The Jazz Session #347: Aaron Staebell [ 59:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Aaron Staebell’s new CD is Bending and Breaking (2011). In this interview, Staebell talks about smashing different sounds and styles together to see what works; how a visit from John Hollenbeck caused him to finally perform his own compositions in public; why it’s important for him that his compositions have stories behind them; and why he likes living and working in Rochester, NY. Learn more at aaronstaebell.com and follow him on Twitter at @aaronstaebell.

The Jazz Session #346: Ben Wendel [ 50:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Ben Wendel’s new CD is Frame (Sunnyside Records, 2012). In this interview, Wendel talks about composing the music for the album; his proclivity for long musical lines; and the many and varied writing projects he’s been involved in recently. Learn more at benwendel.com and follow him on Twitter at @benwendel.

CONCERT NOTE: Ben Wendel will be performing CD release shows for Frame at The Jazz Gallery in New York City on February 17 and 18. Details here.

The Jazz Session #345: Sue Mingus [ 39:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sue Mingus has been guiding bassist Charles Mingus’s legacy since he died in 1979. She is the author of Tonight At Noon (Random House/Pantheon, 2002), a memoir of her life with Mingus. In this interview, Sue Mingus talks about the fourth annual Mingus High School Competition and Festival, happening this month in New York; how to bring Mingus’s music to the current generation of musicians; why she feels differently now about going after music pirates; her memoir and the idea of memory; and what lies ahead for the music and legacy of Charles Mingus.

NOTE: See a complete calendar of the Mingus High School Competition and Festival and also the performance schedule of the Mingus ensembles.

The Jazz Session #344.1: Tim Berne (corrected version) [ 57:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Tim Berne’s new band and album are both called Snakeoil (ECM, 2012). In this interview, Berne talks about what he looks for in new band members; what inspires him to compose; and why he believes the digital era has harmed independent record labels. Learn more at screwgunrecords.com.

ON TOUR: Snakeoil is touring the US and Europe. Visit Berne’s site for tour dates.

The Jazz Session #343: Noah Kaplan [ 54:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Noah Kaplan’s new CD is Descendants (Hat Hut, 2011) with Joe Morris on guitar, Giacomo Merega on bass and Jason Nazary on drums. In this interview, Kaplan talks about his life-changing studies with Joe Maneri; why classical music theory was important to his musical development; and how he approaches collective improvisation. Learn more at noah-kaplan.com.

CONCERT NOTE: The Noah Kaplan Quartet performs Friday, February 3, 2012 at Douglass Street Music Collective (295 Douglass St. Brooklyn, NY) at 8 p.m.

The Jazz Session #342: Tom Wetmore [ 1:05:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Tom Wetmore’s new CD is The Desired Effect (Crosstown Records, 2012). In this interview, Wetmore talks about why he wants people to “really listen”; why he tries not to assign particular meanings to his compositions; and about his Tune-A-Day project. Learn more at tomwetmore.com and tomstuneaday.com and follow him on Twitter at @tomwetmore.

The Jazz Session #341: Bob Reynolds [ 1:10:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Bob Reynolds’ most recent album is A Live Life (2011) and he’s currently working on his forthcoming studio album. Reynolds is perhaps best known for his work with rock musician John Mayer. In this interview, Reynolds talks about the importance of good time (in the musical sense); how he’s learned to bring an audience along for the ride; and about his video lesson service. Learn more at bobreynoldsmusic.com and follow him on Twitter at @Bob_Reynolds.

The Jazz Session #340: Matt Wilson [ 56:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Matt Wilson’s new album with his band Arts & Crafts is An Attitude For Gratitude (Palmetto Records, 2012). In this interview, Wilson talks about the inclusive approach of the band; why he likes the word “allow”; and how a difficult year for his family helped him put things in perspective and brought the idea of gratitude into focus. Learn more at mattwilsonjazz.com and follow him on Twitter at @mattwilsonjazz.

NOTE: This interview is part of a new monthly collaboration with JazzDIY, the online journal for the 21st century jazz musician. Visit JazzDIY.com to see a video interview with Matt Wilson in which he talks about the business of music.

The Jazz Session #339: Armen Donelian [ 53:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pianist Armen Donelian’s new CD is Leapfrog (Sunnyside Records, 2011). In this interview, Donelian talks about his approach to playing the piano and his philosophy of music; his years with Mongo Santamaria and Sonny Rollins; and his other career as an educator. Learn more at armenjazz.com.

The Jazz Session #338: Barry Altschul [ 58:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Barry Altschul’s latest CD is History Of Jazz In Reverse (TUM, 2011) with the FAB Trio featuring Joe Fonda and Billy Bang. In this interview, Altschul talks about growing up in the South Bronx; his roots in the tradition and how he uses them even when playing “free”; and how he achieves a personal sound on the drums. Learn more at myspace.com/barryaltschul.

The Jazz Session #337: Deric Dickens [ 1:07:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drummer Deric Dickens’ debut CD is Speed Date, a series of duets with Matt Wilson, Ben Cohen, Jon Crowley, Kirk Knuffke, Jeff Lederer and Jeremy Udden. In this interview, Dickens talks about the DIY philosophy underlying the album; the sound of the drums (including a demonstration on the ride cymbal); and why he left a comfortable position as a band director to pursue a life as a professional jazz musician. Learn more at dericdickens.com and follow him on Twitter at @dericdickens.

The Jazz Session #336: Jack DeJohnette [ 50:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jack DeJohnette’s new album is Sound Travels (Golden Beams/eOne, 2012). In this interview, DeJohnette talks about the next phase of his storied career; his induction as a 2012 NEA Jazz Master; and the multiple projects he’s taking to the Newport Jazz Festival this summer. Learn more at jackdejohnette.com.

Jason Crane speaking at JazzTimes DIY Crash Course [ 11:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I spoke today at the JazzTimes DIY Crash Course in Manhattan, an event held in tandem with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference. This is the audio of my presentation, which was about podcasting and telling a story as an artist. There were graphics, too. As soon as I get the video, I’ll pass it along. Thanks to Lee Mergner of JazzTimes for inviting me and thanks to David Lee Joy from All Star Media for providing the audio. Lee Mergner is the first person you’ll hear in this audio clip. Thanks also to the wonderful Amy Cervini for assisting with my presentation.

UPDATE: Here’s video of the first half of my talk. Then my camera battery died. Thanks to Derrick Lucas for filming this. More video may be available later.

The Jazz Session #335: Pete Robbins [ 53:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Pete Robbins’ new CD is Live In Basel (Hate Laugh Music, 2011) with his Transatlantic Quartet. In this interview, Robbins talks about the benefits of a working band; why his last three recordings have been live albums; and why his next project will find him traveling down yet another new musical road. Learn more at peterobbins.com and follow him on Twitter at @peterobbins.

The Jazz Session #334: Michael Pedicin [ 1:14:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saxophonist Michael Pedicin’s new album is Ballads …searching for peace (Jazz Hut, 2011). In this interview, Pedicin talks about this influence of his father on his career; why he feels he had to work his way up to a ballads album; and how he came to terms with his place in the worlds of both jazz and medicine. Learn more at michaelpedicin.com and follow him on Twitter at @mpedicin.