Podcast Archives - The Jazz Session

Jason Crane interviews vocalist Kate McGarry about her new album, The Target (Palmetto, 2007). It’s yet another stellar album in a career that has seen her working with everyone from Fred Hersch to Maria Schneider. On The Target, McGarry is joined by her husband Keith Ganz on guitar, Gary Versace on organ and piano, Reuben Rogers on bass and Greg Hutchinson on drums, along with guest appearances from saxophonist Donny McCaslin and Theo Bleckman on voice loops. On both American songbook classics and impressive new compositions, the band finds an organic chemistry that brings something new to the old tunes and makes the new tunes sound familiar.

The post The Jazz Session #33: Kate McGarry appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen. His most recent recording, Being There (ECM, 2007), is part of a trilogy of records exploring the intimate territory traversed by the pianist and his trio. With bassist Harald Johnsen and drummer Jarle Vespestad, Gustavsen delves deeply into the rich musics of the world, filtering the results through a contemplative lens. Being There is an album that rewards repeated listening, and the interview makes it clear that a lot of thought and passion has gone into the music.

The post The Jazz Session #32: Tord Gustavsen appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews trumpeter and vocalist Matt Shulman about his new album, So It Goes (Jaggo Records, 2007). Shulman sings and plays trumpet, but that’s where the Chet Baker comparison ends, although like Baker, Shulman incorporates the hip music of the day into his own work. Skilled at multiphonics — playing one note while simultaneously singing another — Shulman is able to expand the range of the trumpet beyond its normal capacity. On So It Goes, Shulman tackles everything from Led Zeppelin to “My Funny Valentine” with impressive results.

The post The Jazz Session #31: Matt Shulman appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer Brian Groder. Groder’s new album, Torque (Latham Records, 2006), features jazz master Sam Rivers on saxophone and flute, along with bassist Doug Mathews and drummer Anthony Cole. Groder has played with everyone from Cecil Taylor and Joanne Brackeen to Joe Cocker, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. In addition to his various projects with other musicians, Groder also writes music for multimedia pieces and dance ensembles.

The post The Jazz Session #30: Brian Groder appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews Eric Nemeyer, vibraphonist and founder of Jazz Improv magazine. Nemeyer is also the creator of the Jazz Improv Live! Convention, a four-day gathering of jazz musicians, writers, historians, broadcasters and fans. The convention runs from October 25-28 in New York City. It features panel discussions, presentations, and workshops, along with nightly concerts in multiple venues.

The post TJS Extra #3: Jazz Improv Live! Convention appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Donny McCaslin. One of the busiest saxophonists in the business, McCaslin plays with Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas and many others. He also fronts his own groups, including the band on his new CD, In Pursuit (Sunnyside, 2007). A follow-up to his critically acclaimed record Soar (Sunnyside, 2006), In Pursuit features compositions commissioned for a Chamber Music America grant. McCaslin talks about his father’s influence, playing with Gary Burton, and the life of an in-demand musician.

The post The Jazz Session #29: Donny McCaslin appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews saxophonist and composer Brian Patneaude. His new quartet album is called As We Know It (WEPA Records, 2007). Patneaude was born and raised near Albany, NY. He’s chosen to make his musical stand in Albany, and the choice is paying off. Patneaude is a busy musician, whether it’s his weekly residency at famed Albany jazz club Justin’s or his continuing gig with Grammy-nominated Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra. As We Know It features seven strong compositions by Patneaude, and some inspired playing by his regular working band and guest pianist Dave Payette.

The post The Jazz Session #28: Brian Patneaude appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Joel Frahm. Frahm is one of the busiest saxophonists on the scene today. You’ll find him on recordings with pianist Brad Mehldau, vocalist Jane Monheit, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, drummers Matt Wilson and Pete Zimmer, and the Waverly 7. His fourth record as a leader, We Used To Dance (Anzic Records, 2007), brings together a classic rhythm section that played with Stan Getz on some of his final recordings: pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis. Frahm wrote many of the tunes on the record and also paid homage to those Getz recordings with tunes such as “Joanne Julia.” Frahm calls himself a musical chameleon, but his own personal tone and approach shines through on We Used To Dance.

The post The Jazz Session #27: Joel Frahm appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews bassist Eberhard Weber. Weber’s name is synonymous with the “ECM sound,” because he’s been the bassist of choice on classic ECM recordings dating back to the label’s founding three decades ago. Since the early 1980s, Weber has played in saxophonist Jan Garbarek’s band. To celebrate his 65th birthday, the city of Stuttgart, Germany, threw Weber a two-night concert party. He was joined on stage by an orchestra, Garbarek, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and others from his musical career. The resulting album, Stages Of A Long Journey (ECM, 2007), is Weber’s first live recording and a wonderful testament to his virtuosity as both bassist and composer.

The post The Jazz Session #26: Eberhard Weber appeared first on The Jazz Session.

Jason Crane interviews drummer and composer Kendrick Scott. Scott’s new album with his band Oracle is The Source (World Culture Music, 2007). Scott grew up in Houston, surrounded by a musical family and the Baptist church. He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a musician, and he followed this path from Houston’s arts high school to Berklee and then into gigs with The Crusaders and Terence Blanchard. The Source weaves together these musical threads into a unified tapestry of lyricism and beauty.

The post The Jazz Session #25: Kendrick Scott appeared first on The Jazz Session.