Podcast Archives - The Jazz Session

Bass clarinetist Jason Stein and his trio Locksmith Isadore have just released their third album, Three Kinds Of Happiness (NotTwo, 2010). In this interview, Stein talks about why he started playing bass clarinet; how this album marks a new beginning for the trio; and how he approaches solo performances on the bass clarinet. Learn more at http://jasonsteinmusic.com.

Tracks used on this program: Crayons for Sammy; Cash, Couch and Camper; Little Bird; Ground Floor South.

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Mina Cho grew up in Korea playing classical music and American gospel. A chance meeting with a Berklee grad sent her to Boston where she studied South American folk music. Her new album, Originality (Mina Cho Music, 2010), combines all those influences and more. In this interview, Cho discusses her uncommon background; her studies with composer Leo Blanco; and why gospel music is so important to her. Learn more at www.minachomusic.com/.

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Herbie Nichols would have been 92 years old today. The pianist is the subject of a new biography — Herbie Nichols: A Jazzist’s Life by Mark Miller. In this interview, Miller talks about why Nichols failed to become known during his lifetime; why Nichols is often labeled an acolyte of Thelonious Monk; and how Miller came to write the book in the first place. Learn more at the Web site of The Mercury Press.

ADDITIONAL LISTENING: Check out the “Herbie Nichols’ Third World” episode of David Brent Johnson’s excellent Night Lights program.

UPDATE: At the end of this episode, I said that Herbie Nichols died at the age of 34. He actually died at the age of 44. Thanks to listener Robert Klein for the correction.

The post The Jazz Session #228: Mark Miller on Herbie Nichols appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Saxophonist Christine Jensen is at the helm of a big band for her new album, Treelines (Justin Time, 2010). In this interview, Jensen talks about why she formed a big band; her special musical rapport with her sister, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; and how she takes her compositional inspiration on this album from the natural world. Learn more at www.christinejensenmusic.com.

NOTE: This is Christine Jensen’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. Click here to listen to her May 2007 episode.

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Singer and songwriter Rebecca Martin turns her attention to the Great American Songbook on When I Was Long Ago (Sunnyside, 2010). In this interview, Martin talks about how a recording with Paul Motian led to her own album with no chordal instrument; why she chose to interpret standards for this recording; and her ideas about the primacy of melody. Learn more at www.rebeccamartin.com.

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Multi-instrumentalist Kali Z. Fasteau continues to experiment with the nature of sound on her new album, Animal Grace (Flying Note, 2010). In this interview, Fasteau talks about how she pushes past the perceived limits of the instruments she plays; how her experiences traveling the world inform her music; and the system of balance she finds in music and in life. Learn more at www.kalimuse.com.

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Woodwind player Jason Robinson released three albums this fall — solo (Cerberus Reigning), duo (Cerulean Landscape) and full band (The Two Faces of Janus). In this interview, Robinson discusses his use of electronics and computer manipulation in his solo saxophone playing; how the music of Duke Ellington and Cecil Taylor inform his duets with pianist Anthony Davis; and how he very carefully selected the members of his Janus Ensemble. Learn more at www.jasonrobinson.com.

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Drummer Gabriel Gloege’s Dymaxion Quartet takes inspiration from Buckminster Fuller and photographer Asca S.R. Aull on the album Sympathetic Vibrations. In this interview, Gloege talks about those two sources of inspiration; how Fuller’s ideas and Aull’s photos inform the music on this album; and how he structures his compositions in the absence of a chordal instrument. Learn more at dymaxion4.com.

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Pianist Dan Tepfer creates fresh and dynamic music on his new trio album, Five Pedals Deep (Sunnyside, 2010). In this interview, Tepfer talks about forming his new trio with Thomas Morgan and Ted Poor; some differences between European and American approaches to jazz performance; and his extended musical partnership with Lee Konitz. Learn more at www.dantepfer.com.

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Saxophonist Patrick Cornelius has put together a “chordless” ensemble for his new album, Fierce (Whirlwind Recordings, 2010). In this interview, Cornelius talks about his particular approach to composing for a band with no chordal instrument; his various musical projects at home and abroad; and his travels in the music from his home in Texas to Boston to New York. Learn more at www.patrickcornelius.com.

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