Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist Carmen Staaf’s most recent CD is a trio recording called Eye To Eye (2011). In this interview, Staaf talks about duo and trio playing; her travels to India; and how her music has been affected by everything from anthropology to meditation. Learn more at www.carmenstaaf.com and follow her on Twitter at @carmenstaaf.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist and keyboardist Jamie Saft explores his love for reggae, dub and improvisation on New Zion Trio (Veal Records, 2011). In this interview, Saft talks about the merger of those disparate musical elements; why he doesn’t write music on paper; and why he’d rather hear Slayer than “Stella By Starlight.” Learn more at www.jamiesaft.com.
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 Pianists & Podcast & Trumpeters
The Jazz Session #291: Satoko Fujii and Natsuki Tamura [ 52:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura have been making adventurous music together for years. In this interview, they talk about the influences of Japanese folk music; the need for risk and fun in music; and why they’re involved in so many diverse projects. Learn more at satokofujii.com and natsukitamura.com.
Tracks used in this episode: (from Watershed by Satoko Fujii’s Min-Yoh Ensemble) The Thaw; Whitewater; Soranbushi; (From Rafale by the band Kaze with Fujii and Tamura) Noise Chopin; (from ETO by Satoko Fujii’s Orchestra New York) Eto Suite: Rat; Eto Suite: Tiger; (From Rafale by the band Kaze with Fujii and Tamura) Marie-T; (from Watershed by Satoko Fujii’s Min-Yoh Ensemble) Estuary.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist Kris Davis is part of several ensembles, including her trio with John Hebert and Tom Rainey on Good Citizen (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2010) and a trio with Ingrid Laubrock and Tyshawn Sorey on the eponymous Paradoxical Frog (Clean Feed, 2010). In this interview, Davis talks about learning to leave space in the music; her studies of classical composition; and the many projects and recordings in which she’s involved. Learn more at krisdavis.net.
Tracks used in this episode: (from Paradoxical Frog) Iron Spider; Paradoxical Frog; (from Good Citizen) Good Citizen; Where Does That Tunnel Go; Desert Prayers; (from Paradoxical Frog) Feldman.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast & Saxophonists
Cuban Rhapsody (Alma Records, 2011) is a duet CD by saxophonist and flautist Jane Bunnett and pianist Hilario Duran. In this interview, Bunnett and Duran talk about the joys and challenges of duet playing; the deep history of the album’s repertoire; and the idea of music without boundaries. Learn more at www.janebunnett.com and www.hilarioduran.com.
Tracks used in this episode: Lagrimas Negras; Almendra; Sherezad; Contradanzas; Longina; Son de la Loma.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist George Cables’ most recent recording is with The Cookers on their new album, Cast The First Stone (Plus Loin Music, 2010). In this interview, Cables talks about the importance of a unified concept; why he feels he’s had success as a sideman with everyone from Dexter Gordon to Art Pepper; and how he makes each composition his own. Learn more at georgecables.com.
NOTE: This interview contains an exclusive solo performance of “You Don’t Know What Love Is.” To hear an additional solo performance of “Helen’s Song,” please become a member of The Jazz Session.
Tracks used in this episode: The Chief; Think On Me; Croquet Ballet; The Seventh Day; You Don’t Know What Love Is (exclusive live performance for The Jazz Session); Looking For The Light.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast & Saxophonists
The Jazz Session #259: Matthew Shipp & Darius Jones [ 58:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Pianist Matthew Shipp and saxophonist Darius Jones have a new duo CD called Cosmic Lieder (AUM Fidelity, 2011). In this wide-ranging interview, Shipp and Jones discuss intergenerational collaboration; the “x factor” that caused Shipp to ask Jones to work together; and how Jones views Shipp’s musical language and career. Learn more at www.matthewshipp.com and www.myspace.com/blackdajones.
Tracks used in this episode: Bleed; Ultima Thule; Zillo Valla; Multiverse; Mandrakk; Ged-Jedollah.
CONCERT NOTE: Matthew Shipp and Darius Jones are playing two sets at Jazz Standard in NYC on April 27.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist Bruce Barth’s latest record is Live At Smalls (Smalls Live, 2011) with Vicente Archer and Rudy Royston. In this interview, Barth talks about the equal partnership and openness he looks for in his bandmates; what he learned from his early work with Stanley Turrentine and Terence Blanchard; and the difficulties of studying at a jazz school in a place where there isn’t a jazz scene. Learn more at brucebarth.com.
Tracks used in this episode: Oh Yes I Will; Sunday; Yama; Almost Blues; Peaceful Place; Looking Up.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Fred Hersch is back with another solo piano recording, Alone At The Vanguard (Palmetto, 2011). In this interview, Hersch talks about finding the interior resources to play an entire week of solo piano at one of the world’s most famous jazz clubs; his new multimedia piece “My Coma Dreams” and the near-death saga that led to it; and why he feels he has a purpose to his life. Learn more at www.fredhersch.com.
Tracks used in this episode: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning; Down Home; Echoes; Doce de Coco.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist Lynne Arriale’s new CD, Convergence (Motema, 2011), is her second album to feature a horn player, this time saxophonist Bill McHenry. In this interview, Arriale talks about her decision to expand her band; how she searches within herself as part of her compositional process; and why she enjoys teaching as a means of human connection. Learn more at lynnearriale.com. NOTE: Convergence will be available on Feb. 8, 2011.
Tracks used in this episode: Elements; Here and Now; Paint It Black; The Simple Things; Dance of the Rain.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Mina Cho grew up in Korea playing classical music and American gospel. A chance meeting with a Berklee grad sent her to Boston where she studied South American folk music. Her new album, Originality (Mina Cho Music, 2010), combines all those influences and more. In this interview, Cho discusses her uncommon background; her studies with composer Leo Blanco; and why gospel music is so important to her. Learn more at www.minachomusic.com/.
Posted under Authors & Bloggers & Pianists & Podcast
Herbie Nichols would have been 92 years old today. The pianist is the subject of a new biography — Herbie Nichols: A Jazzist’s Life by Mark Miller. In this interview, Miller talks about why Nichols failed to become known during his lifetime; why Nichols is often labeled an acolyte of Thelonious Monk; and how Miller came to write the book in the first place. Learn more at the Web site of The Mercury Press.
ADDITIONAL LISTENING: Check out the “Herbie Nichols’ Third World” episode of David Brent Johnson’s excellent Night Lights program.
UPDATE: At the end of this episode, I said that Herbie Nichols died at the age of 34. He actually died at the age of 44. Thanks to listener Robert Klein for the correction.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast & Saxophonists & Violinists & Vocalists
Multi-instrumentalist Kali Z. Fasteau continues to experiment with the nature of sound on her new album, Animal Grace (Flying Note, 2010). In this interview, Fasteau talks about how she pushes past the perceived limits of the instruments she plays; how her experiences traveling the world inform her music; and the system of balance she finds in music and in life. Learn more at www.kalimuse.com.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast
Pianist Dan Tepfer creates fresh and dynamic music on his new trio album, Five Pedals Deep (Sunnyside, 2010). In this interview, Tepfer talks about forming his new trio with Thomas Morgan and Ted Poor; some differences between European and American approaches to jazz performance; and his extended musical partnership with Lee Konitz. Learn more at www.dantepfer.com.
Read my poetry at jasoncrane.org.
