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.

Saxophonist Ralph Bowen returns with Power Play (Posi-Tone, 2011), his third CD in as many years. In this interview, Bowen talks about why he enjoys writing his own music; the importance of his bandmates in creating the right studio environment; and the lessons he learned from his time with Horace Silver. Learn more at ralphbowen.com.

Tracks used in this episode: K.D.’s Blues; Drumheller Valley; My One And Only Love; Two-Line Pass; The Good Sheppard; Bella Firenze.

Music writer and musician Hank Shteamer talks about Mosaic’s new Henry Threadgill boxed set, The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air, for which Shteamer wrote the liner notes. In this interview, Shteamer talks about the two-decade period covered by the set; the amazing variety of Threadgill’s bands and compositions; Threadgill’s infectious humor; and how Threadgill differs from other musical iconoclasts. Get the boxed set at Mosaic’s site, and read more of Hank Shteamer’s writing at his excellent blog, Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches.

Tracks used in this episode: Card Five: Open Air Suit; Come Carry The Day; Salute To The Enema Bandit; Paille Street; Noisy Flowers; Sweet Holy Rag.

NOTE: Listen to Henry Threadgill on The Jazz Session talking about his Zooid project.

NOTE 2: A poem inspired by one of the tracks on the Mosaic boxed set: “Threadgill’s birds”

No BS! Brass hails from Richmond, VA, and they don’t sound like any brass band you’ve ever heard. Their new album, No BS! (2010), features their special blend on horns, funk and metal attitude. In this interview, co-founder Reggie Pace talks about the birth of the band; his own growth as an arranger and writer over the course of the band’s three albums; and the burgeoning music scene in Richmond. Learn more at nobsbrass.com.

Tracks used in this episode: Brass Scene Kidz; Dr. Wily; Khan!!; Representing; Bad Sake Drunk.

Saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh teams with guitarist Ben Monder and drummer Daniel Humair on I Will Follow You (Bee Jazz, 2010). In this interview, Sabbagh talks about the formation of this trio; his varying approaches to composition; and how his diverse musical choices make him difficult to label but more content as a player. Learn more at jeromesabbagh.com.

Tracks used in this episode: I Will Follow You; Monolith; The Clown; Comptine; Rahan; Come With Me; More; La Fee Morgane; Saloon.

Trombonist Brian Drye leads a band of first-call New York players on the album Bizingas (NCM East, 2010). In this interview, Drye talks about the mischievous origins of the band’s name; his free-form approach to structuring the music on the album; and why he gravitates toward non-standard instrumentation. Learn more at bizingas.com.

Tracks used in this episode: Tagger; Money Market; Sifting; TMT; Iluminum; Untitled Moog Anthem.

Portuguese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado’s new album, Searching For Adam (Not Two, 2010), features Taylor Ho Bynum, John Hebert and Gerald Cleaver. In this interview, Amado describes how he chose his bandmates without having played with them before; talks about his decision to record freely improvised music; and tells the story of the amazing transformation of the jazz scene in Lisbon and Portugal. Learn more at www.rodrigoamado.com.

Tracks used in this episode: Newman’s Informer; Waiting For Andy; Renee, Lost In Music; Sunday Break.

Trombonist Ray Anderson teams up with longtime friend Marty Ehrlich for the new live record, Hear You Say (Challenge Records, 2010). In this interview, Anderson talks about his friendship with Ehrlich, which goes back to their days with Anthony Braxton; how he came to have such an open musical mind; and some breaking news regarding another new CD coming out this spring. Learn more at www.rayanderson.org.

Tunes in this episode: Portrait of Leroy Jenkins; Hot Crab Pot; My Wish; The Lion’s Tanz; Alligatory Rhumba.

Saxophonist David Binney is one of the most prolific composers on the jazz scene today. His most recent album is Graylen Epicenter (Mythology, 2011). In this interview, Binney talks about the origin of the band on this record; the interesting story behind the CD’s unusual title; and his opinion on the grant process for jazz composers. Learn more at www.davidbinney.com.

Tracks used in this episode: All Of Time; Graylen Epicenter; Home; Equality At Low Levels; Everglow; Waking To Waves.

Bassist Robert Hurst has been a first-call musician since his early days with Wynton and Branford Marsalis. He’s just released two new albums, Bob Ya Head (Bebob Records, 2011) and Unrehurst, Vol. 2 (Bebob Records, 2011). In this interview, recorded at Jazz Standard in New York, Hurst talks about the politics and rhythms underlying Bob Ya Head; how his Detroit upbringing impacted his musical life; and why school is great but it’s no substitute for putting in time on the bandstand. Learn more at www.roberthurst.com.

Tracks used in this episode: (from Bob Ya Head) Optimism; Unintelectual Property; Comes You Comes Love; (from Unrehurst Vol. 2) I Love You; Bob’s 5/4 Tune; Monk’s Dream.