Dear Listeners,

Season’s greetings from the Tall Poppies Project! I hope this message finds you well and immersed in the festive spirit.

If you have a moment during this time, why not explore our podcast collection at www.tall-poppies.com? With more than 25 hours of diverse and captivating content, there’s a little something for everyone.

In 2023, Tall Poppies: The Podcast, embarked on a new journey with two special episodes dedicated to the remarkable Alma Moodie. Born in 1898 in rural Australia, Alma made a lasting impact as a violinist in Europe, collaborating with renowned composers and earning praise from legends such as Carl Flesch. Delve into Moodie’s fascinating life with our guests biographer Kay Dreyfus, musicians Diana Weekes, Goetz Richter, and historian Michael Haas.

Listen to the Alma Moodie podcasts here:

• Part 1: Alma Moodie Part 1
• Part 2: Alma Moodie Part 2

Biographer Kay Dreyfus

In our third podcast, we shift focus to Matthew McDonald’s poetry project. Join Matthew, principal double bass player with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and poet Alice Miller as they discuss BerlinLit.com, an international online journal for new English poetry. Catch the podcast here: Poetry Special with Alice Miller & Matthew McDonald

In other exciting Tall Poppies news, jazz trombonist Shannon Barnett will release an album in 2024. Shannon is a professor at Cologne Hochschule für Musik und Tanz. She has just returned from an Australian tour that took in both the Melbourne and Perth International Jazz Festivals and will also be appearing at the 2024 Monheim Triennale

Learn more about Shannon and her journey in our episode: Shannon Barnett – Jazz Trombonist on Tall Poppies

We also celebrate a milestone birthday with dancer and choreographer Rhys Martin. In our podcast, Rhys reflects on his career in Australian and European dance scenes, including his groundbreaking work as Professor of Dance and Choreography at Berlin’s University of the Arts.

Listen to his story here: Rhys Martin – Dancer and Choreographer

Looking ahead, David Jackson and I are thrilled to present more salons in 2024. All going to plan, Shannon Barnett and Kay Dreyfus will be our special guests.

And coming soon “The Intrepid Ear”  where I will be sharing more than 400 interviews gathered over my decades as an arts journalist in Europe, featuring conversations with such luminaries as Daniel Barenboim, Oscar Peterson, Mitzuko Uchida, Donna Leon, Roddy Doyle, and Christo.

As we step into 2024, I wish you a happy and healthy new year. Here’s to wonderful times ahead!

Warm regards,

Breandáin