Jason Crane interviews the members of the Respect Sextet. Their new album, Sirius Respect (Mode, 2009), explores the music of composers Karlheinz Stockhausen and Sun Ra. Formed nearly a decade ago at the Eastman School of Music, the Respect Sextet combines freewheeling improvisation with driving rhythms and a sense of humor. The members of the band have wide-ranging musical tastes and a fearlessly collaborative aesthetic, which leads to one-of-a-kind performances. In this interview, the members of Respect talk about the formation of the band, how they approach performance, and the use of humor in their music. Find out more at RespectSextet.com.

 

 The Jazz Session #64: The Respect Sextet [48:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #64: The Respect Sextet [48:24m]: Download

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Jason Crane interviews keyboardist Henry Hey, saxophonist Chris Cheek and bassist Tim Lefebvre, who, along with drummer Keith Carlock, make up the band Rudder. Rudder’s new album is called Matorning (Nineteen-Eight Records, 2009). These four musicians are incredibly busy in the jazz and pop worlds, but they’ve found the time to create a hip-shaking, brain-stimulating musical hybrid that some critics have said is in a genre all by itself. In this interview, the band talks about its history, the odd name of its new album, and the relative lack of crossover between the jazz and jam-band worlds.

 

 The Jazz Session #63: Rudder [27:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Jason Crane interviews trombonist Jeff Albert about his new album, Similar In The Opposite Way (Fora Sound, 2009). Albert is one of the leaders of the creative music scene in New Orleans, and his Open Ears Music Series helps provide a home for experimental and free music in the Crescent City. In this interview, Albert talks about the Frenchman Street scene, his Chicago-New Orleans connection, and the cultural condition of post-Katrina New Orleans. Find out more at jeffalbert.com.

 

 The Jazz Session #62: Jeff Albert [31:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #62: Jeff Albert [31:23m]: Download

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Jason Crane interviews vocalist and pianist Lisa Sokolov about her new album, A Quiet Thing. Sokolov is not like any singer you’ve ever heard before, but she is certainly one you need to hear. In this interview, Sokolov talks about what singing is and how she’s arrived at her unique approach to performance and arranging. She also talks about writing haiku in her sleep, and the song that resulted.

 

 The Jazz Session #61: Lisa Sokolov [29:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #61: Lisa Sokolov [29:18m]: Download

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Jason Crane interviews drummer Mike Melito. While not a household name among jazz fans, Melito is well known to many jazz musicians, having played with everyone from James Moody and Benny Golson to Joe Locke and Rachel Z. Melito is based in Rochester, NY, and he made the decision early on to stay in his hometown and build his career there. His 2008 album, In The Tradition, features saxophonist Grant Stewart, trumpeter John Swana, bassist Neil Miner, and two fellow Rochesterians — pianist Paul Hofmann and guitarist Bob Sneider.

 The Jazz Session #60: Mike Melito [27:23m]: Download

 

 The Jazz Session #60: Mike Melito [27:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Jason Crane interviews vibraphonist Gary Burton. After three decades, Burton reunited with Pat Metheny and Steve Swallow — and added drummer Antonio Sanchez — to record Quartet Live! (Concord Jazz, 2009), an album celebrating the music of the original Gary Burton Quartet. Originally conceived as a one-time-only performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the band quickly realized that the music was worth exploring again. Burton talks about the new quartet, his projects with Chick Corea and Makoto Ozone, and his “semi-retirement.” And be sure to visit allaboutjazz.com for even more interviews and reviews about Burton’s new recording.

 

 The Jazz Session #59: Gary Burton [32:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #59: Gary Burton [32:54m]: Download

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Jason Crane interviews trumpeter Hugh Masekela about his 2009 album Phola (Times Square Records). The album finds Masekela in a quieter, more reflective mood — a decision he credits to producer Erik Paliani. Despite the more reserved surroundings, Masekela’s flugelhorn playing is as intense as ever. In the interview, Masekela discusses Miriam Makeba, music as a political force, and why he doesn’t play for fun.

 

 The Jazz Session #58: Hugh Masekela [28:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #58: Hugh Masekela [28:00m]: Download

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Jason Crane interiews Steve Lake of ECM Records about the Touchstones series, ECM’s reissue series of classic recordings in new packaging at affordable prices. Lake has been with the label since the earliest days and has seen ECM grow into one of the world’s most respected music labels. In this interview, Lake discusses the history of ECM, and also talks about individual recordings from Paul Bley, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Colin Walcott and others.

 

 The Jazz Session #57: ECM Touchstones Series [31:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #57: ECM Touchstones Series [31:49m]: Download

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Jason Crane interviews saxophonist David Sanborn. Sanborn is one of the few jazz players whose name is known even outside the jazz world. It’s fitting, then, that he’s using his new album Here & Gone (Decca, 2008) to bring a lesser-known jazz saxophonist into wider awareness. Here & Gone celebrates the music of Hank Crawford, a saxophone player and the principal arranger for the Ray Charles “little big band” of the 50s and 60s. Crawford’s playing had a huge impact on Sanborn, and Sanborn repays the favor with this thoughtful and soulful tribute.

 

 The Jazz Session #56: David Sanborn [23:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #56: David Sanborn [23:13m]: Download

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Jason Crane interviews vibraphonist James Westfall, bassist Dan Loomis and drummer Jared Schonig, known collectively as The Wee Trio. Their first record, Capitol Diner Vol. 1 (Bionic Records, 2008) features original music, jazz standards … and Nirvana. The trio explores the music they love through the lens of collective improvisation, and the results are fresh, fun and worth repeated listening. Find out more at theweetrio.com.

 

 The Jazz Session #55: The Wee Trio [33:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The Jazz Session #55: The Wee Trio [33:34m]: Download

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