Conversations with Composers: Roy Nathanson at Columbia University: 301 Philosophy Hall

Roy Nathanson is a composer, saxophonist, songwriter, poet, actor, and teacher. He is the leader and principal composer of the Jazz Passengers, a band that for the past 23 years has played the major festivals, toured Europe, and developed a remarkable repertoire of original music. The Passengers are also noted for the remarkable array of singers who have worked with them: Elvis Costello, Jimmy Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Deborah Harry, who is now a full-time member of the band. As a musician, Nathanson has played with Charles Earland, The Lounge Lizards, Steve Lacy, Marc Ribot, and The Shirelles; he and pianist Anthony Coleman also perform and record as a duo...

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Roy Nathanson is a composer, saxophonist, songwriter, poet, actor, and teacher. He is the leader and principal composer of the Jazz Passengers, a band that for the past 23 years has played the major festivals, toured Europe, and developed a remarkable repertoire of original music. The Passengers are also noted for the remarkable array of singers who have worked with them: Elvis Costello, Jimmy Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Deborah Harry, who is now a full-time member of the band. As a musician, Nathanson has played with Charles Earland, The Lounge Lizards, Steve Lacy, Marc Ribot, and The Shirelles; he and pianist Anthony Coleman also perform and record as a duo. Nathanson is the composer of theatrical and radio musicals, songs, string quartets and musical settings for his own poetry; songs for Robert Altman’s film Short Cuts; and a number of film scores. As an actor, Nathanson has appeared in films by Jim Jarmusch, Elaine May, and Chantal Akerman, and in various NY theater productions. His most recent recordings include Subway Moon on Enja Records and the forthcoming CD The Jazz Passengers Reunited with Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry on Justin Time Records.

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