Jason Crane interviews pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen. His most recent recording, Being There (ECM, 2007), is part of a trilogy of records exploring the intimate territory traversed by the pianist and his trio. With bassist Harald Johnsen and drummer Jarle Vespestad, Gustavsen delves deeply into the rich musics of the world, filtering the results through a contemplative lens. Being There is an album that rewards repeated listening, and the interview makes it clear that a lot of thought and ...
Nov 07, 2007
Jason Crane interviews trumpeter and vocalist Matt Shulman about his new album, So It Goes (Jaggo Records, 2007). Shulman sings and plays trumpet, but that’s where the Chet Baker comparison ends, although like Baker, Shulman incorporates the hip music of the day into his own work. Skilled at multiphonics — playing one note while simultaneously singing another — Shulman is able to expand the range of the trumpet beyond its normal capacity. On So It Goes , Shulman tackles everything from Led Zeppe...
Oct 15, 2007
Jason Crane interviews trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer Brian Groder. Groder’s new album, Torque (Latham Records, 2006), features jazz master Sam Rivers on saxophone and flute, along with bassist Doug Mathews and drummer Anthony Cole. Groder has played with everyone from Cecil Taylor and Joanne Brackeen to Joe Cocker, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. In addition to his various projects with other musicians, Groder also writes music for multimedia pieces and dance ensembles....
Oct 09, 2007
Jason Crane interviews Eric Nemeyer, vibraphonist and founder of Jazz Improv magazine. Nemeyer is also the creator of the Jazz Improv Live! Convention , a four-day gathering of jazz musicians, writers, historians, broadcasters and fans. The convention runs from October 25-28 in New York City. It features panel discussions, presentations, and workshops, along with nightly concerts in multiple venues.
Sep 23, 2007
Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Donny McCaslin. One of the busiest saxophonists in the business, McCaslin plays with Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas and many others. He also fronts his own groups, including the band on his new CD, In Pursuit (Sunnyside, 2007). A follow-up to his critically acclaimed record Soar (Sunnyside, 2006), In Pursuit features compositions commissioned for a Chamber Music America grant. McCaslin talks about his father’s influence, playing with Gary Burton, and the life of...
Sep 10, 2007
Jason Crane interviews saxophonist and composer Brian Patneaude. His new quartet album is called As We Know It (WEPA Records, 2007). Patneaude was born and raised near Albany, NY. He’s chosen to make his musical stand in Albany, and the choice is paying off. Patneaude is a busy musician, whether it’s his weekly residency at famed Albany jazz club Justin’s or his continuing gig with Grammy-nominated Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra. As We Know It features seven strong compositions by Patneaude...
Sep 04, 2007
Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Joel Frahm. Frahm is one of the busiest saxophonists on the scene today. You’ll find him on recordings with pianist Brad Mehldau, vocalist Jane Monheit, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, drummers Matt Wilson and Pete Zimmer , and the Waverly 7. His fourth record as a leader, We Used To Dance (Anzic Records, 2007), brings together a classic rhythm section that played with Stan Getz on some of his final recordings: pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Vict...
Aug 28, 2007
Jason Crane interviews bassist Eberhard Weber. Weber’s name is synonymous with the “ECM sound,” because he’s been the bassist of choice on classic ECM recordings dating back to the label’s founding three decades ago. Since the early 1980s, Weber has played in saxophonist Jan Garbarek’s band. To celebrate his 65th birthday, the city of Stuttgart, Germany, threw Weber a two-night concert party. He was joined on stage by an orchestra, Garbarek, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and others from his musical ...
Aug 20, 2007
Jason Crane interviews drummer and composer Kendrick Scott. Scott’s new album with his band Oracle is The Source (World Culture Music, 2007). Scott grew up in Houston, surrounded by a musical family and the Baptist church. He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a musician, and he followed this path from Houston’s arts high school to Berklee and then into gigs with The Crusaders and Terence Blanchard. The Source weaves together these musical threads into a unified tapestry of lyricism and...
Aug 14, 2007
Jason Crane interviews bassist Miroslav Vitous. Vitous came to the U.S. in 1966, and quickly became part of the New York jazz scene. He was a founding member of Weather Report along with Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul. Vitous played on the landmark trio session Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Blue Note, 1968) with Chick Corea and Roy Haynes. Vitous’s new album is Universal Syncopations II (ECM, 2007), the sequel to his critically acclaimed Universal Syncopations (ECM, 2003). The album features trumpet...
Aug 06, 2007
Jason Crane interviews composer and trombonist Rick Parker. Parker’s most recent album with the Rick Parker Collective is Finding Space (WJF Records, 2006). It was named one of the top CDs of 2006 by Michael Ricci, publisher of All About Jazz . Parker sees himself as a composer first, trombonist second. His passion for writing shows on Finding Space , an album of original music by Parker (plus one number by drummer Kyle Struve). Parker won an ASCAP Young Composer Award for the album’s second tra...
Jul 30, 2007
Jason Crane interviews keyboardist and composer David Witham. Witham is George Benson’s musical director, a gig he’s held down for more than 20 years. His resume includes everyone from Michael Brecker and Eddie Harris to k.d. lang, Jose Feliciano and Paul Anka. On his new album, Spinning The Circle (Cryptogramophone, 2007), Witham assembles an all-star cast from across the musical spectrum to play primarily his own compositions.
Jul 24, 2007
Jason Crane interviews guitarist Gene Bertoncini. Raised in the Bronx, Bertoncini began his musical education at an early age, encouraged by his parents. He studied architecture at Notre Dame before deciding on a life of music. That decision was a smart one — Bertoncini has since performed with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, the Benny Goodman Sextet, Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Burt Bacharach, Michel LeGrand and many others. He’s also on the faculty at the Tritone Jazz Camp ( tri...
Jul 17, 2007
Show #9 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Live sound samples from The Jens Winther European Quartet , Cowboy Mouth , The Soul Rebels and Avishai Cohen . Then, the grand finale: Greg , Seth , Ken and Jason get together for one massive roundtable discussion about the festival. Enjoy — and see you next year! Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Wil...
Jun 17, 2007
Jason Crane interviews Andy Milne and John Moon of Dapp Theory at the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Andy Milne formed Dapp Theory several years ago to fuse many musical worlds, including hip hop, spoken word, and jazz improvisation. The original group recorded Y’all Just Don’t Know (Concord, 2003). Since then, the personnel roster has changed, but the visionary outlook and exciting music haven’t. Find out more at DappTheory.com ....
Jun 17, 2007
Jason Crane interviews clarinetist Don Byron at the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Byron performed two sets with his Ivey Divey trio featuring pianist Jason Moran and drummer Billy Hart. Byron has covered a lot of ground in his musical career, from the Ivey Divey project (honoring Lester Young) to the music of Junior Walker, Raymond Scott and Mickey Katz. Byron talks about Lester Young, his next project, and the influence of African-American religion on African-American speech. Find...
Jun 16, 2007
Jason Crane interviews pianist Jason Moran at the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Moran came to play with two bands — his own Bandwagon and Don Byron’s Ivey Divey trio. Moran’s most recent CD is Artist In Residence (Blue Note, 2006), an album composed mostly of Moran’s commissioned works. Moran talks about philosopher Adrian Piper, pianist Jaki Byard, and his new commission to create a multimedia piece inspired by Thelonious Monk’s 1959 Town Hall concert. Find out more at JasonMoran....
Jun 16, 2007
Show #8 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Live sound samples from James Moody , an interview with guitarist Mel Henderson of Paradigm Shift, and a sneak preview of a soon-to-be-released album from a major name in jazz. Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows Refrigerator Ron Netsky & Frank DeBlase at City New...
Jun 15, 2007
Jason Crane interviews drummer Matt Wilson between his sets at the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Wilson played two shows with his Arts & Crafts band featuring Dennis Irwin on bass, Gary Versace on organ and piano, and Michael Rodriquez on trumpet (sitting in for Terrell Stafford). The band’s new album is Scenic Route (Palmetto, 2007). Wilson is one of the most in-demand drummers in jazz, having appeared on more than 160 recordings. Find out more at MattWilsonJazz.com ....
Jun 14, 2007
Show #7 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Live sound samples from the Webster Schroeder High School Jazz Band , a wonderful story about vibraphonist Joe Locke , and some wacky behind-the-scenes antics from the members of Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts . Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows Refrigerator Ron Ne...
Jun 14, 2007
Show #6 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Live sound samples from Trio Beyond with John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette and Larry Goldings , interviews with festival attendees, and conversations with pianist Dino Losito and drummer Mike Melito . Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows Refrigerator Ron Netsky & Fran...
Jun 13, 2007
Show #5 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Live sound samples from Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks and Mamadou Diabate , interviews with festival attendees, and a feature on the Swedish electronica group Midaircondo . Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows Refrigerator...
Jun 12, 2007
Jason Crane interviews trombonist Robin Eubanks before his set at the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Eubanks is in Rochester with his band EB3, which features Eubanks on acoustic and electric trombone, loops and percussion pads, and keyboard bass; Michelle Rosewoman (subbing for Orrin Evans) on keyboards and keyboard bass; and Kenwood Dennard on drums and keyboard bass. Eubanks is also a member of the Dave Holland Quintet and Big Band and the new Dave Holland Sextet. Find out more a...
Jun 11, 2007
Show #4 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Interviews with Dutch trumpeter Saskia Laroo , Swedish trumpeter Peter Asplund , and Canadian Afro-beat band Mr. Something Something . Plus music samples from all three artists. Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows Refrigerator...
Jun 11, 2007
Show #3 from the Rochester International Jazz Festival. This show focuses on Nordic Jazz Now — bands from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark who are performing all this week at the festival. RIJF Artistic Director John Nugent also produces the Stockholm Jazz Festival. In this episode: Vidar Brathen from the Norwegian Jazz Forum, Bengt Strokirk from Concerts Sweden, an interview with the members of the Norwegian band Zanussi Five , and excerpts from various Nordic albums. Look for more from Nord...
Jun 10, 2007
Show #2 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: “Sounds of the Street.” Includes performance excerpts from Scott Goudie and The Shuffle Demons , plus interviews with trumpeter Mike Catone , Jazz90.1 DJ Gary O , and RIJF staffer Bob Madeira . Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows...
Jun 10, 2007
Show #1 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: reviews of Raul Midon , Geri Allen with Jimmy Cobb , Peter Asplund , Steps Ahead , and Jon Ballantyne . Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage: Fretful Porpentine Jazz@Rochester Cup O’ Books Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows Please excuse this extra data, but I’m testing My Odeo Channel (odeo/5698c72e2f326cfc) with this post....
Jun 09, 2007
WXXI, one of Rochester’s public radio stations, mentioned The Jazz Session in a recent broadcast. The male voice you hear is that of Scott Fybush, who runs the indispensable NorthEast Radio Watch . Listen to the story: .
Jun 08, 2007
Jason Crane interviews vibraphonist and composer Cecilia Smith. Smith’s new project, Dark Triumph (CEA Music, 2005) chronicles the life of her aunt, Victoria Lancaster Smith, through spoken word, improvisation, orchestral arrangements, members of the Boys Choir of Harlem, and a jazz rhythm section. This ambitious album originated when Victoria Smith showed Cecilia Smith an 8-bar melody she’d been carrying around in her head for six decades. Learn more at Cecilia Smith’s MySpace page and at Cecil...
Jun 07, 2007
TJS Extra looks at jazz from other angles. Think of it as a companion piece to The Jazz Session . On this edition, Jason Crane interviews jazz writer Doug Ramsey. Ramsey is a broadcast and print journalist with an extensive background in jazz writing. He is the author of several books, including Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond, for which he won an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award. He has contributed to JazzTimes since 1975 and, before that, wrote regularly for Down Beat . He now ...
Jun 01, 2007
