David Schulman

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  • Username: dschulman
  • independent producer and musician
  • Role: Producer/Reporter: Independent

Portfolio

Caption: Amit Peled + the Casals cello.

The Voice of the Casals Cello (59:00)
From: David Schulman

Time machine? Try this cello: The stories swirling around Pablo Casals's instrument — now almost 300 years old — are full of time-warp coincidence, and breathtaking music. ...
Caption: Chris Foreman at the Hammond B3

Chris Foreman at the Green Mill (04:21)
From: David Schulman

Chris Foreman plays Sundays in Church. And every Friday night, he's at Chicago's legendary Green Mill — playing the funky Hammond B3 organ in a nightspot that used to be a ...
Caption: Preyas Roy performs at the corner of Michigan and Randolph, in downtown Chicago

The street vibes of Preyas Roy (02:56)
From: David Schulman

Preyas Roy has performed in famous venues like the Jazz Showcase. But he makes his living on a downtown Chicago street corner — despite the unwieldy size of his instrument: ...
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A musicians' guide to warming up (04:30)
From: David Schulman

What do you do to warm up? With Gillian Welch, Lang Lang, Cecilia Bartoli, Albert Kuvezin, Yo-Yo Ma ...
Caption: Olivia Block gathering audio in Chicago

Olivia Block: the room I was in (04:20)
From: David Schulman

The work of composer and sound artist Olivia Block has been described as "distinctive and individual" by The New York Times. She is happy enough writing for violins. But what ...

About Me

My work since 2000 includes creating and producing Musicians in their own words, a long-running series which has twice been awarded national CPB grants. Featured performers include unsung heroes of American music as well as icons such as Renée Fleming, Poncho Sanchez, Yo-Yo Ma, and the late Bo Diddley. A favorite early piece in the series was awarded the Best Documentary: Silver Award at the 2004 Third Coast International Audio Festival. I've placed more than 50 features on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. Another favorite piece listened in to several musicians' warm-up routines.

My work is also regularly heard on Australia's ABC RN, including two music documentaries that have been finalists for the Prix Italia.

In 2015, I produced the TALOA series — an 8-hour music documentary project for the WFMT Radio Network. Hosted by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, TALOA explores the music of American Indian and Maori composers.

In summer 2014, PRX commissioned my story 700 Fathoms Under the Sea. In 2013, PRX had also commissioned my story on The Elusive Digital Stradivarius. Both were part of the PRX STEM project, funded by the Sloan Foundation.

In late 2012, I produced the WUNC Pop-Up Music Club for North Carolina Public Radio, supported by a grant from the NC Humanities Council. The photo above, by Shooters-at-the-Beach, was taken while I interviewed a guitarist traveling at highway speed outside Alligator River, NC.

From August 2009 until September 2011, I was senior producer of Americana, the BBC's weekly radio program of US life, culture and current affairs. Our program was heard on BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, and Sirius XM, and in 2011, three of my pieces were chosen for 'Pick of the Week,' the program showcasing the BBC’s best programming across its radio outlets.

Other clients include The WFMT Radio Network, The Smithsonian Museum of Natural HIstory, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Al Jazzeera America's investigative unit, Hearing Voices — which aired this favorite piece on Cyro Baptista — LatinoUSA, and APM's The Story with Dick Gordon.

Proud to be a charter member of PRX — and delighted to be a PRX Zeitfunk winner for 2014!

My Groups: WUNC and Temporary Account
Favorite Shows: Exploring Music, Radiolab, WATC, Re:Sound
Influences: Third Coast, all kinds of music ...