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.”

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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.

 

 The Jazz Session #33: Kate McGarry [32:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

 

 The Jazz Session #32: Tord Gustavsen [35:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.
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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.

 

 The Jazz Session #31: Matt Shulman [28:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

 

 The Jazz Session #30: Brian Groder [34:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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?

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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.
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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.

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.

 

 TJS Extra #3: Jazz Improv Live! Convention [26:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

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…
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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.

 

 The Jazz Session #29: Donny McCaslin [37:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

 

 The Jazz Session #28: Brian Patneaude [33:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

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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.

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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.

 

 The Jazz Session #27: Joel Frahm [35:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

 

 The Jazz Session #26: Eberhard Weber [40:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

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!