Episodes

Pianist Yelena Eckemoff is a prolific composer. In this interview, she talks about Nocturnal Animals, which came out earlier this year, and Adventures Of The Wildflower, which comes out in March 2021. Eckemoff also talks about incorporating poetry and prose and art into her musical presentations; the path from idea to composition; and much more. Technical note: This is the first episode I recorded in my van, so you may detect some slight audio differences from previous episodes. I’ll iron out t...

Violinist Tomoko Omura‘s latest album is Branches, Vol. 1. In this interview, she talks about the album’s sonic landscape; how she drew from Japanese folktales to write the music; the gorgeous artwork by Trina Hines; and a lot more. Be sure to also watch the illustrated music video for “Revenge of the Rabbit.” / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007. By the time you hear this episode, I’ll be living in a van and traveling the country. I need yo...

Pianist Miki Yamanaka‘s new album is Human Dust Suite. In this interview, Yamanaka talks about the artwork that inspired the suite; how she left a graduate program in seismology in Japan to become a jazz pianist in New York; why she chose the specific players who accompany her on the album; and more. CONCERT NOTE: Miki Yamanaka is playing with Philip Harper at Smalls Jazz Club this Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 5 pm and 7 pm ET. You can attend in person, or else stream the show anywhere at htt...

Drummer and educator Dr. Colleen Clark is the first woman to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Performance at the University of North Texas. In this interview, she talks about her educational background; why she loves Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus; her sports-adjacent philosophy of music education; her new band; and more. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007. As I prepare to head out on the road in a van (which will also ...

Champian Fulton’s new album, Birdsong, is a tribute to Charlie Parker’s 100th birthday. The album features Fulton’s working band plus saxophonist Scott Hamilton. In this interview, Fulton talks about meeting Hamilton in Europe; why she feels such a special connection to Bird; how she’s kept in touch with her audience during the pandemic; and some upcoming recording projects. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007. As I prepare to head out on ...

Vocalist Allegra Levy‘s new album is Lose My Number: Levy Sings McNeil (SteepleChase, 2020). On it, she sings lyrics she wrote for the songs of her longtime collaborator, trumpeter John McNeil. In this interview, Levy talks about writing lyrics for someone else’s tunes; the story behind her all-woman band; finding new performance models both during and after the pandemic; and more. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007. As I prepare to head ...

Trombonist and vocalist Natalie Cressman has released an album and a single with Brazilian guitarist Ian Faquini, and a second album is nearly complete. In this interview, Cressman talks about immersing herself in the Portuguese language; the subtlety of her duo playing with Faquini; virtual music during the pandemic; and the recording of their second album. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007. As I prepare to head out on the road in a van...

Vocalist Sara Serpa confronts the history of Portuguese colonialism in Angola on her new album Recognition. In this interview, she talks about her family’s experiences as both colonizers and resistance fighters; the formation of the unique ensemble that plays the music on the album; how she created the film which the music accompanies; and a forthcoming project based on the work of author Emmanuel Iduma. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007...

Pianist Angelica Sanchez has a new duet album with pianist Marilyn Crispell (interview) called How To Turn The Moon. In this interview, Sanchez talks about her lifelong admiration of Crispell’s playing; the intricacies of the piano duet; her interest in neuroscience and the work of artist Santiago Ramón y Cajal; and more. / / / I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians on The Jazz Session since 2007. As I prepare to head out on the road in a van (which will also be my home) to reco...

Vocalist Christine Correa‘s new album with pianist Ran Blake is When Soft Rains Fall. It’s a tribute to Billie Holiday’s seminal recording Lady In Satin. In this interview, Correa talks about her longtime relationship with Blake and how that informed the recording process; why she encourages her students to put down the sheet music and use their ears; her upcoming projects; and the vulnerability, anger and strength found in the vocalists who’ve inspired her. / / / I’ve been recording conversat...

Guitarist Leni Stern has spent years collaborating with musicians from other cultures and musical styles, particularly with musicians from Senegal and Mali. On her latest album, 4, Stern continues that work, and adds Argentinian keyboardist Leo Genovese into the mix. In this interview, Stern talks about how she started studying west African music; adapting her own playing to the rhythmic needs of the music; her varied musical partners; and the return of some live music to New York City. / / / ...

Flute player Jamie Baum talks about her experiences as a New-York-based jazz musician during the pandemic. She also sheds light on her experiments with South Asian music; appreciation vs. appropriation; her various composing projects; and some upcoming album releases. / / / 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...

Welcome to the premiere of season 13 of The Jazz Session! This episode begins with some big news before turning to pianist Cat Toren and her new album, Scintillating Beauty. In this interview, Toren talks about the genesis of the new record; sound healing; bringing a child into the world; her upcoming projects; and the challenge of navigating online spaces. / / / As you’ll hear in this episode, I need your support now more than ever. Please become a member today at thejazzsession.com/join. For...