Podcast Archives - The Jazz Session

On Pieces Of Old Sky (Clean Feed, 2009), Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser explores space and spectral harmony to great effect. In this interview, Blaser discusses the challenges of leaving space in music; his Swiss roots and how moving to New York changed his life; and several upcoming projects, including his jazz take on the music of Monteverdi. Learn more at samuelblaser.com.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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One of the things that makes Matt Lavelle uncommon is that he doubles on trumpet and bass clarinet, as you’ll hear on his album The Manifestation Drama (KMB, 2009). In this interview, Lavelle talks about his own growth as a musician; why he started playing bass clarinet; and his fascinating friendships with swing-era veteran Hildred Humphries, jazz icon Ornette Coleman, and long-lost jazzman Giuseppi Logan. Learn more at www.myspace.com/mattlavelle.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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Drummer and New Orleans native Stanton Moore is a busy man, whether with his bands Galactic and Garage a Trois or as a solo artist. He’s just released a trio CD called Groove Alchemy (Telarc, 2010), which is also the name of the companion instructional DVD and book, all of which explore funk drumming. In this interview, Moore talks about the legacy of drummers Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield and Zigaboo Modeliste; why he decided to explore funk drumming in depth with this new project; and the experience of recording the album at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, NY. Learn more at www.stantonmoore.com.

Moore also talks about the important work of Defend The Coast and Gulf Restoration Network, two organization dedicated to repairing the man-made damage to the wetlands along the Gulf Coast. Please give these organizations your support.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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Trumpeter Erik Telford finds a balance between the electric and the acoustic on his new CD, Kinetic (EJT Music, 2009) and on his 2-CD/DVD set Live At The Hideout Theatre. In this interview, Telford talks about making music in Austin, TX; the evolution of his musical concept over time; and his band’s success in appealing to a younger audience. Learn more at www.ejtmusic.com.

[Full disclosure: I wrote the liner notes for Kinetic.]

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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Baritone saxophonist and composer Fred Ho made Celestial Green Monster (Mutable Music, 2010) because he thought he’d be dead soon. Ho’s amazing fight against multiple instances of cancer, and his lifelong pursuit of social justice and musical adventure, informs much of the music on his new album. In this interview, Ho talks about making music while fighting cancer; his passion for large ensembles; and how he chooses to make a political statement through instrumental music. Learn more at www.bigredmediainc.com.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via this link: Fred Ho: Celestial Green Monster

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Vibraphonist Joe Locke’s For The Love Of You (E1 Music, 2010) combines film music, pop music and Locke’s original compositions into an organic whole stamped with Locke’s unmistakable ear for melody and feel for rhythm. In this interview, Locke talks about finding vocalist Kenny Washington; his distinctive approach to arranging for his bands; and one possible explanation for the physicality of his live performances. Learn more at www.joelocke.com.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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Pianist Orrin Evans pays tribute to his friend and musical partner Bobby Watson on Faith In Action (Posi-Tone, 2010). In this interview, recorded while Evans was on tour in Italy, he talks about the importance of family and friends to his life and career; why he chose the particular Watson compositions that appear on the new album; and how he approaches the task of leading a band. Learn more at www.myspace.com/orrinevans.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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Saxophonist John Ellis & Double-Wide return with an expanded instrumental line-up on their new CD, Puppet Mischief (Obliq Sound, 2010). This interview was recorded in Albany, NY, right before Ellis’s show at Red Square. In this interview, Ellis talks about the addition of harmonica and trombone to the band; how he approaches recording sessions; and Ice Siren, his hour-long, song-based narrative collaboration with writer Andy Bragen. Learn more at johnaxsonellis.com.

NOTE: This is John Ellis’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. You can also hear him talk about the first Double-Wide album on TJS #37 from 2008.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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Pianist Frank Kimbrough’s latest CD, Rumors (Palmetto, 2010), comes out on March 30, 2010. It’s a trio session with bassist Masa Kamaguchi and drummer Jeff Hirschfield. In this interview, Kimbrough talks about the album’s uncommon recording method; how Andrew Hill impacted his early musical life and the lifelong friendship that resulted; and why being ready to fail is a crucial component of musical success. Learn more at home.earthlink.net/~fkimbrough/.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below, starting March 30, 2010:

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Guitarist Lionel Loueke combines the music of his native Benin with his immersion in jazz on his album, Mwaliko (Blue Note, 2010). He’s joined on the record by Angélique Kidjo, Esperanza Spaulding, Richard Bona, Marcus Gilmore and others. In this interview, Loueke talks about his early years in Benin and how he ended up playing jazz in the U.S.; the guests and repertoire on his new album; and the influence of Herbie Hancock on his music and his life. Learn more at www.lionelloueke.com.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

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