Saxophonist Michael Blake’s new album is Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M Records, 2023). Michael talks about his mom, to whom the album is dedicated; the recording process, especially the percussion; his days with the Lounge Lizards; working with Teo Macero and Scotty Hard; and a lot more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Michael t...
Aug 02, 2023•43 min•Ep. 623
Laila Biali’s latest album is called Your Requests . In this interview, she talks about the fan-generated song list; balancing her dual roles as vocalist and pianist; her adventurous collaboration with Kurt Elling; and a lot more. Laila was also on The Jazz Session in 2021 and 2022 . PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Laila talks about ...
Jul 19, 2023•43 min•Ep. 622
Steven Bernstein’s new album with his band Sexmob is called The Hard Way (Corbett vs. Dempsey, 2023). In this interview, Bernstein talks about working with producer Scotty Hard; his “first take” philosophy; bringing the audience in; life as a working musician; and a lot more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You , on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Steven talks about the wi...
Jul 12, 2023•39 min•Ep. 621
Mark Dresser ‘s new solo bass album is Tines Of Change (Pyroclastic Records, 2023). In this interview, Mark talks about the sonic experimentation that led to the modified bass he plays on this recording; how Jimi Hendrix and Charles Mingus influenced his early musical thinking; the short vacation on the East Coast that led to a multi-year stint in New Haven, CT; how he passes on what he’s learned to his students; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show cal...
Jul 05, 2023•38 min•Ep. 620
Saxophonist Alex Weiss’s new album is Most Don’t Have Enough . In this interview he talks about the legacy and influence of his grandfather; the selection of his bandmates; the evolution of the music; using music for social change; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Alex talks about being a parent and seeing the world through ...
Jun 21, 2023•34 min•Ep. 619
Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock’s new album is called The Last Quiet Place . In this interview, she explores the idea of the title; talks about her band and how she chose them; describes her methods of composition; gives a preview of some upcoming projects; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You , on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Ingrid talks about getting out in natu...
Jun 14, 2023•39 min•Ep. 618
Trombonist and tuba player and educator Bill Lowe has a long and fascinating history in the world of improvised music. In this interview, we talk about his new album, Sweet Cane: Suites And Other Pedagogical Prompts (Mandorla Music Records, 2023); his Signifyin’ Natives Ensemble; the mentorship of Bill Barron and Frank Foster; setting texts to music; working across musical divisions; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You , on whi...
Jun 07, 2023•43 min•Ep. 617
NOTE: This was originally a Patreon bonus episode. I’m unlocking it so that everyone can hear it and become convinced that it’s cool to be a member. Are you convinced? Great! Join today for $5 a month at https://thejazzsession.com/join . Trumpeter Jason Parker takes us on a guided tour of the world of jazz record collecting. He demystifies the process and offers great tips for both the beginning and more advanced collector. RESOURCES: London Jazz Collector: https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress....
May 22, 2023•43 min
Nicky Schrire is a vocalist, songwriter, and the former host of The Jazz Session . Her new album is Nowhere Girl (Anzic Records, 2023). In this interview, Nicky talks about the process of crafting the songs on the album; finding the right players to join her on the project; her evolution as both a vocalist and a songwriter; and much more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You , on which the guest from the main episode talks about something...
May 17, 2023•46 min•Ep. 616
Saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator Bob Mintzer’s latest album is called Soundscapes . In this interview, Bob talks about learning to arrange during his days with Buddy Rich; recording with the WDR Big Band; how he ended up on more than 1,000 recordings; his legacy as an arranger for student ensembles; his work as an educator; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You , on which the guest from the main episode talks about so...
May 03, 2023•35 min•Ep. 615
Vibraphonist Joe Locke returns to The Jazz Session to discuss his new album, Makram. In this interview Joe talks about connecting with an audience; finding the right band; his late colleagues Roy Hargrove and Vic Juris; adapting old songs for modern settings; and more. NOTES You can also listen to Joe’s previous episode from 2010 . PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You , on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-mu...
Apr 19, 2023•40 min•Ep. 614
Jo Lawry’s new trio album with Linda May Han Oh and Allison Miller is called Acrobats. In this interview, we talk about the selection of the band members and the repertoire; gender diversity in jazz; Jo’s years with Sting; and more. NOTES You can hear Jo’s 2008 episode of The Jazz Session here . In addition to the normal bonus episode (see below), members also get an additional 15 minutes of interview material with Jo that isn’t in the regular version of the episode because I try to keep them to...
Apr 05, 2023•39 min•Ep. 613
Tomas Fujiwara is back for his third appearance on The Jazz Session . In this interview we focus on his band Triple Double. We explore their formation and talk about their two most recent albums: March (2022) and March On (2023). Be sure to listen to his previous appearances from 2010 and 2012 , too. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. T...
Mar 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 612
Kenny Barron’s latest album is a collection of solo piano performances called The Source . In this interview, Kenny talks about why playing solo piano can be scary and why he returned to it on this recording; his older brother Bill and their musical history together; his goals for the future of his music; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bring...
Mar 01, 2023•37 min•Ep. 611
The Jazz Session turns 16 today! On this special episode, you’ll hear a clip from each calendar year of the show, along with the story behind the clip. This episode features John Abercrombie, Chico Hamilton, Steve Kuhn, Amy Cervini, Fred Hersch, Jack DeJohnette, Angela Davis, Allison Wedding, Red Wierenga, Josh Rutner, Darcy James Argue, Dmitri Matheny, Mike Baggetta, Wendy Eisenberg, Chloe Rowlands, and Tierney Sutton. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called...
Feb 24, 2023•55 min
Trombonist Conrad Herwig and the Latin Side All-Stars are playing every Tuesday night at Django in the Roxy Hotel in New York now through March 28, 2023. In this interview, we talk about Conrad’s history from his formative years in Hawaii to his early professional career in NYC; his The Latin Side Of… project and its most recent album of Mingus tunes; navigating the path between jazz classics and their Afro-Caribbean reinterpretation; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month t...
Feb 15, 2023•39 min•Ep. 610
Guitarist and vocalist Doug Wamble ‘s latest album is called Blues In The Present Tense . It’s an overtly political album that speaks to a range of important issues. It’s also a great album musically, featuring performances by Eric Revis, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Branford Marsalis. In this interview, Doug talks about using his music as a vehicle for political expression; the old school session at which the album was recorded; the inspiration of Kenny Kirkland; and a lot more. PATREON Become a Patre...
Feb 01, 2023•45 min•Ep. 609
NOTE: Members received this a week ago, but I’m making it public so that perhaps you’ll consider becoming a member if you’re not already. You can join today for $5 a month at https://thejazzsession.com/join . You get bonus shows like this, plus early access to every episode, plus a bonus episode called This I Dig Of You that accompanies each main episode. And more! / / / Jason Crane is joined by Aaron Staebell and Patrick McCurry to talk about albums that helped shaped them as music listeners. T...
Jan 25, 2023•46 min
There’s a new anthology of the work of guitarist Steve Tibbetts called Hellbound Train . In this interview, Steve talks about putting together that anthology; how world travel has shaped his life and music; the importance of percussion to the music he writes and plays; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a monthly bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Steve talks abo...
Jan 18, 2023•45 min•Ep. 608
Ernesto Cervini’s new album, Joy , was inspired by Louise Penny’s detective series about Chief Inspector Gamache. That series has now been made into the show Three Pines . In this interview, Ernesto talks about how the books inspired the music; why he decided to work with vocalists for the first time; composing music based on novels given that some listeners won’t have read them; and much more. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet ( respectsextet.com ) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck In...
Jan 04, 2023•46 min•Ep. 607
Vocalist Claudia Acuña returns to talk about her album Duo (Ropeadope Records, 2022). In this interview, Claudia discusses the long road to an album of duets; singing music in Spanish for English-speaking audiences; collaborating as a vocalist with instruments that don’t play chords; the influence of Chick Corea; and more. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet ( respectsextet.com ) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll ( hearchucknow.com ) PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a ...
Dec 07, 2022•39 min•Ep. 606
Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington recently released two albums, two books, and she’s curating an exhibit at Detroit’s Carr Center. In this interview, we talk about her Jazz Without Patriarchy project; New Standards , a book and album featuring jazz tunes by women; her live album with Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding; and the many-layered exhibit she’s overseeing. New Standards Vol. 1 (album) Live At The Detroit Jazz Festival (album) New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers (book) Three ...
Nov 02, 2022•39 min•Ep. 605
This episode is sponsored by the TD James Moody Jazz Festival at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The festival runs from November 8 through 20 and features a who’s who of talent from the jazz world and beyond. Performers include Fantasia with Jazzmeia Horn; Dee Dee Bridgewater singing with tap dancer Savion Glover; the Jon Faddis Quartet; Yellowjackets; Terence Blanchard with E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet; a recreation by Trouble No More and Dumpstaphunk of the Allman Brothers...
Oct 19, 2022•37 min•Ep. 604
Trumpeter Michael Sarian ‘s new album is called Living At The End Of The World . In this interview, Sarian talks about the stories behind many of the tracks; how he figures out which tunes to put on an album; working with Camila Meza; discovering Meshell Ndegeocello; and much more. Patreon supporters also get the premiere episode of This I Dig Of You , on which this month’s guest talks about something non-musical that is bringing them joy. Michael talks about working out and about Argentine-styl...
Oct 05, 2022•41 min
This episode is a tribute to trumpeter jaimie branch via a collection of voice messages left by friends, collaborators and fans, plus selections of jaimie’s music. This episode also marks the return of Jason Crane as the host of The Jazz Session in its new monthly format. Please support The Jazz Session by becoming a member at https://thejazzsession.com/join .
Sep 07, 2022•31 min•Ep. 602
Aaron Staebell and Patrick McCurry join Jason Crane to talk about how they measure artistic success. How many people need to listen to or attend something for it to be worth doing? Hear the entire episode by becoming a Patreon supporter at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession .
Sep 01, 2022•50 sec
Aaron Staebell, Patrick McCurry and Jason Crane take you through a nine-track playlist you can put on if you’re in the car with folks who might not think they’re into jazz. You can also listen to the playlists directly on Apple Music and Spotify .
Aug 17, 2022•1 hr
Jason Crane (various locations), Patrick McCurry (Auburn, AL) and Aaron Staebell (Rochester, NY) talk about how they stay connected to jazz despite not living in New York City. You can hear the full episode by supporting The Jazz Session for just $5 a month at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession.
Jul 20, 2022•55 sec
Mackenzie Horne recommends surprising albums by Bill Evans, Abdullah Ibrahim and Kenny Wheeler, plus we talk about how she got into jazz and found it unexpectedly becoming both her work and her passion. This is a teaser version. The full episode is available, along with many other bonus shows, at patreon.com/thejazzsession .
Jun 29, 2022•42 sec
There was one last Track Of The Week left in the hopper from Nicky’s tenure with the show, so I thought I’d send it out to everyone as a little appetizer before the show returns in full in September with new bonus features. The artist is George Cotsirilos and the track is “Igualmente” from George’s album Refuge (OA2 Records). Enjoy! Remember: You can get exclusive bonus episodes during the summer by becoming a member for just $5 a month at https://thejazzsession.com/join ....
Jun 23, 2022•8 min
