Podcast Archives - The Jazz Session

Vocalist Maria Neckam’s latest CD is Unison (Sunnyside Records, 2012). In this interview, Neckam talks about finding her own musical path early in life; writing songs that don’t use traditional forms; her journey from Vienna to Amsterdam to Brooklyn; and the effects of Buddhism on her life and music. Learn more at marianeckam.com and follow her on Twitter at @MariaNeckam.

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THE “JAZZ OR BUST” TOUR

ABOUT THE TOUR

As of June 1, 2012, I’m doing something fairly crazy and taking The Jazz Session on tour. I’m traveling through North America — and then maybe the rest of the world — conducting interviews and giving poetry readings.

NEWS COVERAGE

FOLLOW THE TOUR

My itinerary, daily tour diary, new poems, recordings of my poetry readings, photos and more are at http://jasoncrane.org. You’ll also find a list of my scheduled poetry readings there. And of course the podcasts from the tour will be at thejazzsession.com as they always are. And you can follow me on Twitter at @JasonDCrane.

SUPPORT THE TOUR

There are several ways for you to support my tour.

To do any of the above (other than donate) send me an email at [email protected]. Initially, I’ll be traveling on the East Coast, but feel free to suggest places and offer me accommodations anywhere. Thank you!

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Saxophonist Steve Lehman’s new album is called Dialect Fluorescent (Pi Recordings, 2012). In this interview, Lehman talks about allocentric performance; what he learned from Jackie McLean about sound and evolution; the unlikely beginning of his current trio; and some of the touchstones in his own musical growth. Learn more at stevelehman.com and follow him on Twitter at @TheSteveLehman.

CONCERT NOTE: Lehman’s trio will be at The Jazz Gallery in NYC from June 7-9 with special guests David Virelles, Vijay Iyer and James Hurt.

NOTE: This is Steve Lehman’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. You’ll find our first conversation here.

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Pianist George Colligan’s most recent album is Living For The City (Steeplechase, 2011). In this interview, conducted before an April show at Jazz Standard in NYC, Colligan talks about selling out vs. being relevant; trying his hand at writing songs with lyrics; Nicholas Payton’s outspoken blogging; dealing with online controversy; and managing a life of teaching, performing and fatherhood. Learn more at georgecolligan.com and follow his blog at jazztruth.blogspot.com.

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Guitarist Anders Nilsson’s new solo album is Night Guitar (2012). In this interview, Nilsson talks about the influence of Frank Zappa, Deep Purple and others on his guitar playing; why he felt inspired to make a solo record; how he created a multi-layered guitar album that still allows for the element of surprise; and the busy year ahead. Learn more at andersnilssonguitar.com.

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Pianist Dan Cray’s latest CD is Meridies (Origin, 2012). In this interview, Cray talks about moving to New York City at a later stage in his career than most people do; why he decided to focus on his own compositions on this album; the influence of his teachers on his musical career; and how he leaves room for surprise in the studio and on stage. Learn more at dancray.com and follow his on Twitter at @DanCrayJazz.

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Multi-instrumentalist and composer Chris Brubeck’s latest CD is Live At Zankel Music Center with his band Triple Play. In this interview, conducted at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Brubeck talks about his orchestral compositions; how he gets inside the lives of the people he writes music about; the history of the band Triple Play; and writing music with his father, Dave Brubeck. Learn more at chrisbrubeck.com and follow him on Twitter at @ChrisBrubeck.

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Pianist Romain Collin’s new CD is The Calling (Palmetto Records, 2012). In this interview, Collin talks about the marriage of acoustic performance and sound design on his new album; how his classical training influences his approach to sound; his compositional process and why he sometimes leaves a piece unfinished for months at a time; and the benefits of his time at the Monk Institute and in New York. Learn more at romaincollin.com.

CONCERT NOTE: Collin’s New York CD release party for The Calling is at The Jazz Standard on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Details here.

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Joel Harrison’s most recent records are Search (Sunnyside Records, 2011) and Holy Abyss (Cuneiform, 2012), a record he co-leads with Lorenzo Feliciati. In this interview, Harrison talks about continuing the blend of classical and jazz influences that began with The Wheel; where he looks for inspiration as a composer and player; the current state of the common language of jazz; and his forays into big band writing. Learn more at joelharrison.com and follow him on Twitter at @JoelHarrisonGtr.

NOTE: This is Joel’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to our 2008 conversation.

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Guitarist Terrence McManus’ most recent recording is Transcendental Numbers (No Business, 2011), with bassist Mark Helias and drummer Gerry Hemingway. Other recent recordings include Below The Surface Of, a duet session with Hemingway, and the solo album Brooklyn. In this interview, McManus talks about finding musical inspiration in the natural and industrial worlds; how he tries to free himself of his expectations and preconceptions before each performance; the importance of doing it right … and doing it wrong; and the many projects of which he’s a part. Learn more at terrence-mcmanus.com and follow him on Twitter at @TerrenceMcManus.

CONCERT NOTE: McManus is playing at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 8 p.m. Joining him will be Ellery Eskelin, Mat Maneri and Billy Mintz.

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