Charles Stepney - Step on Step

Host Ayana Contreras visits Makaya McCraven at his home in Rogers Park, Chicago, just a few months after the release of his critically-acclaimed 2022 album In These Times, and just a few days ahead of his trip to perform at the New York City Winter Jazz Festival. Makaya reflects on the reception of In These Times while revisiting the concepts, intentions, growth, and changes the work encompassed along his 10-year journey of creating it. This episode supported in part by Strictly Discs, an independent record store located in Madison, Wisconsin.

Ayana speaks with Charles Stepney's daughters Eibur, Charlene, and Chanté (aka The Stepney Sisters) on the front porch of The Hideout for the Summer of Stepney Kickoff Party on Sunday, May 29th, 2022. The Stepney Sisters share personal stories and memories about growing up with the soundtrack of their father working on music at home, as well as what drives them to celebrate their father's legacy.  This episode supported in part by Dusty Groove, an independent record store and online retailer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Ayana sits with Alex Chavez, Jaime Garza, and Daniel Villarreal of Dos Santos at IARCHQ, as they discuss the making of their album 'City of Mirrors', their innovative embrace of musical traditions, and the multi-dimensionality of Latinidad in Chicago. This episode supported in part by Breakaway Records, an independent record store in Austin, Texas.

Ayana interviews Jeff Parker LIVE in front of an audience of friends, family, and fans at Dorian's (Through The Record Shop) in Chicago, on December 1st, 2021. They discuss record collecting, Wilco vs. Tortoise, and Jeff's journey to embracing solo guitar sonics as improvisational atmospheres. This episode supported in part by Conservatory Vintage and Vinyl, a destination, specializing in rare, pre-owned and new vinyl records, plus premium Midcentury Modern furniture (and home décor) in Flossmoor, IL.

Ayana has an in-person conversation with composer/trumpeter jaimie branch at IARCHQ in Chicago. In between jaimie's trumpetourettes they talk about FLY or DIE, their new LIVE album, their previous albums I and II, plus capitalist letters, chameleons, the making of visual scores, the perks of getting older, and "The Music." This episode supported is in part by The Record Shop in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Ayana speaks with Carlos Niño about record collecting, his roots as a radio producer and curator, and how those experiences informed forays into composing music and creating albums. This episode supported in part by Record Surplus, an independent record shop in Los Angeles, CA.

Ayana Contreras interviews Angel Bat Dawid about her album "LIVE," plus "The Oracle," and some little known history from Angel's come-up on the Chicago music scene. This episode supported in part by 606 Records, an independent record shop in Pilsen, Chicago, IL.