Bill Frisell, The Infinite Forest

Bill Frisell’s music is restless and uncategorizable. Equally a product of ‘50s sci-fi optimism and ‘60s political struggle, the guitarist has incorporated jazz, surf-rock, Americana, calypso, pollka, and innumerable other influences into a wholly original sound.

In this portrait for Expandable Sound, recorded in Frisell's temporary studio at the Vermont Studio Center, the guitarist reflects on his early adoption of the guitar, the mysteries of sound, and the potential for endless interconnectivity and social harmony through music.

In this episode, you will hear:
Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian - “Pretty Polly” from Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian (2006)
Bill Frisell - “Pipeline” from Guitar In the Space Age (2014)
Bill Frisell - “Lookout for Hope” from Gone, Just Like A Train (1997)
Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan - “Small Town” from Small Town (2017)
Bill Frisell - “What A World” from Ghost Town (1999)
Bill Frisell feat. Kenny Wheeler - “Rambler” from Rambler (1985)

Expandable Sound is a series of musical portraits exploring how knowledge is created and shared in jazz and improvised music. Radio producers and musicians Alex Lewis and Jake Nussbaum weave intimate interviews of visionary musicians together with their music as well as the music of their peers. A rare chance to listen to iconic musicians tackle their deepest questions head-on, and discover new music in the process.


Photo Credit: Monica Jane Frisell