Rephonic
Artwork for NYC Radio Live
Ragas Live Festival
Indian Classical Music
Tabla
Zakir Hussain
Jazz
Raga
Carnatic Music
Miles Davis
Ravi Shankar
Ali Akbar Khan
Bansuri
Music
Toumani Diabate
Pioneer Works
Raga Bhimpalasi
Jack Dejohnette
Chora
Ragas
WKCR 89.9 Fm-Ny
Pashto Folk Music

Live performances and in-depth conversations with extraordinary musicians, artists, writers, and thinkers from more than 40 countries. Hosted by David Ellenbogen and broadcast on WKCR 89.9 FM in New York City. Creator of the 24-hour Ragas Live Festival, which debuted as a broadcast on WKCR in 2012 and is now presented annually at Pioneer Works.

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Artwork for NYC Radio Live

Latest Episodes

John Medeski is one of the most versatile pianists and keyboard players of our time.  Already gigging with world class musicians like Jaco Pastorius in High School and connecting with greats like Billy Higgins, Dewey Redman and Bob Moses in college, ... more

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This is Anand Avirmed and Mari Tanka's set performed live at the 2025 Ragas Live Festival on October 18–19, 2025, at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York.

Anand's set featured traditional Mongolian throat singing (Khoomei) and playing the Morin Khuur... more

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Drummer and composer Ra Kalam Bob Moses has had an extraordinary career working with just about everybody. 

Here's a partial list: Pat Metheny, Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jim, Larry Coryell, Dave Liebman, Gary Burton, Keith Jarrett,  Herb... more

YouTube

5 AM set of the 24 hour Ragas Live Festival at Pioneer Works 10.23.22

Kroba (saxophone and analog synth)

Originally broadcast on WKCR-FM

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Ragas Live Festival

( ragaslive.com/si... more

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Recent Guests

Bob Moses
Renowned drummer and Ra Kalam Records founder
Ra Kalam Records
Episode: Ra Kalam Bob Moses talks Jack De Johnette, Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk
John P. Murphy
Author and curator at the Loeb Art Center at Vassar
Loeb Art Center, Vassar College
Episode: John P. Murphy and the art of the New Deal
Mu Qian
Ethnomusicologist and producer
China Conservatory of Music / SOAS, University of London
Episode: Mu Qian explores the music of China, Central Asia, and beyond
Cosmas Magaya
Master of the Shona Mbira, featured on the 1978 Soul of the Mbira album
Zimbabwean mbira community, researcher collaborator on Mbira studies
Episode: Cosmas Magaya - Master of the Shona Mbira
Tony Trischka
Banjo player and educator, pioneering bluegrass innovator
Solo artist / bluegrass community
Episode: Tony Trischka talks Earl Scruggs, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Béla Fleck
Billy Martin
Drummer and composer, member of Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood
Episode: Billy Martin talks Medeski, Martin, Wood, John Lurie, and the heartbeat of the clave
Jack DeJohnette
Drummer who played with Miles Davis during the electric period
Miles Davis Band
Episode: Miles Davis: Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, and George Wein share their memories of the maestro
Jeremiah Chiu
Visual artist, synthesis, educator; member of SML (a leading improvisational group)
SML
Episode: Jeremiah Chiu
Preston Lauterbach
Author of Before Elvis and The Chitlin Circuit and the Road to Rock and Roll
Author
Episode: The Blind Boys of Alabama: Ricky McKinnie and Preston Lauterbach

Host

David Ellenbogen
Host of NYC Radio Live

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • Nice Indian music

    Good source of indian classical carnatic music. I like it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ClassicIndian
    United States13 years ago
  • Very enjoyable!

    Love unadulterated Polynesian music just as they do it!! Simple, rhythmic, peaceful. Thanks again for posting, David.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ray from Florida
    United States15 years ago
  • Superb

    I was pretty excited to see David Ellenbogen's radio show here on iTunes. Im a regular listener in Brooklyn, his show is from uptown Manhattan. For anyone who isn't familiar, Dave hosts live performances in the studio and does interviews with the musicians. Its a cool format and he picks some really diverse musicians to play. I recently heard an amazing show he had with Dennis McKenna, the scientific and empirical brother of intra-stellar voyager Terrence McKenna. It wasn't musical, more sc... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nycgeo
    United States15 years ago
  • Fascinating

    Heard about it from psychedelic salon, will be a follower of the podcast. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jt007k
    United States15 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Very enjoyable and appreciative of diverse music.
Nice descriptions of Indian music and its depth.
Cool format with live studio performances and musician interviews.
Promising for a unique blend of science-based and musical topics.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hariprasad Chaurasia - at home with the legend of bansuri
Q: Why is the bansuri uniquely self-tuned, and how does that affect performance?
He describes tuning oneself to the bansuri as a blessing and essential for achieving a stable, personal sound that cannot be forced by external tuning, highlighting the flute's intrinsic need for the player to align their breath, fingerings, and mood.
Hariprasad Chaurasia - at home with the legend of bansuri
Q: Can you explain how you discovered your tone and sound?
Chaurasia explains that sweetness in sound creates a distinct feeling and that maintaining a sweet tone, rather than loudness, is crucial in Indian music, with a constant focus on preserving a faithful, expressive timbre.
Cosmas Magaya - Master of the Shona Mbira
Q: Can you describe a memorable moment when your music affected someone's health or well-being?
There were instances where listeners felt better after hearing the Mbira, including moments at a hospital setting where patients woke and improved.
Cosmas Magaya - Master of the Shona Mbira
Q: What role does the Mbira ceremony play in your culture?
It functions as a medical diagnosis with spirit mediums acting as doctors, guiding and correcting issues through ritual practices.
George Wein remembers Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and the birth of Newport Jazz
Q: How did you transition from playing music to starting Storyville, the club in Boston?
He explains how his opportunity came through the Savoy ownership and manager, leading to a club that balanced affordable pricing with a steadily booked schedule, which taught him the practicalities of running a venue and managing artists.

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Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Radio Live

What is NYC Radio Live about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show profiles in-depth conversations with adventurous musicians and improvised-music pioneers, often paired with in-studio performances. Episodes frequently center on genre-crossing collaborations, historical moments in jazz and world music, and first-hand anecdotes about mentors, peers, and iconic figures. The format blends live performances with intimate interviews that illuminate technique, lineage, and the evolving landscape of contemporary instrumental music. A standout trait is the breadth of guests—from jazz legends to global trad musicians—delivered through a curator's ear for context, culture, and creative process.

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How many listeners does NYC Radio Live get?

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How many subscribers and views does NYC Radio Live have?

To see how many followers or subscribers NYC Radio Live has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to NYC Radio Live?

These podcasts share a similar audience with NYC Radio Live:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
4. The Daily
5. Apple News Today

How many episodes of NYC Radio Live are there?

NYC Radio Live launched 15 years ago and published 406 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact NYC Radio Live?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for NYC Radio Live?

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What guests have appeared on NYC Radio Live?

Recent guests on NYC Radio Live include:

1. Bob Moses
2. John P. Murphy
3. Mu Qian
4. Cosmas Magaya
5. Tony Trischka
6. Billy Martin
7. Jack DeJohnette
8. Jeremiah Chiu

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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