The Jazz Session #191: Roland Vazquez [36:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Roland Vazquez explores a series of historical and philosophical ideas through the medium of music on The Visitor (RVCD, 2010). In this interview, Vazquez talks about his former and current large ensembles; the programmatic elements underlying the compositions; and why he decided to do something — or rather not do something — for the first time on this album. Learn more at www.rolandvazquez.com.

The music on The Visitor was funded in part by a grant from the Aaron Copland Fund For Music, Inc.

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 The Jazz Session #175: Sunny Jain [36:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Sunny Jain is using his superpowers for good, choosing on his new album, Taboo (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, 2010) to make a series of strong statements about social issues, set against South Asian cultural norms. In this interview, Jain talks about his decision to use traditional song forms to say non-traditional things; the intricate interplay of the band; and the many guest vocalists who appear on the record. Learn more at www.sunnyjain.com.

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 The Jazz Session #169: Peter Erskine [38:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Peter Erskine has done it all: Stan Kenton, Weather Report, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band and many, many others. Most recently, he’s appeared on two albums, The Trio Live At Charlie O’s (Fuzzy Music, 2010) and The Avatar Sessions (Fuzzy Music, 2010). In this interview, Erskine talks about the differences between playing drums in a big band and trio; the unexpected success of the recording at Charlie O’s; and some of the upcoming projects with which he’s involved. Learn more at www.petererskine.com and www.fuzzymusic.com.

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 The Jazz Session #168: Dana Hall [34:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Dana Hall has made a name for himself in the bands of Terell Stafford, Malachi Thompson, Bobby Broom and many others. Now he’s taking the lead with his debut recording, Into The Light (Origin, 2009). In this interview, Hall talks about the recording of the new album; the idea of “pacing” a recording session; and how he chose a career as a drummer after he’d already established himself as a aerospace engineer. Learn more at danahallmusic.com.

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 The Jazz Session #159: Stanton Moore [33:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer and New Orleans native Stanton Moore is a busy man, whether with his bands Galactic and Garage a Trois or as a solo artist. He’s just released a trio CD called Groove Alchemy (Telarc, 2010), which is also the name of the companion instructional DVD and book, all of which explore funk drumming. In this interview, Moore talks about the legacy of drummers Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield and Zigaboo Modeliste; why he decided to explore funk drumming in depth with this new project; and the experience of recording the album at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, NY. Learn more at www.stantonmoore.com.

Moore also talks about the important work of Defend The Coast and Gulf Restoration Network, two organization dedicated to repairing the man-made damage to the wetlands along the Gulf Coast. Please give these organizations your support.

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 The Jazz Session #148: John Hollenbeck [49:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer and composer John Hollenbeck is a constant explorer of new sonic terrain. His large ensemble album Eternal Interlude (Sunnyside, 2009) is no exception. In this interview, recorded at the artists retreat Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, NY, Hollenbeck talks about his approach to composition for large ensemble; his mid-retreat trip to the Grammy awards; and several upcoming projects. Learn more at johnhollenbeck.com.

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 The Jazz Session #147: Chad Taylor [34:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Chad Taylor is a very busy man, playing drums with his own band and with Digital Primitives, the Chicago Underground ensembles, Nicole Mitchell and many others. Taylor’s trio recording, Circle Down (482 Music, 2009) features bassist Chris Lightcap and pianist Angelica Sanchez. In this interview, Taylor talks about the idea of collective leadership in music; the many projects he’s been involved with in recent years; and why sometimes the simplest music is the most difficult. Learn more at myspace.com/rythmicnavigation.

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

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