Jazz Saxophonist Willow Neilson on musical improvisation and martial arts

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an interview with Jazz Saxophonist Willow Neilson. Nielson studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before embarking on a music career that has taken him to Europe, Asia, the United States, and his native Australia. Settling in Shanghai in 2007 Neilson has become a seasoned member of the Chinese Jazz scene. His recent album Lighbulb Life incorporates influences of many world music traditions as well as public sounds he has recorded from Shanghai's streets.

In the interview we discuss his early musical influences, the affect martial arts has had on his playing, and the ability to loose oneself through musical improvisation. You can download Light Bulb Life through the album's band camp site. Click here to visit. You can also find out more about Neilson at his website www.willowneilson.com. Check out Neilson's video for Microcosm, the lead off track for Lightbulb Life. You can also watch a video of him covering the Charlie Parker tune Ornithology on his You Tube channel.