The Jazz Session

Saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh’s latest recording is Plugged In (Bee Jazz, 2012). In this interview, Sabbagh talks about making an electric record; why he chose to work with keyboardist and composer Jozef Dumoulin, who wrote half the tracks on the album; his first time at the Village Vanguard playing with Paul Motian; and why he still thinks making an album means something more than putting a bu...

Saxophonist Brad Linde is making a life for himself on the Washington, DC, jazz scene. In this interview, he talks about bringing jazz artists to DC to play at the Atlas performance space; the history of the Tristano school and why he gravitates toward it; the nature of the scene in DC; and his various ensembles and work as both an educator and player. Learn more at bradlinde.com and follow him on...

Beach Of The War Gods (Glowing Realm Digital, 2011) is the latest CD from guitarist Scott Burton and his band Glows In The Dark. In this interview, Burton talks about his love of film and how it led to the source music for the album; the fertile music scene in Richmond, Virginia; and the way in which Anthony Braxton inspired the structure of Glows In The Dark. Learn more at glowsinthedark.wordpres...

Saxophonist Brandon Wright’s new CD is Journeyman (Posi-Tone, 2012). In this interview, Wright talks about what he learned from playing with Chuck Mangione, Doc Severinsen and Fred Wesley; why he’s chosen to arrange tunes by Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and Oasis; and how improv comedy classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York have made him a better jazz musician. Learn mor...

Drummer Pete Zimmer’s new album is Prime Of Life (Tippin’ Records, 2012). It features George Garzone on saxophone, Peter Bernstein on guitar and Peter Slavov on bass. In this interview, Zimmer talks about swing — what it means to him and how he approaches playing it; the primacy of sound in his selection of bandmates and in his own playing; and the differences between being a lea...

Washington, D.C. saxophonist Brian Settles’ most recent album is Secret Handshake (Engine Records, 2011). In this interview, recorded in Maryland, Settles talks about his decision to take a break from the jazz scene years ago to work on his craft; why he relocated from New York back to his native Washington; his working band; and what he hopes for the future of his music. Learn more at brian...

Janel and Anthony’s new album is Where Is Home (Cuneiform, 2012). In this interview, cellist Janel Leppin and guitarist Anthony Pirog talk about how they found each other and realized they should start a band; the sonic landscapes they create live and in the studio; and how they move past just the sound of a guitar and a cello. Learn more at www.janelandanthony.com and follow them on Twitter...

Drummer Jeff Cosgrove’s debut album, featuring his band Motian Sickness, is For The Love Of Sarah (Grizzley Music, 2011). In this interview, recorded in Shepherdstown, WV, on the “Jazz Or Bust” Tour, Cosgrove talks about making a life in music when you’re not in a major metropolitan area; how he decided on the bluegrass sound that characterizes Motian Sickness; his relation...

Harris Eisenstadt’s two new records are Canada Day III (Songlines, 2012) and Canada Day Octet (482 Music, 2012). In this interview, Eisenstadt talks about expanding existing quintet music to octet form; the evolution of the Canada Day band and what its longevity allows him to do as a composer; and the life of a touring musician. Learn more at harriseisenstadt.com and follow him on Twittter a...

Kernfeld on saxophone. (Photo: Pennsylvania Library Association) Barry Kernfeld is the author of Pop Song Piracy: Disobedient Music Distribution since 1929 (University of Chicago Press, 2011); The Story of Fake Books: Bootlegging Songs to Musicians (Scarecrow, 2006); and What To Listen For In Jazz (Yale University Press, 1995). He may be most well known as the editor of both editions of the New Gr...

Guitarist Vernon Reid’s new album with Jack Bruce, John Medeski and Cindy Blackman-Santana is called Spectrum Road (Palmetto Records, 2012). Reid is the founder of the band Living Colour and of the Black Rock Coalition. He’s a skilled improviser whose history with jazz goes back several decades to New York’s downtown music scene. He’s also the co-host, with comedian W. Kama...

Guitarist and vocalist Judith Kay has made a career for herself in Arden, an artists community near Wilmington, DE. In this interview, Kay talks about her love of Brazilian music; her time studying arranging with Manny Albam; why she decided to stay in Delaware; and why she feels it’s important to sing the melody the way the composer wrote it. Learn more at judithkay.com . This interview was...

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 nickysc...

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...

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 tomasfuji...

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 myspa...

Vocalist Maria Neckam’s latest CD is Unison (Sunnyside Records, 2012). In this interview, Neckam talks about finding her own musical path early in life; writing songs that don’t use traditional forms; her journey from Vienna to Amsterdam to Brooklyn; and the effects of Buddhism on her life and music. Learn more at marianeckam.com and follow her on Twitter at @MariaNeckam .

THE “JAZZ OR BUST” TOUR ABOUT THE TOUR As of June 1, 2012, I’m doing something fairly crazy and taking The Jazz Session on tour. I’m traveling through North America — and then maybe the rest of the world — conducting interviews and giving poetry readings. NEWS COVERAGE NPR’s A Blog Supreme : Crashing On Couches To Talk To Musicians [PDF – 21 May 2012...

Saxophonist Steve Lehman’s new album is called Dialect Fluorescent (Pi Recordings, 2012). In this interview, Lehman talks about allocentric performance; what he learned from Jackie McLean about sound and evolution; the unlikely beginning of his current trio; and some of the touchstones in his own musical growth. Learn more at stevelehman.com and follow him on Twitter at @TheSteveLehman . CON...

Pianist George Colligan’s most recent album is Living For The City (Steeplechase, 2011). In this interview, conducted before an April show at Jazz Standard in NYC, Colligan talks about selling out vs. being relevant; trying his hand at writing songs with lyrics; Nicholas Payton’s outspoken blogging; dealing with online controversy; and managing a life of teaching, performing and father...

Guitarist Anders Nilsson’s new solo album is Night Guitar (2012). In this interview, Nilsson talks about the influence of Frank Zappa, Deep Purple and others on his guitar playing; why he felt inspired to make a solo record; how he created a multi-layered guitar album that still allows for the element of surprise; and the busy year ahead. Learn more at andersnilssonguitar.com .

Pianist Dan Cray’s latest CD is Meridies (Origin, 2012). In this interview, Cray talks about moving to New York City at a later stage in his career than most people do; why he decided to focus on his own compositions on this album; the influence of his teachers on his musical career; and how he leaves room for surprise in the studio and on stage. Learn more at dancray.com and follow his on T...

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Chris Brubeck’s latest CD is Live At Zankel Music Center with his band Triple Play. In this interview, conducted at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Brubeck talks about his orchestral compositions; how he gets inside the lives of the people he writes music about; the history of the band Triple Play; and writing music with his father, Dave...

Pianist Romain Collin’s new CD is The Calling (Palmetto Records, 2012). In this interview, Collin talks about the marriage of acoustic performance and sound design on his new album; how his classical training influences his approach to sound; his compositional process and why he sometimes leaves a piece unfinished for months at a time; and the benefits of his time at the Monk Institute and i...