Episodes

Jason Crane interviews bassist Christian McBride. McBride returns to the acoustic realm with his new record, Kind of Brown (Mack Avenue Records, 2009). The album is a reunion of players from McBride’s career — drummer Carl Allen, pianist Eric Reed, saxophonist Steve Wilson, and vibraphonist (and former student of McBride’s) Warren Wolf, Jr. In this interview, McBride talks about Freddie Hubbard, Tony Reedus, his evolving role as a mentor, and “checking in at home.” If you’d like to buy this alb...

Jason Crane interviews drummer and composer E.J. Strickland. Strickland’s new album is called In This Day (Strick Muzik, 2009). E.J. and his twin brother Marcus grew up in Miami, sons of a musical father. They knew early on that they wanted to be musicians, and they’ve pursued that path with a single-minded devotion. On In This Day, E.J. Strickland’s vision is realized not just from the drum chair, but compositionally as well. He wrote or co-wrote every tune on the record. If you’d like to buy ...

Jason Crane interviews pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill. He won a Grammy for his 2008 recording Song For Chico (ZoHo, 2008), named for his father, composer/arranger Chico O’Farrill. In this wide-ranging interview, O’Farrill talks about the forgotten roots of jazz, the need to embrace hand-drumming, and how jazz can only move forward by learning about its past. If you’d like to buy this album, you can help support The Jazz Session by buying it via the link below:

Jason Crane interviews guitarist and composer Miles Okazaki about his album Generations (Sunnyside, 2009). The album finds Okazaki mining some of the same territory from his debut record, Mirrors, but this time with a focus on in-depth exploration and group improvisation. Featuring standout work from saxophonists Miguel Zenón, David Binney, and Christof Knoche; along with vocalist Jen Shyu, drummer Dan Weiss, and bassist Jon Flaugher. In this interview, Okazaki talks about the philosophy behind ...

Jason Crane interviews singer/songwriter Kate Schutt about her album Telephone Game (ArtistShare, 2009). Schutt has walked a different path than the average musician. She went to Harvard, where she played Division I lacrosse and hockey. She also went to the Berklee College of Music to hone her jazz chops. She speaks Chinese because her high school offered it. She’s an American, but she lives in Guelph, Ontario, a place she describes as the “Austin, Texas of Canada.” And on Telephone Game, she le...

Jason Crane interviews the members of the Respect Sextet. Their new album, Sirius Respect (Mode, 2009), explores the music of composers Karlheinz Stockhausen and Sun Ra. Formed nearly a decade ago at the Eastman School of Music, the Respect Sextet combines freewheeling improvisation with driving rhythms and a sense of humor. The members of the band have wide-ranging musical tastes and a fearlessly collaborative aesthetic, which leads to one-of-a-kind performances. In this interview, the members ...

Jason Crane interviews keyboardist Henry Hey, saxophonist Chris Cheek and bassist Tim Lefebvre, who, along with drummer Keith Carlock, make up the band Rudder. Rudder’s new album is called Matorning (Nineteen-Eight Records, 2009). These four musicians are incredibly busy in the jazz and pop worlds, but they’ve found the time to create a hip-shaking, brain-stimulating musical hybrid that some critics have said is in a genre all by itself. In this interview, the band talks about its history, the o...

Jason Crane interviews trombonist Jeff Albert about his new album, Similar In The Opposite Way (Fora Sound, 2009). Albert is one of the leaders of the creative music scene in New Orleans, and his Open Ears Music Series helps provide a home for experimental and free music in the Crescent City. In this interview, Albert talks about the Frenchman Street scene, his Chicago-New Orleans connection, and the cultural condition of post-Katrina New Orleans. Find out more at jeffalbert.com.

Jason Crane interviews vocalist and pianist Lisa Sokolov about her new album, A Quiet Thing. Sokolov is not like any singer you’ve ever heard before, but she is certainly one you need to hear. In this interview, Sokolov talks about what singing is and how she’s arrived at her unique approach to performance and arranging. She also talks about writing haiku in her sleep, and the song that resulted.

Jason Crane interviews drummer Mike Melito. While not a household name among jazz fans, Melito is well known to many jazz musicians, having played with everyone from James Moody and Benny Golson to Joe Locke and Rachel Z. Melito is based in Rochester, NY, and he made the decision early on to stay in his hometown and build his career there. His 2008 album, In The Tradition, features saxophonist Grant Stewart, trumpeter John Swana, bassist Neil Miner, and two fellow Rochesterians — pianist Paul Ho...

Jason Crane interviews vibraphonist Gary Burton. After three decades, Burton reunited with Pat Metheny and Steve Swallow — and added drummer Antonio Sanchez — to record Quartet Live! (Concord Jazz, 2009), an album celebrating the music of the original Gary Burton Quartet. Originally conceived as a one-time-only performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the band quickly realized that the music was worth exploring again. Burton talks about the new quartet, his projects with Chick Corea and Makoto...

Jason Crane interviews trumpeter Hugh Masekela about his 2009 album Phola (Times Square Records). The album finds Masekela in a quieter, more reflective mood — a decision he credits to producer Erik Paliani. Despite the more reserved surroundings, Masekela’s flugelhorn playing is as intense as ever. In the interview, Masekela discusses Miriam Makeba, music as a political force, and why he doesn’t play for fun.

Jason Crane interiews Steve Lake of ECM Records about the Touchstones series, ECM’s reissue series of classic recordings in new packaging at affordable prices. Lake has been with the label since the earliest days and has seen ECM grow into one of the world’s most respected music labels. In this interview, Lake discusses the history of ECM, and also talks about individual recordings from Paul Bley, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Colin Walcott and others.

Jason Crane interviews saxophonist David Sanborn. Sanborn is one of the few jazz players whose name is known even outside the jazz world. It’s fitting, then, that he’s using his new album Here & Gone (Decca, 2008) to bring a lesser-known jazz saxophonist into wider awareness. Here & Gone celebrates the music of Hank Crawford, a saxophone player and the principal arranger for the Ray Charles “little big band” of the 50s and 60s. Crawford’s playing had a huge impact on Sanborn, and Sanborn repays ...

Jason Crane interviews vibraphonist James Westfall, bassist Dan Loomis and drummer Jared Schonig, known collectively as The Wee Trio. Their first record, Capitol Diner Vol. 1 (Bionic Records, 2008) features original music, jazz standards … and Nirvana. The trio explores the music they love through the lens of collective improvisation, and the results are fresh, fun and worth repeated listening. Find out more at theweetrio.com.

Jason Crane interviews organist Barbara Dennerlein about her pipe organ recording Spiritual Movement No. 2 (Bebab Records, 2008). The album was recorded at one of Germany’s most famous churches in front of a very appreciative audience. In this interview, recorded before a concert in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Dennerlein discusses jazz on the pipe organ; why organists should use their feet; and how she adapts to the challenge of seldom having her own instrument on stage.

Jason Crane interviews the members of the trio Fly: bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Jeff Ballard and saxophonist Mark Turner. Fly is very much a collective effort — the group operates with a leaderless philosophy in which everyone contributes equally. As a result, the trio has come up with some fresh and exciting sounds as they try new combinations and new ways to balance their respective instruments. All three musicians are very much in demand as sidemen, too. A full transcript of this intervi...

Jason Crane interviews pianist Marilyn Crispell about her album of solo piano pieces, Vignettes (ECM, 2008). Crispell made an early name for herself with Anthony Braxton, and she’s since amassed an impressive list of recordings that include composed and freely improvised pieces. In this interview, Crispell talks about the nature of improvisation, the particular challenges of solo playing, and the joys of Woodstock, NY.

Jason Crane interviews vocalist Kate McGarry. Her new album, If Less Is More … Nothing Is Everything (Palmetto, 2008), explores everything from spirituality to The Cars in McGarry’s typically atypical style. McGarry is joined on the record by guitarist Keith Ganz, organist Gary Versace, bassist Reuben Rogers, drummer Clarence Penn, saxophonist Donny McCaslin, percussionist James Shipp, and vocalists Peter Eldrige and Jo Lawry. CONTEST: Win Kate McGarry’s new CD! To enter, send an e-mail to cont...

Jason Crane interviews vocalist Stevie Holland. On her new album, Before Love Has Gone (150 Music, 2008), Holland uses her song selection to tell a personal story. Each song on the album has a particular story behind it, and several are lesser-known gems. Holland is joined on the album by pianist Martin Bejerano, bassist Edward Perez, drummer Willie Jones III, saxophonist Ole Mathisen, and guitarist Paul Bollenback. Find out more at StevieHolland.com.

Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Sonny Rollins. He’s just released Road Shows Vol. 1 (Doxy Records, 2008), a compilation of live performances spanning 20 years. Gary Giddins calls it “one of the finest Sonny Rollins albums ever released.” In this interview, recorded on Election Day 2008, Sonny talks about everything from the prospect of an Obama presidency and the crisis of global warming to the mystery and beauty of jazz improvisation. Find out more at SonnyRollins.com.

Calling all jazz fans in and around Los Angeles! I’ve got two tickets to see ECM recording artist Marcin Wasilewski and his trio this Monday, November 3, at the Jazz Bakery in L.A. (You can hear Marcin and his music on this week’s episode of The Jazz Session.) To win, send an e-mail to contest@thejazzsession.com with “tickets” in the subject line. First one to contact me wins!

Jason Crane interviews Polish pianist and composer Marcin Wasilewski. His new recording, January (ECM, 2008), features his own compositions alongside those of Gary Peacock, Carla Bley, Ennio Moricone and … Prince. Wasilewski’s trio is very much a part of the new European piano trio renaissance, featuring inventive material played democratically. CONTEST! The Marcin Wasilewski Trio starts a U.S. tour on November 1 in Seattle, with stops in San Francisco, LA, Chicago, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Bal...

Jason Crane interviews pianist and composer Satoko Fujii. Fujii has released four new recordings in 2008, her 50th birthday year. These records find her with her New York trio; on accordion in the avant-folk-jazz group of her husband, trumpeter Natsuki Tamura; in a quartet with some of Japan’s most talented improvising musicians; and in a second trio with both American and Japanese musicians. Far from slowing down in her middle years, Fujii seems to be pushing herself even more relentlessly, sea...