My latest article for All About Jazz is an interview with saxophonist and composer John Ellis:

Saxophonist John Ellis is a hybrid of New Orleans funk, New York modernity, Presbyterian sanctification and good ol’ performing skills. He blends all those things together on his new record, Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow (Hyena, 2008), which features saxophone, sousaphone, organ and drums.

Ellis celebrated the release of his new album with a two-night stand at the Jazz Standard in New York on May 13 and 14, 2008, participating in the following interview on May 14 just before taking the stage for the first set, where he spoke about getting the band together, the sousaphone, and music past, present and future.

• Visit All About Jazz to read the interview, and watch this space for the next episode of The Jazz Session with John Ellis, featuring music from his new album.

Jason Crane interviews drummer, composer, arranger, educator and NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton. The 86-year-old Hamilton released four albums (!) in 2006, and then collected tracks from the four albums on 2007’s Hamiltonia (Joyous Shout, 2007). This year will see the release of two more recordings — a remix album featuring new takes on classic Hamilton tracks, and an EP that pays tribute to his first recording with a guitar-drum-bass trio. The show features two tracks from the upcoming trio record along with music from Hamiltonia.

My latest article for All About Jazz is an interview with percussionist and educator Bobby Sanabria:

Bobby Sanabria is a living museum of Afro-Cuban music. Sanabria is a percussionist, drummer and educator who is at the forefront of Afro-Cuban music—particularly the frontier where it intersects with jazz. In 2007, Sanabria released Big Band Urban Folktales (Jazzheads, 2007), an album he says takes the music “beyond the 21st century.” Jason Crane, AAJ contributor and host of The Jazz Session, sat down with Sanabria in May 2007 to talk about the history of Afro-Cuban music, Sanabria’s own career, and “The Ugliest Man In America.”

• Read the entire article.

My latest article for All About Jazz is an interview with Russian-born, Jersey-raised pianist Misha Piatigorsky:

Russian-born pianist Misha Piatigorsky fled from behind the Cold-War-era Iron Curtain with his family to make a new life in a small New Jersey town. He started out as a classical pianist before discovering jazz. Since that discovery, he’s moved from bebop to Brazilian to groove music, melding them all seamlessly on his record, Uncommon Circumstance (Misha Music, 2007). Jason Crane, AAJ contributor and host of The Jazz Session, spoke with Piatigorsky in April 2007.

• Misha Piatigorsky: Invent Your Own Bicycle

60,000!

That’s right, folks — 10,000 downloads in 5 weeks. Not bad at all. Thank for your support!

Jason Crane interviews trumpeter and composer Avishai Cohen. (Not to be confused with bassist and composer Avishai Cohen.) Cohen is at the center of a vibrant musical scene in New York City — full of experimentation, melding musical styles, and an appetite for adventure. More than that, Cohen is a philosopher-musician, using his compositions to explore larger societal questions. His 2007 album After The Big Rain (Anzic Records, 2007) looks at the planet after a worldwide flood. The album is the final part of a trilogy (although Part 3 was recorded first) that explores the steps leading up to the flood, the flood itself, and its aftermath.

Here’s my latest article for The Island Packet:

Freddy Cole keeps jazz in the family
By JASON CRANE
Special to the Guide
Published Friday, February 1, 2008

Yes, singer Freddy Cole is Nat’s brother and Natalie’s uncle, and no, that’s nowhere near the end of the story.In fact, the New York Times has called Cole “the most maturely expressive male jazz singer of his generation, if not the best alive.”

There’s no question that Cole is a pianist and singer with impressive chops: He’s got a warm baritone voice that melts over his words and makes them go down easy, and he’s got a swinging piano style that can drive a fast number or lope along lightly on the ballads. Island audiences can check out his style at a series of performances over the weekend at the Jazz Corner.

Freddy Cole was born in 1931, the last of five children in the Cole family. “I started playing piano at five or six,” said Cole. “Music was all around me.”

He had three older brothers. Eddie Cole was in a band called the Solid Swingers that gave brother Nat his first shot at recording. Ike Cole also played piano and sang, after starting out on the bass drum in a military band. And Nat — well, Nat “King” Cole, of course, became one of the most influential and admired pianists and singers of the 20th century.

With all those musicians at home, it’s no surprise that casa Cole was filled with famous names of the swing and big-band era — names like Duke Ellington and Count Basie, and another famous singer and bandleader, Billy Eckstine.

Cole said Eckstine “was a fantastic entertainer. I learned so much from just watching and being around him.”

Freddy Cole had a shot at football stardom, but a hand injury took him out of NFL contention and into the nightclubs of Chicago, where as a teenager he played piano and sang.

But unlike many club singers who hone their craft in piano bars and juke joints, Freddy Cole seasoned his style with stints at two of the great American institutions of music: first at Juilliard in New York City starting in 1951, and then at Boston’s New England Conservatory, where Cole earned his Master’s.

He spent some time on the road with bandleader Earl Bostic, then settled back in New York to work the clubs and expand his repertoire. He also spent time in the studios, recording music for television and writing radio jingles.

Cole’s recording career spans more than 50 years. He made his first record in 1952, and he’s continued to turn out albums ever since. His most recent recording is 2007’s “Music Maestro Please” with pianist Bill Charlap’s trio. Other standouts from the Cole discography include “A Circle of Love” (1996), “This Is The Life” (2000) and “I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me” (2004).

On Feb. 25, The Jazz Session celebrates its first anniversary. One year ago, I sat down with saxophonist Grant Stewart to record show #1. It’s been a great ride since then.

As a matter of fact, TJS hit its 50,000th download today! Thank you very much to all of you for the amazing support you’ve given me. That goes out to all the artists, labels, PR folks, jazz broadcasters and writers, and especially the listeners.

As you know, TJS has been on a hiatus recently because of my ongoing relocation to Albany, NY. I’m still working in Albany five days a week and commuting back to Rochester on the weekends as we get our house ready to sell and look for a new home in Albany. New shows will be on a less-than-regular schedule until that gets straightened out.

But never fear, a new show is here! Trumpeter Avishai Cohen joined me to talk about his album After The Big Rain. The interview is available right now, so check it out!

I’m also getting back into the swing of things with All About Jazz. I’ll have several interviews out soon (I promise, John K!), so look for those at AllAboutJazz.com.

Thanks again for all your support, and for making The Jazz Session more successful than I ever imagined. Onward into 2008!

For those of you who’ve wondered why there have been so few recent episodes of The Jazz Session, the answer is simple. I’m moving. I work for UNITE HERE, a labor union. About a month ago, I was transferred from the Rochester office to the Saratoga Springs office, just north of Albany, NY. I’ve been working in Saratoga Springs since the beginning of December and commuting back to Rochester on the weekends. Until my wife and kids and I have a new home, it’s a bit challenging (read: just about impossible) to schedule and record new interviews. So the show has slowed down a wee bit.

But never fear — The Jazz Session will be back at full speed shortly. In fact, I hope the show will be bigger and better than ever, thanks in part to a partnership will All About Jazz.

So stay tuned, and thanks again for your support!

• Ingrid Jensen — Viking Spirit
• Steve Swallow — The Poetry of Music

You can read the entire list at AAJ’s site.

Happy Holidays from all (one) of us here at The Jazz Session. Where, by the way, we’ve just hit 40,000 downloads!

See you in ‘08!

From Lois Gilbert at JazzCorner.com:

George Cables Healing Fund

As many of you know, George Cables received a liver and kidney transplant in early October 2007. His recovery is going very well, but of course, bills are mounting. We have set up the “George Cables Healing Fund” to help offset some of George’s expenses. The money will go directly to George with no operational costs (except what PayPal takes out) or administrative costs. George will also get a copy of every donation made, and you have an opportunity to write a short note with your donation.

To donate, visit GeorgeCables.com and click on “Healing Fund.”

If you prefer sending a check, please make it payable to:
GEORGE CABLES
c/o JazzCorner.com
245 West 25th St. #2F
New York, NY 10001

You can learn more about George Cables and his relationship with Art Pepper on The Jazz Session #34: Laurie Pepper on Art Pepper

Jason Crane interviews Laurie Pepper, wife of the late alto saxophonist Art Pepper (1925-1982). Laurie has recently put out two sets of previously unreleased live recordings by Art Pepper — Unreleased Art, Vol. 1: The Complete Abashiri Concert — November 22, 1981 (Widow’s Taste, 2006) and Unreleased Art, Vol. 2: The Last Concert (Widow’s Taste, 2007). Both concerts show Pepper at the height of his emotional expression, and still very much in command of his instrument. In this interview, Laurie Pepper talks about the concerts and the process of releasing them, and also gives insight into the troubled and triumphant life of her husband.

The headline says it all — the show passed 30,000 downloads, which means I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the listeners, artists, record labels and promotional folks who make The Jazz Session possible. Thank you!

Here’s my latest article for The Guide, the entertainment magazine put out by The Island Packet newspaper on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This piece is credited on the Web site to “Joshua Klein.” I promise, I wrote it.

Cookie Coogan: Straight Outta Maine
BY JASON CRANE
Published Friday, November 9, 2007

When most people hear the word “jazz,” they associate it with particular geographic areas, such as New York City, Chicago, New Orleans and, um, Maine?

“I was introduced to jazz as a junior high school student in rural Maine,” said pianist and vocalist Cookie Coogan.Many of the school music teachers in the area were and are also fine jazz musicians. I started out playing piano and vibes in the school stage band and went on to study at Maine Jazz Camp during the summers.”

Singing has been a part of Coogan’s life for as long as she can remember. “I have always been a singer,” Coogan said. “My mother is an excellent amateur singer and I began singing with her and my sister in church and the community at a very young age. I think I took my first solo at a Grange meeting when I was 4!”

As for piano playing — that came later, although she began working on her jazz piano skills before she tried her hand at jazz singing. She was tough on herself as a pianist and would sometimes cry during her lessons if she couldn’t play something the right way. Her teacher suggested she sing something.

“I kind of knew ‘Misty,’ so I sang that for him. He taught me about putting the song in my own key and had me sing it again. It must have been decent, because at the end he looked at me and said, ‘Honey, you’re a singer. You’ve got soul.’ That was probably the moment I became a serious singer. I stopped taking piano lessons and took up voice lessons instead!”

Coogan had a chance to sing for bebop pioneer and jazz master Dizzy Gillespie — an experience she remembers fondly. It happened when she met Dizzy backstage at a concert when she was 14 years old.

“I sang, ‘I Get a Kick out of You’ for him, but instead of leaving the space for the band, I just went from one phrase to the next, to save time. [Dizzy] complimented my voice, joked around about taking me on the road and stuff, then he said, ‘You know, you got a lot going on. You could really do this, but I’m gonna give you some advice. Now, when you sing the words, even if the band isn’t there, you still gotta leave the space for them and hear the band in your head.’ That advice stays with me and works to this day.”

Coogan will be performing at the Jazz Corner with the Bob Alberti trio. “Rhythm is very important to me, and while I’m sure to sing a couple of slow and easy ballads and a bossa nova or two, my favorite thing to do is to swing like crazy!”

Jason Crane interviews vocalist Kate McGarry about her new album, The Target (Palmetto, 2007). It’s yet another stellar album in a career that has seen her working with everyone from Fred Hersch to Maria Schneider. On The Target, McGarry is joined by her husband Keith Ganz on guitar, Gary Versace on organ and piano, Reuben Rogers on bass and Greg Hutchinson on drums, along with guest appearances from saxophonist Donny McCaslin and Theo Bleckman on voice loops. On both American songbook classics and impressive new compositions, the band finds an organic chemistry that brings something new to the old tunes and makes the new tunes sound familiar.

Jason Crane interviews pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen. His most recent recording, Being There (ECM, 2007), is part of a trilogy of records exploring the intimate territory traversed by the pianist and his trio. With bassist Harald Johnsen and drummer Jarle Vespestad, Gustavsen delves deeply into the rich musics of the world, filtering the results through a contemplative lens. Being There is an album that rewards repeated listening, and the interview makes it clear that a lot of thought and passion has gone into the music.

My latest article for All About Jazz is an in-depth interview with drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts:

If you’ve listened to any jazz at all in the past couple decades, you’ve probably heard drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. His discography is long and impressive, including appearances on many Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed recordings by various men named Marsalis. He’s also led several of his own dates, including the new album Folk’s Songs (Dark Key Music, 2007) with his band The Ebonix.

All About Jazz contributor Jason Crane talked with Watts about his roots, his musical relationships, and the burgeoning career of vocalist Juan Tainish.

• Read the rest of the article at All About Jazz.
  ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/15/article-jeff-tain-watts-jazz-for-the-modern-age/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/14/the-jazz-session-31-matt-shulman/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/14/the-jazz-session-31-matt-shulman/#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:06:16 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/14/the-jazz-session-31-matt-shulman/

  Jason Crane interviews trumpeter and vocalist Matt Shulman about his new album, So It Goes (Jaggo Records, 2007). Shulman sings and plays trumpet, but that’s where the Chet Baker comparison ends, although like Baker, Shulman incorporates the hip music of the day into his own work. Skilled at multiphonics — playing one note while simultaneously singing another — Shulman is able to expand the range of the trumpet beyond its normal capacity. On So It Goes, Shulman tackles everything from Led Zeppelin to “My Funny Valentine” with impressive results.

  ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/14/the-jazz-session-31-matt-shulman/feed/ 28:16 Jason Crane interviews trumpeter and vocalist Matt Shulman about his new album, So It Goes (Jaggo Records, 2007). Shulman sings and plays trumpet, but that's ... Jason Crane interviews trumpeter and vocalist Matt Shulman about his new album, So It Goes (Jaggo Records, 2007). Shulman sings and plays trumpet, but that's where the Chet Baker comparison ends, although like Baker, Shulman incorporates the hip music of the day into his own work. Skilled at multiphonics -- playing one note while simultaneously singing another -- Shulman is able to expand the range of the trumpet beyond its normal capacity. On So It Goes, Shulman tackles everything from Led Zeppelin to "My Funny Valentine" with impressive results. jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/08/the-jazz-session-30-brian-groder/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/08/the-jazz-session-30-brian-groder/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:22:01 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/08/the-jazz-session-30-brian-groder/

  Jason Crane interviews trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer Brian Groder. Groder’s new album, Torque (Latham Records, 2006), features jazz master Sam Rivers on saxophone and flute, along with bassist Doug Mathews and drummer Anthony Cole. Groder has played with everyone from Cecil Taylor and Joanne Brackeen to Joe Cocker, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. In addition to his various projects with other musicians, Groder also writes music for multimedia pieces and dance ensembles.

  ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/08/the-jazz-session-30-brian-groder/feed/ 34:44 Jason Crane interviews trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer Brian Groder. Groder's new album, Torque (Latham Records, 2006), features jazz master Sam Rivers on saxophone and flute, ... Jason Crane interviews trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer Brian Groder. Groder's new album, Torque (Latham Records, 2006), features jazz master Sam Rivers on saxophone and flute, along with bassist Doug Mathews and drummer Anthony Cole. Groder has played with everyone from Cecil Taylor and Joanne Brackeen to Joe Cocker, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. In addition to his various projects with other musicians, Groder also writes music for multimedia pieces and dance ensembles. Podcast Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/05/article-dirty-dozen-brass-band-is-fighting-for-a-city/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/05/article-dirty-dozen-brass-band-is-fighting-for-a-city/#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:19:12 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/05/article-dirty-dozen-brass-band-is-fighting-for-a-city/ Here’s my latest for The Guide on Hilton Head Island:

  Dirty Dozen Brass Band is fighting for a city
  By JASON CRANE
  Special to the Guide
  Published Friday, October 5, 2007

  It’s been two long years since a combination of natural force and human weakness shoved New Orleans’ head under the water and held it there, two long years since the city that gave birth to jazz found its horns — both musical and automotive — silenced by a rush of water through levees and dams that the government said were safe. Two long years.

  So what’s going on?

  Trumpeter and flugelhornist Efrem Towns, an original member of New Orleans’ own Dirty Dozen Brass Band, says Hurricane Katrina “exposed a lot of issues and social irregularities that shouldn’t be tolerated in the society we live in, but appear in our own backyards. New Orleans will prevail, but as far as the social stuff, it’s what’s been going on. It takes a catastrophe like Katrina to expose the whole thing.”

  As it turns out, even something like Katrina isn’t enough to keep a good city down, and the city’s most prolific brass band, which performs in Savannah tonight, is back with a new album that’s helping to bring some much-needed musical and financial relief to the Crescent City.

  That album is “What’s Going On,” released last year on the first anniversary of Katrina. It’s a musical reworking of the Marvin Gaye classic and a tribute to the city that couldn’t be sunk, all full of swampy backbeats and the thick brass sound that has made the Dirty Dozen one of the city’s quintessential musical outfits. A portion of the proceeds from the record goes to Tipitina’s Foundation (tipitinasfoundation.org), a nonprofit working to restore New Orleans’ musical culture.

  Moreover, to make the point that the city’s influence extends far beyond its borders, the Dirty Dozen are joined on the record by a roster of stellar guests, including Public Enemy founder Chuck D, soul singer Bettye LaVette, G. Love, Guru from the seminal hip-hop outfit Gang Starr, and New Orleans’ own Ivan Neville.

  Dirty Dozen co-founder and trumpeter Gregory Davis is clear about the album’s — and the band’s — message these days. “It just made sense in light of all that happened with the storm,” he said. “But even beyond that, to ask ‘What’s going on?’ in the world makes sense. What happened with 9/11, what happened with the tsunami, what happened with the earthquakes over in Iraq and Afghanistan, what’s happening with the so-called war. What’s really going on?”

  The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has spent three decades forging powerful music from the elements of New Orleans jazz, R&B, hip-hop, funk and pop. They’ve been to more than 65 countries on five continents, but New Orleans will always be home, despite what they’ve lost.

  “I’m not talking about clothes and shoes and material things, but family albums,” said co-founder and baritone sax player Roger Lewis.

  “I have a 7-year-old daughter. I had pictures of myself as a child, but I can’t share them with her because they were destroyed. All she’s really going to know is her dad as a 64-year-old man.”

  ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/05/article-dirty-dozen-brass-band-is-fighting-for-a-city/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/01/article-wayne-escoffery-past-and-future/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/01/article-wayne-escoffery-past-and-future/#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:11:02 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/01/article-wayne-escoffery-past-and-future/

  

  My latest article for All About Jazz is an interview with saxophonist Wayne Escoffery:

  Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery has plotted a smart course to success in jazz, one based on strong educational foundations and constant exposure to the best musicians in the business. From his early days with the Jazzmobile and Artists Collective to his time at The Hartt School and the Thelonious Monk Institute, Escoffery used every opportunity to grow as an improviser, composer and bandleader. His new album is Veneration (Savant, 2007). All About Jazz contributor Jason Crane talked with Escoffery about Jackie McLean, jazz education, and improbable meetings on Valentine’s Day.

  • Read the rest of the article at All About Jazz.
    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/10/01/article-wayne-escoffery-past-and-future/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/24/article-ingrid-jensen-viking-spirit/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/24/article-ingrid-jensen-viking-spirit/#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:10:59 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/24/article-ingrid-jensen-viking-spirit/

    

    My latest article for All About Jazz is an extended interview with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.

    For years, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen wanted to bring together her friend, pianist Maggi Olin, and her sister, saxophonist Christine Jensen, for an album celebrating their shared Nordic ancestry. That album is Flurry (ArtistShare, 2007), by their band Nordic Connect. It’s another deep and moving recording from the Juno-Award-winning Jensen. All About Jazz contributor Jason Crane talked with Jensen about the Viking feeling, the long road to her present success, and whether or not Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer and Bobby Shew are crazy.

    • Read my interview with Ingrid Jensen.
    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/24/article-ingrid-jensen-viking-spirit/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/23/tjs-extra-3-jazz-improv-live-convention/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/23/tjs-extra-3-jazz-improv-live-convention/#comments Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:09:15 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/23/tjs-extra-3-jazz-improv-live-convention/

    Jason Crane interviews Eric Nemeyer, vibraphonist and founder of Jazz Improv magazine. Nemeyer is also the creator of the Jazz Improv Live! Convention, a four-day gathering of jazz musicians, writers, historians, broadcasters and fans. The convention runs from October 25-28 in New York City. It features panel discussions, presentations, and workshops, along with nightly concerts in multiple venues.

    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/23/tjs-extra-3-jazz-improv-live-convention/feed/ 26:17 Jason Crane interviews Eric Nemeyer, vibraphonist and founder of Jazz Improv magazine. Nemeyer is also the creator of the Jazz Improv Live! Convention, a four-day ... Jason Crane interviews Eric Nemeyer, vibraphonist and founder of Jazz Improv magazine. Nemeyer is also the creator of the Jazz Improv Live! Convention, a four-day gathering of jazz musicians, writers, historians, broadcasters and fans. The convention runs from October 25-28 in New York City. It features panel discussions, presentations, and workshops, along with nightly concerts in multiple venues. jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/18/the-jazz-session-hits-20000-downloads/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/18/the-jazz-session-hits-20000-downloads/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:36:47 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/18/the-jazz-session-hits-20000-downloads/

    Seems like it was just a month ago that The Jazz Session passed 15,000 downloads. And now here we are, one month later, and 5,000 more folks have downloaded episodes of the show. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    The show keeps getting better! Coming up in the weeks ahead: Avishai Cohen, Anat Cohen, Tord Gustavsen, Matt Shulman, Joan Stiles, Laurie Pepper (wife of Art Pepper), Ben Sidran, Ingrid Jensen, Brian Groder, Hector Martignon, the Stryker-Slagle Band, Chris Jentsch, Kahil El’Zabar, and more!

    Thanks for listening — and please tell a friend about The Jazz Session.

    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/18/the-jazz-session-hits-20000-downloads/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/14/articles-savannah-jazz-festival-coverage/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/14/articles-savannah-jazz-festival-coverage/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:08:45 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/14/articles-savannah-jazz-festival-coverage/

    I wrote the Savannah Jazz Festival coverage for The Guide, the weekly entertainment magazine on Hilton Head Island. Here’s are the links, along with the full text of all three stories:

    • John Lee Hooker Jr. keeps name alive
    • Savannah bassist Tucker is living jazz history
    • Savannah Jazz Festival schedule of events

    Full articles follow…
    

    John Lee Hooker Jr. keeps name alive
    By JASON CRANE
    Special to the Guide
    Published Thursday, September 13, 2007

    His name is the musical equivalent of JFK Jr., and he’s chosen a career in the same field as his father: the blues.

    So has it been a blessing or a curse for John Lee Hooker Jr., to walk through life with his famous name?

    “I have been blessed by God to carry such a great name and legacy,” said Hooker, who’ll be in Savannah on Sept. 27 for this year’s Savannah Jazz Festival. “My career has been blessed as well, but I had better be authentic and real carrying the Hooker name, or I’d have to duck the eggs and tomatoes.”

    He hasn’t been ducking much food these days. His first album, “Blues With A Vengeance,” was nominated for a Grammy in 2005 in the Traditional Blues category. That same year, he won the W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist Debut.

    “Like Lou Rawls sang, ‘It was a very good year,’ ” Hooker said. “We also won Comeback Artist of the Year, as well as Best Traditional Blues” at the California Music Awards.

    It wasn’t a guaranteed path to glory for John Lee Hooker Jr. He got off to a strong start, performing with his dad in his early teens and recording his first album alongside his father at 18 years old.

    “It was awesome!” he said of seeing crowds react to his father. “Watching all those people yell and girls scream, I almost thought they were doing it because of me. At least I pretended they were. It was great to see how he could command attention. He, in his performances, was hypnotic.”

    FINDING HIS STRENGTH

    But the musician’s life came with more than applause and bus rides. According to Hooker’s biography, “drugs, alcohol, divorce, incarceration, and death” kept him off stages and in trouble for more than two decades. So how did he get back on track?

    “Well, when you don’t have any strength, then you ask the giver of strength to give you some. So I asked God and he provided,” Hooker said. Now his career is humming along again. Hooker has shared the stage with a juke-joint-full of classic blues artists, including A-listers such as B.B. King, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Lucky Peterson, Bo Diddley, Charlie Musselwhite, Koko Taylor, Johnny Johnson and Elvin Bishop. “People are starving for good blues,” Hooker said. “No barriers are in front of the stages. The blues, it’s like a souvenir, an autograph from a big-shot celebrity. It is, as it were, invaluable to hear this blues coming from the other side of the world.”

    Hooker’s second album, “Cold As Ice,” is receiving the same sunny reviews as his first record. He said he wants the disc “to reach every ethnicity, color, creed, (age), sexuality — all people of all walks of life. Everybody’s got something in this album.”

    Hooker’s set kicks of at 9:30 p.m. in Forsyth Park during the Savannah Jazz Festival. For those who plan to attend, he has this warning: “Expect lots of fun, dancing, hand-clapping and singing along,” said Hooker. “But I must ask that you warn the people to not get too close to the stage. It is highly possible that if they do, they will get burnt by some of the hot grease that will be descending from the platform. Unless they are wearing grease-repellant pantyhose or jeans, I would advise that they stand their distance. The people are about to ‘cook with the hook.’”

    * * *

    Savannah bassist Tucker is living jazz history
    By JASON CRANE
    Special to the Guide
    Published Thursday, September 13, 2007

    There’s a giant living in Savannah.

    No, not the kind with a magical harp and a doubloon-laying goose — a musical giant. He plays the bass, and his name is Ben Tucker.

    Check out the liner notes of classic albums by saxophonist Art Pepper, guitarists Kenny Burrell and Grant Green or pianists Sir Roland Hanna, Joe Zawinul and Teddy Edwards, and you’ll find the bass chair filled by Savannah’s Tucker. His tales from the stage and studio read like a jazz history book.

    Tucker on Pepper: “I met Art Pepper in L.A. after playing in and around various jam sessions. After he heard me play, he wanted me to be part of his quartet. He became my mentor, whether he knew it or not. It was purely improvisational, and it worked. And that’s what jazz is all about.”

    On Grant Green: “Grant Green is one of the most underrated guitarists. He couldn’t read music, but when he heard it, it was in his mind, heart, body and soul. The music he created was like pure mountain air that regenerated the soul of man. I recall when Grant Green first hit New York that we ended up in the studio and recorded for days and days and days. He was the talk of New York City at that time. One of the greatest recordings of Grant Green is the Dave Bailey album ‘Two Feet in the Gutter.’ It was greatly underrated.”

    Tucker, who’ll perform Sept. 26 as part of the Savannah Jazz Festival, has lived in Savannah ever since leaving New York City in the 1970s. He said he came to “start a new career in radio when I bought radio station WSOK. I bought the station with (jazz pianist and educator Dr.) Billy Taylor and Doug Pugh. We felt very strongly that African-Americans were not receiving the best in programming, including music, news (and) talk radio on topics of health, education, and political issues.”

    Tucker soon moved from radio entrepreneur to club owner. “The club was called Hard-Hearted Hannah’s and it was started by my wife, Gloria, and I in City Market,” said Tucker. “It became the top jazz club in the Southeast, so much so that a couple of movies were shot there, one with Wayne Shorter playing tenor saxophone.”

    Tucker’s third club location was Hannah’s East. He says there are advantages to having your own place.

    “The advantage of being a jazz musician was that we were able to put together a club with great ambience, atmosphere and acoustics,” Tucker said. “The staff was musically in tune to creative music being performed When Clint Eastwood filmed ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ in Savannah, Hannah’s hosted a party for him. He was mesmerized by the music, the ambience and the quality of the club.”

    * * *

    Savannah Jazz Festival schedule of events
    By JASON CRANE
    Special to the Guide
    Published Thursday, September 13, 2007

    Lately it seems like every town with more than one stoplight has a jazz festival. They vary in length, number of venues, cost and, sadly, jazz content. Yet Savannah can hold its head high, because the 2007 Savannah Jazz Festival has plenty of jazz by some of the music’s greatest living practitioners. Oh, and it’s all free.

    Sept. 26: Jazz Goes South

    The festival kicks off at a new venue — Armstrong Atlantic State University — and the newest generation of jazz musicians: the Savannah Arts Academy Skyelite Jazz Band, which takes the stage at 7 p.m. Following the Skyelite crew at 8:15 p.m. is One Leg Up, a quintet that brings back the “gypsy jazz” sound popularized by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s. Savannah resident’s bass master, Ben Tucker, has played with everyone from Art Pepper to Grant Green to Bob Dorough (the creator of Schoolhouse Rock). Tucker brings a strong band, featuring vocalist Lynn Roberts, to round out a swinging evening at 9:30 p.m.

    Sept. 27: Blues Under The Stars

    On Thursday, the music moves to Forsyth Park, where it remains for the rest of the festival. The festival gets its blues on, too, starting with Savannah’s Eric Culberson and his fiery guitar at 7 p.m.

    At 8:15 p.m., the spotlight shifts to South Carolina, as Columbia-based Elliott and the Untouchables show why they’ve opened for Van Morrison. His father’s name is synonymous with the blues, but John Lee Hooker Jr., is his own man. See how strong DNA turns out to be when Hooker “cooks with the hook” at 9:30 p.m.

    Sept. 28: Smooth And Saxy

    Don’t let the night’s theme fool you: “Smooth and Saxy” may sound like a ringtone, but there’s more than enough of the real thing to keep purists happy, and enough accessible melody to bring in new fans, too. It’s hard to know what to say about a band that’s opened for both the Beach Boys and Public Enemy, but Between 9 & 7 will let their music do the talking in Forsyth Park at 7 p.m.

    The soprano saxophone gets a bad rap because of one Mr. Gorelick, but it’s important to remember that John Coltrane and Steve Lacy played it, too. Soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas is making a name for himself outside his native Atlanta, having performed with everyone from Hugh Masekela to five-time Grammy-nominated singer Nneena Freelon. His set starts at 8:15 p.m.

    At 9:30 p.m., one of jazz’s longest-lasting ensembles comes to Savannah. Yellowjackets (no “the,” please) features saxophonist Bob Mintzer, bassist Jimmy Haslip, pianist Russell Ferrante and drummer Marcus Baylor — each a respected player in his own right. For this performance, they’ll add saxophonist Eric Marienthal, best known for his years with Chick Corea.

    Sept. 29: Beautiful City, Beautiful Music

    On Saturday, Forsyth Park is the place to be for fans of hard-swinging, smart, in-the-pocket, root-to-the-fruit jazz.

    To start with, there are piano players and there are piano players. In the latter category of musicians who’ve brought new life and intelligence to the instrument is Kenny Barron, who plays at 7 p.m. Any chance to see Barron is a chance worth taking, but this is a must-see gig, as it pairs him with drummer Ben Riley, longtime musical companion of Thelonious Monk. Barron and Riley go way back, having played in the ’70s and ’80s with bassist Ron Carter.

    Are there any John Coltrane fans in the house? Stick around after the Barron/Riley show, because drummer Rashied Ali brings the noise to the park at 8:15 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to see Ali, who seldom performs outside New York City. Ali replaced Elvin Jones as Coltrane’s drummer during the latter stages of the saxophonist’s career, appearing on Coltrane’s final recordings, “Olatunji Concert” and “Interstellar Space.”

    At 9:30 p.m., one of today’s top saxophonists takes the stage: Vincent Herring will join the Savannah Jazz Orchestra, a 16-piece band co-led by Randall Reese and Teddy Adams.

    Also, each night during the festival, head over to Kokopelli’s at 107 W. Broughton St. for the After Festival Jam Session. You never know who might show up. The jam session starts at 11 p.m. each night.

    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/14/articles-savannah-jazz-festival-coverage/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/10/the-jazz-session-29-donny-mccaslin/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/10/the-jazz-session-29-donny-mccaslin/#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:44:40 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/10/the-jazz-session-29-donny-mccaslin/

    

    Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Donny McCaslin. One of the busiest saxophonists in the business, McCaslin plays with Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas and many others. He also fronts his own groups, including the band on his new CD, In Pursuit (Sunnyside, 2007). A follow-up to his critically acclaimed record Soar (Sunnyside, 2006), In Pursuit features compositions commissioned for a Chamber Music America grant. McCaslin talks about his father’s influence, playing with Gary Burton, and the life of an in-demand musician.

    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/10/the-jazz-session-29-donny-mccaslin/feed/ 37:34 Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Donny McCaslin. One of the busiest saxophonists in the business, McCaslin plays with Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas and many others. He ... Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Donny McCaslin. One of the busiest saxophonists in the business, McCaslin plays with Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas and many others. He also fronts his own groups, including the band on his new CD, In Pursuit (Sunnyside, 2007). A follow-up to his critically acclaimed record Soar (Sunnyside, 2006), In Pursuit features compositions commissioned for a Chamber Music America grant. McCaslin talks about his father's influence, playing with Gary Burton, and the life of an in-demand musician. jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/the-jazz-session-28-brian-patneaude/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/the-jazz-session-28-brian-patneaude/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:21:34 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/the-jazz-session-28-brian-patneaude/

    Jason Crane interviews saxophonist and composer Brian Patneaude. His new quartet album is called As We Know It (WEPA Records, 2007). Patneaude was born and raised near Albany, NY. He’s chosen to make his musical stand in Albany, and the choice is paying off. Patneaude is a busy musician, whether it’s his weekly residency at famed Albany jazz club Justin’s or his continuing gig with Grammy-nominated Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra. As We Know It features seven strong compositions by Patneaude, and some inspired playing by his regular working band and guest pianist Dave Payette.

    ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/the-jazz-session-28-brian-patneaude/feed/ 33:28 Jason Crane interviews saxophonist and composer Brian Patneaude. His new quartet album is called As We Know It (WEPA Records, 2007). Patneaude was born and ... Jason Crane interviews saxophonist and composer Brian Patneaude. His new quartet album is called As We Know It (WEPA Records, 2007). Patneaude was born and raised near Albany, NY. He's chosen to make his musical stand in Albany, and the choice is paying off. Patneaude is a busy musician, whether it's his weekly residency at famed Albany jazz club Justin's or his continuing gig with Grammy-nominated Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra. As We Know It features seven strong compositions by Patneaude, and some inspired playing by his regular working band and guest pianist Dave Payette. Podcast Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/tjs-cause-of-the-month-tipitinas-foundation/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/tjs-cause-of-the-month-tipitinas-foundation/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:53:36 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/tjs-cause-of-the-month-tipitinas-foundation/ Every month, The Jazz Session asks you to take a little of your hard-earned cash and give it to folks who need it. This month’s cause:

    

    The mission of the Tipitina’s Foundation is to restore Louisiana’s irreplaceable music community and preserve the state’s unique musical cultures. The history of the Tipitina’s Foundation originates from the Tipitina’s music venue, a revered cultural icon that continues to be instrumental in the development and promotion of New Orleans music around the world. The foundation works to support childhood music education, the professional development of adult musicians, and the increased profile and viability of New Orleans music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource.

    The Tipitina’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1997, has worked diligently to uplift the music community of New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, the Foundation adjusted its programs to contribute to rebuilding the musical culture of New Orleans. The Tipitina’s Foundation focuses it efforts on four programs:

    1. Instruments A Comin’, which purchases much needed instruments for New Orleans area school band programs. To date we have purchased over one million dollars worth of instruments for over 20 schools benefiting over 800 students.
    2. Tipitina’s Internship Program is a mentoring program teaching all aspects of the music industry to New Orleans exceptional music students. Since its launch in 2003, we have had over 60 interns who have completed the program and gone on to further there music and production careers at established organizations such as Juilliard School, Brown University, Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts / NYU, and the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
    3. Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op, statewide resource facilities providing business development and job skills training for local musicians and other digital media professionals. New Orleans, Shreveport, Alexandria boasts over 1,000 members statewide. The Baton Rouge Co-Op opening date to be determined.
    4. Sunday Music Workshops offer students the opportunity to play with and learn from the best musicians in the city including featured artists, Stanton Moore, Johnny Vidacovich, Kirk Joseph, and Theresa Anderson.

       Through these efforts, the Tipitina’s Foundation is preserving the musical cultures of New Orleans.

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/tjs-cause-of-the-month-tipitinas-foundation/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/28/article-audrey-shakir/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/28/article-audrey-shakir/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:01:48 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/28/article-audrey-shakir/

       Here’s my latest piece for The Guide, the weekly entertainment magazine on Hilton Head Island, SC. This version is slightly longer than the piece that ran, which was the victim of space considerations.

       For vocalist Shakir, jazz music is in the blood
       By JASON CRANE
       Special to the Guide

       When Atlanta’s Audrey Shakir sings at The Jazz Corner on August 24-25, she’ll be bringing more than one generation of musical DNA to the stage with her.

       “I grew up in a musical family,” Shakir said. “My mother was Ruby Patton, a very well respected musician in the Cleveland, Ohio area, with some national standing as a church musician. I was the oldest of five children, and a regular part of our upbringing was to learn to play the piano. So I really can’t remember not being able to read music. I did the usual — sang in and played for church and school choirs. And in our house, we grew up listening to everything. My folks really loved the big bands and swing music, so we heard a lot of that.”

       Shakir said that television played a part in her musical education, too, in the days when jazz and swing artists made regular appearances on the small screen.

       “There were variety shows where one could see Ella Fitzgerald and the Count Basie Band,” said Shakir. “I remember seeing [Ella] sing with Duke Ellington on television, and with Joe Pass once. The Nat King Cole Show was just swinging.”

       Early in her career, Shakir honed her musical chops singing then-current music by Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder. It wasn’t long, though, before she made the move to jazz.

       “Pop music was easy to start with,” said Shakir, “because it’s all given, you know what I mean? But the regular comment I tended to get was something like ‘That’s nice, but it isn’t quite right.’ It seems to me that when performing pop music, one really needs to be like a record player. Everyone knows how it goes, so you just reproduce what everyone knows. So it was more or less put on me that I was trying to be a jazz musician, because everything I did was kind of my way anyway.”

       Like many aspiring jazz musicians, Shakir moved to New York City to try her hand on the world’s biggest stage. For nearly a decade, she sang in New York clubs and went to nightly “classes” with the great names of jazz.

       “New York was a great big school of music for me,” said Shakir. “I remember one jam session at the Star Cafe on 23rd Street, I think it was, and I was sitting at the piano. [Trumpeter] Tommy Turrentine was there, [pianist] Albert Daley, and someone called for ‘Sweet Georgia Brown.’ I said I didn’t know it and moved away from the piano. Tommy made me sit there and we went over that tune until I could play it — badly. Everyone just stood around until the lesson was over. I found a great deal of encouragement in New York.”

       Shakir often performed and studied with bebop piano master Barry Harris, who is famous not only for his playing, but for his weekly teaching sessions that are frequented by newer musicians and veterans alike.

       “I still call him to see how he is, to hear his voice,” she said. “He has a way of teaching — maybe coaching is a better term. He doesn’t crank out jazz musicians; he doesn’t show you how to be a jazz musician. He has a way of helping you discover what you want to do, how you want to express yourself. He’s one of the most thoughtful persons I have met in my life.”

       Shakir will be singing with pianist Justin Varnes and his trio when she performs at The Jazz Corner.

       “Expect to hear people trying to match the high level of proficiency that has been set by the earlier practitioners,” she said. “We work individually to develop ourselves as musicians, and we are working together to develop strong group concepts.”

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/28/article-audrey-shakir/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/27/the-jazz-session-27-joel-frahm/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/27/the-jazz-session-27-joel-frahm/#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:32:45 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/27/the-jazz-session-27-joel-frahm/

       

       Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Joel Frahm. Frahm is one of the busiest saxophonists on the scene today. You’ll find him on recordings with pianist Brad Mehldau, vocalist Jane Monheit, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, drummers Matt Wilson and Pete Zimmer, and the Waverly 7. His fourth record as a leader, We Used To Dance (Anzic Records, 2007), brings together a classic rhythm section that played with Stan Getz on some of his final recordings: pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis. Frahm wrote many of the tunes on the record and also paid homage to those Getz recordings with tunes such as “Joanne Julia.” Frahm calls himself a musical chameleon, but his own personal tone and approach shines through on We Used To Dance.

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/27/the-jazz-session-27-joel-frahm/feed/ 35:02 Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Joel Frahm. Frahm is one of the busiest saxophonists on the scene today. You'll find him on recordings with pianist Brad ... Jason Crane interviews saxophonist Joel Frahm. Frahm is one of the busiest saxophonists on the scene today. You'll find him on recordings with pianist Brad Mehldau, vocalist Jane Monheit, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, drummers Matt Wilson and Pete Zimmer, and the Waverly 7. His fourth record as a leader, We Used To Dance (Anzic Records, 2007), brings together a classic rhythm section that played with Stan Getz on some of his final recordings: pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis. Frahm wrote many of the tunes on the record and also paid homage to those Getz recordings with tunes such as "Joanne Julia." Frahm calls himself a musical chameleon, but his own personal tone and approach shines through on We Used To Dance. Podcast Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/20/the-jazz-session-26-eberhard-weber/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/20/the-jazz-session-26-eberhard-weber/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:05:31 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/20/the-jazz-session-26-eberhard-weber/

       

       Jason Crane interviews bassist Eberhard Weber. Weber’s name is synonymous with the “ECM sound,” because he’s been the bassist of choice on classic ECM recordings dating back to the label’s founding three decades ago. Since the early 1980s, Weber has played in saxophonist Jan Garbarek’s band. To celebrate his 65th birthday, the city of Stuttgart, Germany, threw Weber a two-night concert party. He was joined on stage by an orchestra, Garbarek, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and others from his musical career. The resulting album, Stages Of A Long Journey (ECM, 2007), is Weber’s first live recording and a wonderful testament to his virtuosity as both bassist and composer.

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/20/the-jazz-session-26-eberhard-weber/feed/ 40:17 Jason Crane interviews bassist Eberhard Weber. Weber's name is synonymous with the "ECM sound," because he's been the bassist of choice on classic ECM recordings ... Jason Crane interviews bassist Eberhard Weber. Weber's name is synonymous with the "ECM sound," because he's been the bassist of choice on classic ECM recordings dating back to the label's founding three decades ago. Since the early 1980s, Weber has played in saxophonist Jan Garbarek's band. To celebrate his 65th birthday, the city of Stuttgart, Germany, threw Weber a two-night concert party. He was joined on stage by an orchestra, Garbarek, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and others from his musical career. The resulting album, Stages Of A Long Journey (ECM, 2007), is Weber's first live recording and a wonderful testament to his virtuosity as both bassist and composer. Podcast Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/19/article-terry-blaine/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/19/article-terry-blaine/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:12:34 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/19/article-terry-blaine/ Here’s my latest piece for The Guide, the weekly entertainment magazine on Hilton Head Island, SC:

       

       • Terry Blaine: It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing
       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/19/article-terry-blaine/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/15/the-jazz-session-reaches-15000-downloads/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/15/the-jazz-session-reaches-15000-downloads/#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:17:00 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/15/the-jazz-session-reaches-15000-downloads/

       I’m very excited to report that some time today, August 14, The Jazz Session passed 15,000 downloads. Thank you to all the artists, promoters, writers, and — most importantly — listeners who’ve made this show a success. On we go! Coming up in the weeks ahead:

       • Laurie Pepper (wife of Art Pepper)
       • Joel Frahm
       • Eberhard Weber
       • Ben Sidran
       • Ingrid Jensen
       • … and many, many more!

       If you’re not yet a subscriber to the show, please take a minute to subscribe. It’s completely free! You can subscribe in two easy ways:

       • via iTunes, or
       • using any RSS reader.

       Thanks!

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/15/the-jazz-session-reaches-15000-downloads/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/14/the-jazz-session-25-kendrick-scott/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/14/the-jazz-session-25-kendrick-scott/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2007 05:08:41 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/14/the-jazz-session-25-kendrick-scott/

       

       Jason Crane interviews drummer and composer Kendrick Scott. Scott’s new album with his band Oracle is The Source (World Culture Music, 2007). Scott grew up in Houston, surrounded by a musical family and the Baptist church. He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a musician, and he followed this path from Houston’s arts high school to Berklee and then into gigs with The Crusaders and Terence Blanchard. The Source weaves together these musical threads into a unified tapestry of lyricism and beauty.

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/14/the-jazz-session-25-kendrick-scott/feed/ 32:26 Jason Crane interviews drummer and composer Kendrick Scott. Scott's new album with his band Oracle is The Source (World Culture Music, 2007). Scott grew up ... Jason Crane interviews drummer and composer Kendrick Scott. Scott's new album with his band Oracle is The Source (World Culture Music, 2007). Scott grew up in Houston, surrounded by a musical family and the Baptist church. He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a musician, and he followed this path from Houston's arts high school to Berklee and then into gigs with The Crusaders and Terence Blanchard. The Source weaves together these musical threads into a unified tapestry of lyricism and beauty. jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/06/the-jazz-session-24-miroslav-vitous/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/06/the-jazz-session-24-miroslav-vitous/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:05:49 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/06/the-jazz-session-24-miroslav-vitous/

       Jason Crane interviews bassist Miroslav Vitous. Vitous came to the U.S. in 1966, and quickly became part of the New York jazz scene. He was a founding member of Weather Report along with Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul. Vitous played on the landmark trio session Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Blue Note, 1968) with Chick Corea and Roy Haynes. Vitous’s new album is Universal Syncopations II (ECM, 2007), the sequel to his critically acclaimed Universal Syncopations (ECM, 2003). The album features trumpeter Randy Brecker, woodwind player Bob Mintzer, drummer Gerald Cleaver and many others.

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/06/the-jazz-session-24-miroslav-vitous/feed/ 32:44 Jason Crane interviews bassist Miroslav Vitous. Vitous came to the U.S. in 1966, and quickly became part of the New York jazz scene. He was ... Jason Crane interviews bassist Miroslav Vitous. Vitous came to the U.S. in 1966, and quickly became part of the New York jazz scene. He was a founding member of Weather Report along with Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul. Vitous played on the landmark trio session Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Blue Note, 1968) with Chick Corea and Roy Haynes. Vitous's new album is Universal Syncopations II (ECM, 2007), the sequel to his critically acclaimed Universal Syncopations (ECM, 2003). The album features trumpeter Randy Brecker, woodwind player Bob Mintzer, drummer Gerald Cleaver and many others. jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 03:54:03 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/

       Every month, The Jazz Session asks you to take a little of your hard-earned cash and give it to folks who need it. This month’s cause:

       

       The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving elementary school children of all backgrounds and, diversities. In its capacity as a public charity, the Foundation operates in affiliation with, but separately from, VH1 the cable music channel.

       The VH1 Save The Music Foundation provides a unique service in its efforts to improve the current state of education. The Foundation works directly to support only music education programs and does not provide any money to the school or school district. Instead, The Foundation provides complete band, string, keyboard, or guitar programs to benefiting schools. It is our belief that by providing instruments and not funding, our contribution will be used for its intended purpose: the restoration of public school music programs.

       Please help these folks do what they do by visiting their Web site. Thanks!

       ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/article-rick-parker-finding-his-own-space/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/article-rick-parker-finding-his-own-space/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:34:57 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/article-rick-parker-finding-his-own-space/

       

       The transcript of my interview with Rick Parker is now available at All About Jazz.

       • READ
       • LISTEN
         ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/article-rick-parker-finding-his-own-space/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/the-jazz-session-23-rick-parker/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/the-jazz-session-23-rick-parker/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:15:40 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/the-jazz-session-23-rick-parker/

         

         Jason Crane interviews composer and trombonist Rick Parker. Parker’s most recent album with the Rick Parker Collective is Finding Space (WJF Records, 2006). It was named one of the top CDs of 2006 by Michael Ricci, publisher of All About Jazz. Parker sees himself as a composer first, trombonist second. His passion for writing shows on Finding Space, an album of original music by Parker (plus one number by drummer Kyle Struve). Parker won an ASCAP Young Composer Award for the album’s second track, “Nervous Energy.”

         ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/30/the-jazz-session-23-rick-parker/feed/ 40:57 Jason Crane interviews composer and trombonist Rick Parker. Parker's most recent album with the Rick Parker Collective is Finding Space (WJF Records, 2006). It was ... Jason Crane interviews composer and trombonist Rick Parker. Parker's most recent album with the Rick Parker Collective is Finding Space (WJF Records, 2006). It was named one of the top CDs of 2006 by Michael Ricci, publisher of All About Jazz. Parker sees himself as a composer first, trombonist second. His passion for writing shows on Finding Space, an album of original music by Parker (plus one number by drummer Kyle Struve). Parker won an ASCAP Young Composer Award for the album's second track, "Nervous Energy." jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/24/the-jazz-session-22-david-witham/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/24/the-jazz-session-22-david-witham/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:12:49 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/24/the-jazz-session-22-david-witham/

         

         Jason Crane interviews keyboardist and composer David Witham. Witham is George Benson’s musical director, a gig he’s held down for more than 20 years. His resume includes everyone from Michael Brecker and Eddie Harris to k.d. lang, Jose Feliciano and Paul Anka. On his new album, Spinning The Circle (Cryptogramophone, 2007), Witham assembles an all-star cast from across the musical spectrum to play primarily his own compositions.

         ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/24/the-jazz-session-22-david-witham/feed/ 31:37 Jason Crane interviews keyboardist and composer David Witham. Witham is George Benson's musical director, a gig he's held down for more than 20 years. His ... Jason Crane interviews keyboardist and composer David Witham. Witham is George Benson's musical director, a gig he's held down for more than 20 years. His resume includes everyone from Michael Brecker and Eddie Harris to k.d. lang, Jose Feliciano and Paul Anka. On his new album, Spinning The Circle (Cryptogramophone, 2007), Witham assembles an all-star cast from across the musical spectrum to play primarily his own compositions. Podcast Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/the-jazz-session-21-gene-bertoncini/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/the-jazz-session-21-gene-bertoncini/#comments Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:51:54 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/the-jazz-session-21-gene-bertoncini/

         Jason Crane interviews guitarist Gene Bertoncini. 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.

         ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/the-jazz-session-21-gene-bertoncini/feed/ 41:28 Jason Crane interviews guitarist Gene Bertoncini. Raised in the Bronx, Bertoncini began his musical education at an early age, encouraged by his parents. He studied ... Jason Crane interviews guitarist Gene Bertoncini. 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. jazz,interview,music,improvisation,musician Jason Crane no No http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/article-lisa-roti-bringing-chicago-jazz-to-the-world/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/article-lisa-roti-bringing-chicago-jazz-to-the-world/#comments Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:53:35 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/article-lisa-roti-bringing-chicago-jazz-to-the-world/

         Here’s my latest piece for The Guide, the weekly entertainment magazine on Hilton Head Island, SC:

         • Lisa Roti bringing Chicago jazz to the world
         ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/07/16/article-lisa-roti-bringing-chicago-jazz-to-the-world/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-in-review/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-in-review/#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:50:01 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-in-review/

         The Jazz Session brought you more than 7 hours of coverage and more than two dozen interviews from this year’s Rochester International Jazz Festival. Here’s a list of the week’s guests:

         • Festival producers John Nugent & Marc Iacona
         • Trumpeter Mike Catone
         • Jazz broadcaster Gary O
         • Festival staffer Bob Madeira
         • Vidar Brathen of the Norwegian Jazz Forum
         • Bengt Strokirk of Concerts Sweden
         • Norway’s Zanussi Five
         • Trumpeter Saskia Laroo
         • Trumpeter Peter Asplund
         • Canadian Afrobeat band Mr. Something Something
         • Trombonist Robin Eubanks
         • Lisa Nordstrom from Midaircondo
         • Pianist Dino Losito
         • Drummer Mike Melito
         • Drummer Matt Wilson
         • Guitarist Mel Henderson of Paradigm Shift
         • Pianist Jason Moran
         • Clarinetist Don Byron
         • Andy Milne and John Moon from Dapp Theory
         • Greg, Seth and Ken from the jazz blogosphere

         And here’s the complete list of shows (not counting the Quick Hits moblogging entries):

         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 1
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 2
         • Nordic Jazz Now
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 3
         • The Jazz Session #16: Robin Eubanks
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 4
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 5
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 6
         • The Jazz Session #17: Matt Wilson
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 7
         • The Jazz Session #18: Jason Moran
         • The Jazz Session #19: Don Byron
         • The Jazz Session #20: Dapp Theory
         • Rochester International Jazz Festival Day 9
         ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-in-review/feed/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-day-9/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-day-9/#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2007 07:07:38 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/17/rochester-international-jazz-festival-day-9/

         Show #9 from the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Featuring reviews, news, interviews and more! On this edition: Live sound samples from The Jens Winther European Quartet, Cowboy Mouth, The Soul Rebels and Avishai Cohen. Then, the grand finale: Greg, Seth, Ken and Jason get together for one massive roundtable discussion about the festival. Enjoy — and see you next year!

         Be sure to visit the following sites for more RIJF coverage:

         • Fretful Porpentine
         • Jazz@Rochester
         • Cup O’ Books
         • Will Yurman’s multimedia slideshows
         • Refrigerator
         • Ron Ne