Susan Alcorn

Born: April 4, 1953

One of the world’s premiere exponents of her instrument, Susan Alcorn has taken the pedal steel guitar far beyond its traditional role in country music. Having first paid her dues in Texas country & western bands, she began to expand the vocabulary of her instrument through her study of 20th century classical music, visionary jazz, and world musics.

Though known as for her solo work, she has collaborated with numerous artists including Pauline Oliveros, Chris Cutler, the London Improvisors Orchestra, the Glasgow Improvisors Orchestra, Joe McPhee, Ken Vandermark, Nate Wooley, Ingrid Laubrock and Leila Bourdreuil, George Burtm Evan Parker, Michael Formanek, Zane Campbell, and Mary Halvorson among others.

Janel Leppin: Her Own Space

by Don Ball
July 30, 2025

The first thing you learn about musician/composer Janel Leppin is that labels don't fit her music very easily. From structured compositions to free-wheeling improvisations, Leppin does it all. She has made chamber jazz recordings, worked with punk groups, and created lush solo vocal works, all in an effort to tell her own stories and create her ...

Attentive listening suggested! Terry Riley, Ingrid Laubrock, Roscoe Mitchell and Kaze with Koichi Makigami

by Hobart Taylor
June 25, 2025

This week we explore the peripheries of jazz featuring composer Terry Riley who turns 90 this year, contemplate musical and literal koans from Ingrid Laubrock and friends, receive “Transmissions" from Roscoe Mitchell, join Wadada Leo Smith with Amina Claudine Myers on a “Central Park" ramble, and then there's Kaze with Koichio Makigami Playlist Host ...

Jackie McLean, Eugene Chadbourne, and Miho Hazama

by Jerome Wilson
May 14, 2025

Technical difficulties prevented me from recording last week's show, so instead here is a vintage one from February 9, 2021. The musicians featured here include Jackie McLean, Susan Alcorn. Miho Hazama, Dave Burrell, and Eugene Chadbourne. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings ...

Big Ears Festival 2025

by Mark Sullivan
April 8, 2025

Big Ears Festival Knoxville, TN March 27-30, 2025 This year's festival again featured several spotlighted events (but none of them required special ticketing, as was tried last year). “Across the Horizon" was a series of concerts combining Americana and ambient music, curated by Bob Holmes and the band SUSS. “Age ...

Michael McNeill: Barcode Poetry

by Hrayr Attarian
March 10, 2025

Pianist Michael McNeill approaches music like an abstract painter. Thus his work is dynamic, multi-hued, and textured. The captivating Barcode Poetry, his fourth album as a leader, finds him expanding his palette with unorthodox instrumentation. His quartet includes, in addition to trumpeter Dave Ballou and percussionist Shelly Purdy, innovative pedal guitarist Susan Alcorn whose passing a ...

Sylvie Courvoisier & Mary Halvorson, Silke Eberhard & Yannick Peeters

by Maurice Hogue
March 10, 2025

Time to celebrate the women of today's creative jazz and at the same time recognize International Women's Day. New releases include Bone Bells from the magical duo of pianist Sylvie Courvoisier & guitarist Mary Halvorson, Being A Ning from German saxophonist Silke Eberhard's killin' trio, and Italian bassist Silvia Bolognesi's Jungle Duke which explores the music ...

The 1,400th Edition Of One Man��s Jazz

by Maurice Hogue
March 3, 2025

When you're older than dirt like I am, each show completed is a milestone, and happily, I'm still around to arrive at 1,400 in the life of this show. For some of these milestones, I try to do something a little different. I always say this show is about the music and the people who make ...

Steve Coleman, Matthew Shipp and RIP Susan Alcorn

by Jerome Wilson
February 26, 2025

This show features a tribute to the late pedal steel master, Susan Alcorn. It also includes music from Matthew Shipp, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, and Steve Coleman among others. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Itamar ...

New Releases By Cynthia Sayer, Fred Hersch & Rondi Charleston, Sullivan Fortner, Celebrating Nina Simone & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
February 24, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Cynthia Sayer, Fred Hersch & Rondi Charleston and Sullivan Fortner, with birthday shoutouts to Nina Simone, Nicole Mitchell, Sharel Cassity, Elsa Nilsson, lyricist Shelley Nyman and Dena DeRose. Happy listening and please support the artists you hear. See them live, purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, ...