Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series. On this episode, we talk with educators and musicians from the acclaimed Meridian Arts Ensemble — Daniel Grabois and Tom Curry.

We take a deep dive into their fascinating new release The Zappa House Concert, a historic recording that captures a private 1996 performance by the Meridian Arts Ensemble at the Los Angeles home of legendary composer and musician Frank Zappa.

After several years arranging Zappa’s music for brass quintet and drums, the ensemble eventually had the chance to meet with Zappa in 1992. Although Zappa passed away in 1993, the ensemble later performed a special house concert in 1996 at the Zappa residence for invited guests, preserving a unique musical moment connected to his Legacy.

The Meridian Arts Ensemble was founded in 1987 by students from Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music and has since become one of the most innovative brass ensembles in contemporary music.

In this conversation, we explore the story behind the recording, the ensemble’s musical journey, and the powerful influence of Frank Zappa’s music on their work.

Enjoy this Neon Jazz interview.

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https://www.meridianartsensemble.com/zappa-house-concert

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Joe Dimino Podcaster/Artist

Joe Dimino has been writing & creating in a variety of capacities since his college days at the University of Missouri-Kansas City somewhere around 1993. If you are keeping score, that would be about 29 years+. It all began at UMKCs University News as a Sports Writer & turned into a myriad of expressive avenues. Inventing poems, art, video & audio has always been in the proverbial cards.