Episodes

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Henry Threadgill has always followed his own particular muse, and his new album, And This Brings Us To, Vol. 1 (Pi Recordings, 2009), is no different. In this interview, Threadgill discusses the musical language he’s developed, and the demands it places on the musicians who play with him; why he constantly searches for new ways of writing and playing; how cell phones and other digital technology are changing the way we interact with music and with each other; a...

“Jazz is as relevant today as the yearning of people to be free.” That’s how Sonny Rollins describes the state of the music in this interview, recorded in late 2009 during his European tour. He also talks about his early decision to choose music over painting; his choice from his earliest days to record controversial songs such as “The House I Live In;” and his theory about why the world is full of strife. Learn more at www.sonnyrollins.com. The music in this interview comes from the Sonny Roll...

Baritone saxophonist Charles Evans and his longtime friend, pianist Neil Shah, recently released Live At Saint Stephens (Hotcup, 2009), a duet recording that showcases Evans’ amazing tone and inventive compositions. In this interview, Evans discusses his focus on the bari sax; his relationship with Neil Shah and how it impacts their music; and his plans for … bass fishing. Learn more at charlesevansmusic.com. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it v...

On Pieces Of Old Sky (Clean Feed, 2009), Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser explores space and spectral harmony to great effect. In this interview, Blaser discusses the challenges of leaving space in music; his Swiss roots and how moving to New York changed his life; and several upcoming projects, including his jazz take on the music of Monteverdi. Learn more at samuelblaser.com. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

One of the things that makes Matt Lavelle uncommon is that he doubles on trumpet and bass clarinet, as you’ll hear on his album The Manifestation Drama (KMB, 2009). In this interview, Lavelle talks about his own growth as a musician; why he started playing bass clarinet; and his fascinating friendships with swing-era veteran Hildred Humphries, jazz icon Ornette Coleman, and long-lost jazzman Giuseppi Logan. Learn more at www.myspace.com/mattlavelle. If you’d like to buy this album, you can supp...

Drummer and New Orleans native Stanton Moore is a busy man, whether with his bands Galactic and Garage a Trois or as a solo artist. He’s just released a trio CD called Groove Alchemy (Telarc, 2010), which is also the name of the companion instructional DVD and book, all of which explore funk drumming. In this interview, Moore talks about the legacy of drummers Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield and Zigaboo Modeliste; why he decided to explore funk drumming in depth with this new project; and the ex...

Trumpeter Erik Telford finds a balance between the electric and the acoustic on his new CD, Kinetic (EJT Music, 2009) and on his 2-CD/DVD set Live At The Hideout Theatre. In this interview, Telford talks about making music in Austin, TX; the evolution of his musical concept over time; and his band’s success in appealing to a younger audience. Learn more at www.ejtmusic.com. [Full disclosure: I wrote the liner notes for Kinetic.] If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session...

Baritone saxophonist and composer Fred Ho made Celestial Green Monster (Mutable Music, 2010) because he thought he’d be dead soon. Ho’s amazing fight against multiple instances of cancer, and his lifelong pursuit of social justice and musical adventure, informs much of the music on his new album. In this interview, Ho talks about making music while fighting cancer; his passion for large ensembles; and how he chooses to make a political statement through instrumental music. Learn more at www.bigr...

Vibraphonist Joe Locke’s For The Love Of You (E1 Music, 2010) combines film music, pop music and Locke’s original compositions into an organic whole stamped with Locke’s unmistakable ear for melody and feel for rhythm. In this interview, Locke talks about finding vocalist Kenny Washington; his distinctive approach to arranging for his bands; and one possible explanation for the physicality of his live performances. Learn more at www.joelocke.com. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support...

Pianist Orrin Evans pays tribute to his friend and musical partner Bobby Watson on Faith In Action (Posi-Tone, 2010). In this interview, recorded while Evans was on tour in Italy, he talks about the importance of family and friends to his life and career; why he chose the particular Watson compositions that appear on the new album; and how he approaches the task of leading a band. Learn more at www.myspace.com/orrinevans. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purc...

Saxophonist John Ellis & Double-Wide return with an expanded instrumental line-up on their new CD, Puppet Mischief (Obliq Sound, 2010). This interview was recorded in Albany, NY, right before Ellis’s show at Red Square. In this interview, Ellis talks about the addition of harmonica and trombone to the band; how he approaches recording sessions; and Ice Siren, his hour-long, song-based narrative collaboration with writer Andy Bragen. Learn more at johnaxsonellis.com. NOTE: This is John Ellis’s s...

Pianist Frank Kimbrough’s latest CD, Rumors (Palmetto, 2010), comes out on March 30, 2010. It’s a trio session with bassist Masa Kamaguchi and drummer Jeff Hirschfield. In this interview, Kimbrough talks about the album’s uncommon recording method; how Andrew Hill impacted his early musical life and the lifelong friendship that resulted; and why being ready to fail is a crucial component of musical success. Learn more at home.earthlink.net/~fkimbrough/. If you’d like to buy this album, you can ...

Guitarist Lionel Loueke combines the music of his native Benin with his immersion in jazz on his album, Mwaliko (Blue Note, 2010). He’s joined on the record by Angélique Kidjo, Esperanza Spaulding, Richard Bona, Marcus Gilmore and others. In this interview, Loueke talks about his early years in Benin and how he ended up playing jazz in the U.S.; the guests and repertoire on his new album; and the influence of Herbie Hancock on his music and his life. Learn more at www.lionelloueke.com. If you’d...

Guitarist and banjo player Brandon Seabrook’s trio plays a raging blend of metal, bluegrass and improvised music on their new CD, Seabrook Power Plant (Loyal Label, 2009). In this interview, Seabrook talks about the intense rhythmic drive of the album; why he started playing the tenor banjo; and the many projects he’s been involved with as a sideman. Learn more at myspace.com/brandonseabrook. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

Show #150! Crazy, ain’t it? Multi-instrumentalist Sadigursky just released Words Project III: Miniatures (New Amsterdam, 2010), the third in his series of releases combining contemporary poetry with improvised and through-composed music. In this interview, Sadigursky talks about his decision to use poems as an inspiration for composition; which texts lend themselves to his work and why; and what the various vocalists on his albums bring to the music. Learn more at samsadigursky.com. If you’d l...

Roger Kellaway has always refused to be labeled. His career covers jazz and classical composition and performance, as well as work in the television and film industries. Kellaway recently released the 2-CD set Live At The Jazz Standard (IPO, 2008). In this interview, Kellaway talks about playing in a piano trio without drums; working in the film industry; and his ambitious new multimedia project “Visions Of America,” featuring Clint Eastwood and Patti Austin. Learn more at www.rogerkellaway.com....

Drummer and composer John Hollenbeck is a constant explorer of new sonic terrain. His large ensemble album Eternal Interlude (Sunnyside, 2009) is no exception. In this interview, recorded at the artists retreat Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, NY, Hollenbeck talks about his approach to composition for large ensemble; his mid-retreat trip to the Grammy awards; and several upcoming projects. Learn more at johnhollenbeck.com. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasin...

Chad Taylor is a very busy man, playing drums with his own band and with Digital Primitives, the Chicago Underground ensembles, Nicole Mitchell and many others. Taylor’s trio recording, Circle Down (482 Music, 2009) features bassist Chris Lightcap and pianist Angelica Sanchez. In this interview, Taylor talks about the idea of collective leadership in music; the many projects he’s been involved with in recent years; and why sometimes the simplest music is the most difficult. Learn more at myspace...

Pianist and keyboardist Erik Deutsch combines a love of groove and vintage keyboards with a keen ear for melody and orchestration on his CD Hush Money (Hammer & String, 2009). In this interview, Deutsch talks about his musical goals for this album; how he combined live performance and creative use of the recording studio to make the finished product; and his views on the jam band and jazz scenes. Deutsch spent several years with the popular band Fat Mama. Learn more at www.hammerandstring.com. ...

Drummer and composer Harris Eisenstadt’s album Canada Day (Clean Feed, 2009) is a strong statement by an inventive composer. In this interview, Eisenstadt talks about his compositional goals for the album; how this CD is both related to his past work and different from it; and also about his upcoming nonet project. Learn more at www.harriseisenstadt.com. NOTE: Eisenstadt and the Canada Day band will be at Ibeam in Brooklyn on Feb. 26 and 27, 2010. Learn more at ibeambrooklyn.com. If you’d like ...

Chris Kelsey is both a jazz musician and critic — one of the rare people who straddles both worlds. His new CD is Not Cool (…as in “The Opposite of Paul Desmond”) (Tzazz Krytyk, 2009). In this interview, Kelsey talks about his approach to composition and performance; how his work as a critic has impacted his career as a musician; and how blogging has changed the way he writes about music. Learn more at chriskelsey.com. Click here to purchase Chris Kelsey’s new album via CD Baby.

Seattle-based trumpeter Jason Parker has figured out how to make a living — and a life — with his instrument. Parker’s quartet has been together for a several years, a fact clearly in evidence on their most recent recording, No More, No Less (Jason Parker Music, 2009). In this interview, Parker talks about the band and what makes it work; his early adoption of social media and how it’s helped his career; and why he decided to give away his music for free. Learn more at oneworkingmusician.com. Fo...

Pianist Hiromi Uehara spends a lot of time on the road, traveling from gig to gig, from hotel to hotel, from city to city and country to country. Her new CD, Place To Be (Telarc, 2010), pays tribute to many of the places she’s visited. In this interview, Hiromi talks about life on the road; her emotional return to her hometown in Japan; and why she’s happy to meet new pianos. Learn more at www.hiromimusic.com. If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it vi...

Pianist Lee Shaw is living a fascinating life. From her childhood in Oklahoma in the 1920s to her early exposure to jazz in Chicago to her decades-long career as a jazz pianist, Shaw has been everywhere and played with just about everyone. In this interview, recorded at the Rotary Club of Albany, NY, Shaw talks about her early years; why she decided to become a jazz pianist rather than a classical accompanist; and the impulsive proposal that led to a lifetime of musical bliss. Learn more at www....