1
Chelsea McBride & Thomas Houlden: Sax, Trumpet, Grad School 1:37:49

11M ago1:37:49

1:37:49

Chelsea McBride & Thomas Houlden talk about their experiences in grad school, the multitudes of musical identity, and developing a unique compositional style. We also discuss our favourite underrated Christmas songs. Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upcoming events from the gig list, plus art…

1
David Sikula: Guitar, Audio Engineer, Organ Jazz & More 1:23:42

12M ago1:23:42

1:23:42

David Sikula talks about guitars, illegal busking in Rome, and outdated recording formats. Dave is one of Vancouver’s premier jazz guitarists and one of the most in-demand audio engineers in the city. Dave has played with artists like Brian Charette, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Cory Weeds, The Inhabitants, and the Nightcrawlers. He is well-known for recordin…

1
John Gross: Saxophone, 6+ Decades of Professional Playing 2:08:36

1y ago2:08:36

2:08:36

John Gross talks about his origins in music, including the first time he heard Charlie Parker, and his long career playing with Shelly Manne, Oliver Nelson, Clare Fischer: just the tip of the iceberg. John is a saxophonist originally from Los Angeles who lived in Portland, Oregon from 1990 to 2016, after which he moved to Vancouver. He shares his t…

1
Will Chernoff: Tables Turned! Bass, Rhythm Changes Founder 1:38:34

1y ago1:38:34

1:38:34

Will Chernoff talks to Chris Fraser as a guest on the show he started over three years ago. Will's next music release, Queen's Park, is a digital EP featuring Thad Bailey-Mai, Nebyu Yohannes, Madeleine Elkins, and Miles Wong (release date: Nov. 8, 2024). Will returns as the emcee of IronFest at Ironworks, presented by Coastal Jazz, on November 1st …

1
David Lavoie & Carson Tworow: Teardown, Production, Beats 1:15:59

1y ago1:15:59

1:15:59

David Lavoie & Carson Tworow talk about their jazz- and beat-influenced music as well as the effect of internet forces on artists' lives. David and Carson released their second album with Inner Ocean Records, Teardown, on Sep. 27, 2024. This is their second appearance on the show, the previous one being episode 14; they are the first returning gues…

1
John Korsrud: Composition, Trumpet, Hard Rubber Orchestra 1:21:03

1y ago1:21:03

1:21:03

John Korsrud talks about composition, his formative years learning from Hugh Fraser, and his seven times going to Burning Man. John is a composer and trumpeter in Vancouver who is known for his Juno-nominated big band, the Hard Rubber Orchestra, and for its parallel band Orquestra Goma Dura as well as his newer large ensemble called Absolute Unit. …

1
Madeleine Elkins: Guitar, Teacher, Indie Touring Musician 1:19:20

1y ago1:19:20

1:19:20

Madeleine Elkins talks about teaching, touring, and physical vs. digital media. Madeleine is a guitarist, singer, and banjoist who is known for her work with Madelyn Read, Meredith Louise, and Maddisun among other various projects across the folk, indie, and jazz scenes in Vancouver. She also talks about growing up in New Westminster, her introduct…

1
Will's special announcement on the future of this podcast 1:03

1+ y ago1:03

1:03

I'm so proud to tell you that Chris Fraser is taking over as the host of this show, starting with the next episode.By Chernoff Music

1
Sapalo Shafooli: Episode 100! Photography, ‘Jazz Flights’ 2:50:12

1+ y ago2:50:12

2:50:12

Sapalo Shafooli talks about his deep engagement with Vancouver's local music scene through photography, video, and attendance at countless live shows – including the multi-stop, transit-powered nights he has referred to as jazz flights. Born in Zambia and raised primarily in Terrace, BC, Sapalo has been active in the jazz community since 2008 at th…

1
Feven Kidane: Trumpet, Bass, Jazzfest, Upbringing, Culture 1:41:44

1+ y ago1:41:44

1:41:44

Feven Kidane talks about performing at and around the 2024 jazzfest with her own group as well as other ensembles. Feven is a multi-instrumentalist known for her projects with Gordy Li, Andromeda Monk, and many more of the rising generation locally. We also discuss family, upbringing, going to CapU's jazz program, and many more topics. At around th…

1
John Nicholson: Saxophone, Jazzfest Gigs, Queer as Funk 1:16:27

1+ y ago1:16:27

1:16:27

John Nicholson talks about the many gigs he played around jazzfest time, including with Kevin Romain's Salience Network, Biboye Onanuga, Queer as Funk, and more. John is a saxophonist who spent time in the Toronto scene during his educational journey, going there for graduate studies after completing CapU's jazz program. He moved back to Vancouver …

1
Jenny Xu, Ben Feldman, & Kofi Shepsu: Friendship, Trio 1:00:10

1+ y ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Jenny Xu, Ben Feldman, & Kofi Shepsu talk about playing together in their New York-based trio called Friendship since 2018, NYC jazz stories, their two albums to-date (Project Sock Retrieval and Ghost Stories), and the recording session and gigs that they just came to Vancouver for. Jenny is a pianist originally from Surrey. She and Friendship's ba…

1
Mili Hong & Eli Davidovici: Drums, Bass, Bellbird, Montreal 1:15:57

1+ y ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Mili Hong & Eli Davidovici talk about touring as part of their band Bellbird with Claire Devlin and Allison Burik, the other Vancouver engagements in their 2024 jazzfest experience, and their move to Montreal. Mili and Eli are a drums-bass team who are arguably the eminent Vancouver jazz rhythm section of my generation going back to the mid-2010s. …

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Biboye Onanuga: Drummer, Composer, Jazzfest, New Standards 59:14

1+ y ago59:14

59:14

Biboye Onanuga talks about his performances at the 2024 Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Feven Kidane, Odario, and his own quartet. Biboye is a drummer and composer based in Edmonton who co-organizes a weekly series called New Standards at The Common in his home city. Biboye's longstanding band, Good Information, blends hip-hop and jazz i…

1
Réjean Marois: Vocal Project, CapU Jazz, Arranger-Composer 52:23

1+ y ago52:23

52:23

Réjean Marois talks about directing his vocal jazz ensemble called the Marois Vocal Project, his touring years based out of Québec as a trombone player and arranger, falling in love with Vancouver, and more. Best known as the director of the Capilano University jazz program's NiteCap ensemble, Réjean was one of the program's most renowned faculty a…

1
Ben MacRae: Clarinet, St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church 1:22:47

1+ y ago1:22:47

1:22:47

Ben MacRae talks about coordinating the Jazz Vespers services at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver, his background in New Orleans-style jazz from the Fraser Valley to the city, and how he has found his voice en route to graduate studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Ben is a woodwind player best known for his work as a clar…

1
Jeff Gammon: Bass, Gigging, Calgary to Vancouver and Back 1:04:33

1+ y ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Jeff Gammon talks about his move back to his home city of Calgary after a decade of performing in Vancouver and touring while based out of here. Jeff is a bassist who plays in groups like Last Ark Out, Kevin Romain's Salience Network, Only a Visitor, the Itamar Erez Quartet, the David Sikula Trio, and many more. Fri, Jun 21 @ 4:00pm FREE admission:…

1
Sarah Stevenson: Vocalist, Nanaimo to McGill, First Year 1:22:06

1+ y ago1:22:06

1:22:06

Sarah Stevenson talks about her first year at McGill University's jazz program as a vocalist and her upbringing in Nanaimo, including studies at Wellington Secondary School's jazz program. I heard Sarah play in Nanaimo at the Vault Cafe and spoke with her at her family's home the next day. This episode is the first on-the-road session I've ever con…

1
Jon McCaslin: Drums, Calgary, Four on the Floor, Curation 1:01:02

1+ y ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Jon McCaslin talks about publishing about jazz drums at Four on the Floor for 15 years and counting, as well as his performing and recorded work as a professional drummer based in Calgary. Jon has an album called Sunalta on Cellar Music featuring his original compositions with Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Tilden Webb, and Jodi Proznick. My second album…

1
Justin Juan: Piano, Keys, Beats, Cooking, Surrey to CapU 1:14:20

1+ y ago1:14:20

1:14:20

Justin Juan talks about the start of his career as a professional keyboardist, developing his craft as a beatmaker with his first release still to be determined, his passion for cooking, and the bands he's played in. Justin is finishing his studies at Capilano University's jazz program this year and has played or subbed with Star Captains, Potatohe…

1
Kate Hammett-Vaughan: An Up, Down, and All-Around Singer 51:43

1+ y ago51:43

51:43

Kate Hammett-Vaughan talks about her decades of singing and teaching in the Vancouver jazz community. Kate moved from Nova Scotia to BC in 1979, was present at the founding of our jazz festival, and has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader. Her best-known groups have included a quintet and trio under her own name, a duo with Bill Coon, and Garb…

1
Wynston Minckler: Bass, Gigs, Professional Musician Life 2:05:02

1+ y ago2:05:02

2:05:02

Wynston Minckler talks about playing upright and electric bass professionally on the Vancouver music scene for over a decade now. Wynston's name appears on the gig list more than almost anyone else as a side performer. His main project as a bandleader has been a trio with Mary Ancheta and Nick James, playing the music of the Yellow Magic Orchestra.…

1
Rachel Therrien: Trumpet, Traveller, CAPI, Mi Hogar, Tour 57:04

1+ y ago57:04

57:04

Rachel Therrien talks about the show she played in Vancouver at Frankie's Jazz Club on April 14, 2024 as well as the upcoming release of her album CAPI on April 26. Rachel is a New York-based trumpet player who has also lived in Montreal and studied in Cuba, now touring widely and maintaining bands in multiple territories. She is perhaps best known…

1
David Caballero: Young First-Call Bassist, Recorded Debut 1:12:58

1+ y ago1:12:58

1:12:58

David Caballero talks about playing bass with Arvind Ramdas, Atley King, Brad Turner, and many more of the Vancouver jazz scene's most active performers. David emerged quickly after arriving at Capilano University as one of our leading lights on bass, and his debut on record was Atley's album Unconditional released in 2023. His next performances th…

1
Harmeet Kaur Virdee: Bass, Surrey Jazz Nights, VSO School 1:52:24

1+ y ago1:52:24

1:52:24

Harmeet Kaur Virdee talks about her upbringing, education, and values as a bass player; her journey as an arts administrator in her early twenties, including work with the VSO School of Music and the Ostara Project; and her music, currently in a band with Ru Ha, Noah Franche-Nolan, & Karl DeJong. Harmeet started a series in May 2023 called Surrey J…

1
Chris Wong: Journeys to the Bandstand Vancouver Jazz Book 2:07:24

1+ y ago2:07:24

2:07:24

Chris Wong talks about his new book Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver. Chris is an author, lifelong music fan, and veteran of music journalism. He wrote about our jazz community for outlets including the Vancouver Courier, the Georgia Straight, and many more, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Learn about and …

1
Jessica Heaven: Vocalist & Singer, Actor, Dancer, Leader 1:33:21

1+ y ago1:33:21

1:33:21

Jessica Heaven talks about her multi-disciplinary life as a vocalist (or a singer – she feels a distinction!), dancer going back her entire life, theatre and film actor, and a member of the leadership team with the Women in Jazz Association of BC since that non-profit's inception. Through the association, she has been involved in the Sister Jazz Or…

1
Jazz at the Bolt 2024 - Instagram Live Post-Festival Chat 48:52

2y ago48:52

48:52

I went live on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 to post-game Jazz at the Bolt 2024 — hundreds of happy folks, due to the music by dozens of musicians, underwritten by months of hard work from Cory, Tim, and the team. I enjoyed every minute of the music at the Shadbolt and at Frankie’s, and your company. I feel lucky to have been involved and to have had a win…

1
Francis Naluz: PATH, Bass, Guitar, Couch Jams, Caribou 1:25:59

2y ago1:25:59

1:25:59

Francis Naluz talks about his band PATH, co-led with Paco Ha. Francis is a bassist who plays upright and electric bass as well as guitar. He is an active side-person in his cohort, playing often with Gordy Li, the Couch Jams Collective, and many more. He graduated from Capilano University in 2022. Francis plays in the next Couch Jams event called I…

1
The Chernoffs Holiday Chat 1:30:35

2y ago1:30:35

1:30:35

Need some company? Long travels still ahead of you this winter break? Or do you just want to hear some tea about Rhythm Changes? Vez Chernoff guest-hosts this impromptu chat with their husband Will, going through a bunch of fun (or deep) questions collected from tweets, articles, and podcasts around the end of this year. Links to things mentioned: …

1
Letter 2023: Reflecting on the Year Together, What's Next 13:14

2y ago13:14

13:14

Want to know how many people are in my audience? What about the number of paying subscribers I have? This is a shortened version of a video I made for paying subscribers at Rhythm Changes on December 6, 2023. To see the numbers and inside information we shared, become a subscriber and add your support to Rhythm Changes. I also talk about an insight…

1
Daniel Deorksen: Booking Tyrant Studios, Guitarist, Actor 1:28:52

2y ago1:28:52

1:28:52

Daniel Deorksen is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor, and venue booker who leads the Seven Tyrants Theatre Society. The society presents music and comedy as Tyrant Studios above the historic Penthouse Night Club on Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver. Become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca. You'll get the free weekly email with upc…

1
Róisín Adams: Piano, Composer, Beatings are in the Body 1:00:34

2y ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Róisín Adams talks about playing at Ironworks and at 8EAST as one-third of the group Beatings are in the Body, with Erika Angell on vocals and Peggy Lee on cello. Róisín is a composer, pianist, and improviser who also leads her own trio with James Meger on bass and Dan Gaucher on drums. Beatings are in the Body played shows on Vancouver Island arou…