Roger Kellaway has always refused to be labeled. His career covers jazz and classical composition and performance, as well as work in the television and film industries. Kellaway recently released the 2-CD set Live At The Jazz Standard (IPO, 2008). In this interview, Kellaway talks about playing in a piano trio without drums; working in the film industry; and his ambitious new multimedia project “Visions Of America,” featuring Clint Eastwood and Patti Austin. Learn more at www.rogerkellaway.com ...
Mar 08, 2010
Drummer and composer John Hollenbeck is a constant explorer of new sonic terrain. His large ensemble album Eternal Interlude (Sunnyside, 2009) is no exception. In this interview, recorded at the artists retreat Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, NY, Hollenbeck talks about his approach to composition for large ensemble; his mid-retreat trip to the Grammy awards; and several upcoming projects. Learn more at johnhollenbeck.com . If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasin...
Mar 04, 2010
Chad Taylor is a very busy man, playing drums with his own band and with Digital Primitives, the Chicago Underground ensembles, Nicole Mitchell and many others. Taylor’s trio recording, Circle Down (482 Music, 2009) features bassist Chris Lightcap and pianist Angelica Sanchez. In this interview, Taylor talks about the idea of collective leadership in music; the many projects he’s been involved with in recent years; and why sometimes the simplest music is the most difficult. Learn more at myspace...
Mar 01, 2010
Pianist and keyboardist Erik Deutsch combines a love of groove and vintage keyboards with a keen ear for melody and orchestration on his CD Hush Money (Hammer & String, 2009). In this interview, Deutsch talks about his musical goals for this album; how he combined live performance and creative use of the recording studio to make the finished product; and his views on the jam band and jazz scenes. Deutsch spent several years with the popular band Fat Mama. Learn more at www.hammerandstring.co...
Feb 25, 2010
Drummer and composer Harris Eisenstadt’s album Canada Day (Clean Feed, 2009) is a strong statement by an inventive composer. In this interview, Eisenstadt talks about his compositional goals for the album; how this CD is both related to his past work and different from it; and also about his upcoming nonet project. Learn more at www.harriseisenstadt.com . NOTE: Eisenstadt and the Canada Day band will be at Ibeam in Brooklyn on Feb. 26 and 27, 2010. Learn more at ibeambrooklyn.com . If you’d like...
Feb 22, 2010
Chris Kelsey is both a jazz musician and critic — one of the rare people who straddles both worlds. His new CD is Not Cool (…as in “The Opposite of Paul Desmond”) (Tzazz Krytyk, 2009). In this interview, Kelsey talks about his approach to composition and performance; how his work as a critic has impacted his career as a musician; and how blogging has changed the way he writes about music. Learn more at chriskelsey.com . Click here to purchase Chris Kelsey’s new album via CD Baby....
Feb 18, 2010
Seattle-based trumpeter Jason Parker has figured out how to make a living — and a life — with his instrument. Parker’s quartet has been together for a several years, a fact clearly in evidence on their most recent recording, No More, No Less (Jason Parker Music, 2009). In this interview, Parker talks about the band and what makes it work; his early adoption of social media and how it’s helped his career; and why he decided to give away his music for free. Learn more at oneworkingmusician.com . F...
Feb 15, 2010
Pianist Hiromi Uehara spends a lot of time on the road, traveling from gig to gig, from hotel to hotel, from city to city and country to country. Her new CD, Place To Be (Telarc, 2010), pays tribute to many of the places she’s visited. In this interview, Hiromi talks about life on the road; her emotional return to her hometown in Japan; and why she’s happy to meet new pianos. Learn more at www.hiromimusic.com . If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it vi...
Feb 11, 2010
Pianist Lee Shaw is living a fascinating life. From her childhood in Oklahoma in the 1920s to her early exposure to jazz in Chicago to her decades-long career as a jazz pianist, Shaw has been everywhere and played with just about everyone. In this interview, recorded at the Rotary Club of Albany, NY , Shaw talks about her early years; why she decided to become a jazz pianist rather than a classical accompanist; and the impulsive proposal that led to a lifetime of musical bliss. Learn more at www...
Feb 08, 2010
Violinist Ben Powell made his festival debut this summer at the 2009 Tanglewood Jazz Festival, where this interview was recorded. Powell was raised in Cheltenham, England, the son of a cellist and a violin teacher. He released the album Light in 2008. In this interview, Powell talks about his musical upbringing; how a chance meeting with an American conductor led to a Berklee scholarship; and why he’s chosen to focus on music from the early days of jazz. Learn more at www.ben-powell.com . If you...
Feb 04, 2010
Bassist Linda Oh was born in Malaysia to Chinese parents, grew up in Perth, Australia, and now plays the bass in New York City. Her debut recording, Entry (self-produced, 2009), is a strong trio statement featuring trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and drummer Obed Calvaire. In this interview, Oh discusses her decision to challenge herself on her first recording; her upbringing and how it influenced her decision to become a jazz bassist; and how she has dealt with stereotypes about Asian women as she...
Feb 01, 2010
Drummer Mike Reed is a mainstay on the Chicago music scene, both as a performer and a presenter. Reed and his band People, Places & Things have a new album called About Us (482 Music, 2009). It’s part of a trilogy showcasing the past, present and future of the Chicago scene. In this interview, Reed talks about the sometimes overlooked cultural contributions of the “third coast;†why he decided to record this trilogy; and how he went about finding the compositions and musicians he’s featu...
Jan 28, 2010
“To me, music is an occult alphabet of frequencies and vibrations that are transmitted on an instrument.” So says pianist Matthew Shipp, whose new solo piano recording, 4D (Thirsty Ear, 2010) comes out on January 26. In this interview, Shipp talks about the joy of solo piano; the lessons he learned from David S. Ware and Roscoe Mitchell; and the origins of music itself. Learn more at www.matthewshipp.com . If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the...
Jan 25, 2010
Pianist James Weidman is well known as an accompanist to some of the most heralded singers of our time, from Abbey Lincoln to Cassandra Wilson. In recent years he’s travelled the world as a member of Joe Lovano’s band. On his new CD, Three Worlds (Inner Circle, 2009), Weidman leads an eclectic ensemble of improvisers through his own creative compositions. In this interview, Weidman talks about his early decision not to be pigeonholed; why he usually writes music away from the piano; and his rece...
Jan 21, 2010
Vocalist Amy Cervini is one of a handful of jazz singers who are successfully taking their repertoire from outside the Great American Songbook. On Cervini’s new album, Lovefool (Anzic Records, 2009), she tackles everything from the Cardigans to Depeche Mode to Nellie McKay and makes it all work. In this interview, Cervini talks about how she chooses her repertoire; the response of jazz and pop fans to the music she sings; and how she’s managed to build both performing and artist management caree...
Jan 18, 2010
Marty Ehrlich is everywhere. Since moving from St. Louis to New York in 1978, Ehrlich has established himself as both an in-demand sideman and a leader with a distinct and multi-faceted musical vision. His CD Things Have Got To Change (Clean Feed, 2009), finds Ehrlich leading his Rites Quartet through a program of music written by, or inspired by, saxophonist Julius Hemphill, with whom Ehrlich played. In this interview, Ehrlich talks about his pan-stylistic approach to composition; the influence...
Jan 14, 2010
Pianist and vocalist Michael Kaeshammer has spent more than a decade making music that’s both fun and smart. He draws on everything from James P. Johnson and Fats Waller to contemporary pop music on his new album, Lovelight (Alert Music, 2009). In this interview, recorded at the 2009 Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Kaeshammer talks about the nature of showmanship; how he came to love the early stride piano masters; and why New Orleans has become an important source of inspiration for his music. Learn ...
Jan 11, 2010
Drummer Kobie Watkins got his start in the world of gospel music in Chicago. He branched out into playing with guitarist (and Sonny Rollins sideman) Bobby Broom. That relationship led to Watkins himself joining Rollins’ band. Watkins has just released his debut album as a leader, Involved (Origin, 2009). In this interview, Watkins talks about the album as a snapshot of one point in his musical life; his audition for Sonny Rollins; and what playing every night with a living legend has taught him....
Jan 07, 2010
Saxophonist Chris Potter’s new album, Ultrahang (ArtistShare, 2009), is an exploration of groove and melody. In this interview, recorded before Potter’s performance with Dave Holland at the 2009 Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Potter talks about how a middle-class kid in Columbia, SC, ended up liking Chicago blues; why he looks first to please himself with the music he makes; and how rhythm breaks down barriers with an audience. Learn more at www.chrispottermusic.com . EVENT: Chris Potter’s Undergroun...
Jan 04, 2010
Before he began writing about basketball at freedarko.com and in FreeDarko presents The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac: Styles, Stats, and Stars in Today’s Game , Nathaniel Friedman wrote about jazz. In this interview, he discusses the “basketball=jazz” meme; a popular jazz album that many people lost their virginity to; and the need to turn sports into art. Learn more at freedarko.com . If you’d like to buy Nathaniel Friedman’s book, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via...
Jan 01, 2010
Saxophonist Eric Alexander has forged a multi-decade career out of one simple concept: “To thine own self be true.” In this interview, recorded before his September 2009 performance in Schenectady, NY, Alexander talks about his musical vision; his experience as a teacher at SUNY Purchase; and why he thinks it’s possible to point to one particular period of jazz as the greatest in the music’s history. Learn more at www.ericalexanderjazz.com . The tunes in this interview come from Eric Alexander’s...
Dec 30, 2009
Saxophonist Sonny Simmons is the subject of a new documentary now in production called Just A Guy Who Knows . The filmmakers, Dan Scofield and Mike Ercolini, have so far produced a 20-minute trailer and are raising funds to finish a 45-minute short film on Simmons. The saxophonist has lived a remarkable life, moving from his days as a colleague of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins to near anonymity as a musician on the streets of San Francisco. He’s now back in action again, and his wisdom and int...
Dec 28, 2009
Drummer and percussionist James Shipp is making music without borders. With his band Nos Novo, Shipp has just released Strange Sweethearts In America (Shippwrite Music, 2009), a fascinating and fun mix of traditional Irish melodies and rhythms with Brazilian music and collective improvisation. In this interview, Shipp talks about the genesis of the band; provides a guide to the varying ingredients on the album; and talks about what makes each of these styles so special to him. Learn more at www....
Dec 25, 2009
Cooper-Moore is a musical renaissance man. He’s a pianist who also invents and builds his own instruments. He’s steeped in history and tradition, and refreshingly free from convention. In this interview, Cooper-Moore talks about his childhood days as the town musician; why he feels that playing music is far more than a profession; and how and why he began creating his own instruments. Learn more at www.hopscotchrecords.com/cooper.html . Several of the tunes in this interview come from the new Di...
Dec 23, 2009
You’d think that helping to invent a new genre of music and being the first person to play your instrument in a jazz setting would be enough to get you some headlines in the jazz history books. You’d be wrong. Meet Harry Babasin, the bassist who played on the very first recordings of what became bossa nova, and then became the first person to play pizzicato cello in a jazz group. He’s now largely forgotten. In this interview, his son Von Babasin talks about Harry’s life and accomplishments, and ...
Dec 21, 2009
Drummer Ted Sirota is using his powers for good. On his most recent album, Seize The Time (Naim, 2009), Sirota once again chooses to make a political statement with his song titles and choices. In this interview, Sirota talks about making political jazz; why he’s not going to use liner notes again; and the fine balance between delivering a message and having that message overshadow the music. Learn more at tedsirota.com . If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purch...
Dec 18, 2009
Willard Jenkins is a jazz broadcaster and blogger, and a consultant to jazz artists and festivals. Jenkins’ blog, The Independent Ear , is a constant source of news and views about the jazz world. In this interview, Jenkins talks about the diminishing influence of jazz in people’s home record collections and thus in the lives of their children; why jazz is no longer an integral part of the black community experience; and that jazz isn’t dead — but it does need to work on audience development. Le...
Dec 16, 2009
Guitarist Rez Abbasi continues his rhythmic and harmonic explorations on Things To Come (Sunnyside, 2009). He’s joined on this album by pianist Vijay Iyer, saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, bassist Johannes Weidenmeuller, drummer Dan Weiss, cellist Mike Block and vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia. In this interview, Abbasi discusses the Indian-Pakistani jazz scene in New York; how he incorporates Indian and Pakistani music into his compositions even without the use of traditional instruments; and why he f...
Dec 14, 2009
Infernal Machines (New Amsterdam Records, 2009), the debut CD from composer Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, is one of the most talked-about records of the year. In this interview, Argue reveals why he chose to write modern music using a big band as his musical vehicle; how he turned a simple blog into a social media juggernaut; and why the last thing he wants to be is nostalgic about music. Learn more at secretsociety.typepad.com . If you’d like to buy this album, you can help support The Ja...
Dec 11, 2009
Sam Rivers is a musical renaissance man. He’s performed in big bands, bop bands, R&B groups, blues bands and free-jazz ensembles. Rivers is currently composing adventurous large-ensemble music (such as is found on his 2006 CD Aurora ) in an unlikely location: Orlando, Florida. In this interview, Rivers talks about his early days in Boston; how he was recruited by Jimi Hendrix while playing with Cecil Taylor; and how a tour with Dizzy Gillespie led to his relocation to Florida. Learn more at ...
Dec 09, 2009
