Podcast Archives - The Jazz Session

Trumpeter John D’earth is a mainstay of the Charlottesville, VA, jazz scene. He’s been playing Thursday nights at Miller’s downtown for the past 30 years. He’s also a respected educator who teaches at the University of Virginia. In this interview, D’earth talks about how he and a group of musician friends chose to leave New York City behind and settle in Charlottesville; why lifelong learning is essential; how to bring more listeners into the jazz fold; and why he thinks music promotes better health. Learn more at thompsondearth.com.

NOTE: The music in this interview comes from the album When The Serpent Flies by the Thompson D’earth band.

The post The Jazz Session #392: John D’earth appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Doug Richards is a professor of music at Virginia Commonwealth University. He also founded the school’s jazz program in 1980, one year after he started teaching there. Richards’ former students include Steve Wilson, James Genus, Nate Smith, Clarence Penn, Mark Shim, Alvester Garnett, Scott Clark and Darius Jones. In this interview, Richards talks about discovering his love for composing and arranging; how he started the VCU jazz program at a time when very few such programs existed anywhere; his successful professional big band, the Great American Music Ensemble; and playing more than just the notes and rhythms. Learn more at www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/faculty/richards.html.

The post The Jazz Session #391: Doug Richards appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Drummer Scott Clark’s latest recording is A+B (2012) with the Scott Clark 4tet. In this interview, Clark talks about the robust music scene in Richmond, VA; how the book Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee is shaping his current composing; the makeup of the 4tet and its roots in the music of Ornette Coleman; and why he chooses to stay in Richmond rather than moving to a bigger city. Learn more at scottwclark.wordpress.com and follow him on Twitter at @sclarkrva.

The post The Jazz Session #390: Scott Clark appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh’s latest recording is Plugged In (Bee Jazz, 2012). In this interview, Sabbagh talks about making an electric record; why he chose to work with keyboardist and composer Jozef Dumoulin, who wrote half the tracks on the album; his first time at the Village Vanguard playing with Paul Motian; and why he still thinks making an album means something more than putting a bunch of tunes together. Learn more at jeromesabbagh.com and follow him on Twitter at @JeromeSabbagh.

The post The Jazz Session #389: Jerome Sabbagh appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist Brad Linde is making a life for himself on the Washington, DC, jazz scene. In this interview, he talks about bringing jazz artists to DC to play at the Atlas performance space; the history of the Tristano school and why he gravitates toward it; the nature of the scene in DC; and his various ensembles and work as both an educator and player. Learn more at bradlinde.com and follow him on Twitter at @bradlinde.

The post The Jazz Session #388: Brad Linde appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Beach Of The War Gods (Glowing Realm Digital, 2011) is the latest CD from guitarist Scott Burton and his band Glows In The Dark. In this interview, Burton talks about his love of film and how it led to the source music for the album; the fertile music scene in Richmond, Virginia; and the way in which Anthony Braxton inspired the structure of Glows In The Dark. Learn more at glowsinthedark.wordpress.com. Follow Burton on Twitter at @scotttburton and follow the band at @glowsinthedark.

The post The Jazz Session #387: Scott Burton (of Glows In The Dark) appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist Brandon Wright’s new CD is Journeyman (Posi-Tone, 2012). In this interview, Wright talks about what he learned from playing with Chuck Mangione, Doc Severinsen and Fred Wesley; why he’s chosen to arrange tunes by Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and Oasis; and how improv comedy classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York have made him a better jazz musician. Learn more at wrightjazz.com.

The post The Jazz Session #386: Brandon Wright appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Drummer Pete Zimmer’s new album is Prime Of Life (Tippin’ Records, 2012). It features George Garzone on saxophone, Peter Bernstein on guitar and Peter Slavov on bass. In this interview, Zimmer talks about swing — what it means to him and how he approaches playing it; the primacy of sound in his selection of bandmates and in his own playing; and the differences between being a leader and a sideman. Learn more at petezimmer.com and follow him on Twitter at @PeteZimmer.

NOTE:: This is Pete’s second time on the show. He was originally on episode #10 (!) way back in 2007. Listen to his first appearance.

The post The Jazz Session #385: Pete Zimmer appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Washington, D.C. saxophonist Brian Settles’ most recent album is Secret Handshake (Engine Records, 2011). In this interview, recorded in Maryland, Settles talks about his decision to take a break from the jazz scene years ago to work on his craft; why he relocated from New York back to his native Washington; his working band; and what he hopes for the future of his music. Learn more at briansettles.com and follow him on Twitter on @briansettles.

The post The Jazz Session #384: Brian Settles appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Janel and Anthony’s new album is Where Is Home (Cuneiform, 2012). In this interview, cellist Janel Leppin and guitarist Anthony Pirog talk about how they found each other and realized they should start a band; the sonic landscapes they create live and in the studio; and how they move past just the sound of a guitar and a cello. Learn more at www.janelandanthony.com and follow them on Twitter at @janelandanthony.

The post The Jazz Session #383: Janel and Anthony appeared first on The Jazz Session.