The Jazz Session

Bassist Mark Dresser ‘s new septet album is Ain’t Nothing But A Cyber Coup & You . It’s an album that speaks truth to power while also displaying master improvisers at their best. In this interview, Dresser discusses the sonic properties he looks for in his musicians; the way he experiments with the sound of his bass; his “telematic concerts,” which use the intern...

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Drummer Dafnis Prieto won a Grammy for his 2018 big band album Back To The Sunset . The album highlights Prieto’s skills as a composer, arranger and performer, while also paying tribute to his mentors and influences. In this interview, Prieto talks about the hows and whys of working with a big band; the inclusion of guests such as Henry Threadgill, Brian Lynch and Steve Coleman; music that m...

Soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome is about to release Chaos Theory: Song Cycles for Prepared Saxophone . It’s a surprising and fascinating album that highlights Newsome’s explorations with the variety of sounds the soprano saxophone can make. In this interview, Newsome talks about how he started experimenting with prepared saxophone; why he likes playing solo shows; how movement impacts...

Guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza’s latest album, Ámbar , comes out on May 31, 2019 on Sony Masterworks. It’s her first album for that label. In this interview, Meza talks about how the loss of her grandfather inspired the title track; why she chose to work with strings; meeting — and playing for — one of her musical heroes, Pat Metheny; and more. Learn more at https://www.camilameza....

Pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton returns to the show to discuss her 10th album, The Stylings of Champian . In this interview, Champian talks about her very busy touring schedule and how she maintains it; the band reunion that led to the new album; her approach to selecting repertoire; and more. Learn more and find tour dates at http://www.champian.net/ , and listen to her previous appearance o...

Bassist Moppa Elliott is the founder of the band Mostly Other People Do The Killing. He’s just released a new triple-album under his own name called Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band . It features three very different bands playing his music. In this interview Elliott talks about the genesis of the project; the benefits of camaraderie and baseball; his approach to teaching high school students...

Guitarist Mike Baggetta’s new album is Wall Of Flowers (2019, BIG EGO Records). The album features bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, The Stooges) and drummer Jim Keltner (everyone you’ve ever heard of). In this interview, Baggetta talks about how this unlikely trio came to be; what he strives for as a musician and improviser; why he loves torch songs; and more. Learn more at http://mikebag...

Saxophonist Chris Greene just released PlaySpace , a live album recorded with his long-time band. In this interview, Greene talks about the music on the album and why he likes playing with his bandmates; funk, jazz, accessibility and secret handshakes; the musicians and bands who’ve influenced his approach to making music; and why it’s OK for people to enjoy shows. Learn more at https:...

Harpist Brandee Younger’s most recent record is Wax & Wane . In this interview, she talks about the particular challenges of improvising on the harp; how she was introduced to improvised music and the trial by fire she faced from Kenny Garrett; her recording process; the great harpists who’ve gone before her; and more. Learn more at http://www.brandeeyounger.com/ . Support the sho...

Saxophonist and bassoonist Ben Wendel’s latest album is The Seasons . The album began as a series of YouTube duets , which have now been recast for a full band. In this interview, Wendel talks about the origins of the video project; reaching people with music in the era of social media; his band Kneebody and their rock-band-like approach to touring; and the next things he’s working on....

Welcome to the completely re-imagined bonus show for members of The Jazz Session ! I’m really happy with how this turned out, and this is the general smorgasbord format I’ll be using going forward. This episode is going out on the main feed, too, as a means of encouraging YOU to support The Jazz Session . In this episode: Dan Rubright reviews his Winter JazzFest experience, including s...

Bassist Tim Lefebvre was a longtime member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and played on David Bowie’s final album. Along with other members of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, he formed Whose Hat Is This?, an improvising collective. Their new album with MC and vocalist Kokayi is Everything’s OK . In this interview, Lefebvre talks about his many musical projects as both a bassist and a producer;...

Guitarist Bobby Broom’s latest album is Soul Fingers (MRi, 2018). In this interview, Broom talks about his most recent tour with Steely Dan; the genesis of his new band; how he ended up working with producer Steve Jordan; and why he continues to find musical inspiration from the pop and rock songs of his youth. Learn more at bobbybroom.com . Support the show! Become a member for just $5/mont...

Singer-songwriter Jean Rohe’s new album is called Sisterly . In this interview, Rohe talks about art and the patriarchy; our role in standing up for what’s right; songwriting and performance as tools of social change; and the very different sonic landscape of this new recording. Learn more at https://www.jeanrohe.com/ . Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at http://patr...

Pianist and composer Wayne Horvitz has two new albums out: a trio recording called The Snowghost Sessions (Songlines), and an orchestral album called Those Who Remain (National Sawdust Tracks). In this interview Horvitz talks about the unusual circumstances that led to the trio album; composing versus performing; working with Bill Frisell; and much more. Learn more at http://www.waynehorvitz.com/...

Saxophonist Walter Smith III’s new album is called Twio . It features a program of standards played by Smith with bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Eric Harland. Smith is on a half-dozen albums coming out in the latter half of 2018, several of which are discussed in the interview. He also talks about his time at Berklee and how that influenced his career; the impact of working with masters...

Pianist Helen Sung ‘s new album is Sung With Words , a collaboration with poet Dana Gioia that features both spoken word and also Gioia’s words set to music. In this interview, Sung talks about how they met and decided to work together; why she is constantly trying to learn new skills; her faith and how it impacts her music; and her upcoming projects. Learn more at helensung.com . Conc...

Vibraphonist, educator and app developer Stefon Harris’s new album is Sonic Creed . In this interview, Harris discusses the responsibilities of his generation of musicians; how his album is an expression of the current state of African-American life in the U.S.; and why empathy is the focus of his life. Learn more at stefonharris.com . Support the show! Become a member for just $5/month at h...

Bassist Adi Meyerson grew up in Israel, discovered jazz in her late teens, got into a conservatory for upright bass a few months after picking up the instrument, and then made her way to the New School in New York. Six years after moving to the US, she’s released her debut album, Where We Stand , and is a busy player in the New York scene. Learn more at http://adimeyersonmusic.com . Support...

This is the first bonus episode for Patreon subscribers! However, I’m releasing this one on the main feed so everyone can hear it and get an idea for what these will sound like. In this episode, writer, broadcaster and educator Richard Kamins talks about the album Freedom Suite by Sonny Rollins. You can read Richard’s excellent jazz reviews at http://steptempest.blogspot.com/ . If you...

Vocalist Sara Gazarek has been reinventing herself recently, and she’s about to release an album that shows new sides as a performer, writer, arranger, and bandleader. In this interview, Gazarek talks about the road to her current music; how Kurt Elling helped her decide to form a new band; how she finds the courage to bare her soul on stage and on record; and why her cat is the best. This e...

Dmitri Matheny is a flugelhornist, composer, writer, comic book collector, dog enthusiast and bandleader. In this interview we talk about his road dog; his love for noir and how it led to his latest album; the legacy of Art Farmer; and collecting Green Lantern comics. Find Dmitri online at dmitrimatheny.com and follow him on Twitter at @dmitrimatheny . Support the show by becoming a member! For $5...

The Jazz Session returns on September 1, 2018! You can support the show right now at patreon.com/thejazzsession . Just $5 a month gets you bonus content! Thanks!

Darcy James Argue came to Penn State to perform Brooklyn Babylon , so I invited him on my morning show along with two of his collaborators. Here’s the interview in its entirety. Does this mean The Jazz Session is coming back? Perhaps.