The Jazz Session #329: Adam Schatz [ 51:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Adam Schatz is the founder of Search & Restore, which opened its doors in late 2007 and has since become a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to bringing the artists and audiences of new jazz and improvised music together in new ways. In this interview, Schatz talks about the musical components of the organization’s mission and his own pursuits as a performing musician. Learn more about Search & Restore at searchandrestore.com and about their current fundraising efforts at jazz2012.com. The fundraiser runs through Dec. 19, 2011.

NOTE: This interview is a companion piece to my video conversation with Schatz, which you’ll find at JazzDIY’s site, JazzDIY.com.

The Jazz Session #328: Michael Bates [ 1:05:29 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Michael Bates’s new album is called Acrobat: Music For, And By, Dmitri Shostakovich (Sunnyside, 2011). In this interview, Bates talks about the appeal of Shostakovich the man and the composer; how he used Shostakovich’s music as a starting point for his own compositions and improvisations; and the new trio music he’s been working on. Learn more at outsidesources.org.

The Jazz Session #327: Amir ElSaffar [ 1:03:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Trumpeter Amir ElSaffar’s new CD is Inana (Pi Recordings, 2011). In this interview, ElSaffar explains maqam music and his decision to spend five years studying it in depth; how he plays microtonal music on a standard Bb trumpet; and his particular combination of traditional Arabic music with jazz. Learn more at amirelsaffar.com and follow him on Twitter at @amirelsaffar.

The Jazz Session #325: Mike Baggetta [ 1:08:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Guitarist Mike Baggetta’s new CD is Source Materials. In this interview, Baggetta talks about his compositional process and how he writes for specific ensembles; his experiments with prepared guitar in both solo and duet formats; and how he approaches playing standards. Learn more at mikebaggetta.com and follow him on Twitter at @mabnotes.

The Jazz Session #325: Joan Stiles [ 48:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Joan Stiles’ new CD is Three Musicians, featuring Joel Frahm and Matt Wilson. In this interview, Stiles talks about playing without a bassist; how visual art and music come together in her life; and her collage-based approach to playing standards. Learn more at joanstilesmusic.com.

The Jazz Session #324: Tim Hagans [ 58:50 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Trumpeter Tim Hagans’ new CD is The Moon Is Waiting (Palmetto Records, 2011). In this interview, Hagans talks about his special relationship with his drummer of choice; how he worked with a choreographer to write some of the music on the new album; and how he’s evolved over the years as a composer for large and small ensembles. Learn more at timhagans.com.

The Jazz Session #323: Andrea Wolper [ 59:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Vocalist Andrea Wolper’s new CD is Parallel Lives (Jazzed Media, 2011). In this interview, Wolper talks about her unfettered and very personal approach to song choice and performance; how poetry influences her work; and her parallel life as an activist for social justice. Learn more at andreawolper.com and follow her on Twitter at @AndreaWolper.

The Jazz Session #322: Matt Mitchell [ 52:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Matt Mitchell has been making a name for himself in the bands of Tim Berne, John Hollenbeck and Darius Jones, among others. In this interview, Mitchell talks about finding his place in the bands of composers with strong visions; how a set of self-penned practice pieces became duet performance vehicles; and why he may finally be ready to record his first album. Learn more at mattmitchell.us and follow him on Twitter at @mattmitchellus.

The Jazz Session #321: Nicholas Payton [ 1:05:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Trumpeter Nicholas Payton’s new CD is Bitches (In+Out Records, 2011). In this interview, Payton talks about his outspoken presence on social media; why he thinks it’s important to bring groove and sensuality back to jazz; and how his New Orleans roots have shaped the way he approaches music and performance. Learn more at nicholaspayton.com and follow him on Twitter at @paynic.

The Jazz Session #320: Camila Meza [ 50:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza’s most recent CD is Retrato (Vertice Records, 2009). In this interview, Meza talks about her early days learning guitar in her native Chile; how a teacher discovered she could sing and the effect it had on her life; and how she sometimes feels like two people at once when she plays and sings at the same time. Learn more at camilameza.com.

CONCERT NOTE: Camila Meza performs on 11/1/11 at 8:30 p.m. at Cornelia Street Cafe in New York.

The Jazz Session #319: Gerald Wilson (Part 2) [ 45:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Composer and bandleader Gerald Wilson’s new CD is Legacy (Mack Avenue Records, 2011). This is part two of a two-part conversation. (Listen to Part 1.) In this part, Wilson talks about his time in the Navy during World War II; his subsequent work as an arranger for record labels and Hollywood studios; the development of his own band; and his new CD.

The Jazz Session #318: Gerald Wilson (Part 1) [ 57:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Composer and bandleader Gerald Wilson’s new CD is Legacy (Mack Avenue Records, 2011). This is part one of a two-part conversation. In this episode, Gerald Wilson talks about growing up in the South and listening to music with his brother; his move to Detroit to attend an arts high school; his early days as a professional musician; his time with Jimmie Lunceford and his first arrangements; and the beginning of his time in the Navy. Learn more at mackavenue.com/artists/detail/gerald_wilson/.

The Jazz Session #317: Larry Goldings [ 55:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Larry Goldings has two new CDs out: In My Room (BFM Jazz, 2011), a solo piano CD, and Live At Smalls (SmallsLive, 2011) with his organ trio featuring Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart. In this interview, Goldings talks about approaching each piano on its own terms; how he first met Bernstein and Stewart; and his unplanned entry into the bands of Maceo Parker and James Taylor. Learn more at larrygoldings.com and follow him on Twitter at @LarryGoldings.

I was recently interviewed by JazzDIY, a soon-to-be-launched online trade journal for the 21st century jazz musician. You can follow them on Twitter at @JazzDIY and bookmark their site at JazzDIY.com. Actually, I should say “our” site, because right after this interview I agreed to serve as a contributing editor for JazzDIY. We launch on Oct. 17. To tide you over until then, here’s some bonus footage from my five-part video interview.

The Jazz Session #316: Jason Crane [ 1:18:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Andrea Wolper hosts the show and interviews me. Trust me, it was her idea. In this interview, I talk about how I make each episode; why I interview musicians and what about them interests me; and how poetry has become a major part of my life. Learn more at thejazzsession.com and jasoncrane.org.