Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Mary Halvorson explores adventurous musical territory on Saturn Sings (Firehouse 12 Records, 2010). In this interview, Halvorson talks about the influence of Anthony Braxton; her uncommon guitar; and her approach to composition. Learn more at www.maryhalvorson.com.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Steve Cardenas has worked as a sideman on too many records to count, and now he’s put out a solo album that shows why he’s in such demand — West Of Middle (Sunnyside, 2010). In this interview, Cardenas talks about his approach to composition and his appreciation of instrumental “songs”; his work with Don Sickler transcribing all of Thelonious Monk’s compositions; and his ideas about jazz education and its role in the continuation of the music. Learn more at www.stevecardenasmusic.com.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Here’s an interview I recorded in 2007 with guitarist Gene Bertoncini. This is what I said about him back then:
Raised in the Bronx, Bertoncini began his musical education at an early age, encouraged by his parents. He studied architecture at Notre Dame before deciding on a life of music. That decision was a smart one — Bertoncini has since performed with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, the Benny Goodman Sextet, Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Burt Bacharach, Michel LeGrand and many others. He’s also on the faculty at the Tritone Jazz Camp (tritonejazz.com). All the selections in this show are taken from Bertoncini’s recording Acoustic Romance (Sons of Sound, 2003), featuring drummer Akira Tana and bassist Rufus Reid.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Here’s an interview from the early days of The Jazz Session with guitarist David Torn. This is what I had to say about him back then:
He’s a film composer whose music you’ve heard in Friday Night Lights, Believe In Me, and The Order. He’s also contributed tones and textures to films like this year’s Best Picture winner, The Departed, and the 2000 hit Traffic. Before his film days, he was known for daring musical collaborations on albums such as Cloud About Mercury (ECM, 1987). And he’s worked as a guitarist and/or producer for everyone from David Bowie and David Sylvian to John Legend and Tori Amos. David Torn has returned to ECM after two decades for prezens (ECM, 2007), an adventurous record that features Tim Berne, Craig Taborn and Tom Rainey. Learn more at DavidTorn.net.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Eric Hofbauer is using the solo guitar to explore American identity on a trilogy of albums that began with American Vanity (Creative Nation Music, 2004) and continues with American Fear (Creative Nation Music, 2010). In this interview, Hofbauer talks about the pop tunes he covers on this record; how he uses improvisation to lead to composition; and why he started Creative Nation Music. Learn more at www.myspace.com/erichofbauer and at Creative Nation Music’s site.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Michael Musillami’s new album, Old Tea (Playscape Recordings, 2010) was conceived in tragedy. Musillami talks about that great loss in this interview, and also about how he used music as one tool to navigate through dark waters. Learn more at www.michaelmusillami.com.
Posted under Bands & Guitarists & Podcast
The Jazz Session #180: Matt White of Fight The Big Bull [ 41:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Guitarist Matt White and his band Fight The Big Bull are part of the creative music scene in Richmond, Virginia. Their new album All Is Gladness In The Kingdom (Clean Feed, 2010) features the playing and arrangements of Steven Bernstein, perhaps best known for his band Sex Mob. In this interview, White talks about the surprisingly fertile Richmond scene; how he came to work with Bernstein; and why a song from The Band ended up on the new record. Learn more at www.fightthebigbull.com. And be sure to listen to Dean Christesen and Matt White as they provide audio commentary for the entire album at the RVA Jazz site.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Nels Cline may be best known these days for his work with Wilco, but he’d already established himself as an inventive guitarist and composer long before teaming up with the band. On his new CD, Initiate (Cryptogramophone, 2010), the Nels Cline Singers trio explores a variety of rhythmic and harmonic concepts from their very original viewpoint. In this interview, Cline talks about the all-inclusive concept behind his current trio; his concerns years ago about playing in the trio format; and the previous jazz masters whose styles of leadership in the studio and on the bandstand he most tries to emulate. Learn more at www.nelscline.com.
If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Torben Waldorff’s new CD is called American Rock Beauty (ArtistShare, 2010). On it, Waldorff explores improvisation that is deeply rooted in the American and British rock music he grew up with as a kid. In this interview, Waldorff talks about how he chose the title of the new record; the band and how they all met; and the way in which music served as a sanctuary for him during a turbulent childhood. Learn more at www.waldorff.com.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Lionel Loueke combines the music of his native Benin with his immersion in jazz on his album, Mwaliko (Blue Note, 2010). He’s joined on the record by Angélique Kidjo, Esperanza Spaulding, Richard Bona, Marcus Gilmore and others. In this interview, Loueke talks about his early years in Benin and how he ended up playing jazz in the U.S.; the guests and repertoire on his new album; and the influence of Herbie Hancock on his music and his life. Learn more at www.lionelloueke.com.
If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:
Posted under Banjo Players & Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist and banjo player Brandon Seabrook’s trio plays a raging blend of metal, bluegrass and improvised music on their new CD, Seabrook Power Plant (Loyal Label, 2009). In this interview, Seabrook talks about the intense rhythmic drive of the album; why he started playing the tenor banjo; and the many projects he’s been involved with as a sideman. Learn more at myspace.com/brandonseabrook.
If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Rez Abbasi continues his rhythmic and harmonic explorations on Things To Come (Sunnyside, 2009). He’s joined on this album by pianist Vijay Iyer, saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, bassist Johannes Weidenmeuller, drummer Dan Weiss, cellist Mike Block and vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia. In this interview, Abbasi discusses the Indian-Pakistani jazz scene in New York; how he incorporates Indian and Pakistani music into his compositions even without the use of traditional instruments; and why he feels his best compositions are combinations of craft and inspiration. Learn more at www.reztone.com.
If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Dom Minasi’s most recent recording, Dissonance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder (Konnex, 2009), features his string quartet in a program of adventurous composition and improvisation. In this interview, Minasi talks about how he spent the 20 years between his last Blue Note recording and his re-emergence as a leader; why Johnny Smith was a big influence on him, and why he let that influence go; and how a lifetime of playing, teaching and practicing has brought him to this prolific period. The Dom Minasi String Quartet plays on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 at Roulette in NYC. For more information, visit domminasi.com.
If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session by purchasing it via the link below:
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast
John Abercrombie returns with Wait Till You See Her (ECM, 2009), another album of gorgeous, tuneful music from his quartet, featuring Mark Feldman on violin, Joey Barron on drums, and new band member Thomas Morgan on bass. In this interview, Abercrombie talks about how subtle movements in the audience impact a performance; the label “chamber jazz” and whether it applies to his band; and his role as the evil Donald Dastardly in the radio drama Harry Lovett, Man Without A Country, which also featured the voices of John Surman and Jack DeJohnette. Learn more at johnabercrombie.com. (On a personal note, John was on The Jazz Session #3, back when no one had ever heard of this show. I’m grateful for his early support of The Jazz Session, and it’s very gratifying to have him back here 100 episodes later.)
If you’d like to purchase this album, you can support The Jazz Session by buying it via the link below:
Posted under Bassists & Guitarists & Podcast
Guitarist Joe Morris has spent three decades finding ways to contribute to the language of the guitar and to the literature of improvised music. He’s managed to stay true to himself and his sound during that entire time, even as he’s added the bass to his repertoire. On Today On Earth (AUM Fidelity, 2009), Morris continues to explore the place of the guitar in the world of free improvisation. In this interview, Morris talks about his early decision to play without effects; how the masters of the music create their own technique; and the innovative way he teaches his students to do what feels right with their music. Learn more at www.joe-morris.com.
If you’d like to buy this album, you can support The Jazz Session at the same time by purchasing it via the link below:
Read my poetry at jasoncrane.org.
