John Medeski has many irons in the fire, one of which is his new project Mad Skillet, featuring guitarist Will Bernard, sousaphonist Kirk Joseph and drummer Terence Higgins (the latter two from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band ). In this interview, Medeski talks about the new album Mad Skillet ; how honesty fuels his music and his sound; and the many projects he’s working on at the moment. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves...
Nov 13, 2019•35 min
Gang of Three is the new album from Montreal-based pianist Andrés Vial . In this interview, Vial talks about the relationship between Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell and Elmo Hope that inspired the album; how he ended up in the studio with Dezron Douglas and Eric McPherson; creating an instrumental piece from the words of a poem; and more. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do i...
Nov 06, 2019•45 min
Taylor Ho Bynum just released The Ambiguity Manifesto (2019, Firehouse 12 Records), an album featuring his “9-tet.” In this interview, Taylor talks about his outstanding band; the evolution of his compositions in recent years; the many exciting projects he has coming up; and a lot more. (Here’s Taylor’s previous interview on The Jazz Session .) / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be abl...
Oct 30, 2019•48 min
Italian cellist Francesco Guerri has a new solo cello album on RareNoise Records called Su Mimmi non si spara! (“Don’t shoot Mimmi!”) In this interview, Guerri talks about the path from improvisation to composition; how a chance meeting brought him back to the cello in a new way; why he wants his music to reflect the truths of life; and more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do ...
Oct 23, 2019•40 min
Drummer Dor Herskovits is on two new albums: Flying Elephants (with his own quintet) and Easy Listening (with the collective band Earprint). In this interview, Herskovits talks about the genesis of both bands; the use of humor in music; how his son’s impending birth inspired a song and a story; and more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you agree that The...
Oct 16, 2019•42 min
Trombonist Ryan Keberle and his band Catharsis released a new album this summer called The Hope I Hold (Greenleaf Music). The band features Camila Meza (interview 1 , 2 , 3 ), Jorge Roeder, Eric Doob, and Scott Robinson. In this interview, Keberle talks about the sociopolitical inspirations for the new record; the challenges of listening and ways to get better at it; and how he’s kept this band working steadily since its inception in 2011. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians si...
Oct 09, 2019•53 min
Guitarist Perry Smith releases his new album, Live In Brooklyn , on October 11, 2019. The album features Melissa Aldana ( interview ) on saxophone, Matt Aronoff on bass, and Jay Sawyer on drums. In this interview, Perry talks about the jam session as a form of community building; using his musical success for good causes; how his jam session became grant-funded; and his upcoming tour, which begins October 10 with a CD release party at Smalls in Manhattan. I’ve been recording conversations with j...
Oct 02, 2019•38 min
In May, saxophonist and vocalist Caroline Davis released an album called Alula on New Amsterdam Records. Later this week, she and Rob Clearfield will drop a new record called Anthems on Sunnyside. In this interview, Davis traces the path from The Sibley Guide To Birds to Alula ; talks about music cognition; and explains how being a global citizen has changed her approach to music. Big thanks to the most recent members of The Jazz Session: David Beckman, Euan Preston and Nick Spencer, and to Rich...
Sep 25, 2019•42 min
It’s been 20 years since the release of Jane Monheit ‘s first album, Never Never Land . This week (September 19-21, 2019) Jane is at the Iridium in New York City to celebrate that anniversary. In this interview, we talk about the early days of her career; touring as a homeschooling mom; maintaining good vocal technique; and more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my liv...
Sep 18, 2019•40 min
Saxophonist Noah Preminger ‘s new album is Zigsaw: Music Of Steve Lampert . In this interview, Preminger talks about the fascinating creative and recording processes that resulted in this new record; the many albums he’s released in recent years; his future touring and recording plans; and more. You’ll find a previous interview with Noah here , and one with composer Steve Lampert here . I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves pu...
Sep 11, 2019•39 min
Welcome to the first summer hiatus episode of 2019! Earlier this year I was invited on the podcast Sound Logic to talk about the album Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Here is that episode in its entirety. You can hear other episodes of Sound Logic and subscribe here: https://anchor.fm/soundlogic . And if you want to hear all the cool members-only episodes of The Jazz Session coming out this summer and beyond, JOIN for $5 a month at https://thejazzsession.com/join ....
Jul 15, 2019•1 hr 31 min
This episode features a roll call of all the current members of The Jazz Session , plus bonus material from my interviews with Brittany Anjou , Claudia Acuña , and Carmen Staaf & Allison Miller . The summer hiatus is now upon us, which means members will be getting the majority of the content I produce in July and August. To hear the full bonus episode and all the summer shows, join today at https://thejazzsession.com/join . Thanks!...
Jun 30, 2019•38 sec
Ashley Daneman ‘s People Are Fragile (Flood Music, 2019) is one of the best albums of 2019. In this interview, Daneman talks about making an album that fearlessly explores darkness; the difficult but necessary choice between a musical career and motherhood; why she performs only for listening audiences; and much more. This is the final episode of season 11 of The Jazz Session . If you’d like to get lots of great members-only shows during the July-August hiatus, join today for just $5 a month at ...
Jun 26, 2019•43 min
Vocalist Claudia Acuña is back with Turning Pages , her first new album in a decade. In this interview, Acuña talks about being a musician and a mom; the process of releasing a record independently after years working with big labels; the honesty in her lyrics; and much more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you agree that The Jazz Session is worth suppor...
Jun 19, 2019•51 min
Convinced? Go to https://thejazzsession.com/join right now. Thanks!
Jun 14, 2019•3 min
Science Fair (Sunnyside Records, 2018) is the debut project from the team of drummer Allison Miller and pianist Carmen Staaf . In this interview, Miller and Staaf talk about the unlikely way they met; their shared love of swing, groove and dance; how they chose the other members of their band; and more. (Note: Carmen has been on the show before. Listen to her 2011 interview .) I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public suppo...
Jun 12, 2019•38 min
Pianist and composer Brittany Anjou has a new album called Enami?o Reciprokataj (Origin Records, 2019). In this interview, Anjou talks about why her album is titled in Esperanto; the long process of bringing this music from idea to paper to stage to studio; the many diverse projects with which she’s involved; and more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you...
Jun 05, 2019•52 min
Twilight Time is the new album by guitarist Nick Millevoi and his Desertion Trio . The album features covers of both well known and obscure rock and doo wop songs from the 50s and 60s. In this interview, Millevoi talks about the origin of the trio and the idea for the record; the impact of David Lynch on the way we hear music from this era; and his upcoming touring schedule with Desertion Trio, Unspeakable Garbage and others. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I th...
May 29, 2019•44 min
Bassist Mark Dresser ‘s new septet album is Ain’t Nothing But A Cyber Coup & You . It’s an album that speaks truth to power while also displaying master improvisers at their best. In this interview, Dresser discusses the sonic properties he looks for in his musicians; the way he experiments with the sound of his bass; his “telematic concerts,” which use the internet to stage global performances, and more. The Jazz Session is weekly again! The Jazz Session has returned to being a weekly podca...
May 22, 2019•41 min
To hear the full bonus episode and to get early access to every show, join today at https://thejazzsession.com/join . Thanks!
May 20, 2019•49 sec
Drummer Dafnis Prieto won a Grammy for his 2018 big band album Back To The Sunset . The album highlights Prieto’s skills as a composer, arranger and performer, while also paying tribute to his mentors and influences. In this interview, Prieto talks about the hows and whys of working with a big band; the inclusion of guests such as Henry Threadgill, Brian Lynch and Steve Coleman; music that makes him happy; and more. The Jazz Session is weekly again! The Jazz Session has returned to being a weekl...
May 15, 2019•40 min
Soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome is about to release Chaos Theory: Song Cycles for Prepared Saxophone . It’s a surprising and fascinating album that highlights Newsome’s explorations with the variety of sounds the soprano saxophone can make. In this interview, Newsome talks about how he started experimenting with prepared saxophone; why he likes playing solo shows; how movement impacts his music; and why he appreciates teaching students who aren’t majoring in music. Learn more at http://www.somen...
May 08, 2019•49 min
Guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza’s latest album, Ámbar , comes out on May 31, 2019 on Sony Masterworks. It’s her first album for that label. In this interview, Meza talks about how the loss of her grandfather inspired the title track; why she chose to work with strings; meeting — and playing for — one of her musical heroes, Pat Metheny; and more. Learn more at https://www.camilameza.com/ . Support the show! I want this show to be weekly by 2020. To do that, I need 200 members. You can become a...
May 01, 2019•50 min
Pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton returns to the show to discuss her 10th album, The Stylings of Champian . In this interview, Champian talks about her very busy touring schedule and how she maintains it; the band reunion that led to the new album; her approach to selecting repertoire; and more. Learn more and find tour dates at http://www.champian.net/ , and listen to her previous appearance on The Jazz Session here . Support the show! I want this show to be weekly by 2020. To do that, I nee...
Apr 15, 2019•44 min
Bassist Moppa Elliott is the founder of the band Mostly Other People Do The Killing. He’s just released a new triple-album under his own name called Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band . It features three very different bands playing his music. In this interview Elliott talks about the genesis of the project; the benefits of camaraderie and baseball; his approach to teaching high school students about past masters; and more. Learn more at http://www.moppaelliott.com/ . Support the show! I want this s...
Apr 01, 2019•50 min
Guitarist Mike Baggetta’s new album is Wall Of Flowers (2019, BIG EGO Records). The album features bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, The Stooges) and drummer Jim Keltner (everyone you’ve ever heard of). In this interview, Baggetta talks about how this unlikely trio came to be; what he strives for as a musician and improviser; why he loves torch songs; and more. Learn more at http://mikebaggetta.com . ON TOUR: Mike Baggetta is on tour in support of this album, starting in CA on March 21 and wrapping ...
Mar 15, 2019•49 min
Saxophonist Chris Greene just released PlaySpace , a live album recorded with his long-time band. In this interview, Greene talks about the music on the album and why he likes playing with his bandmates; funk, jazz, accessibility and secret handshakes; the musicians and bands who’ve influenced his approach to making music; and why it’s OK for people to enjoy shows. Learn more at https://chrisgreenejazz.com/ . Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsessio...
Mar 01, 2019•58 min
Harpist Brandee Younger’s most recent record is Wax & Wane . In this interview, she talks about the particular challenges of improvising on the harp; how she was introduced to improvised music and the trial by fire she faced from Kenny Garrett; her recording process; the great harpists who’ve gone before her; and more. Learn more at http://www.brandeeyounger.com/ . Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession . You’ll receive a bonus episode packed...
Feb 15, 2019•51 min
Saxophonist and bassoonist Ben Wendel’s latest album is The Seasons . The album began as a series of YouTube duets , which have now been recast for a full band. In this interview, Wendel talks about the origins of the video project; reaching people with music in the era of social media; his band Kneebody and their rock-band-like approach to touring; and the next things he’s working on. Learn more at benwendel.com . ON TOUR : Ben Wendel and The Seasons band are on tour Feb. 1-9, 2019. They start ...
Feb 01, 2019•54 min
Welcome to the completely re-imagined bonus show for members of The Jazz Session ! I’m really happy with how this turned out, and this is the general smorgasbord format I’ll be using going forward. This episode is going out on the main feed, too, as a means of encouraging YOU to support The Jazz Session . In this episode: Dan Rubright reviews his Winter JazzFest experience, including sets featuring: Matthew Stevens, Aaron Parks , Tommy Crane, Taylor Eigsti, Carmen Staaf , Jenny Scheinman, Alliso...
Jan 31, 2019
