Pedal steel guitarist Ian McGimpsey joins Pablo Held to talk about his journey with the instrument, exploring its mechanics, tuning systems, and his unique approach to improvisation and harmony. Other topics include Ian’s composition ‘Etude #1’, arranging ‘Danny Boy’, and how Ian is documenting his creative process.

Trumpeter Alexandra Ridout joins Pablo Held for a conversation ahead of their upcoming tour together. They talk about playing sessions, learning standards, composing, and her thoughts about the flugelhorn. Other topics include Alexandra’s trumpet heroes, sitting in on gigs, being kind to yourself as a musician, performing with Artemis and Melissa Aldana, and the influence of Geri Allen.

Catch Alexandra Ridout on tour with the Pablo Held Trio:

May 1 // Basel (CH) // Bird’s Eye
May 2 // Basel (CH) // Bird’s Eye
May 3 // Denzlingen // Fuge Trifft Fuge
May 5 // Köln // King Georg
May 6 // Düsseldorf // Jazz Schmiede
May 7 // Wuppertal // Insel
May 8 // Hannover // HMTMH [masterclass]
May 9 // Hannover // Jazzclub
May 10 // Nieder Olm // Begegnungen

tickets and more info:
https://pabloheld.com/tour

Drummer and composer RJ Miller joins Pablo Held to talk about the creative process behind his albums “Ronald’s Rhythm” and “Free Soul”, finding specific grooves for songs and what he thinks about endings. Other topics include playing in the groups of Jorge Rossy and Aaron Parks, seeing Paul Motian at the Village Vanguard, and lessons learned from Ornette Coleman and Masabumi Kikuchi.