Episodes

Vocalist Sara Serpa teams with her former teacher, pianist Ran Blake, on Camera Obscura (Inner Circle Music, 2010). In this interview, Serpa (who is Portuguese) talks about interpreting English lyrics; the high-wire act of singing with Ran Blake’s unique accompaniment; and the story of her journey from Lisbon to Boston to New York. Learn more at www.saraserpa.com.

Drummer Tomas Fujiwara has assembled some of the most in-demand improvisers on the creative music scene today for his debut album, Actionspeak (482 Music). In this interview, Fujiwara talks about how he met the members of his band, The Hook Up; his first experience as a band leader in a recording session; and his early years in Boston and how he ended up studying with drummer Alan Dawson. Learn more at tomasfujiwara.com.

Bassist Mario Pavone is looking back on his life in music with his new album, arc suite t/pi t/po (Playscape Recordings, 2010). In this interview, Pavone talks about the changing role of rhythm sections in modern improvised music; his work in the visual arts, particularly painting and photography; and his “upside-down” approach to arranging. Learn more at www.mariopavone.com.

Several years ago, Danilo Perez became a father. On his new album, Providencia (Mack Avenue, 2010), Perez explores the lives of his daughters and commits himself, musically and socially, to leaving them a better world. In this interview, Perez talks about fatherhood; the diverse array of musicians in his band; and the many musical and other projects he’s involved with in Panama and at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Learn more at www.daniloperez.com.

Portland, Oregon-based band Blue Cranes have a new record called Observatories that continues their exploration of a wide variety of musical styles. In this interview, two members of Blue Crane discuss the band’s origin; its expansion from a quartet to a quintet; the use of the studio as an instrument; and their fan-funded upcoming national tour by train. Learn more at www.bluecranesmusic.com.

Grammy and Tony award winner Don Sebesky wrote and arranged music for many of the classic CTI recordings. You can hear his work on a new boxed set, CTI: The Cool Revolution (Sony Masterworks, 2010). In this interview, Sebesky talks about how CTI got started and how it developed its signature sound; his experience working with Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Paul Desmond, Grover Washington, Jr. and many others; and why he still considers his time at CTI one of the best periods of his musical career. Le...

Saxophonist Jon Irabagon continues his exploration of extended improvisation on Foxy (Hot Cup, 2010). In this interview, Irabagon talks about his study of the tenor saxophone lineage; the physical and mental challenges of the continuous 87-minute improvisation on this album; and why he felt Barry Altschul was the perfect drummer for this project. Learn more at www.jonirabagon.com.

Trumpeter Stephen Haynes is joined by Warren Smith and Joe Morris on his new trio CD Parrhesia (Engine, 2010). In this interview, Haynes talks about “relational” arranging; how the album captured a special day in the recording studio; and why he tries to focus on making music in his local area. Learn more at stephenhaynes.blogspot.com.

Composer Darrell Katz leads an all-star ensemble of Boston’s finest through a program of his own compositions on A Wallflower In The Amazon (Accurate Records, 2010). In this interview, Katz talks about the album’s musical diversity; his use of poetry as text for some of his compositions; and his particular method of placing his own stamp on the works of others. Learn more at www.jazzcomposersalliance.org.

Saxophonist Howard Wiley explores the music and conditions at Angola prison in Louisiana on 12 Gates to the City. This CD is the follow up to The Angola Project, which was based on Wiley’s research on the prison. The new album was inspired by Wiley’s visit to Angola. In this interview, Wiley talks about conditions at the prison; modern-day slavery; and why he felt compelled to document his experiences musically. Learn more at www.howardwiley.com.

Saxophonist Geof Bradfield traveled to several African countries in 2008. His new album, African Flowers (Origin Records, 2010), is a musical chronicle of that journey. In this interview, Bradfield talks about the places he visited on his trip; how he chose to musically interpret his experiences; and the varied projects with which he’s currently involved. Learn more at http://geofbradfield.com.

Guitarist Mary Halvorson explores adventurous musical territory on Saturn Sings (Firehouse 12 Records, 2010). In this interview, Halvorson talks about the influence of Anthony Braxton; her uncommon guitar; and her approach to composition. Learn more at www.maryhalvorson.com.

Saxophonist Dave Liebman is celebrating an amazing year full of recordings and awards. In this interview, Liebman talks about his lifelong commitment to education; the various honors bestowed upon him recently, including an NEA Jazz Master Award; and why he enjoys playing not only his own music but also the music of giants such as Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane. Learn more at www.daveliebman.com.

Saxophonist Beth Schenck’s fascinating approach to rhythm is one of the standout features of her debut album, What Shock Heard (Inayat Records, 2010). In this interview, Schenck talks about rhythm; her diary-like approach to composition; and why she decided she needed a working band. Learn more at bethschenck.com.

Vocalist Theo Bleckmann is all by himself on his new solo recording, I Dwell In Possibility (Winter & Winter, 2010). In this interview, Bleckmann talks about why he wanted to record an album with only voice and toy instruments; how he approaches adapting the work of others; and the joys of feeling free to perform in nearly any musical context. Learn more at www.theobleckmann.com.

Steve Cardenas has worked as a sideman on too many records to count, and now he’s put out a solo album that shows why he’s in such demand — West Of Middle (Sunnyside, 2010). In this interview, Cardenas talks about his approach to composition and his appreciation of instrumental “songs”; his work with Don Sickler transcribing all of Thelonious Monk’s compositions; and his ideas about jazz education and its role in the continuation of the music. Learn more at www.stevecardenasmusic.com.

Pianist John Escreet explores a structured freedom on his album, Don’t Fight The Inevitable (Mythology, 2010). In this interview, Escreet talks about his upbringing in England; his important experiences with drummer Tyshawn Sorey and saxophonist David Binney; and a new commission that debuts this month. Learn more at www.johnescreet.com.

Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Andrew Lamb’s trio went into the studio to record a response, the album New Orleans Suite (Engine Studios, 2005 & 2010). Now that album has been remastered and reissued to mark the fifth anniversary of the storm and the engineering disaster that flooded New Orleans. In this interview, Lamb talks about his personal connections to New Orleans; the experience of making the record in the days immediately after the storm; and why he feels musician...

For more than a decade, Kneebody has been making music that’s hard to classify and harder to resist. Their new album is You Can Have Your Moment (Winter & Winter, 2010). In this interview, trumpeter Shane Endsley talks about the band’s different approach to recording the new album; the complex series of musical cues the band uses to arrange music live onstage; and how the combination of Theo Bleckmann and Charles Ives led to a recording relationship with the Winter & Winter label. Learn more at ...

Pianist Jimmy Amadie has recorded seven albums, despite being able to play for just a couple hours every few months as a result of severe problems with his hands. On his most recent record, Kindred Spirits (TP Recordings, 2010), Amadie is joined by Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano and Lew Tabackin, among others. In this interview, Amadie talks about the long road back to playing; his subsequent battle with cancer; and his desire to have his music judged against the master musicians of the genre. Learn mor...

Here’s an interview I recorded in 2007 with guitarist Gene Bertoncini. This is what I said about him back then: Raised in the Bronx, Bertoncini began his musical education at an early age, encouraged by his parents. He studied architecture at Notre Dame before deciding on a life of music. That decision was a smart one — Bertoncini has since performed with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, the Benny Goodman Sextet, Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Burt Bacharach, Michel LeGrand and many ...

Roland Vazquez explores a series of historical and philosophical ideas through the medium of music on The Visitor (RVCD, 2010). In this interview, Vazquez talks about his former and current large ensembles; the programmatic elements underlying the compositions; and why he decided to do something — or rather not do something — for the first time on this album. Learn more at www.rolandvazquez.com.

Here’s an interview from the early days of The Jazz Session with guitarist David Torn. This is what I had to say about him back then: He’s a film composer whose music you’ve heard in Friday Night Lights, Believe In Me, and The Order. He’s also contributed tones and textures to films like this year’s Best Picture winner, The Departed, and the 2000 hit Traffic. Before his film days, he was known for daring musical collaborations on albums such as Cloud About Mercury (ECM, 1987). And he’...

Eric Hofbauer is using the solo guitar to explore American identity on a trilogy of albums that began with American Vanity (Creative Nation Music, 2004) and continues with American Fear (Creative Nation Music, 2010). In this interview, Hofbauer talks about the pop tunes he covers on this record; how he uses improvisation to lead to composition; and why he started Creative Nation Music. Learn more at www.myspace.com/erichofbauer and at Creative Nation Music’s site.