Episodes

Trumpeter Ralph Alessi’s new album is Baida (ECM, 2013). In this interview, Alessi talks about the cohesiveness of this band after multiple albums together; playing the record for his mother in her final days; and his many years studying classical music before his experience at CalArts changed the course of his life. Learn more at ralphalessi.com. You can get a free mp3 from this album (along with many more free mp3s) by becoming a member for $5/month. You can support The Jazz Session by buyin...

The season premiere of The Jazz Session begins with an extended conversation with saxophonist Lee Konitz. Konitz talks about why he followed a different path than most players of his generation; how he continues to find new things to play on standards; and what he looks for in the people he plays with. The music in this part of the show comes from Enfants Terribles (Half Note, 2012), his live album with Gary Peacock, Bill Frisell and Joey Baron. The album is available in The Jazz Session’s store...

Today is Les McCann’s birthday. Back in 2004, I interviewed Les about his classic soul-jazz album Swiss Movement, featuring Eddie Harris, Benny Bailey, Leroy Vinnegar and Donald Dean. Enjoy!

I’m celebrating my 40th birthday with four new mini-interviews. Vijay Iyer talks about Holding It Down, his new album with Mike Ladd; Mary Halvorson introduces her septet recording Illusionary Sea; Stephan Crump‘s Rosetta Trio is back with Thwirl; and Nicky Schrire discusses her duo album Space and Time. Plus, Brad Linde returns with a preview of the upcoming season of jazz at the Atlas in Washington, D.C. NOTE: You can support The Jazz Session by buying these albums in the TJS Store. Thanks!

Steve Feigenbaum is the founder of Cuneiform Records. In this interview, he talks about the origin of the label; what it’s like to run a record label in the age of digital downloads; and the varied roster he’s put together over the years. Learn more at cuneiformrecords.com and follow the label on Twitter at @cuneiformrecord. NOTE: The Jazz Session’s Kickstarter runs until July 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. Please support the show.

Trombonist Jeff Albert’s new album is The Tree On The Mound (RogueArt, 2013). In this interview, recorded in 2011 in New York City, Albert talks about teaching improvisation to kids; the intersection of computer technology and improvisation; and why you’ll always hear a groove at some point during a Jeff Albert show. Learn more at jeffalbert.com and follow him on Twitter at @jeffalbert. Please donate to the Kickstarter campaign to bring back The Jazz Session. Click here to donate.

Vocalist and composer Maria Christina’s debut album is The Timeless In You (Cracked AnEgg Records, 2013). In this interview, Maria Christina talks about taking risks; the Berlin jazz scene; allowing space in her writing for improvisation; and her time studying with Theo Bleckmann in New York. Learn more at maria-christina.com. You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in the TJS Store.

Pianist Geoffrey Keezer’s new solo piano album is Heart of the Piano (Motema Music, 2013). In this interview, Keezer talks about his time with Art Blakey; why he didn’t join Miles Davis’s band; the diversity of the projects he works on; and the art of playing solo. Learn more at geoffreykeezer.com and follow him on Twitter at @88keezer. You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in the TJS Store. Note #1: This interview was recorded in December 2011, but the album just came out,...

This is the final episode of The Jazz Session. It’s a conversation with pianist Geoffrey Keezer and saxophonist Donny McCaslin, recorded at the 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival. In this interview, Keezer and McCaslin talk about duo playing; their new recordings; Wayne Shorter and Art Blakey; adjusting for different kinds of live performances; and, improbably, Rush. Learn more at geoffreykeezer.com and donnymccaslin.com and follow them on Twitter at @88keezer and @dmccee. Thank you to everyone who mad...

Trombonist and vocalist Natalie Cressman’s debut album with her band Secret Garden is called Unfolding (2012). In this interview (the final interview conducted for The Jazz Session) Cressman talks about her parents and their influence on her music; why she moved from San Francisco to New York; how she decided she was ready to make a record; her work with Phish’s Trey Anastasio; and her plans following her graduation next year from the Manhattan School of Music. Learn more at nataliecressman.com ...

Saxophonist Hailey Niswanger’s sophomore album is The Keeper (Calmit Productions, 2012). In this interview, Niswanger talks about her recent entry into Esperanza Spalding’s band; why she chose going on the road over starting her Master’s degree; the jazz scene in her native Portland; and the personal tragedy that inspired the title track on her new record. Learn more at haileyniswanger.com and follow her on Twitter at @haileyniswanger. You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album i...

Ottawa pianist and journalist Peter Hum’s debut album is A Boy’s Journey (2010). In this interview, Hum talks about the Ottawa jazz scene; the intersection of his work as a journalist and as a jazz musician; how he decided to finally record an album; and the stellar band on his record. Learn more about Peter’s music at peterhum.com, read his blog at blogs.ottawacitizen.com/category/arts/jazzblog and follow him on Twitter at @peterhum. You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in...

Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana’s latest album is Second Cycle (2012). In this interview, Aldana talks about being a third-generation saxophone player, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather; how she arrived at the Berklee College of Music not speaking any English or knowing how to read music; why she’s always known what she wanted to do with her life; and how she met and befriended sax master George Coleman. Learn more at melissaaldana.com and follow her on Twitter at @Meli...

Pianist Aaron Parks is in the midst of an exciting period of composing and recording. In this interview, conducted this summer in New York City, Parks talks about going into the studio with a revolving cast of the city’s finest musicians; his approach to composition — and how he breathes new life in past work; and why he’s comfortable letting things evolve as necessary in the studio. Learn more at aaronparks.com. Note: This is Aaron Parks’ second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to his 20...

Saxophonist and clarinetist Jessica Lurie’s newest recording is Megaphone Heart, released earlier this year. In this interview, Lurie talks about her early years in Seattle; the idea of a musical community; using her voice as an additional instrument; her remarkably diverse projects; and the stories behind the songs on her new album. Learn more at jessicalurie.com and follow her on Twitter at @saxophonejess. You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in the TJS Store.

Brian Charette’s new album is Music For Organ Sextette (Steeplechase, 2012). In this interview, Charette talks about studying kung fu and how it affects his music; getting called for his first organ gig — on the same day his first organ arrived; establishing a career in more than one country; and finding non-standard ways to write for an organ band. Learn more at kungfugue.com and follow him on Twitter at @pinchbrian. You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in the TJS Store.

Montreal native Sarah MK is a singer and songwriter who draws on R&B, hip hop and jazz. In this interview, Sarah talks about the Montreal scene and the Kalmunity collective; her jazz studies and what she feels they add to her music; and the challenges and opportunities of a musical life in Montreal. Learn more at sarahmk.com and follow her on Twitter at @sarahmkmusic. CONCERT NOTE: Sarah MK is performing in NYC on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. at Sugar Bar, 254 West 72nd Street. $10 cover.

In this interview, Montreal pianist David Ryshpan talks about the scene in his adopted hometown; finding musical inspiration in Latin American poetry; how he came to love Brazilian piano trio music and formed his own Trio Bruxo; and the work of the Kalmunity collective. Learn more at settledinshipping.blogspot.com and follow him on Twitter at @ryshpanmusic.

Saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen’s new CD is Claroscuro (Anzic Records, 2012). In this interview, Cohen talks about letting songs be songs; acknowledging the crowd; working with Wycliffe Gordon; busking in New York City; how she chooses between clarinet and saxophone on a particular tune; and her love of the “relaxing chaos” of Brazil. Learn more at anatcohen.com and follow her on Twitter at @Anat_Cohen.

Trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis’s eponymous debut will be available on Oct. 9, 2012. In this interview, Noordhuis talks about the stories behind her compositions; how a “fight” with a piano kept her away from that instrument for a decade and how she found her way back; working with Darcy James Argue and others; and the moment in the studio when the tape first started rolling. Learn more at nadjenoordhuis.com and follow her on Twitter at @nadje. NOTE: Nadje is playing a CD pre-release show tonight (9/...

You can listen to the announcement (in slightly expanded form) using the player above, or read the text below: I’ve decided to end The Jazz Session. After five years, more than 400 episodes, and more than two million downloads, I just can’t make the show work financially. To keep it alive (and by extension, to keep myself going), I’d need to run a massive fundraising campaign immediately, and probably annually. I don’t know if that’s possible for The Jazz Session. I think it might be possible ...

Ottawa bassist John Geggie’s two most recent recordings are Geggie Project and Across The Sky, both released in 2010. In this interview, recorded in Ottawa on the Jazz Or Bust Tour, Geggie talks about the impact of radio on his early jazz education; exploring the role of the bass; the functions and limitations of institutions in teaching jazz; and his approach to composition. Learn more at johngeggie.com.

Saxophonist Martin Krusche’s most recent album with his band Magnetic Ear is Aliens Of Extraordinary Ability. In this interview, recorded in New Orleans during the Jazz Or Bust Tour, Krusche talks about how he decided on the way home from his first visit that he was going to move to New Orleans; the difference between being an artist in New York and in New Orleans; the creation of his pocket brass band, Magnetic Ear; his work as a saxophone repair technician; and the post-Katrina Habitat For Hum...

Sonny Rollins’ most recent album is Road Shows Vol. 2 (Doxy Records, 2011). In this interview, recorded at the 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival, Rollins talks about his love for Fats Waller; the world of politics and his place in it; and his feeling that a life in music was always his destiny. Learn more at sonnyrollins.com and follow him on Twitter at @SonnyRollins. NOTE: This is Sonny’s third time on The Jazz Session. He was previously on the show in 2008 and 2010.