The Jazz Session #374: Tomas Fujiwara [ 38:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Tomas Fujiwara’s new album with his band The Hook Up is called The Air Is Different (482 Music, 2012). In this interview, Fujiwara talks about his grandfather (pictured on the album cover) and his grandfather’s influence on his life; the addition of bassist Trevor Dunn to the band; his varying methods of composition; and finding balance on the bandstand. Learn more at tomasfujiwara.com and follow him on Twitter at @TomasFujiwara.

NOTE: This is Tomas Fujiwara’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to his 2010 appearance.

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The Jazz Session #373: Stranahan, Zaleski and Rosato [ 39:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Anticipation (Capri Records, 2012) is the new CD by drummer Colin Stranahan, pianist Glenn Zaleski and bassist Rick Rosato. In this interview, conducted before the trio’s recent live show at Small’s in NYC, the three talk about their mutual appreciation of one another; the shared taste in music that animates their collaboration; and their individual paths into jazz. Learn more at myspace.com/wwwcolinstranahancom, glennzaleski.com and myspace.com/rickrosato.

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The Jazz Session #372: Maria Neckam [ 46:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Vocalist Maria Neckam’s latest CD is Unison (Sunnyside Records, 2012). In this interview, Neckam talks about finding her own musical path early in life; writing songs that don’t use traditional forms; her journey from Vienna to Amsterdam to Brooklyn; and the effects of Buddhism on her life and music. Learn more at marianeckam.com and follow her on Twitter at @MariaNeckam.

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The Jazz Session World Tour 2012 [ 2:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’m taking The Jazz Session on the road across North America … and then maybe the rest of the world, too!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. Donate to the tour.
2. Suggest a place to go or a musician to interview.
3. Give me a place to stay.
4. Host a house party (any size) so I can read my poetry and maybe sell a book or two.
5. Suggest a venue (bookstore, performance space) in your town where I could do a poetry reading.

To do any of the above (other than donate) send me an email at jason@thejazzsession.com. To learn more, and to donate, visit http://thejazzsession.com/tour.

UPDATE: NPR’s A Blog Supreme did a story on the tour! “Crashing On Couches To Talk To Musicians”

UPDATE 2: I’ve reached my initial fundraising goal so I can buy my Greyhound tickets. But I’m still asking for donations. The more I raise, the more extensive the tour will be. You’ll get the thank-you gifts no matter when you donate. Even once the tour has started. Thank you.

DONORS

Carlos Ibanez, Daryl Shawn, Eric Hofbauer, Brian Wall, John Mason, Brian Davis, Devin Gray, Aaron Staebell, Ann Braithwaite, Patrick McCurry, Richard Kamins, Peter Varshavsky, James Osborne, Miles Okazaki, Kent Petersen, Eli Asher, Terri Hinte, Glenn Zaleski, Geoffrey Keezer, Michael Feinberg, Vicky Johnson, Ron Weinstock, Pete Zimmer, Steve Titmus, Chris Monsen, Jeff Albert, David Budbill, Brett Porter, Amy Cervini, Matt Wilson, David Winston, Marisa Leva, Nicky Schrire, Michael Falcon, Sunna Gunnlaugs, Tony Micelli, Ted Poor, Derick Dickens, Kim Santo, Jason Linnell, Mark Rini, Danny McCormick.

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The Jazz Session #371: Steve Lehman [ 53:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Steve Lehman’s new album is called Dialect Fluorescent (Pi Recordings, 2012). In this interview, Lehman talks about allocentric performance; what he learned from Jackie McLean about sound and evolution; the unlikely beginning of his current trio; and some of the touchstones in his own musical growth. Learn more at stevelehman.com and follow him on Twitter at @TheSteveLehman.

CONCERT NOTE: Lehman’s trio will be at The Jazz Gallery in NYC from June 7-9 with special guests David Virelles, Vijay Iyer and James Hurt.

NOTE: This is Steve Lehman’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. You’ll find our first conversation here.

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The Jazz Session #370: George Colligan [ 56:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist George Colligan’s most recent album is Living For The City (Steeplechase, 2011). In this interview, conducted before an April show at Jazz Standard in NYC, Colligan talks about selling out vs. being relevant; trying his hand at writing songs with lyrics; Nicholas Payton’s outspoken blogging; dealing with online controversy; and managing a life of teaching, performing and fatherhood. Learn more at georgecolligan.com and follow his blog at jazztruth.blogspot.com.

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The Jazz Session #369: Anders Nilsson [ 1:00:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Guitarist Anders Nilsson’s new solo album is Night Guitar (2012). In this interview, Nilsson talks about the influence of Frank Zappa, Deep Purple and others on his guitar playing; why he felt inspired to make a solo record; how he created a multi-layered guitar album that still allows for the element of surprise; and the busy year ahead. Learn more at andersnilssonguitar.com.

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The Jazz Session #368: Dan Cray [ 45:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Dan Cray’s latest CD is Meridies (Origin, 2012). In this interview, Cray talks about moving to New York City at a later stage in his career than most people do; why he decided to focus on his own compositions on this album; the influence of his teachers on his musical career; and how he leaves room for surprise in the studio and on stage. Learn more at dancray.com and follow his on Twitter at @DanCrayJazz.

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The Jazz Session #367: Chris Brubeck [ 1:03:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Chris Brubeck’s latest CD is Live At Zankel Music Center with his band Triple Play. In this interview, conducted at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Brubeck talks about his orchestral compositions; how he gets inside the lives of the people he writes music about; the history of the band Triple Play; and writing music with his father, Dave Brubeck. Learn more at chrisbrubeck.com and follow him on Twitter at @ChrisBrubeck.

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The Jazz Session #366: Romain Collin [ 50:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Romain Collin’s new CD is The Calling (Palmetto Records, 2012). In this interview, Collin talks about the marriage of acoustic performance and sound design on his new album; how his classical training influences his approach to sound; his compositional process and why he sometimes leaves a piece unfinished for months at a time; and the benefits of his time at the Monk Institute and in New York. Learn more at romaincollin.com.

CONCERT NOTE: Collin’s New York CD release party for The Calling is at The Jazz Standard on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Details here.

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The Jazz Session #365: Joel Harrison [ 1:07:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Joel Harrison’s most recent records are Search (Sunnyside Records, 2011) and Holy Abyss (Cuneiform, 2012), a record he co-leads with Lorenzo Feliciati. In this interview, Harrison talks about continuing the blend of classical and jazz influences that began with The Wheel; where he looks for inspiration as a composer and player; the current state of the common language of jazz; and his forays into big band writing. Learn more at joelharrison.com and follow him on Twitter at @JoelHarrisonGtr.

NOTE: This is Joel’s second appearance on The Jazz Session. Listen to our 2008 conversation.

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The Jazz Session #364: Terrence McManus [ 1:03:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Guitarist Terrence McManus’ most recent recording is Transcendental Numbers (No Business, 2011), with bassist Mark Helias and drummer Gerry Hemingway. Other recent recordings include Below The Surface Of, a duet session with Hemingway, and the solo album Brooklyn. In this interview, McManus talks about finding musical inspiration in the natural and industrial worlds; how he tries to free himself of his expectations and preconceptions before each performance; the importance of doing it right … and doing it wrong; and the many projects of which he’s a part. Learn more at terrence-mcmanus.com and follow him on Twitter at @TerrenceMcManus.

CONCERT NOTE: McManus is playing at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 8 p.m. Joining him will be Ellery Eskelin, Mat Maneri and Billy Mintz.

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The Jazz Session #363: Devin Gray [ 55:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Devin Gray’s new CD is Dirigo Rataplan (Skirl Records, 2012). In this interview, Gray talks about finding space for surprise; his early years at the Maine Jazz Camp with the likes of Tony Malaby and Ethan Iverson; finding time and discipline for practice during a busy musical life; and his various projects as a leader and sideman. Learn more at devingraymusic.com and follow him on Twitter at @DevinGrayMusic.

CONCERT NOTE: Devin Gray’s quartet is playing tonight (April 12, 2012) at 8:30 p.m. at Cornelia Street Cafe in New York City.

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The Jazz Session #362: Patrick Cornelius [ 57:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Patrick Cornelius’s latest CD is Maybe Steps (Posi-Tone, 2011). In this interview, Cornelius talks about the new record as a continuation of his previous full-band writing, after a break for his trio record; why it’s important to him to tell stories during his live performances; his time in the artist diploma program at Juilliard; and the economics of jazz records. Learn more at patrickcornelius.com and follow him on Twitter at @PCorneliusMusic.

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The Jazz Session #361: Myra Melford [ 46:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Myra Melford’s most recent recording is The Guest House (Yellowbird Records, 2012) with her collective band Trio M, featuring Matt Wilson and Mark Dresser. In this interview, Melford talks about the recent premiere of her multimedia work “Snowy Egret” in New York; the formation and continued success of Trio M; and how she balances a busy life as a performer with a full schedule as a professor. Learn more at www.myramelford.com.

Concert Note: Trio M is playing two East Coast CD release shows this week. On Friday, April 6, they’re at Firehouse 12 in New Haven, CT and on Saturday, April 7, they’re at the Kitano Hotel in New York City.

Previous Appearance: This is Myra’s second time on The Jazz Session. Listen to her 2009 episode.

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