By Rita Okoye
Professor of Mathematics at Manhattan University, New York, USA, Lawrence Udeigwe, is a Nigerian-born American mathematician and jazz musician, who is creating a new music ecosystem through his podcast titled “Doing Jazz” and his small music label, “LCM Cube.”
Speaking via a Zoom chat, Udeigwe shared that this new culture aims to encourage understanding and appreciation of music through storytelling, fostering an ecosystem for learning and bonding alongside the entertainment aspect of his work.
“The latest on “Doing Jazz” is that it’s entering an exciting new chapter. Originally a podcast where I interviewed jazz musicians about their craft and creative journeys, it’s now being re-imagined as a platform that brings music and science into deeper conversation.
“The updated concept will feature musicians, neuroscientists, psychologists, and technologists—individuals who deeply explore sound, perception, and creativity. We’ll still discuss jazz, of course, but now we’ll also dive into how music is perceived in the brain, how rhythm relates to memory, how AI is shaping music-making, and much more.
“What’s been most rewarding is the kind of community forming around it. It’s not just jazz lovers or academics; it’s an eclectic, curious mix of artists, students, researchers, and everyday listeners who want to understand music more deeply.
“From Doing Jazz—now reimagined as a platform for science-meets-art dialogue—to a series of albums and video content in the works, each project under LCM Cube builds on that vision. The response so far has been energizing, and the momentum is real,” Udeigwe said.
However, the greatest excitement for Udeigwe comes from the fact that people have reached out after episodes to share their stories about how music has shaped their thinking or mental health. “Others use it as a teaching tool. It feels like Doing Jazz is becoming a space for open, interdisciplinary inquiry—one that values the emotional, intellectual, and cultural layers of sound. And that’s exactly what I hoped for,” he said.
For Udeigwe, LCM Cube may be early in its journey, but its foundations feel robust, “considering the blend of rigour, curiosity, and soul that sparked the idea in the first place.”