Vocalist Nicky Schrire’s debut album is Freedom Flight (Circavision, 2012). In this interview, Schrire talks about the diverse and often daring songs she’s chosen for her debut; the impact on her life and music of Kate McGarry, Peter Eldridge and Bobby McFerrin; her South African upbringing and switch from saxophone to voice; and why she made the move to New York. Learn more at nickyschrire.com and follow her on Twitter at @NickySchrire.

CONCERT NOTE: Schrire’s New York CD release event is Wednesday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. at Cornelia Street Cafe. For details on that and other upcoming shows, visit her site.

Guitarist Miles Okazaki’s new album is Figurations (Sunnyside, 2012), recorded live at The Jazz Gallery in New York City. It’s the third and final album in the series that includes Mirror and Generations. In this interview, Okazaki talks about the series and the different aspects of his music he explored on each album; the Golden Mean and Fibonacci numbers and how they figure into his compositions; why it was important for him to record a live album; and how his artwork informs his music and vice versa. Learn more at milesokazaki.com and follow him on Twitter at @MilesOkazaki.

NOTE: This is Okazaki’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to our first conversation from 2009.

Gregoire Maret has just released his debut album, Gregoire Maret (eOne Music, 2012). In this interview, Maret talks about the importance of connecting with his audience; how he built a career playing his unlikely instrument; and why it’s important for him to be known as a composer, not just as a harmonica player. Learn more at gregoiremaret.com.

Drummer Tomas Fujiwara’s new album with his band The Hook Up is called The Air Is Different (482 Music, 2012). In this interview, Fujiwara talks about his grandfather (pictured on the album cover) and his grandfather’s influence on his life; the addition of bassist Trevor Dunn to the band; his varying methods of composition; and finding balance on the bandstand. Learn more at tomasfujiwara.com and follow him on Twitter at @TomasFujiwara.

NOTE: This is Tomas Fujiwara’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to his 2010 appearance.

Anticipation (Capri Records, 2012) is the new CD by drummer Colin Stranahan, pianist Glenn Zaleski and bassist Rick Rosato. In this interview, conducted before the trio’s recent live show at Small’s in NYC, the three talk about their mutual appreciation of one another; the shared taste in music that animates their collaboration; and their individual paths into jazz. Learn more at myspace.com/wwwcolinstranahancom, glennzaleski.com and myspace.com/rickrosato.