The ProgCast With Gregg Bendian

TREY GUNN is a touch guitar/composer widely known for his work with KING CRIMSON and currently, TU-NER. He joins me on The ProgCast for a chat about his history with Robert Fripp's League of Guitarists beginnings, Sylvian/Fripp, and of course his time playing with King Crimson and the KC score books that Trey has been spearheading. This is the first of a two-part interview.

Kerry Minnear of Gentle Giant - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Andy West - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

Andy Partridge (part 2) - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Andy Partridge (part 1) - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Juan Carlos Quintero

Tim Motzer & Gregg Bendian discuss "The Eternal"

Vinnie Colaiuta

Kevin Godley

Dave Cousins

EPISODE 100 !!! Art Tripp & Zoot Horn Rollo

Holiday Greetings From the ProgCast

Bill Milkowski - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Judge Smith - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Dave Gregory of XTC

Hilliard Greene episode 95

Billy Sherwood episode 94

THE MAHAVISHNU PROJECT (Neil Alexander/Brian Mooney/Robbie Mangano/GB) is on tour playing the complete BIRDS OF FIRE by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and in this episode of The ProgCast we meet up to discuss our history with the incredible music of John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Billy Cobham, Jerry Goodman, and Rick Laird. We talk about the joys and challenges of interpreting this classic jazz-rock unit's richly rhythmic, melodic and harmonic material and what it means for us as a jazz-rock fusion repertory ensemble. https://www.bendianmusic.com BONUS EPISODES AVAILABLE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast Study Drums/Composition/Music with Gregg: https://www.bendianmusic.com GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists. You can also find us on: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0x9bzb0... APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... https://www.bendianmusic.comhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/0HBmV... https://www.bottomlinearchive.comhttps://guides.library.yale.edu/oham/... https://www.mahavishnuproject.comhttps://www.wpunj.edu/coac/department...

Steve Hackett - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Ornette Coleman Remembrance Dave Bryant - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Mats Oberg - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Cecil Taylor Remembrance

Mike Clark

RICHARD SINCLAIR, bassist, guitarist, vocalist, is one of the founding fathers of Canterbury prog. What a pleasure to speak with him on The ProgCast about his time with Caravan, Hatfield & The North, Camel and of course, his solo music as well. https://richardsinclairsongs.bandcamp.com

https://www.bendianmusic.com BONUS EPISODES AVAILABLE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast Study Drums/Composition/Music with Gregg: https://www.bendianmusic.com GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists. You can also find us on: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0x9bzb0... APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... www.greggbendian.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HBmV... https://www.bottomlinearchive.comhttps://guides.library.yale.edu/oham/... https://www.mahavishnuproject.comhttps://www.wpunj.edu/coac/department...

Derek Bailey: An appreciation and remembrance - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Ralph Humphrey - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Mahavishnu Project - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

John McLaughlin - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

DEREK SHULMAN of Gentle Giant opens up and spends some extra time with me to share his feelings on the underrated "Civilian" reissue, Gentle Giant as a live band, Kerry Minnear's genius, "So Sincere" deets, Derek's book announcement, Giant's huge impact on the hip-hop world, and I get to tell Derek what Giant meant to us all! If you join my Patreon, this is the kind of amazing extra stuff you'll have access to, so please consider joining to help support what we bring to progressive music fans at The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian.  BONUS EPISODES AVAILABLE ONLY ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

Morgan Agren

Tony Banks of Genesis (Part 2)

Brian Kane - The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Tim Motzer - The ProgCast With Gregg Bendian

MOHINI DEY is a virtuoso Bengali electric bass player who has worked with Marco Minnemann, Jordan Rudess, Zakir Hussain and Ranjit Barot among many others. We delve into Mohini's unique musical upbringing on the Mumbai scene and beyond, as well as her exciting solo and collaborative projects.  BONUS EPISODES AVAILABLE ONLY ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

Support us on Patreon !!! https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

JOHN "PUGWASH" WEATHERS (Part the second) hits The ProgCast! Gentle Giant's drummer/force of nature and my drumworld pal continues his discussion of the delicious details of Giant's entire oeuvre and we discuss the upcoming reissue of "Civilian." A gentleman and a squire, JPW is one of prog's mightiest heroes.

PLEASE HIT OUR PATREON AND HELP SUPPORT

OUR EFFORTS TO DELVE DEEPLY INTO PROG HISTORY!

https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

John Weathers of Gentle Giant (Part 1)

Glenn Alexander 

Bev Bevan

Gary Green of Gentle Giant

TIM SEISSER is the bassist for the incredible American prog unit, DISTRICT 97. Tim also has an incredible new album with his trio TS3, produced by Tim Lebevre. We talk about Tim's diverse musical background, all his very cool projects, and of course his work with D97. 

ProgStock preview 

Andy Partridge, Tony Banks, and more: Two Years of The ProgCast with Gregg Bendian

Ray White

JONATHAN SCHANG is the drummer/composer from Chicago prog rock wizards, DISTRICT 97. D97 is one of my favorite newer American progressive bands and their 10+ years on the scene have proven them to be one of the finest in the world. We discuss Jonathan and the band's history, their approach to long form composition, and D97's work with prog icon John Wetton.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

JAMES SINCLAIR is a conductor, musicologist, and world-renowned specialist in the music of American music icon, Charles Ives. Jim has devoted most of his life to restoring and recording Ives' scores for the Naxos label. He offers us many fascinating insights to the workings of Ives' music, as we delve deep into the genius of the godfather of contemporary American classical music.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

Jonathan Mover

DEREK SHULMAN (Part one)  DEREK SHULMAN is the powerhouse voice behind the incredible music of Gentle Giant. Derek and I celebrate Giant's unique splendour by marking the 50th Anniversary of their  "Three Friends" and "Octopus" albums (both prog masterpieces), plus the reissue of their final album, "Civilian". Gentle Giant are my favorite progressive rock band, and their work has stood the test of time like few others. Lots of ground to cover with this true prince of prog.    [Part two is available to patrons of The ProgCast. Please support this special content and join us on Patreon.] SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast  Study Drums/Composition/Music with Gregg: https://www.bendianmusic.com GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists.   You can also find us on: SPOTIFY:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0x9bzb0...  APPLE PODCASTS:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...  www.greggbendian.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HBmV... https://www.bottomlinearchive.com https://guides.library.yale.edu/oham/... https://www.mahavishnuproject.com https://www.wpunj.edu/coac/department...

Andy Edwards

https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast (Part 2 available for Patrons!)  THE SIGN OF 4 remains the most controversial project I've both produced & played on. PAT METHENY, DEREK BAILEY, PAUL WERTICO, and I met up in December of '96 to record some pretty wild improvisations - both live and in the studio - and it's one of the most extreme bits of music-making of my career. My pals at MakeWeridMusic, Andre Cholmondeley and Anthony Garone help me break down the highs and the lows of this triple-disc epic, as we look back over the 25 years since TSo4's release.  "The Sign of 4" is also explored in this fun piece at MakeWeirdMusic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyGH4UZ-sY8&t=283s https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast Study Drums/Composition/Music with Gregg: https://www.bendianmusic.com GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists.   You can also find us on: SPOTIFY:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0x9bzb0...  APPLE PODCASTS:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...  www.greggbendian.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HBmV... https://www.bottomlinearchive.com https://guides.library.yale.edu/oham/... https://www.mahavishnuproject.com https://www.wpunj.edu/coac/department...

https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast (Part 2 available for Patrons!)  

TONY BANKS, keyboardist/composer/Genesis mastermind joins me for an in-depth  discussion of Genesis' beginnings, his classical influences and favorite composers, lyric writing, the end of Genesis, and much, much more. This is Part One of our conversation. Part Two is available exclusively to my ProgCast Patrons, so please consider joining The ProgCast community, or sending a donation if you enjoy our content. Thanks, as always, for your support! 

 https://www.patreon.com/theprogcast

RALPHE ARMSTRONG is one of the great bassists of jazz. He is beloved for his role in the last two versions of the mighty Mahavishnu Orchestra. We chat about Raphe's beginnings and his amazing career from the early days of jazz-rock to his current jazz outings.  Study Drums/Composition/Music with Gregg: https://www.bendianmusic.com GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists.

NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN joins me on The ProgCastt! From the moment I heard him on Mahavishnu's "Apocalypse," Narada became one of my biggest inspirations as a drummer - and later as a producer, and composer. Such an honor and an inspiration to speak with Narada about his musical life and to feel his incredible energy shattering The Wall of Zoom.

TERRY CHAMBERS is the drummer from XTC and he's back at The ProgCast to chat with me about his upcoming tour with EXTC - playing the classic catalogue in both the UK and America in the coming weeks. Plus: Terry and I look back at 40 years of English Settlement.

DENNIS CHAMBERS is truly one of drumming's greats. He's worked with Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, Santana, Brecker Bros, Mike Stern, and John Scofield to name but a few.  Another fun and informative drummer hang on The ProgCast.

DANDU are a unique jazz trio from Denver CO. With Ben Weirich on keyboards, Sean Dandurand on bass, and Dylan Johnson on drums, Dandu's music is inspired by jazz, hip-hop and funk. Sort of Weather Report meets JDilla and Thundercat. At The ProgCast, we strive to bring you both the new and the classics. Check out DANDU at www.dandumusic.com

Dave Gregory XTC lightning round

GENTLE GIANT drummer JOHN WEATHERS is back for Part Two of our lovely chat about his studio and live work with one of the all-time greatest bands of progressive music. Our thanks to everyone who has supported The ProgCast in 2021. Lots of cool stuff coming in 2022. Next up: Dave Gregory of XTC!

JOHN "PUGWASH" WEATHERS (Part 1), drummer of progressive rock icons, GENTLE GIANT is my very special guest on this special 50th Episode of The ProgCast. John and I delve into the subtleties of what made Giant tick, and some of their key moments in progressive music history. Such a pleasure and an honor to chat with one of my all-time drumming heroes!

COLIN HODGKINSON is the quintessential pioneering British blues-jazz-rock bassist. He fronted the bass-driven band Back Door, and worked with a 'who's who' of BritRock, including Alexis Korner, Spencer Davis, Whitesnake, and Ten Years After. Particularly fun to talk about his  and my experiences working with the great Jan Hammer. Lots of history to cover with Colin!

Steuart Liebig is an amazing bassist and composer from Los Angeles whom I have recorded with both in Bone Structure and my band Interzone. We get into some deep musical convo and talk about some of Steu's history, his compositions, and our music-making together.

Progressive Bagpipes??? You bet. THE FREESTYLERS OF PIPING are so completely unique, I just had to have them on the program. They hail from SoCal but I caught them live this summer in New York. Their blend of pipes with acoustic bass and percussion, along with their melodic and rhythmic drive is undeniably exciting and enticing. You might even call them a new kind of "power trio!"

TERRY STEWART is the former president of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and of Marvel Comics. That means he's the perfect guest for me to chat with about two of my favorite subjects: music and comic books! Join us as we discuss why it's so hard to get prog acts into the Rock Hall, and Marvel's rise from the ashes to its current movieland glories.

Fans of the band, Dr. Nerve will be quite familiar with the incredible musicality of pianist KATHLEEN SUPOVE. She is a champion of new music and has presented her multimedia series, "The Exploding Piano" as a way of reaching a wider audience with the music of Xenakis, Scelsi, Debussy, Eve Beglarian, and Randall Woolf, plus many others.  www.supove.com

PETER SELLARS is one of the most important and innovative directors in opera, musical, and theatrical performance of the last 50 years, and a dear friend. His work with John Adams on "Nixon In China," "Death of Klinghoffer," and "Doctor Atomic" is rightly considered legendary and Peter's embrace of French musical and visual culture is particularly fascinating. Another fine chat on The ProgCast.

DAVE GREGORY IS BACK! Both big fans of early Genesis, Dave and I revel in the 50th anniversary of "Nursery Cryme" - track by track in detail!

Duncan Rouleau is an illustrator/writer/creator of Big Hero 6, and the man from the comic book world who helped me make my REQUIEM FOR JACK KIRBY the beautiful artifact that it is. We talk early comic discoveries, album cover art, Steve Ditko and our favorite artists, and behind the scenes workings of how the Kirby album came to be.

Drummer/composer/producer Lenny White is a Founding Father of Jazz-Rock music. His work with Miles on "Bitches Brew" is legendary, Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay" is iconic, and Return To Forever's "Romantic Warrior" is a pinnacle intersection between jazz and prog. What a joy and a complete honor to pick Lenny's brain about his early discoveries, his solo albums, our favorite sci-fi movies, and the concepts that animate his unique musical world.

Chris Merrick Hughes is perhaps best known for producing Tears for Fears' "Songs from the Big Chair," and co-writing their "Everybody Wants To Rule The World." We talk about his early days as drummer/producer for Adam and The Ants, and his later work on Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, and Steve Reich's music. Chris' musicality reaches into minimalism and far beyond, and his take on electronica is completely fascinating.

RYAN OLCOTT, guitarist/singer/composer from 12RODS might be the most interesting  guy in pop music you've not yet heard of. Todd Rundgren produced their excellent "Separation Anxieties" disc and some referred to them as "American XTC." After 12RODS split, Ryan went on to create tons of cool techno-glitch using tape and circuit-bending madness as Foodteam and c.Kostra. Fun chat with a brilliant chap and an American original.

Guitarist/composer Steve Hackett stops by the podcast to talk about his excellent new acoustic album "Under A Mediterranean Sky," his upcoming projects, and the 50th anniversary of Genesis' "Nursery Cryme."  

HUGH PADGHAM is a Grammy-winning producer/engineer who's worked with Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Sting, XTC, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd, and many more. Hugh and I chat about his massive list of credits, as he regales us with tales from his fascinating musical life.

When Cecil Taylor, icon of the jazz avant garde asks if you'd like to tag along with him to The Garden to hear an iconic American rock band you say, "Yes!"  Grateful Dead aficionado and Sirius/XM DJ Gary Lambert was with us that night (he invited Ornette Coleman), and Gary helps me tell the whole story, on this episode of The ProgCast  GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists.   You can also find us on: SPOTIFY:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0x9bzb0...​ APPLE PODCASTS:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...​ www.greggbendian.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HBmV2y5G7dXc0xDuY9EAt?si=6m8XTjwoSpy1G-nuJqiTqwwww.bottomlinearchive.com https://guides.library.yale.edu/oham/collectionsguidewww.mahavishnuproject.com https://www.wpunj.edu/coac/departments/music/faculty/faculty-pop.html

TERRY CHAMBERS is well-known as the drummer of XTC. We chat about his and the band's early years, how he developed his unique style, and the drum sound that changed everything. Plus, lots about his post-XTC musical life and what he's up to currently with Ex-TC.  GREGG BENDIAN is a percussionist/composer/producer/educator/podcaster from Teaneck, New Jersey. During his wide-ranging career he has toured internationally and recorded with Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, The Mahavishnu Project, Keneally-Bendian-Lunn, The Musical Box, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Cecil Taylor, Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman and Zoot Horn Rollo. On the academic front, Gregg develops and teaches courses in studio production aesthetics, music history, and composing/arranging at William Paterson University of New Jersey. For the Yale Oral History of American Music, he has contributed over 100 expansive interviews with major figures including Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, Carla Bley and Steve Reich. Bendian is archivist/producer for the Bottom LIne Archive of historic concerts. Recorded over 30 years at the Greenwich Village venue, the series features discs by Jack Bruce with Billy Cobham, The Brecker Bros, Lou Reed/Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger/Roger McGuinn, and Doc Watson. An accomplished percussionist and a composer of over 200 works, he has created a body of innovative music for jazz, rock, percussion (solo and ensemble) and mixed chamber groups, which include his Interzone and Trio Pianissimo bands. Gregg's music is published by Iamuziks (ASCAP). Begun in August of 2020, The ProgCast explores the creative process and musical history of a diverse assortment of cutting edge artists.

Jade Warrior guitarist DAVID DUHIG joins me for a discussion of the band's origins (Steve Winwood got them signed), David's famous Monkey Chant solo, JW offshoots, and recollections of his brother Tony, who founded Jade Warrior at the tail end of the psychedelic era.

JOHN LECKIE has produced and/or engineered for Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, Be Bop Deluxe, XTC and so many other great artists. We dig into his work with George Harrison, Lennon/Ono, McCartney, and of course, The Dukes of Stratosphear.

Percussionist/improvisor Jamie Muir is best known for his incredible work on King Crimson's "Lark Tongues In Aspic." Jamie's "Dart Drug" with Derek Bailey had a huge impact on my idea of sound and improvisation. Today I speak about Jamie's brilliance, and our London hang in the summer of '88. Plus: How I ended up playing Jamie's gear on a Bailey gig, and a very special memento from those heady days. 

Music:

https://www.madeofwater.bandcamp.com 

https://www.greggbendian.bandcamp.com

Violinist/composer Tom Chiu leads the Flux Quartet, a cutting edge quartet from NYC who've taken on the massive 6-hour, "String Qt No.2 by Morton Feldman. Tom has collaborated with Oliver Lake, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Henry Threadgill. Tom and I worked with Ornette Coleman in Ornette's  Harmelodic Chamber Players. We chat about that wild project, Tom's composition, "RETROCON," and more.

Fred Frith has changed the worlds of guitar, guitar sound, rock songs, rock bands, improv, and beyond. We chat about Fred's early years, Henry Cow, Art Bears, Massacre, and Skeleton Crew, plus Captain Beefheart, Derek Bailey, and John Cage come up too.

Composer/harpist/improviser/educator Anne LeBaron and I are old friends and collaborators from the New York improv/new music scene. She is renowned for pioneering extended harp techniques, and electronic enhancements. Anne has covered so much musical ground during career - from early gigs with Derek Bailey,  to composing unique and groundbreaking operas and concert theater. That and much more, on The ProgCast.

Part three kicks into interstellar overdrive with Andy's film and literary heroes, lots more Beefheart, Star Wars v. Space Patrol, Andy's ant fascination, Patrick Stewart v. Bill Shatner, and his POWERS project. Andy holds court, and things get a bit unhinged, as even higher levels of geekery ensue.

In part two of my chat with Andy, we remember the late Harold Budd, and talk about Andy's writing process, the great Terry Chambers and the XTC drum sound, major comic book geekage on Jack Kirby and our favorite illustrators, Colin's bass parts, and the origins of XTC's name. Plus, I give Andy my take on XTC's influence upon 80's King Crimson. Special thanks to our mutual pal, Mike Keneally for making this meeting possible.

Guitarist/composer/raconteur ANDY PARTRIDGE of XTC is my delightful guest for the next three episodes of The ProgCast. Part one of our freewheeling exchange covers everything from novelty and psychedelic music to Tony Williams Lifetime, Yes, Captain Beefheart, Andy's favorite Dave Gregory solo, XTC band lingo, and what it was like to be onstage with that four-piece juggernaut. Plus: Andy plays guitar for us!  Special thanks to our mutual pal, Mike Keneally for making this meeting possible.

Pianist/composer/educator Hal Galper is an important elder-statesman of jazz, hailed as a bandleader ,and as a collaborator of Cannonball & Nat Adderly, Sam Rivers, Phil Woods, and Tony Williams. Hal's recall of the music's history, paired with his wry sense of humor, makes him one of my favorite jazzmen to chat with.

Rolf Schulte is one of the most riveting violinists performing contemporary classical music. He is widely acknowledged as a passionate and exacting soloist, a champion of Elliott Carter's music, and has worked closely with composers Gyorgy Kurtag, Milton Babbitt, and Charles Wuorinen. Rolf reflects on 50-plus years of interpreting the headiest music of the 20th Century, as we discuss his experiences and his approach to this fiercely modern music.

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is a violinist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger well-known for his work with Thundercat, Erykah Badu, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, and more. Miguel's work bridges so many areas of musical culture it makes my head spin. A deep and detailed chat about creativity between kindred spirits, today on The ProgCast.

Pianist/composer/improviser Vicki Ray's musicality has spanned the gamut of many new musical worlds - genre-be-damned. Vicki's expressive reach is just incredible. We explore her work with The California Ear Unit, the music of Morton Feldman, Mel Powell, Wadada Leo Smith, and the micro-tonal music of Harry Partch. All of that, and Vicki's current dive into the solo piano music of Cecil Taylor, on The ProgCast right now.

Stu Goldberg was the keyboardist in the final, quartet version of the Mahavishnu Orchestra ("Inner Worlds") and went on to join John McLaughlin in the One Truth Band on "Electric Dreams." In addition to working with Al DiMeola, Miroslav Vitous and Wayne Shorter, he is an amazing soundtrack composer and bandleader in his own right. We get into all things Mahavishnu, and much more.

Malcolm Mortimore drummed for Gentle Giant on the "Three Friends" album, and later with the Three Friends band playing classic GG with guitarist Gary Green. Malcolm has played with a large range of musical artists including Arthur Brown, Ian Dury, Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, and Barnie Kessel, before rounding up the guys for an incredible Giant reunion on the major prog event of 2020 - GG and their fans together performing an award-winning "Proclamation" video. Lots on that and more! Giant is one of the reasons I do what I do, so this one was a blast.

Bassist/composer Bryan Beller is well-known to fans of progressive music for his stellar work with The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Dethklok, and Mike Keneally. Bryan's latest release, "Scenes From The Flood" is a massive concept album - an epic for the current moment. We dive deep into that, and have lots of fun touching on his love for Yes, Pink Floyd, and Meshuggah.

DAVE GREGORY (pt 2)  DAVE GREGORY is known the world over as the guitarist/keyboardist of XTC. Dave and I take a deep dive into the details of the band's fascinating history and their myriad musical approaches.

Vocalist JAY CLAYTON is a pioneer of free jazz and an original member of Steve Reich & Musicians - performing on the premiere of "Music for 18 Musicians" and "Tehillim, and more. Free jazz AND minimalism?! Clearly, Jay has come to the right place to discuss her amazing artistry and musical history.

DAVE GREGORY is known the world over as the guitarist/keyboardist of XTC. Dave and I take a deep dive into the details of the band's fascinating history and their myriad musical approaches. Part two coming soon.

DAVID WITHAM is a wonderful pianist, composer, producer, and arranger. We've worked together a bunch in my Trio Pianissimo, as well as Jeff Gauthier's Goatette. We cover Dave's musical history, his studies with Jaki Byard, his work with George Benson and Barbra Streisand, and his longtime involvement with Cryptogramophone Records, among lots of other cool stuff.

I've always been fond of BONE STRUCTURE, an improvised rock ensemble formed with my Los Angeles pals - GE Stinson, Steuart Liebig, and Jeff Gauthier. Getting the guys back together to reminisce about making the Bone Structure disc and our unique type of spontaneous live performance was a true pleasure and tons of laughs.

SAMUEL ANDREYEV is an incredible composer with a fascinating analytical musical mind. We talk about Samuel's rich creative life, and break off into composers like Debussy, Ives, Varese, Stockhausen, among many others. Lots of common ground here, including a mutual admiration of Captain Beefheart.

Dave Liebman is a living colossus of the saxophone. He spoils us with two vivid hours of his incredible experiences in the hotbed of jazz/creative music's seminal days - when he became a meister alongside The Meisters.

As a young'n back in 1975, one of the first new, American, proggy bands I followed was CRACK THE SKY - who recently landed a spot in Rolling Stone magazine's "50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time." In this episode, fanboy Gregg has the pleasure of chatting with CTS chief architects and composers, singer John Palumbo and guitarist Rick Witkowski. They tell me all about the band's beginnings, their prolific output, and their trials and tribulations as under-sung heroes of American prog.

Guitarist/keyboardist/composer MIKE KENEALLY is one of a kind. Mike is a musical force-of-nature and one of the most prolific artists I have ever known. His work with Zappa, Satriani, and Vai is legendary. Mike and I cover our 20 years of history together, our trio with the late, great Doug Lunn, our love of XTC, and we tip o' the iceberg on Mr. Keneally's vast reserve of musical ideas and projects.

This week I welcome my long-time collaborator, guitarist/composer/conceptualist GE STINSON to The ProgCast. GE is one of the founding fathers of world fusion music and has always been on the cutting edge of improvisation, in all its forms. Lots of ideas and history to cover...

Singer SHEILA JORDAN is living history. A High Priestess of Jazz - from Bop to Free - Ms. Jordan joins me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Charlie Parker,  telling some amazing tales of Bird, and taking us back to the very beginnings of that new jazz, Be Bop.

Drumming great CHESTER THOMPSON is an icon of progressive music. He's  well-known for his work with Zappa, Weather Report, and Genesis, and we touch on all of that. (Back in 1977, my dad took me to see Genesis at MSG - Chester's first time in NYC with the boys - and that's just how far back my history with Chester goes.) It's an honor to welcome Chester Thompson to The ProgCast!

Alex Cline and I have a long, rich history of collaboration and friendship. In this extensive interview we discuss our time in Interzone, our mutual influences (lots of ECM), how it is we play so well together, and what the Alex Cline Ensemble is all about.

Randy Brecker is without doubt a founding father of jazz fusion. His pioneering work in the bands Blood, Sweat & Tears, Dreams, and Brecker Brothers is nothing short of seminal. Lots to discuss, including his time with Billy Cobham, John Abercrombie, and Jaco's WoM

Keyboard master Don Preston is, of course, an original member of Zappa's Mothers of Invention. He's also a synth pioneer, a music conceptualist, and a cutting edge composer. We chat about his beginnings as a bassist, his time with Frank, Carla Bley, Michael Mantler and so much more.

Gary Husband is the complete musician/artist we all endeavor to become. Equally at home on drums or keyboards, he's also a wonderful composer and serious educator. My two hours with Gary flew by, as we talk about his time on the British jazz scene, and his work with Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin,  Jack Bruce, and so much more...

My dear friend, Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad) joins us to discuss details of his work with Captain Beefheart on "Trout Mask Replica," and "Lick My Decals Off, Baby," and our collaboration on his incredible solo album, "We Saw A Bozo Under the Sea".

JEAN-LUC PONTY is truly one of my musical heroes. That becomes fully apparent during this extensive and candid interview. My appropriate level of ebullience is easily eclipsed by Mr Ponty's eloquence and generous recall, as he shares candid stories about Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever, his classical music influences and so much more. My eternal gratitude to JLP for sharing so openly about his incredible life in music. Episode 01 of The ProgCast has arrived.