Podcast Archives - The Jazz Session

Pianist Aaron Parks is in the midst of an exciting period of composing and recording. In this interview, conducted this summer in New York City, Parks talks about going into the studio with a revolving cast of the city’s finest musicians; his approach to composition — and how he breathes new life in past work; and why he’s comfortable letting things evolve as necessary in the studio. Learn more at aaronparks.com.

Note: This is Aaron Parks’ second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to his 2008 interview.

The post The Jazz Session #412: Aaron Parks appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist and clarinetist Jessica Lurie’s newest recording is Megaphone Heart, released earlier this year. In this interview, Lurie talks about her early years in Seattle; the idea of a musical community; using her voice as an additional instrument; her remarkably diverse projects; and the stories behind the songs on her new album. Learn more at jessicalurie.com and follow her on Twitter at @saxophonejess.

You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in the TJS Store.

The post The Jazz Session #411: Jessica Lurie appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Brian Charette’s new album is Music For Organ Sextette (Steeplechase, 2012). In this interview, Charette talks about studying kung fu and how it affects his music; getting called for his first organ gig — on the same day his first organ arrived; establishing a career in more than one country; and finding non-standard ways to write for an organ band. Learn more at kungfugue.com and follow him on Twitter at @pinchbrian.

You can support The Jazz Session by purchasing this album in the TJS Store.

The post The Jazz Session #410: Brian Charette appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Montreal native Sarah MK is a singer and songwriter who draws on R&B, hip hop and jazz. In this interview, Sarah talks about the Montreal scene and the Kalmunity collective; her jazz studies and what she feels they add to her music; and the challenges and opportunities of a musical life in Montreal. Learn more at sarahmk.com and follow her on Twitter at @sarahmkmusic.

CONCERT NOTE: Sarah MK is performing in NYC on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. at Sugar Bar, 254 West 72nd Street. $10 cover.

The post The Jazz Session #409: Sarah MK appeared first on The Jazz Session.

In this interview, Montreal pianist David Ryshpan talks about the scene in his adopted hometown; finding musical inspiration in Latin American poetry; how he came to love Brazilian piano trio music and formed his own Trio Bruxo; and the work of the Kalmunity collective. Learn more at settledinshipping.blogspot.com and follow him on Twitter at @ryshpanmusic.

The post The Jazz Session #408: David Ryshpan appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen’s new CD is Claroscuro (Anzic Records, 2012). In this interview, Cohen talks about letting songs be songs; acknowledging the crowd; working with Wycliffe Gordon; busking in New York City; how she chooses between clarinet and saxophone on a particular tune; and her love of the “relaxing chaos” of Brazil. Learn more at anatcohen.com and follow her on Twitter at @Anat_Cohen.

The post The Jazz Session #407: Anat Cohen appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis’s eponymous debut will be available on Oct. 9, 2012. In this interview, Noordhuis talks about the stories behind her compositions; how a “fight” with a piano kept her away from that instrument for a decade and how she found her way back; working with Darcy James Argue and others; and the moment in the studio when the tape first started rolling. Learn more at nadjenoordhuis.com and follow her on Twitter at @nadje.

NOTE: Nadje is playing a CD pre-release show tonight (9/20/12) at the Jazz Gallery in NYC. Sets are at 9 and 10:30. Details here.

The post The Jazz Session #406: Nadje Noordhuis appeared first on The Jazz Session.

You can listen to the announcement (in slightly expanded form) using the player above, or read the text below:

I’ve decided to end The Jazz Session.

After five years, more than 400 episodes, and more than two million downloads, I just can’t make the show work financially. To keep it alive (and by extension, to keep myself going), I’d need to run a massive fundraising campaign immediately, and probably annually. I don’t know if that’s possible for The Jazz Session. I think it might be possible for a show with a broader format, which I’m considering.

I can’t thank each of you enough for your support of The Jazz Session. You’ve come through every time I’ve needed you, from the 100 x 300 Campaign to the Jazz Or Bust Tour. Moreover, your emails have kept me energized and have let me know that real people out there in the real world value this show. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I’m extremely proud of The Jazz Session and the archive it represents. I hope that when scholars of this music look back at the 2007-12 period, the 400+ episodes of my show — the show you helped me build — will prove to be a valuable resource. I hope at some point to associate this archive with a university so the episodes will be properly indexed.

The Jazz Session will run until show #417 on October 29, 2012. I’d like to ask you a favor — would you all please wait to cancel your memberships until that date? That would be a great help to me financially. I’ll send a note when the show ends reminding you to cancel. Unfortunately, this is something you have to do yourself. I can’t cancel them for you.

I’m going to spend some time in Auburn, Alabama, figuring out my next steps. One next step may involve living at a Zen center for a while. I could use it. These last few months have been a real challenge. I’d also like to work on a book recounting the tour and the circumstances leading up to it. I just don’t have an ending yet.

Once again, thank you so much for supporting me and the work I’ve done on The Jazz Session. You made it all worthwhile.

Much love,

Jason

The post The Jazz Session: A Special Announcement appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Ottawa bassist John Geggie’s two most recent recordings are Geggie Project and Across The Sky, both released in 2010. In this interview, recorded in Ottawa on the Jazz Or Bust Tour, Geggie talks about the impact of radio on his early jazz education; exploring the role of the bass; the functions and limitations of institutions in teaching jazz; and his approach to composition. Learn more at johngeggie.com.

The post The Jazz Session #405: John Geggie appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist Martin Krusche’s most recent album with his band Magnetic Ear is Aliens Of Extraordinary Ability. In this interview, recorded in New Orleans during the Jazz Or Bust Tour, Krusche talks about how he decided on the way home from his first visit that he was going to move to New Orleans; the difference between being an artist in New York and in New Orleans; the creation of his pocket brass band, Magnetic Ear; his work as a saxophone repair technician; and the post-Katrina Habitat For Humanity home in which he now lives. Learn more at magneticear.com and martinkruschesaxophonerepair.com.

The post The Jazz Session #404: Martin Krusche appeared first on The Jazz Session.