The Jazz Session

Andrea Wolper hosts the show and interviews me. Trust me, it was her idea. In this interview, I talk about how I make each episode; why I interview musicians and what about them interests me; and how poetry has become a major part of my life. Learn more at thejazzsession.com and jasoncrane.org .

Pianist Dalton Ridenhour is making his mark on the New York scene by playing ragtime, stride and New-Orleans-style piano. In this interview, Ridenhour talks about his childhood introduction to ragtime; how going to school for jazz changed his approach to the piano; and why, after a three-year hiatus, he’s returned to the styles he loves. Learn more at daltonridenhour.com .

Saxophonist Marcus Strickland’s latest recording is Triumph of the Heavy (Strick Muzik, 2011), a 2-CD set that features a live trio performance and a studio session by his new quartet. In this interview, Strickland talks about why he added piano to his band; his awareness that he’s playing for other people; and the difference between the tunes he writes in the fall and the tunes he wri...

Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith’s newest album is Heart’s Reflections (Cuneiform Records, 2011). In this interview, he talks about his Ten Freedom Summers project, inspired by the Civil Rights Movement; how each ensemble is a model for a universe; and how meaning is communicated even without words. Learn more at wadadaleosmith.com .

Drummer Ernesto Cervini’s new CD is There (Anzic Records, 2011), recorded on tour in 2010. In this interview, Cervini talks about the benefits of recording music on tour; his band and why it functions so well as a unit; and why he chose Toronto over New York City several years ago. Learn more at www.ernestocervini.com .

Saxophonist Avram Fefer’s new album is Eliyahu (Not Two, 2011). In this interview, Fefer talks about why this is his happiest sounding album yet; how the loss of his father changed the way he views the music on the album; and the influences of the music of a variety of cultures on his compositions. Learn more at www.avramfefer.com .

Bassist Chris Tarry has just released Rest of the Story , an ambitious project that combines an album of new music with a collection of his short fiction. In this interview, Tarry talks about creating in two very different worlds; how we was able to move from concept to creation of this large work; and why he feels that his writing informs his music more than the other way around. Learn more at ww...

The Respect Sextet is celebrating 10 years together. In this interview, the band looks back on a decade of performing and recording since they formed at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. They take us on a tour through their recordings and give us a glimpse of what’s to come. Learn more at respectsextet.com . Concert note: The Respect Sextet is playing two New York shows in the co...

After putting his trumpet in the closet for several years, guitarist and trumpeter Rhys Chatham returns to the instrument in a new way on Outdoor Spell (Northern Spy Records, 2011). In this interview, Chatham talks about going back to the trumpet but playing it with fewer effects; how his attendance at a 1976 Ramones show altered the course of his musical life; and how his music has evolved over t...

Italian guitarist Marco Cappelli’s new DVD is In The Shadow Of No Towers , a multimedia project exploring September 11 and its aftermath. The project features an animated graphic novel by artist Art Spiegelman ( Maus ) and narration by actor John Turturro. In this interview, Cappelli talks about how this remarkable project came to exist; the interesting history of the band that made the musi...

Guitarist Gilad Hekselman’s new album is Hearts Wide Open (Le Chant du Monde, 2011). In this interview, Hekselman talks about expressing his emotions through music; his musical upbringing in Israel; and how he uses interesting rhythmic devices in his compositions. Learn more at www.giladhekselman.com and follow him on Twitter at @GiladHekselman .

Trumpeter Ben Syversen’s most recent record is Cracked Vessel (2010). In this interview, Syversen talks about the wealth of inspiration available in New York; how authors such as Roberto Bolagno have influenced his music; and why it’s important for him to write for specific musicians. Learn more at bensyversen.com and follow him on Twitter at @bensyversen .

Pianist Carmen Staaf’s most recent CD is a trio recording called Eye To Eye (2011). In this interview, Staaf talks about duo and trio playing; her travels to India; and how her music has been affected by everything from anthropology to meditation. Learn more at www.carmenstaaf.com and follow her on Twitter at @carmenstaaf .

Bassist Ron Carter’s 1973 CTI recording All Blues has just been reissued. In this interview, Carter talks about the making of the album and how he chose the band; why he thinks jazz schools need a broader vision; and why he supports labor unions. Learn more at roncarter.net .

Renée Yoxon is a vocalist from Ottawa, Ontario. Her debut recording, Let’s Call It A Day , is a duet album with guitarist René Gely. In this interview, Yoxon talks about the jazz scene in Ottawa; how she started singing standards and why she still does; and how her science background has influenced the way she approaches the physicality of singing. Learn more at www.reneeyoxon.com and foll...

Pianist and keyboardist Jamie Saft explores his love for reggae, dub and improvisation on New Zion Trio (Veal Records, 2011). In this interview, Saft talks about the merger of those disparate musical elements; why he doesn’t write music on paper; and why he’d rather hear Slayer than “Stella By Starlight.” Learn more at www.jamiesaft.com .

For The Jazz Session’s 300th episode, a rare chance to sit down with four musical veterans: David S. Ware, William Parker, Cooper-Moore and Muhammad Ali. The four have just released Planetary Unknown (Aum Fidelity, 2011). This interview was recorded in the dressing room just after their performance at the 2011 Vision Festival. In this interview, they talk about the spiritual side of music; g...

Tyshawn Sorey is a forward-looking, broad-thinking player and composer who refuses to be categorized. In this interview, he talks about his use of silence; interesting ways to set up the drums; and perceptions of African-American composers. Learn more at http://www.tyshawnsorey.net/ . Tracks used in this episode: (from Koan ) Awakening; (from Paradoxical Frog ) Homograph; (from Koan ) Only One Sky...

Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock’s most recent album is The Madness Of Crowds (Intakt, 2011) with the band Sleepthief. She’s also part of the trio Paradoxical Frog with Kris Davis and Tyshawn Sorey. In this interview, Laubrock talks about her self-taught entry into improvised music; her collaborations with a variety of musicians; and why she went back to study standards even though she does...

An interview and performance with vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and trombonist Jen Baker, recorded live at Downtown Music Gallery in Manhattan. In this interview, Kitamura and Baker talk about collective improvisation; building a new vocabulary; and the structures of their compositions. Learn more at kyokokitamura.com and baker7jenz.com/home.html .

Trombonist Joe Fiedler’s new CD is Sacred Chrome Orb (Yellow Sound, 2011). In this interview, Fiedler talks about the evolution of his trio with John Hebert and Michael Sarin; his use of multiphonics; and why he needs his music to contain fun and humor. Learn more at www.joefiedler.com . Tracks used in this episode: Occult; Next Phase; Sacred Chrome Orb; Ging Gong; Two Kooks.

Bassist Ken Filiano’s new album is Dreams From A Clown Car (Clean Feed, 2011). In this interview, Filiano talks about remaining present and free of preconceptions; how he switched from trumpet to bass a few weeks before graduating college; and what inspires him to read and listen eclectically. Learn more at myspace.com/kenfiliano . Tracks used in this episode: (from Dreams From A Clown Car )...

Drummer Ches Smith is a versatile and daring player who finds himself in a variety of musical situations as a leader and sideman. In this interview, Smith talks about solo drum playing; his many projects; and how his early years influenced his current approach to music without boundaries. Learn more at chessmith.com . Tracks used in this episode: (from Noise To Men ) Noise To Men; (from Congs For...

Percussionist and composer Adam Rudolph’s latest album is Both/And (Meta Records, 2011). In this interview, Rudolph talks about making music that “sounds like itself”; how he uses harmonic and rhythmic challenges to find new musical directions; and the influence of mentors such as Yusef Lateef on his approach to making and thinking about music. Learn more at www.metarecords.com/a...

Vocalist Jay Clayton has long been known as both an accomplished singer of standards and a fearless adventurer in the world of electronics. In this interview, Clayton talks about those dual personas and how she brings them together; discusses her work with Sheila Jordan, Theo Bleckmann and others; and talks about her early days in the New York loft scene. Learn more at jayclayton.com . Tracks used...