Alan and Lindsay Bjorklund explore the decade-long journey of the album Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz featuring Tyshawn Sorey, Matt Mitchell, Jeremy Viner, Travis Reuter, and Kim Cass. They break down the band history of Smirk, the process of recording world-class improvisers at GSI Studios, and why they chose to build an independent platform for creative music.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Reflecting on the label’s first release

01:00 - The origins of Smirk (2011 at Ibeam)

02:00 - Smirk vs. Face: Electric and Acoustic quintets

04:14 - Expanding to a sextet with Matt Mitchell

09:29 - Personnel rotations and sub-players

11:44 - Writing specifically for the 5-string electric bass

12:04 - Bass chemistry with Tyshawn Sorey

15:28 - Meeting Tyshawn Sorey and early collaborations

19:51 - Inside the 2017 GSI recording session

22:38 - The decision to fund a project and start a label

25:58 - Interconnectedness: The Merry Poppins session

30:05 - The Nublu release gig and the live energy

31:14 - Tyshawn’s perfectly timed stick drop

32:39 - Nostalgia for the 55 Bar and intimate spaces

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