Episodes

Trombonist Jeff Albert‘s new live record is called Unanimous Sources. In this interview, we talk about the various musical buttons pushed by this band; making music fun; the many other projects Jeff is involved with; the forward-thinking music program at Loyola University New Orleans; 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 you agree that The J...

We just lost Ellis Marsalis. Earlier this week we lost Wallace Roney. I think we’ll be adding more names to the list before all this is over. I’m sharing this 2009 interview with Ellis as a way to honor his memory. Take care of each other, OK? Ellis Marsalis is more than the father of four famous sons. He’s an acclaimed pianist and educator in his own right, and his musical history has covered a lot of ground. Homecoming (ELM Records, 2009), his new CD, is a mix of old and new, combining a reiss...

Pianist Yoko Miwa‘s most recent album is Keep Talkin’. In this interview, Miwa talks about the difficulties facing all musicians during the coronavirus outbreak; surviving the 1995 Kobe earthquake; gigging with Sheila Jordan; why she often includes Beatles songs on her albums; 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 you agree that The Jazz Sess...

Cast Of Characters (Outside in Music, 2020) is the latest album from trombonist, composer and record label owner Nick Finzer. In this interview, Finzer talks about writing this ambitious suite of music; about how we incorporate and transcend our influences; his long-running band; and his decision to start a record label. / / / 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 livi...

To honor the passing of McCoy Tyner, I’m making this members-only episode from December into a public episode. Music writer Richard Scheinin talks about McCoy Tyner’s album Sahara. During the conversation, Richard also reads from interviews he did with Sonny Fortune and Bobby Hutcherson about McCoy. [Photo: McCoy Tyner at the 2013 Detroit Jazz Festival, by Jason Crane.]

Pianist Lynne Arriale‘s new album is Chimes of Freedom (Challenge Records, 2020). The record is a direct reply to our current American sociopolitical environment. In this interview, Arriale talks about speaking truth to power; mortality and the artistic process; her work as an educator; and a lot 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 th...

Terry Teachout is the author of Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington (Penguin, 2013). In this interview, Teachout talks about Ellington’s complex character; his genius as a composer; Ellington’s sometimes fraught collaborations with his fellow musicians; and a lot 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 supporting...