The Jazz Session is a member-supported online interview show focusing on in-depth conversations with jazz musicians. The show is hosted by Jason Crane.

Since its inception in 2007, there have been more than 1.4 million downloads of The Jazz Session‘s 300+ episodes. The Jazz Session focuses on in-depth interviews with jazz musicians, along with occasional interviews with producers, authors and others in the jazz world. The show’s mission is to chronicle the lives and opinions of musicians who make creative improvised music, without regard to artificial genres or labels.

Every episode of the show is available here at thejazzsession.com for free. You’ll find the guests listed alphabetically along the left side of the page. You can also search by instrument using the category menu immediately below the list of names. And you can subscribe for free via iTunes or an RSS reader.

To get started, choose a musician from the menu on the left or simply scroll down on this page to see the latest episodes.

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The Jazz Session #341: Bob Reynolds [ 1:10:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Bob Reynolds’ most recent album is A Live Life (2011) and he’s currently working on his forthcoming studio album. Reynolds is perhaps best known for his work with rock musician John Mayer. In this interview, Reynolds talks about the importance of good time (in the musical sense); how he’s learned to bring an audience along for the ride; and about his video lesson service. Learn more at bobreynoldsmusic.com and follow him on Twitter at @Bob_Reynolds.

The Jazz Session #340: Matt Wilson [ 56:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Matt Wilson’s new album with his band Arts & Crafts is An Attitude For Gratitude (Palmetto Records, 2012). In this interview, Wilson talks about the inclusive approach of the band; why he likes the word “allow”; and how a difficult year for his family helped him put things in perspective and brought the idea of gratitude into focus. Learn more at mattwilsonjazz.com and follow him on Twitter at @mattwilsonjazz.

NOTE: This interview is part of a new monthly collaboration with JazzDIY, the online journal for the 21st century jazz musician. Visit JazzDIY.com to see a video interview with Matt Wilson in which he talks about the business of music.

The Jazz Session #339: Armen Donelian [ 53:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Armen Donelian’s new CD is Leapfrog (Sunnyside Records, 2011). In this interview, Donelian talks about his approach to playing the piano and his philosophy of music; his years with Mongo Santamaria and Sonny Rollins; and his other career as an educator. Learn more at armenjazz.com.

The Jazz Session #338: Barry Altschul [ 58:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Barry Altschul’s latest CD is History Of Jazz In Reverse (TUM, 2011) with the FAB Trio featuring Joe Fonda and Billy Bang. In this interview, Altschul talks about growing up in the South Bronx; his roots in the tradition and how he uses them even when playing “free”; and how he achieves a personal sound on the drums. Learn more at myspace.com/barryaltschul.

The Jazz Session #337: Deric Dickens [ 1:07:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Deric Dickens’ debut CD is Speed Date, a series of duets with Matt Wilson, Ben Cohen, Jon Crowley, Kirk Knuffke, Jeff Lederer and Jeremy Udden. In this interview, Dickens talks about the DIY philosophy underlying the album; the sound of the drums (including a demonstration on the ride cymbal); and why he left a comfortable position as a band director to pursue a life as a professional jazz musician. Learn more at dericdickens.com and follow him on Twitter at @dericdickens.

The Jazz Session #336: Jack DeJohnette [ 50:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jack DeJohnette’s new album is Sound Travels (Golden Beams/eOne, 2012). In this interview, DeJohnette talks about the next phase of his storied career; his induction as a 2012 NEA Jazz Master; and the multiple projects he’s taking to the Newport Jazz Festival this summer. Learn more at jackdejohnette.com.

Jason Crane speaking at JazzTimes DIY Crash Course [ 11:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I spoke today at the JazzTimes DIY Crash Course in Manhattan, an event held in tandem with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference. This is the audio of my presentation, which was about podcasting and telling a story as an artist. There were graphics, too. As soon as I get the video, I’ll pass it along. Thanks to Lee Mergner of JazzTimes for inviting me and thanks to David Lee Joy from All Star Media for providing the audio. Lee Mergner is the first person you’ll hear in this audio clip. Thanks also to the wonderful Amy Cervini for assisting with my presentation.

UPDATE: Here’s video of the first half of my talk. Then my camera battery died. Thanks to Derrick Lucas for filming this. More video may be available later.

The Jazz Session #335: Pete Robbins [ 53:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Pete Robbins’ new CD is Live In Basel (Hate Laugh Music, 2011) with his Transatlantic Quartet. In this interview, Robbins talks about the benefits of a working band; why his last three recordings have been live albums; and why his next project will find him traveling down yet another new musical road. Learn more at peterobbins.com and follow him on Twitter at @peterobbins.

The Jazz Session #334: Michael Pedicin [ 1:14:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Michael Pedicin’s new album is Ballads …searching for peace (Jazz Hut, 2011). In this interview, Pedicin talks about this influence of his father on his career; why he feels he had to work his way up to a ballads album; and how he came to terms with his place in the worlds of both jazz and medicine. Learn more at michaelpedicin.com and follow him on Twitter at @mpedicin.

The Jazz Session #333: Sam Rivers (1923-2011) [ 33:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

NOTE: I’m reposting this 2009 interview with Sam Rivers to commemorate his passing on Dec. 26, 2011. Nate Chinen has collected many of the remembrances of Rivers on his blog.

Sam Rivers is a musical renaissance man. He’s performed in big bands, bop bands, R&B groups, blues bands and free-jazz ensembles. Rivers is currently composing adventurous large-ensemble music (such as is found on his 2006 CD Aurora) in an unlikely location: Orlando, Florida. In this interview, Rivers talks about his early days in Boston; how he was recruited by Jimi Hendrix while playing with Cecil Taylor; and how a tour with Dizzy Gillespie led to his relocation to Florida. Learn more at rivbea.com.

The Jazz Session #332: Enoch Smith, Jr. [ 56:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Enoch Smith, Jr.’s new album is Misfits (Music4mypeople, 2011). In this interview, Smith talks about growing up in the church in Rochester, NY; how he’s always felt like an outsider in the jazz world; and why he wanted his new record to get back to basics — groove and the voice. Learn more at enochsmithjr.com.

The Jazz Session #331: James Hirschfeld [ 53:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Trombonist James Hirschfeld has just released his first album, Two Medicine. In this interview, Hirschfeld talks about his life in music; the song-like quality of his compositions; and how a trip to Germany solidified his desire to pursue an artistic life. Learn more at jameshirschfeld.com and buy the record via jameshirschfeld.bandcamp.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jameshirschfeld.

The Jazz Session #330: Andrew Cyrille [ 55:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Andrew Cyrille’s new CD is Route De Freres (TUM, 2011) with his band Haitian Fascination. In this interview, Cyrille talks about his own Haitian roots and his early childhood in Brooklyn; Haitian rhythms and how they’re expressed on this new record; and the sound paintings that form the main suite, “Route De Freres.”

NOTE: I wrote a poem inspired by Andrew Cyrille’s story. You can read it here.

The Jazz Session #329: Adam Schatz [ 51:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Adam Schatz is the founder of Search & Restore, which opened its doors in late 2007 and has since become a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to bringing the artists and audiences of new jazz and improvised music together in new ways. In this interview, Schatz talks about the musical components of the organization’s mission and his own pursuits as a performing musician. Learn more about Search & Restore at searchandrestore.com and about their current fundraising efforts at jazz2012.com. The fundraiser runs through Dec. 19, 2011.

NOTE: This interview is a companion piece to my video conversation with Schatz, which you’ll find at JazzDIY’s site, JazzDIY.com.

The Jazz Session #328: Michael Bates [ 1:05:29 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Michael Bates’s new album is called Acrobat: Music For, And By, Dmitri Shostakovich (Sunnyside, 2011). In this interview, Bates talks about the appeal of Shostakovich the man and the composer; how he used Shostakovich’s music as a starting point for his own compositions and improvisations; and the new trio music he’s been working on. Learn more at outsidesources.org.