Go with Elmo Lovano

1d ago

Episode 97: Robert Glasper. The career-defining, three hour deep dive with one of the most influential musicians of our time. In this conversation, Robert Glasper walks through his entire journey, from his upbringing and early musical foundations to becoming a Grammy-winning pianist, producer, composer, and cultural architect who reshaped the relationship between jazz, hip hop, and R&B. This is the most expansive interview Robert has ever done. He breaks down how he became the Robert Glasper we know and love, how he developed his voice, how to get gigs (and how to keep them), and how he built a meaningful career in music. He speaks openly about his philosophies on collaboration, artistry, leadership, and longevity, offering invaluable lessons for us all. The conversation includes rare stories about him with J Dilla, behind the scenes stories about working with Kendrick Lamar and Terrace Martin on To Pimp a Butterfly, including the creation of These Walls and the collaborative environment that defined that era. He reflects on his vision for Black Radio and how working with Erykah Badu led to their version of Afro Blue, one of the most iconic recordings of his career. Robert also discusses scoring the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead and getting to go through the Miles vault! He shares stories and lessons involving Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, Terrace Martin, Bilal, Chris Daddy Dave, Lalah Hathaway, Thundercat, and many others. We talk about life lessons, fatherhood and integrity, He shares messages directly to singers and musicians about preparation, confidence, and showing up fully in every room. We also touch on the future of music and AI. This conversation is a complete document of a modern master artist reflecting on his life, career, and legacy in real time. And we have 100 laughing attacks while doing it. Here’s my conversation with the great, Robert Glasper! Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Big thanks to our friends Moises.ai for supporting the show! If you need stems, they’re the best in the game. Check them out! Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 6

Episode 96: Terrace Martin joins me for one of the deepest conversations we have ever had about musicianship, professionalism, creativity, community, and what it truly takes to build a lasting career in music. We break down the do’s and don’ts every musician needs to know. Showing up early, respecting the room, keeping the gig, getting hired, reading the temperature, avoiding the gigging mentality, how to negotiate, emotional maturity, and how to think long term in an industry that can appear to reward short term wins. We also dive into the people who shaped Terrace and his main collaborators: Snoop Dogg. Kendrick Lamar. Herbie Hancock. Kamasi Washington. Thundercat. Robert Glasper. and more. Terrace shares stories from his early days with Snoop, his evolution with Kendrick through Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., and the collaborations that changed him forever. We go deep on Herbie Hancock. His mentorship. His spiritual guidance. His approach to curiosity, humility, listening, and paying attention to the moment. Terrace talks about the conversations that shifted his life and the principles he carries into every studio session. We talk mentorship, jazz, hip hop, emotional intelligence, studio culture, the art of listening, vulnerability, protecting your spirit, community, and what it means to serve the music first. This episode is a masterclass for musicians, producers, artists, and anyone who wants to grow. We hope you enjoy it. Lets go! Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ Follow Terrace: https://www.instagram.com/terracemartin/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcard https://www.instagram.com/jammcard/ jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 29

Episode 95: Simon Phillips. This is the definitive deep dive into the legendary career of Simon Phillips, one of the most influential drummers in the world. In this long form conversation, Simon talks about his work with Toto, The Who, Judas Priest, Hiromi, Protocol, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Pete Townshend, Big Country, Stanley Clarke, Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, and goes all the way back to his teenage session years in the UK with his dad. This episode covers his technique, sound, gear, studio approach, compositions, touring stories, engineering background, and the experiences that shaped his career. Simon tells the story of stepping into Toto after the passing of Jeff Porcaro and what it took to honor Jeff’s legacy while still bringing his own sound, groove, and musical identity to the band. He breaks down his years touring and recording with The Who, including the 1989 anniversary tour and his approach to Keith Moon’s parts. We also go deep into his early session years with Judas Priest and the making of Sin After Sin, including the double bass drumming that influenced an entire generation of metal drummers. Simon talks about his long running musical connection with Hiromi and the creation of Hiromi’s Trio Project, the interplay that developed between them, and stories of his brotherhood with contrabass guitar legend Anthony Jackson. Simon shares the evolution of his writing and bandleading with Protocol, including how he builds compositions from drum ideas and how he made the project happen. We go into how he records drums and stories of so many of his ensembles. We explore his open handed and ambidextrous technique, his approach to tom and cymbal layouts, drum tuning, how he builds his drum tones in the studio, and his engineering background from his early years working in studios. This episode is ideal for drummers, musicians, audio engineers, producers, and fans of Toto, Jeff Porcaro, The Who, Keith Moon, Judas Priest, heavy metal drumming, Mike Oldfield, progressive rock, fusion, Hiromi, Anthony Jackson, and anyone who wants to understand how a legendary drummer built a world class career. Simon also talks about rebuilding after losing his home and studio in the Thomas Fire, what inspires him today, and how he continues to grow as a drummer and composer. Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ Follow Simon: https://www.instagram.com/simonphillipsofficial/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcard https://www.instagram.com/jammcard/ jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15

Episode 94: Jimmy Jam. Our first live audience interview! Jimmy Jam has lived through every major jump in music technology over the last five decades: drum machines, synths, MIDI, sampling, tape to digital recording, DAWs, and now AI. Together with Terry Lewis, he helped shape entire eras during these transitions, from Prince to Janet, Michael and beyond. Again and again, he showed that technology does not kill music. Musicians adapt, and the music adapts with them. In this conversation, we explore the real history behind the tools that changed everything, the fear curve that always appears during each breakthrough, and what today’s AI moment looks like through the eyes of someone who lived through many of the most important shifts in music technology. If you want to understand where music is going, you have to understand how we got here. Jimmy Jam has one of the clearest perspectives in the world on that journey. We recorded this in front of a sold out audience at the Abundance Institute’s Creative Frontiers event, and I could not imagine a better guest to talk about this moment in music history with. This is an important conversation, let's keep it going. Join us in the comments with your thoughts and questions, and let’s keep learning together. 'Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ The Abundance Institute is a mission-driven nonprofit focused on creating space for emerging technologies to grow, thrive, and have a chance to reach their full potential. Abundance hosts Creative Frontiers to bring artists, builders, and policy-influencers together to shape the future of creativity. Subscribe: https://creativefrontier.substack.com/ Website: https://abundance.institute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundanceinstitute/ Filmed LIVE at The Recording Club in Santa Monica https://www.therecording.club/ Follow Jimmy Jam: https://www.instagram.com/flytetymejam/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcardhttps://www.instagram.com/jammcard/ jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 8

Episode 93: Christian McBride Part 2. He's back! Nine-time GRAMMY winner Christian McBride returns for Part 2 of our conversation. In this episode we pick up where he becomes a bandleader and makes his first album. From there we cover his journey through leadership, creativity, and legacy. We talk about his work with Chick Corea, his solo albums, and the moments that earned him nine GRAMMY Awards. Christian shares stories about the drummer greats he has played with including Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Brian Blade, as well as his collaboration and relationship with James Brown. It is a two-hour conversation full of stories, laughter, and insight from one of the most influential figures in jazz. Christian is an amazing storyteller and we had a blast recording this one. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Here's Part 2 of my interview with the legend, Christian McBride! ‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ Follow Christian: https://www.instagram.com/chrmcbride/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcard jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 1

Episode 92: Joe Lovano. Joe Lovano is one of the greatest musicians of all time. A Grammy-winning saxophonist who's been on the cover of DownBeat magazine multiple times (as well as many others), a Blue Note Records legend with 25 releases, a Berklee alum, and he holds the Gary Burton Chair in Jazz Performance at Berklee College of Music, which he’s had since 2001. He also happens to be my cousin and one of the biggest inspirations and mentors in my life. This was our first time ever doing something like this together. A 3-hour deep dive interview that covers (nearly) his entire career. We go into our family history, growing up in Cleveland, our Sicilian roots, his father Tony “Big T” Lovano, and how that shaped his sound and spirit. We talk about his time with Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Charlie Haden, Esperanza Spalding, Michael Brecker, McCoy Tyner, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Hank Jones, Dave Holland, Joshua Redman, Al Foster, and many more. Joe shares lessons from decades of leading bands, developing tone, mentoring young players, and living a full creative life with his wife of 50 years, Judi Silvano. Joe is one of the greatest musicians alive, a music historian, and an incredible educator and mentor. Here is my interview with one of my favorite people, Joe Lovano.The Music Settlement Scholarship Donation: https://www.themusicsettlement.org/donate?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=a5cff9ca09-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_JoeLovano2025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1bd2f9c4a7-a5cff9ca09-434756824 ‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ Follow Joe: https://www.instagram.com/joelovanojazz/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcard jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 24

Episode 91: Christian McBride. Nine-time GRAMMY winner Christian McBride is one of the most influential jazz artists in the game. His collaborations span icons like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, James Brown, and Sting. He’s the leader of multiple acclaimed bands including the Christian McBride Big Band, Inside Straight, and New Jawn. He also serves as the host of NPR’s Jazz Night in America and was the Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival for a decade. His story is incredible, and we’re setting the stage here with Part 1, The Early Years. Growing up in Philadelphia, Christian was surrounded by greatness. His high school classmates included Questlove, Black Thought, Joey DeFrancesco, and Kurt Rosenwinkel, just to name a few. In this episode, we talk about those formative years, the Philly music scene, and how he broke into the spotlight with Wynton Marsalis and Freddie Hubbard, along with the wild story of his rare opportunity to play for Miles Davis. We also get into his professional mentality, early lessons on leadership, and what it took to earn respect from legends while still a teenager. Christian is an amazing storyteller, and this conversation is full of history, heart, and laughs. We had the best time recording this one, so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Lets go! Special thanks to Apogee Electronics. We used their Apogee HypeMic and Podcast Kit in this episode and they sounded great. Check it out! Apogee HypeMic & Podcast Kit: https://hubs.li/Q03zczhb0 ‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ Follow Christian: https://www.instagram.com/chrmcbride/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcard jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 10

Episode 90: Chance the Rapper. Chance the Rapper is one of the biggest independent artists in the history of music. He’s a multiple GRAMMY winner, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Performance. He’s hosted Saturday Night Live twice, been the musical guest three times, headlined the world’s biggest festivals, and done it all without a record label. He’s the definition of a creative entrepreneur and a true leader. In this conversation, we dive deep into how Chance built his career, how he operates his entire musical and business ecosystem, his mentality as an owner, and what he’s like as a leader. We talk about lessons from independence and entrepreneurship, his role as a father, a creative, and a community builder, and how he’s evolved from Acid Rap all the way to Star Line. Chance is an incredible human with amazing energy, a big heart, and a strong drive. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the great, Chance The Rapper. Subscribe for more conversations with the world’s greatest musicians. ‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. https://www.patreon.com/gowithelmo Become a Patreon Member to stay in the loop as we post Patreon-only exclusive content, Zoom hangs, invite only events, and discussions about music and music careers. Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/ Follow Chance: https://www.instagram.com/chancetherapper/ Follow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow Jammcard: https://www.youtube.com/@jammcard jammcard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices