Posted under Bassists & Podcast
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.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
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 www.christarry.com.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
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.
Posted under Bands & Bassists & Drummers & Pianists & Podcast & Saxophonists
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; give advice to young musicians; and tell stories from their 100+ years as performers. Learn more at Aum Fidelity’s Planetary Unknown page.
NOTE: Today (August 11, 2011) is the final day of the “100 By 300″ membership campaign and I haven’t quite reached my goal. Please support the show by joining today for as little as $10 a month.
Tracks used in this episode: Passage Wudang; Shift; Duality Is One; Divination; Crystal Palace; Ancestry Supramental.
Three of the four members of this band have been on The Jazz Session before:
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
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) Silhouette; Dog Days; Beguiled; (from Subvenire) water down stone; breathingdreaming; relay; (from Dreams From A Clown Car) Shinobu; Retronym.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist Ike Sturm has composed an ambitious piece for his album Jazzmass. In this interview, Sturm talks about learning the craft of large-ensemble writing (with a bit of family help); the role his faith plays in his music; and the idea of writing programmatic music that stands on its own. Learn more at ikesturm.com.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Sundial Lotus (Innova, 2010) is the debut album by bassist Ben Gallina’s band Salo. In this interview, Gallina talks about composing the music for this record; how the band grew organically beyond his initial conception; and how science fiction and the works of David Foster Wallace have inspired his music. Learn more at www.bengallina.com.
Tracks used in this episode: The Sky Is An Eye; Worm Emperor; Metamorphistopheles; Obitron Revoluto; Trans-Galactic Sleep Chamber.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist Cecil McBee’s latest recording is as a member of The Cookers on their CD Cast The First Stone (Plus Loin, 2010). In this interview, McBee talks about The Cookers; his study of various languages and their relationship to music; and his evolution as a composer. Learn more at www.cecilmcbeejazz.com.
Tracks used in this episode: (from the CD Cast The First Stone) Cast The First Stone; Peacemaker; (from the CD Warriors) Ladybugg; U Phoria.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Sean Smith’s new CD is called Trust. In this interview, Smith talks about the idea of trust among musicians; recalls Bill Finnegan’s teachings; and talks about the potentially career-ending injury that gave him a new lease on life and music. Learn more at www.seansmithjazz.com.
Tracks used in this episoed: Betting Blind; Homemade Japanese Folk Song; Wayne’s World; Lawn Ornaments; Occam’s Razor; Voices; Margin Of Error.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist Ben Allison delivers an original and exciting take on tunes by everyone from Samuel Barber to Neil Young to Thelonious Monk on his new CD, Action-Refraction (Palmetto, 2011). In this interview, Allison talks about an iPhone app that changed the sound palette on his new record; two musicians who’ve joined him for the first time on this CD; and how he deals with the lyrical content of these songs in his instrumental arrangements. Ben’s workshop series continues every Tuesday night at Kush, 191 Chrystie St, NYC. Learn more at www.benallison.com.
NOTE: This episode contains an advanced preview of the new CD, which will be in stores on April 12, 2011.
Tracks used in this episode: Jackie-ing; Missed; St. Ita’s Vision; Philadelphia; We’ve Only Just Begun; Broken.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist Alexis Cuadrado has just released an ambitious nonet album, Noneto Iberico (bjurecords, 2011), inspired by the flamenco music of his native Spain. In this interview, Cuadrado talks about the genesis of the record; how having kids changed his focus as a musician; and how the Brooklyn Jazz Underground fosters creative music. Learn more at http://www.alexiscuadrado.com/.
Tracks used in this episode: Very Well; Tocar Y Parar; Te Sigo; Solo El Sol Sale Siempre Solo; Los Panchitos.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
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.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist William Parker is one of the most prolific players on the jazz scene today. His two most recent albums are I Plan To Stay A Believer: The Inside Songs Of Curtis Mayfield (Aum Fidelity, 2010) and Uncle Joe’s Spirit House (Aum Fidelity, 2010). In this interview, Parker talks about the origin of both projects; what he means by “inside songs”; and his unique take on the organ quartet. Learn more at www.williamparker.net.
If you’d like to buy these albums, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing them via the links below:
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist Mario Pavone is looking back on his life in music with his new album, arc suite t/pi t/po (Playscape Recordings, 2010). In this interview, Pavone talks about the changing role of rhythm sections in modern improvised music; his work in the visual arts, particularly painting and photography; and his “upside-down” approach to arranging. Learn more at www.mariopavone.com.
Posted under Bassists & Podcast
Bassist Charnett Moffett grew up in a musical family. Which is to say, his dad played with Ornette Coleman and the whole Moffett family band was touring the world when Charnett was a kid. More than two decades later, Charnett is bringing that family history and his own impressive musical resume to bear on his new album, Treasure (Motema, 2010). In this interview, Charnett talks about the thinking behind this album; his childhood experiences and how they shaped the musician he is today; and his work with guitarist Stanley Jordan, who appears on Treasure. Learn more at motema.com/artist/charnett-moffett.
Read my poetry at jasoncrane.org.
