In this episode, I sit down with bassist Jeff Picker to talk about the winding road from jazz to roots music, and how his time with Ricky Skaggs became a real-world education in feel, note choice, and serving the song. Jeff shares how he went from New York to Nashville, how that Skaggs connection opened doors at the Opry, and why bluegrass bass is simple in concept but not easy in execution.

We also dig into electric country bass and the influence of players like Joe Osborn, including what it means to think about voice leading, “flop” bass, and why subtle choices can be the difference between good and great. Jeff explains how he approaches being a hired gun, adapting to different bands, and why your individuality comes through without forcing it.

Finally, Jeff walks me through his solo records, what pushed him to start writing, how the first project gained traction on SiriusXM, and what it was like working with Victor Krauss as a co-producer. We wrap by talking about sessions, life as a working musician in Nashville, the Opry staff band, and the reality of raising a puppy while keeping your calendar full.

To learn more about Jeff, visit his website.

Music from the Episode:
The Winds of Spring (Jeff Picker)
Ricky's Run (Jeff Picker)
Night Terrors (Jeff Picker)
The Unfinished Path (Jeff Picker)

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I reconnect with conductor and educator Aaron Kula, who shaped my summers in the Chautauqua Youth Orchestra at the Chautauqua Institution in New York in 1994 and 1995. We talk about what it means to trust young musicians with major repertoire, including the time we took on Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and what that experience taught me about preparation, accountability, and confidence.

Aaron shares his philosophy for building ensemble culture: learning every student’s name, holding individuals responsible while serving the collective, and making the rehearsal process both rigorous and engaging. We dig into how his multi-genre musical life, from classical training to folk and ethnic traditions, and his deep connection to Jewish music, shaped the way he hears rhythm, style, and culture inside the orchestra.

Aaron also explains how conducting changes when moving from the concert stage to ballet, how tempo becomes a real-time collaboration with dancers, and why a conductor has to know when to lead, when to release, and when to stay out of the players’ way. This conversation is equal parts music, mentorship, and reflection, and a reminder that the seeds teachers plant can continue to grow for decades.

I’m grateful for the chance to say thank you, and for the lessons from those summers that still guide how I work with students and teams today.

To learn more about Aaron, visit his website.

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

In this episode, I talk with legendary timpanist, educator, and musical pioneer Jonathan Haas. Jonathan’s journey weaves together St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Juilliard, Frank Zappa, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Philip Glass, and a powerful new project responding to the world we live in today.

Jonathan tells the story of how a newspaper clipping from his mom led him to Washington University, where he studied with Rich O’Donnell, John Kasica, Tom Stubbs, and Rick Holmes—often taking four private lessons a week while subbing with the St. Louis Symphony.

From there, he describes:

• Heading to Juilliard to study with Saul Goodman
• Subbing with the New York Philharmonic
• Auditioning for and touring with Emerson, Lake & Palmer (including opening Bolero in front of 50,000 people at Soldier Field!)
• A 20-year relationship and collaboration with Frank Zappa, sparked by a handwritten letter
• The long road to commissioning the Philip Glass Double Timpani Concerto and why it had to become a double concerto
• His work at NYU, including powerful new pieces by Lenny White and Tim Adams, connected to Black Lives Matter and the murder of George Floyd

Jonathan is a phenomenal storyteller, and the combination of history, humor, honesty, and perspective makes this one of the most compelling conversations I’ve had.

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.