Episodes

Saxophonist Noah Preminger‘s new album is Zigsaw: Music Of Steve Lampert. In this interview, Preminger talks about the fascinating creative and recording processes that resulted in this new record; the many albums he’s released in recent years; his future touring and recording plans; and more. You’ll find a previous interview with Noah here, and one with composer Steve Lampert here. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves publi...

Welcome to the first summer hiatus episode of 2019! Earlier this year I was invited on the podcast Sound Logic to talk about the album Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Here is that episode in its entirety. You can hear other episodes of Sound Logic and subscribe here: https://anchor.fm/soundlogic. And if you want to hear all the cool members-only episodes of The Jazz Session coming out this summer and beyond, JOIN for $5 a month at https://thejazzsession.com/join.

This episode features a roll call of all the current members of The Jazz Session, plus bonus material from my interviews with Brittany Anjou, Claudia Acuña, and Carmen Staaf & Allison Miller. The summer hiatus is now upon us, which means members will be getting the majority of the content I produce in July and August. To hear the full bonus episode and all the summer shows, join today at https://thejazzsession.com/join. Thanks!

Ashley Daneman‘s People Are Fragile (Flood Music, 2019) is one of the best albums of 2019. In this interview, Daneman talks about making an album that fearlessly explores darkness; the difficult but necessary choice between a musical career and motherhood; why she performs only for listening audiences; and much more. This is the final episode of season 11 of The Jazz Session. If you’d like to get lots of great members-only shows during the July-August hiatus, join today for just $5 a month at t...

Vocalist Claudia Acuña is back with Turning Pages, her first new album in a decade. In this interview, Acuña talks about being a musician and a mom; the process of releasing a record independently after years working with big labels; the honesty in her lyrics; and much more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you agree that The Jazz Session is worth suppor...

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Science Fair (Sunnyside Records, 2018) is the debut project from the team of drummer Allison Miller and pianist Carmen Staaf. In this interview, Miller and Staaf talk about the unlikely way they met; their shared love of swing, groove and dance; how they chose the other members of their band; and more. (Note: Carmen has been on the show before. Listen to her 2011 interview.) I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public suppor...

Pianist and composer Brittany Anjou has a new album called Enami?o Reciprokataj (Origin Records, 2019). In this interview, Anjou talks about why her album is titled in Esperanto; the long process of bringing this music from idea to paper to stage to studio; the many diverse projects with which she’s involved; and more. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If yo...

Twilight Time is the new album by guitarist Nick Millevoi and his Desertion Trio. The album features covers of both well known and obscure rock and doo wop songs from the 50s and 60s. In this interview, Millevoi talks about the origin of the trio and the idea for the record; the impact of David Lynch on the way we hear music from this era; and his upcoming touring schedule with Desertion Trio, Unspeakable Garbage and others. I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I th...

Bassist Mark Dresser‘s new septet album is Ain’t Nothing But A Cyber Coup & You. It’s an album that speaks truth to power while also displaying master improvisers at their best. In this interview, Dresser discusses the sonic properties he looks for in his musicians; the way he experiments with the sound of his bass; his “telematic concerts,” which use the internet to stage global performances, and more. The Jazz Session is weekly again! The Jazz Session has returned to being a weekly podcast, w...

To hear the full bonus episode and to get early access to every show, join today at https://thejazzsession.com/join. Thanks!

Drummer Dafnis Prieto won a Grammy for his 2018 big band album Back To The Sunset. The album highlights Prieto’s skills as a composer, arranger and performer, while also paying tribute to his mentors and influences. In this interview, Prieto talks about the hows and whys of working with a big band; the inclusion of guests such as Henry Threadgill, Brian Lynch and Steve Coleman; music that makes him happy; and more. The Jazz Session is weekly again! The Jazz Session has returned to being a weekl...

Soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome is about to release Chaos Theory: Song Cycles for Prepared Saxophone. It’s a surprising and fascinating album that highlights Newsome’s explorations with the variety of sounds the soprano saxophone can make. In this interview, Newsome talks about how he started experimenting with prepared saxophone; why he likes playing solo shows; how movement impacts his music; and why he appreciates teaching students who aren’t majoring in music. Learn more at http://www.somene...

Guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza’s latest album, Ámbar, comes out on May 31, 2019 on Sony Masterworks. It’s her first album for that label. In this interview, Meza talks about how the loss of her grandfather inspired the title track; why she chose to work with strings; meeting — and playing for — one of her musical heroes, Pat Metheny; and more. Learn more at https://www.camilameza.com/. Support the show! I want this show to be weekly by 2020. To do that, I need 200 members. You can become a ...

Pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton returns to the show to discuss her 10th album, The Stylings of Champian. In this interview, Champian talks about her very busy touring schedule and how she maintains it; the band reunion that led to the new album; her approach to selecting repertoire; and more. Learn more and find tour dates at http://www.champian.net/, and listen to her previous appearance on The Jazz Session here. Support the show! I want this show to be weekly by 2020. To do that, I need ...

Bassist Moppa Elliott is the founder of the band Mostly Other People Do The Killing. He’s just released a new triple-album under his own name called Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band. It features three very different bands playing his music. In this interview Elliott talks about the genesis of the project; the benefits of camaraderie and baseball; his approach to teaching high school students about past masters; and more. Learn more at http://www.moppaelliott.com/. Support the show! I want this sh...

Guitarist Mike Baggetta’s new album is Wall Of Flowers (2019, BIG EGO Records). The album features bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, The Stooges) and drummer Jim Keltner (everyone you’ve ever heard of). In this interview, Baggetta talks about how this unlikely trio came to be; what he strives for as a musician and improviser; why he loves torch songs; and more. Learn more at http://mikebaggetta.com. ON TOUR: Mike Baggetta is on tour in support of this album, starting in CA on March 21 and wrapping ...

Saxophonist Chris Greene just released PlaySpace, a live album recorded with his long-time band. In this interview, Greene talks about the music on the album and why he likes playing with his bandmates; funk, jazz, accessibility and secret handshakes; the musicians and bands who’ve influenced his approach to making music; and why it’s OK for people to enjoy shows. Learn more at https://chrisgreenejazz.com/. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession...

Harpist Brandee Younger’s most recent record is Wax & Wane. In this interview, she talks about the particular challenges of improvising on the harp; how she was introduced to improvised music and the trial by fire she faced from Kenny Garrett; her recording process; the great harpists who’ve gone before her; and more. Learn more at http://www.brandeeyounger.com/. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. You’ll receive a bonus episode packed full ...

Saxophonist and bassoonist Ben Wendel’s latest album is The Seasons. The album began as a series of YouTube duets, which have now been recast for a full band. In this interview, Wendel talks about the origins of the video project; reaching people with music in the era of social media; his band Kneebody and their rock-band-like approach to touring; and the next things he’s working on. Learn more at benwendel.com. ON TOUR: Ben Wendel and The Seasons band are on tour Feb. 1-9, 2019. They start ton...

Welcome to the completely re-imagined bonus show for members of The Jazz Session! I’m really happy with how this turned out, and this is the general smorgasbord format I’ll be using going forward. This episode is going out on the main feed, too, as a means of encouraging YOU to support The Jazz Session. In this episode: Dan Rubright reviews his Winter JazzFest experience, including sets featuring: Matthew Stevens, Aaron Parks, Tommy Crane, Taylor Eigsti, Carmen Staaf, Jenny Scheinman, Allison M...

Bassist Tim Lefebvre was a longtime member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and played on David Bowie’s final album. Along with other members of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, he formed Whose Hat Is This?, an improvising collective. Their new album with MC and vocalist Kokayi is Everything’s OK. In this interview, Lefebvre talks about his many musical projects as both a bassist and a producer; working with David Bowie; adapting to musical situations; and more. Learn more at timlefebvremusic.com.

Guitarist Bobby Broom’s latest album is Soul Fingers (MRi, 2018). In this interview, Broom talks about his most recent tour with Steely Dan; the genesis of his new band; how he ended up working with producer Steve Jordan; and why he continues to find musical inspiration from the pop and rock songs of his youth. Learn more at bobbybroom.com. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. Thanks!

Singer-songwriter Jean Rohe’s new album is called Sisterly. In this interview, Rohe talks about art and the patriarchy; our role in standing up for what’s right; songwriting and performance as tools of social change; and the very different sonic landscape of this new recording. Learn more at https://www.jeanrohe.com/. Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. Thanks!