Bass clarinetist Jason Stein and his trio Locksmith Isadore have just released their third album, Three Kinds Of Happiness (NotTwo, 2010). In this interview, Stein talks about why he started playing bass clarinet; how this album marks a new beginning for the trio; and how he approaches solo performances on the bass clarinet. Learn more at http://jasonsteinmusic.com.

Tracks used on this program: Crayons for Sammy; Cash, Couch and Camper; Little Bird; Ground Floor South.

Clarinetist James Falzone combines his love of Arabic classical music with an acknowledgement of the current East-West cultural divide on Lamentations (Allos Documents, 2010). In this interview, Falzone talks about his interest in Arabic music; how making beauty is a form of protest; and the blend of composition and improvisation on this album. Learn more at www.allosmusica.org.

One of the things that makes Matt Lavelle uncommon is that he doubles on trumpet and bass clarinet, as you’ll hear on his album The Manifestation Drama (KMB, 2009). In this interview, Lavelle talks about his own growth as a musician; why he started playing bass clarinet; and his fascinating friendships with swing-era veteran Hildred Humphries, jazz icon Ornette Coleman, and long-lost jazzman Giuseppi Logan. Learn more at www.myspace.com/mattlavelle.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

Marty Ehrlich is everywhere. Since moving from St. Louis to New York in 1978, Ehrlich has established himself as both an in-demand sideman and a leader with a distinct and multi-faceted musical vision. His CD Things Have Got To Change (Clean Feed, 2009), finds Ehrlich leading his Rites Quartet through a program of music written by, or inspired by, saxophonist Julius Hemphill, with whom Ehrlich played. In this interview, Ehrlich talks about his pan-stylistic approach to composition; the influence of the St. Louis scene on his own playing and on New York; and how he approaches the distinct roles of sideman and leader. Learn more at www.martyehrlich.com.

If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

Paquito D’Rivera is equally at home in the jazz and classical worlds, a fact he showcased during his performance at the 2009 Tanglewood Jazz Festival. In this interview, D’Rivera talks about several of the pieces he performed that night: “Conversations With Cachao” and “The Panamericana Suite.” He also discusses “Fiddle Dreams,” a rare commission from the Library of Congress; and why he thinks the jazz and classical worlds can learn from one another. The music in this program is taken from his album Jazz Clazz (Termidor Music, 2009). Learn more at paquitodrivera.com.

If you’d like to buy the album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:

My grandfather was one of the biggest influences on my life, both in making me the man I am and in pointing me early on to the magic of music, and jazz in particular. To celebrate my 100th episode, I’m taking a break from the show’s normal format to share with you my remembrances of my grandpa and some of the music that he loved.

Here’s a photo of the band my grandfather played in. He’s in the exact center of the top row. This photo was taken in 1930:

Jason Crane interviews clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Eddie Daniels in the first of three Jazz Session shows recorded live at the 2008 Tanglewood Jazz Festival in Lenox, MA. Daniels played the fest with many of the same musicians who appear on his 2-CD live album Homecoming (IPO Recordings, 2007). Daniels got his start as a saxophonist with the Thad Jones & Mel Lewis big band, and then launched a successful solo career that took the clarinet to new heights. He started performing on saxophone again in 2005 and now uses both instruments in his sets. During the interview, you’ll hear Daniels receive a fateful phone call that changes the nature of his performance at the festival.

CONTEST: Win a copy of Eddie Daniels’ Homecoming: Live At The Iridium! To win, be one of the first three people to send an e-mail to contest@thejazzsession.com. Please put “Eddie” in the subject line! (Note: Listeners who’ve won in the last 30 days need to sit this one out. Thanks!)

Jason Crane interviews clarinetist Don Byron at the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Byron performed two sets with his Ivey Divey trio featuring pianist Jason Moran and drummer Billy Hart. Byron has covered a lot of ground in his musical career, from the Ivey Divey project (honoring Lester Young) to the music of Junior Walker, Raymond Scott and Mickey Katz. Byron talks about Lester Young, his next project, and the influence of African-American religion on African-American speech. Find out more at DonByron.com.

Jason Crane interviews saxophone and clarinet player Victor Goines. Goines has made quite a name for himself with such seminal groups as the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra. In addition to touring the world with the those bands, he’s also an accomplished leader in his own right, and the director of the jazz program at Juilliard in New York. Goines has a new CD called New Adventures (Criss Cross, 2006).