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Big Ears: Conversations About MusicAuthor: Big Ears Festival
Big Ears: Conversations About Music is a podcast that brings together cutting-edge musicians, journalists, and community leaders in discussions about the creative process, collaboration, and the transformative power of music. The podcast features one-on-one talks and roundtable discussions hosted by expert music critics with the artists who make Big Ears unique, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the inspirations and connections that make Big Ears one of the worlds most unique music festivals. Language: en Genres: Music, Music Interviews Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Kaoru Watanabe's Bloodlines Interwoven
Episode 12
Monday, 9 March, 2026
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.
