Articles by Chris Comer

John Zorn: Radio Interview

by Chris Comer
June 27, 2009

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This rare interview with one of the most innovative of American composers, John Zorn, is from 1999. Right off the bat the pair discussed the Masada jazz quartet and book of compositions, then the conversation led to other performers Zorn has collaborated and performed with, including Derek Bailey. Comer & Zorn engage in a detailed conversation about Zorn's chamber music compositions, focusing on his string quartet Momento Mori. Zorn doesn't give many interviews, and this one is ...

Bobo Stenson Radio Interview "Goodbye"

by Chris Comer
August 30, 2008

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Acclaimed Swedish jazz pianist and ECM recording artist Bobo Stenson discussed his trio CD Goodbye, featuring the legendary Paul Motian on drums and Anders Jormin on bass. Bobo describes the evolution of his playing style over the years and the artistic direction of ECM Records. Bobo also describes playing with Paul Motian for the first time on this CD. Bobo Stenson's heart-stopping playing is an inspiration, and Chris Comer gives his take on Bobo Stenson's version of ...

Bootsy Collins: Couldn't Get The Spaceship Outta The Driveway!

by Chris Comer
July 19, 2008

ListenChris Comer and co-host Rob Ervin spoke with funk pioneer Bootsy Collins in an outrageous interview from January, 1999. The release of his newest CD “Fresh Outta P University" was scheduled that week and Bootsy was supposed to come by The Chris & Rob Show's studio that night in person. However, there was evidently a snow storm and Bootsy couldn't “get the spaceship out of the driveway."In this broadcast Bootsy talks about some of the musicians ...

Bill Bruford Radio Interview

by Chris Comer
March 22, 2008

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Chris Comer has a candid conversation with jazz-rock drummer Bill Bruford in the spring of 2001. Bill Bruford played in progressive rock juggernauts Yes and King Crimson and fronts his own British jazz group Earthworks. Chris and Bill discuss the continuing progression of the Earthworks group and the British jazz scene, his status with King Crimson and frank comments about why he quit Yes. Of special note is a discussion of Bruford's drum-duet B'BOOM with ...

Peter Brotzmann : Another Step in the Large-Form Jazz Ensemble Tradition

by Chris Comer
March 11, 2008

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Iconoclastic European free jazz saxophonist Peter Brotzmann discusses his intensely revolutionary Chicago Tentet with Chris Comer in this 2005 radio interview. The Chicago Tentet features ten of the world's finest free jazz musicians in an all-out jazz assault. Brotzmann describes how the Chicago Tentet got together in the first place, the concept behind it and why it's one of the most satisfying ensembles of his career. Chris asks Brotzmann to elaborate on The Chicago Tentet's ...

Anat Fort: Survival of the Artist

by Chris Comer
August 8, 2007

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Artist Anat Fort has recently released her first ECM Recording “A Long Story" featuring Paul Motian, Perry Robinson and Ed Schuller. In this revealing and intimate interview with Chris Comer from ChrisComerRadio.com, Anat talks about breaking in to the New York jazz scene, working with these legendary artists such as Paul Motian, and the struggle between surviving in New York City and maintaining her artistic direction. ...

Paul Bley: Stopping Time

by Chris Comer
July 21, 2007

Listen Chris Comer talked to the influential and iconic free-jazz pianist Paul Bley upon the release of his first trio recording with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian in over 35 years, Not Two, Not One on ECM in April 2000. Since the 1950's Paul Bley's career has spanned many stylistic changes in jazz and Mr. Bley has a unique perspective on the ongoing history of jazz. In this lengthy interview Chris and Paul discuss the roots of free jazz, Bley's ...

David Torn, Experimental or Theoretical Guitarist?

by Chris Comer
April 30, 2007

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In April, 2007 David Torn released his first CD for ECM in twenty years, and talks about it on The Chris & Rob Show.

Prezens features Torn on guitar, Craig Taborn on keyboards, Tim Berne on alto sax and Tom Rainey on drums, all notable jazz artists and already a working group of Berne's. Torn talks about the band and CD, his career and early influences, and his work as a film score composer. Torn also discusses the difference ...

Greg Norton, What's Up with The Gang Font Feat. Interloper

by Chris Comer
April 17, 2007

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Chris Comer and Rob Ervin have been fans of 1980's hard rock band Hüsker Dü since their days in college radio. Therefore they were quite thrilled to talk to seminal post-punk rock icon Greg Norton, former Hüsker Dü bassist. After fifteen years out of the music scene working as a restaurant chef, Greg Norton is in a new band with a jazz-punk edge, called The Gang Font Featuring Interloper.

The Gang Font features Dave King from The Bad Plus ...

Ahmad Jamal: The Evolution of the Piano Trio

by Chris Comer
March 30, 2007

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Prior to an upcoming gig in Dayton, Ohio, Chris Comer had the opportunity to interview one of the most influential jazz pianists of all time, Ahmad Jamal. In this interview Jamal discusses his influence on jazz history and many of the players he's worked with over the course of his long and innovative career. In this spirited conversation Chris and Jamal compare views on the traditional jazz trio setting and how it has evolved from the early ...