Big Ears: Conversations About Music

Talking Curation (Josh Johnson with Ashley Capps)

In this episode of Big Ears: Conversations About Music, Big Ears founder Ashley Capps sits down with saxophonist, composer, and producer Josh Johnson to explore his inspired guest curation for this year’s festival.  Josh and Ashley dig into their feelings on context, discovery and the irreplaceable human element of curation. They discuss the constellation of creative artists Johnson describes as “exceeding the frame,” refusing to be contained by genre or expectation — including Cleo Reed, Qur’an Shaheed, Will Graefe, Chicago Underground Duo, Marquis Hill, Twin Talk, and DeAntoni Parks.  This intimate talk reveals some of the secret sauce behind Big Ears' curation and how deep listening is at the heart of everything we do.

Kaoru Watanabe's Bloodlines Interwoven

Flutist and taiko drummer Kaoru Watanabe discusses Bloodlines Interwoven, a multi-year project exploring heritage, immigration, and diaspora through music and storytelling. The son of Japanese immigrants and symphonic musicians, Watanabe’s path has included formative time on a remote Japanese island, years touring with the taiko ensemble Kodo, and collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Laurie Anderson, Jason Moran, André 3000, and the Silkroad Ensemble.  Launched in 2024 with support from the Mellon Foundation, Loghaven Artist Residency, and the Aslan Foundation, Bloodlines Interwoven brings together musicians and storytellers to transform family histories into shared creative work. At Big Ears 2026, the project unfolds across three performances at venues throughout downtown Knoxville.  Journalist and music critic Larry Blumenfeld has followed the project since its inception. He joins Watanabe for a conversation about its origins, and how it will comes to life at Big Ears.

Pat Metheny

Today we have an incredibly rare interview with NEA Jazz Master Pat Metheny, who appears for the first time ever at Big Ears 2026 with his Side-Eye project. One of the most prolific and influential guitarists, bandleaders and composers, Metheny has spent the last 50 years making music with the likes of Gary Burton, Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Antonio Carlos Jobim, John Zorn and Meshell Ndegeocello. Here we present him in conversation with WRTI's Nate Chinen.  The 20-time Grammy winner is a lyrical and versatile musician who has seemingly played with almost everyone.  In this insider's interview, Pat discusses his collaborations with legends of yesteryear: Burton, Jaco Pastorius, Jack DeJohnette, and Roy Haynes. He discusses his contemporary tribe including Brad Mehldau, Antonio Sanchez and Christian McBride; and a new generation of players, particularly drummers, Joe Dyson and Marcus Gilmore.  Metheny reflects on the recent growth of his band-leading concept, his admiration for sincerity in music and how truly difficult it is to write one good song. He also opines about Big Ears as a world-renowned pilgrimage destination for serious music heads.

Marc Ribot

Guitar legend Marc Ribot in dialogue with guest host, cultural critic Larry Blumenfeld (WSJ, The Nation). A true original, Ribot has always gone his own way, recording over two dozen records as a leader, while appearing on an estimated 600 or so albums by others - from Tom Waits’ singular Rain Dogs to Alison Krauss & Robert Plant’s Raising Sand; plus the likes of Elvis Costello, Henry Grimes, John Zorn, Wilson Pickett and Marianne Faithfull. Here, Marc reflects on his early experiences on the New York music scene and his singular evolution as an artist; shares thoughts about the three projects he’s bringing to Big Ears 2026, and discusses his activism, specifically the challenges facing musicians in an age of streaming and AI, and what it means to create—and organize—in ever-changing times.

12 Highlights of 2025: A 2026 Big Ears Preview

In this special edition of Big Ears: Conversations About Music, four deeply engaged listeners -Ayana Contreras, Piotr Orlov, Liz Pelly, and Steve Smith - survey the sounds that moved them in 2025—offering a preview of just a few of the highlights in store for Big Ears 2026. The conversation encompasses a fiercely prolific Downtown innovator (John Zorn), a wide embrace of the contemporary classical landscape (JACK Quartet, Hania Rani); fiercely independent rock bands (Deerhoof, YHWH Nailgun); folk music deeply rooted in history and identity (Haley Heynderickx, Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band) gospel music ripe for the dance floor (Annie & The Caldwells), two vastly different fusions of electronics and improvisation (Patricia Brennan & Flying Lotus) and two trumpeters from Baltimore & Chicago whose sound is deeply informed by local community and collaborators (Brandon Woody & Marquis Hill). This episode offers the kind of snapshot of outsider music scenes that only Big Ears can offer. Explore the common and contrasting musical DNA that defines our ethos. Give it a listen! Tracks Played in this Episode: Annie & the Caldwells * I Made It * Don’t You Hear Me Calling Marquis Hill * I Promise to Listen * The Cool Brandon Woody * Real Love, Pt. I * We, Ota Benga John Zorn (Masada / related works) * Jachin (Masada Quartet – Live at Tonic 2001) * Sacred Beasts (John Zorn & Dave Lombardo – Memories, Dreams & Reflections) JACK Quartet * Conjurations (from Necronomicon, Complete String Quartets) * Spectral Waves (from Waves & Particles) Hania Rani * Chilling Bambino (from Ghosts) * Piano Concerto “Non-Fiction”: I YHWH Nailgun * Penetrator * Castrato Raw (Fullback) Flying Lotus * Ingo Swann * Arkestry Patricia Brennan * Palo de Oros (Suit of Coins) * Antilia Deerhoof * Kingtoe Haley Heynderickx * Song for Alicia * This Morning I Am Born Again Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band * New Threats From the Soul (Studio) * New Threats From the Soul (Live in Cambridge)