This week, we’re putting The Tonearm's needle on saxophonist and composer Alden Hellmuth. Alden grew up in Hartford, studying in the Jackie McLean tradition, and now works out of New York City.

Her new album is called Tether, and it features a band centered on two bass players, rounded out by drums, piano, and trumpet. Alden wrote music for the ensemble that keeps them all tied together, no matter how loud or free it gets.

We talked about our shared background in Connecticut, what she took from studying with Herbie Hancock, and how she writes for the specific people in the room.

(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Alden Hellmuth’s Tether)

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Dig Deeper

Artist and Album:

Visit Alden Hellmuth at aldenhellmuth.com and follow her on Instagram and YouTube
Purchase Alden Hellmuth's album Tether from LEITER, Bandcamp, or Qobuz, and listen on your streaming platform of choice.

Collaborators:

Logan Kane, bassist
Miller Wrenn, bassist
Justin Brown, drummer
Paul Cornish, pianist, featured guest
Yakiv Tsvietinskyi, trumpeter, featured guest

Label:

LEITER, the Berlin label co-founded by Nils Frahm

Education and Mentorship:

Musical References:

Jackie McLean, saxophonist and longtime Hartt faculty member
Joe Morris, guitarist/improviser Hellmuth credits as an early gateway into improvised music
Steve Lehman, saxophonist and composer, cited mentor
Deerhoof, Breakup Song (2012)
Otoboke Beaver, Japanese punk band

Venues:

Real Art Ways, Hartford
Non Plus Ultra, Los Angeles

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Dig into this episode's complete show notes at podcast.thetonearm.com

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