Episodes

Pianist and composer Wayne Horvitz has two new albums out: a trio recording called The Snowghost Sessions (Songlines), and an orchestral album called Those Who Remain (National Sawdust Tracks). In this interview Horvitz talks about the unusual circumstances that led to the trio album; composing versus performing; working with Bill Frisell; and much more. Learn more at http://www.waynehorvitz.com/. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. Thanks!

Saxophonist Walter Smith III’s new album is called Twio. It features a program of standards played by Smith with bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Eric Harland. Smith is on a half-dozen albums coming out in the latter half of 2018, several of which are discussed in the interview. He also talks about his time at Berklee and how that influenced his career; the impact of working with masters such as Roy Haynes and Terence Blanchard; and how an ice cream social led to a major change in his life. L...

Pianist Helen Sung‘s new album is Sung With Words, a collaboration with poet Dana Gioia that features both spoken word and also Gioia’s words set to music. In this interview, Sung talks about how they met and decided to work together; why she is constantly trying to learn new skills; her faith and how it impacts her music; and her upcoming projects. Learn more at helensung.com. Concert Note: Catch the official release party for Sung With Words at The Jazz Standard in New York on Dec. 13, 2018. ...

Vibraphonist, educator and app developer Stefon Harris’s new album is Sonic Creed. In this interview, Harris discusses the responsibilities of his generation of musicians; how his album is an expression of the current state of African-American life in the U.S.; and why empathy is the focus of his life. Learn more at stefonharris.com. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. Thanks!

Bassist Adi Meyerson grew up in Israel, discovered jazz in her late teens, got into a conservatory for upright bass a few months after picking up the instrument, and then made her way to the New School in New York. Six years after moving to the US, she’s released her debut album, Where We Stand, and is a busy player in the New York scene. Learn more at http://adimeyersonmusic.com. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. Thanks!

This is the first bonus episode for Patreon subscribers! However, I’m releasing this one on the main feed so everyone can hear it and get an idea for what these will sound like. In this episode, writer, broadcaster and educator Richard Kamins talks about the album Freedom Suite by Sonny Rollins. You can read Richard’s excellent jazz reviews at http://steptempest.blogspot.com/. If you want to hear more conversations like this about the albums people dig, please become a member today. It’s just $...

Vocalist Sara Gazarek has been reinventing herself recently, and she’s about to release an album that shows new sides as a performer, writer, arranger, and bandleader. In this interview, Gazarek talks about the road to her current music; how Kurt Elling helped her decide to form a new band; how she finds the courage to bare her soul on stage and on record; and why her cat is the best. This episode contains the world premiere of music from Gazarek’s 2019 album. For more information, visit saragaz...

Dmitri Matheny is a flugelhornist, composer, writer, comic book collector, dog enthusiast and bandleader. In this interview we talk about his road dog; his love for noir and how it led to his latest album; the legacy of Art Farmer; and collecting Green Lantern comics. Find Dmitri online at dmitrimatheny.com and follow him on Twitter at @dmitrimatheny. Support the show by becoming a member! For $5 a month you get bonus content: patreon.com/thejazzsession

The Jazz Session returns on September 1, 2018! You can support the show right now at patreon.com/thejazzsession. Just $5 a month gets you bonus content! Thanks!

Darcy James Argue came to Penn State to perform Brooklyn Babylon, so I invited him on my morning show along with two of his collaborators. Here’s the interview in its entirety. Does this mean The Jazz Session is coming back? Perhaps.

Bassist Chris Lightcap released the album Epicenter in 2015 with his band Bigmouth. In this interview, Lightcap talks about the past, present and future of Bigmouth; his many other projects; why New York City has been such a big influence on his writing; and why it sometimes takes him years to really listen thoroughly to an album he likes. Learn more at http://chrislightcap.com. SUPPORT THE SHOW! The Jazz Session is member supported. Become a member today for just $5 a month. Your contribution ...

Pianist and vocalist Brenda Earle Stokes’ most recent album is 2014’s Right About Now. In this interview, she talks about her days playing pop songs on cruise ships; how her producer helped shaped the sound and the band on her most recent album; and how marriage and motherhood have changed her career as a musician. Learn more at brendaearle.com. SUPPORT THE SHOW! The Jazz Session is member supported. Become a member today for just $5 a month. Your contribution of $5 a month helps me keep the hu...

Saxophonist Josh Rutner’s debut album is Rockabye Battleship (2016). In this interview, Josh takes us on a track-by-track tour of the album. He talks about George Carlin, Ligeti, Randy Newman, and other influences; and also gives us a peek behind the curtain at the making of the record. Learn more at joshrutner.com. Support the show by becoming a member and by starting your Amazon shopping here.

Allison Au’s Juno-nominated second album is Forest Grove (2016). In this interview, the Toronto-based saxophonist talks about the memories that inspired the album; her long-standing quartet and why working with the same band matters; the Toronto jazz scene; and her upcoming tour of the Western U.S. and Canada. Learn more at http://alli8music.wix.com/allison. Join The Jazz Session today for just $5/month. Support the show at no additional cost to you by starting your Amazon shopping at thejazzs...

Pianist Romain Collin’s new album is Press Enter (ACT Music, 2015). In this interview, Collin talks about the continued growth of his trio with Luques Curtis and Kendrick Scott; his work as a film scorer on documentaries and more; the inclusion of voices from The Innocence Project on the track “Event Horizon;” and his upcoming tour. Learn more at http://www.romaincollin.com/. Support The Jazz Session for just $5 a month!

Trumpeter and composer Steve Lampert’s new album is Zahskl’s Jukebox, Vol. 1. In this interview, Lampert talks about the space-age concept behind the album; the complex process of producing both the music and the actual recording; why he doesn’t play live anymore; and how a guy who grew up on hardbop ended up writing music like he writes. Learn more at http://www.steve-lampert.com/. Support The Jazz Session.

Guitarist Ross Hammond’s new album is Flight. The solo acoustic record marks a departure from his previous electric work. In this interview, recorded at Webster’s Bookstore Cafe in State College, PA, Hammond talks about why he’s playing acoustic these days, and 12-string in particular; his church background and how it led to some of the tunes on this album; the growing Sacramento jazz scene; and his upcoming projects. Learn more at www.rosshammond.com. BUY THIS ALBUM AND SUPPORT THE JAZZ SESSIO...

Bassist and vocalist Mimi Jones has a new album called Balance on her own Hot Tone Music label. In this interview, Jones talks about building community and why she started her own label; the life challenges that led to this album; the power of names; and her extensive upcoming touring schedule. Learn more at mimijonesmusic.com. Also, be sure to check out the other new Hot Tone releases by Camille Thurman and Shirazette Tinnin. BUY THIS ALBUM AND SUPPORT THE JAZZ SESSION.

Pianist Red Wierenga is a member of the Respect Sextet and the Respect Trio. He also plays accordion in the Claudia Quintet. In this interview, he talks about three new recordings: Respect ‘n’ You: Live At Greenwich House Music School by the Respect Sextet; Respect The Trio, We Says by the Respect Trio; and Figure, a duo project between Wierenga and guitarist Ryan Ferreira. He also talks about his forays into electronic music and instrument building; his work with the Claudia Quintet; and the in...

Ras Moshe is a saxophonist who also creates spaces for other musicians to flourish. In this interview, he talks about the intersection of political activism and music; his father and grandfather, both of whom were saxophonists; his early exposure to the loft scene in New York City; and the work he’s doing both as a saxophonist and a creator of musical opportunities for others.

On this episode, three musicians who’ve recently been on the show, and even more recently recorded new albums: Natalie Cressman talks about Turn The Sea; Emily Asher introduces Meet Me In The Morning; and Angela Davis tells the story behind Lady Luck.

Cat Toren is a Canadian pianist living in New York. She’s about to release an album called Inside The Sun featuring music she’s written since moving to New York five years ago. This episode contains a sneak peek at some music from that album. In this interview, Toren talks about making the switch from classical piano to jazz; choosing between New York City and Berlin; finding ways to be contemplative in one of the world’s largest cities; and why she feels improvisation is a collective activity. ...

Soprano saxophonist Jasmine Lovell-Smith’s debut album is Fortune Songs. In this interview, Lovell-Smith talks about the long road from her native New Zealand to Brooklyn to Connecticut to her current home in Mexico; why she stopped playing music, and how she found the inspiration to start again; her early love of Stan Getz and Sonny Rollins; and her upcoming recording projects. Learn more at jasminelovellsmith.com. BUY THIS ALBUM AND SUPPORT THE JAZZ SESSION AT THE SAME TIME.

Guitarist Mike Bono’s first album is From Where You Are. In this interview, Bono talks about discovering jazz on the radio as a teenager and how it changed his life; the sweet pizza-parlor gig that helped him learn standards; his time at the Berklee school of music; and his recent appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in a tribute to Nina Simone. Learn more at mikebonomusic.com. BUY THIS ALBUM AND SUPPORT THE JAZZ SESSION AT THE SAME TIME. BONUS: I asked my parents and sister to record the ...