Chicago Musician

By: Shawn Stengel
  • Summary

  • Wide-ranging discussions with and about musicians and the lives they lead, both in and out of their professions. The opposite of 'shut up and play', this podcast's mission is to explore the lives of musicians (or this musician) in ways that are surprising, revealing, funny (because, believe or not, musicians can be funny. . . except for trombone players, but everyone knows that!), truthful, and, inevitably, sensationally commercial.
    © 2023 Best Shawn Stengel
    Show More Show Less
Episodes
  • Tom Mendel
    Dec 22 2024

    Bassist Tom Mendel has had a long and storied career as a bass player. He has been ‘based’ (pardon the pun) in Chicago for decades. He’s played in the pit for long running shows like ‘Lion King’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Hamilton’, ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘Billy Elliott’, ‘Kinky Boots’, and many more. But his music has taken him all over the country. He has toured with the likes of Lainie Kazan. He’s played club dates with Christine Ebersole, Mandy Gonzalez, Hollis Resnik, to mention just a few. Tom has also recorded extensively, playing hundreds of jingles in Chicago’s recording houses. He’s also played numerous sessions from Los Angeles to New Orleans to New York.

    Tom has also been an advocate for union musicians for decades. Much of that work was for those who make their livings playing in the theatre musicians. In fact, he was an early member of the Theatre Musicians Association. He served 7 years as the president of the Chicago chapter, before spending 5 years as the national president of TMA. Tom has also worked on many union committees, negotiating contracts for higher wages and better working conditions with Chicago theatres, as well as for touring musicians. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as his work on behalf of performing professionals.

    But Tom is more than ‘just’ a musician. He’s also a Master Scuba instructor, a yoga enthusiast, and is not only a proud father, but has recently joined the ranks of his favorite new title: grandpa!

    Basis for bassist

    I first met Tom in 1987 when I joined the cast of Chicago’s longest running musical up until that time, ‘Pump Boys & Dinettes’. We performed that show together for nearly three years at Chicago’s Apollo Theatre. We’ve been good friends ever since. We know each other’s family and have shared the best and worst of those times. Professionally, we’ve had the good fortune to work together many times over the years. And because the world of pit musicians is not that big, we have a lot of friends and colleagues in common.

    ‘Bassist Tom Mendel’ is just the jumping off point for this conversation. Come check out this friendly chat between two good friends. I think you’ll enjoy getting to know this admirable and accomplished man.

    See more on Instagram. @mendelmusic

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 47 mins
  • BJ Levy
    Sep 15 2024

    CFM president, BJ Levy is my blockbuster guest to kick off Season 3 on Chicago Musician. BJ had a long career as a professional trumpet player. He studied at Indiana University and then DePaul University where he received his Master's in Jazz Studies. But the majority of his career was spent playing in the pit for Broadway musicals. We talk about the unforgiving nature of being a lead trumpet player, plus the physical demands of playing 8 shows a week. Like many of us, BJ started off playing in his high school band, but his unique journey has some interesting twists and turns.

    CFM President BJ Levy

    The biggest shift in BJ's career started with a phone call. He was asked to run for the musicians union board of directors. As it turned out, that call was just the first stepping stone on his path to greater things. First, he was elected Secretary/Treasurer. Then, after a bumpy transition and contentious election, BJ won the contest for president. I was really interested in what being the president of a large union actually entails. Some of his duties are fairly predictable, but others are more nuanced and even surprising. We get into the weeds a little bit about negotiating contracts and the art of negotiating. BJ calls it coalition building. He also calls this 'the best job he's ever had'.

    But it's not all union talk. We check in on some of our favorite streaming shows and other things the Prez does to relax in his down time. There might be a surprise or two in there, so stick around till the end!

    More Info

    If you'd like more information about the Chicago Federation of Musicians, here's a link to their website: cfm10208.com
    For photos of BJ and more, click on Shawn's Photos on the bestshawnstengel.com website or follow this link: https://sksyphotos.smugmug.com/Music/Chicago-Musician-Podcast-Pix

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Mumbai Bye
    Jul 5 2024

    A visit to Mumbai is on tap for Part 3 of my Indian adventure, Mumbai Bye. Part 2 ended with us still in Jammu & Kashmir. We flew out of Srinagar, in view of the Himalayas and all their glory. Delhi still has some secrets to reveal, and we make the most of our last day and a half there. Some times with Mr. Sam, and some times adventuring out on our own.

    We visit Gandhi Smriti where Mahatma Gandhi spent the final days of his life. He was assassinated in the nearby garden. Some shopping at Dilli Haat was in the cards before a memorable evening visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib with Mr. Sam.

    On Thursday, Gisele and I had our last day of exploring Delhi on our own. We tuk-tukked and metro-ed to Safdarjang's Tomb. Aggressive monkeys were the story at Hanuman Mandir. Serenity and an odd 'amusement park' held our interest at Birla Mandir. But the serenity was short lived. What does one do on Eid in Delhi? Why, go to the Jama Masjid with all the rest of the muslims, of course! So back on the metro we hop. When we hop off, we're not sure of where we are. But a wild tuk-tuk ride got us to the mosque, and in no time, we were Instagram celebrities, at least in other peoples' selfies with us. Many, many selfies! And the topper of our day were the crowds near the Red Fort. Huge, epic, masses of humanity. The essence of India!

    But before leaving India, we need to see its largest city, Mumbai. Totally different from Delhi, Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, has a vibe all its own. Being on the ocean, it's not only super hot, but also super humid. If you blink, you sweat! And even in the crush of people, it often seems calmer than Delhi. But not less interesting. The remnants of British rule are everywhere, from the Gateway to India, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Queen Victoria train station, to the fabled, infamous, and luxurious Taj Mahal Hotel.

    We took a ferry ride out to the Elephanta Caves, and had a mind blowing tour guided by a local resident, of the World's Third Largest Slum, Dharavi. A city of glaring contradictions and super friendly people. It was hard to say Mumbai Bye!

    That's right, Mumbai Bye India. I look forward to returning this endlessly fascinating Asian giant.

    Links to photos at bestshawnstengel.coms and click on Shawn's Photos

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 26 mins

What listeners say about Chicago Musician

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.