The Jazz Session started four years ago today with episode #1 — an interview with saxophonist Grant Stewart. Four years, 243 episodes and 930,000 downloads later, The Jazz Session is still going strong. In the introduction to this show, I take a moment to thank all the people who’ve made it possible, before welcoming my guest…

Grant Stewart returns to help celebrate the fourth anniversary, and to talk about his new record, Around The Corner (Sharp Nine, 2010). In this interview, Stewart discusses the idea of excellence versus the trend toward originality; talks about his recent trips around the world to play jazz; and outlines his own approach to playing the saxophone and what fulfills him as an artist. Learn more at grantstewartjazz.com.

Tracks used in this episode: Get Happy; The Scene Is Clean; I Waited For You; That’s My Girl; Something’s Gotta Give.