
LINER NOTES with David Bixler featuring Adam Birnbaum
From Liner Notes with David Bixler by David Bixler
May 1, 2026 · 26 min · Season 8 · Episode 11
About this episode
Adam Birnbaum discusses his latest project re-imagining J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.
Since the mid-2000s, pianist Adam Birnbaum has been one of the most in-demand sidemen in jazz—anchoring ensembles for Cécile McLorin Salvant , Wynton Marsalis , and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra . But as a leader, he's charting a different course. His latest project, Preludes , takes on the monumental task of re-imagining J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier alongside bassist Matt Clohesy and percussionist Keita Ogawa . Today, join us as Adam breaks down the careful choices made in handling this historic body of work.
People in this episode
Host: David Bixler
Guest: Adam Birnbaum
Topics covered
- jazz
- music interpretation
- piano
- classical music
- collaboration
- musical analysis
Keywords
- Adam Birnbaum
- jazz pianist
- Well-Tempered Clavier
- Cécile McLorin Salvant
- Wynton Marsalis
- musical choices
- Preludes
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Books & works: Preludes, J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier
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- LINER NOTES with David Bixler featuring Lenard Simpson · January 1, 2026 · 29 min
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