Recent Jazz Session Podcasts
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The Respect Sextet
(48:24)
Posted: 2009-06-29
Members of the Respect Sextet discuss their new album, Sirius Respect (Mode, 2009), where they explore the music of composers Karlheinz Stockhausen and Sun Ra. Formed nearly a decade ago at the Eastman School of Music, the Respect Sextet combines freewheeling improvisation with driving rhythms and a sense of humor. The members of the band have wide-ranging musical tastes and a fearlessly collaborative aesthetic, which leads to one-of-a-kind performances. In this interview, the members of Respect talk about the formation of the band, how they approach performance, and the use of humor in their music.
Rudder
(27:12)
Posted: 2009-06-22
Keyboardist Henry Hey, saxophonist Chris Cheek and bassist Tim Lefebvre, who, along with drummer Keith Carlock, make up the band Rudder. These four musicians are incredibly busy in the jazz and pop worlds, but they've found the time to create a hip-shaking, brain-stimulating musical hybrid that some critics have said is in a genre all by itself. In this interview, the band talks about its history, the odd name of its new album (Matorning), and the relative lack of crossover between the jazz and jam-band worlds.
Jeff Albert
(31:23)
Posted: 2009-06-15
Trombonist Jeff Albert is one of the leaders of the creative music scene in New Orleans, and his Open Ears Music Series helps provide a home for experimental and free music in the Crescent City. In this interview, Albert talks about the Frenchman Street scene, his Chicago-New Orleans connection, the cultural condition of post-Katrina New Orleans and his new album, Similar In The Opposite Way (Fora Sound, 2009).
Lisa Sokolov
(29:18)
Posted: 2009-06-08
Lisa Sokolov is not like any singer you've ever heard before, and she is certainly one you need to hear. In this interview, Sokolov talks about what singing is and how shes arrived at her unique approach to performance and arranging. She also talks about A Quiet Thing, writing haiku in her sleep, and the song that resulted.
Mike Melito
(27:23)
Posted: 2009-06-01
While not a household name, Mike Melito is well known to many jazz musicians, having played with everyone from James Moody and Benny Golson to Joe Locke and Rachel Z. Melito is based in Rochester, NY, and he made the decision early on to stay in his hometown and build his career there. His 2008 album, In The Tradition, features saxophonist Grant Stewart, trumpeter John Swana, bassist Neil Miner, and two fellow Rochesterians pianist Paul Hofmann and guitarist Bob Sneider.
Gary Burton
(32:01)
Posted: 2009-05-25
After three decades, vibraphonist Gary Burton reunited with Pat Metheny and Steve Swallow and added drummer Antonio Sanchez to record Quartet Live! (Concord Jazz, 2009), an album celebrating the music of the original Gary Burton Quartet. Originally conceived as a one-time-only performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the band quickly realized that the music was worth exploring again. Burton talks about the new quartet, his projects with Chick Corea and Makoto Ozone, and his semi-retirement.
Hugh Masekela
(28:00)
Posted: 2009-05-18
Trumpeter Hugh Masekela talks about his 2009 album Phola (Times Square Records). The album finds Masekela in a quieter, more reflective mood--a decision he credits to producer Erik Paliani. Despite the more reserved surroundings, Masekela's flugelhorn playing is as intense as ever. Masekela discusses Miriam Makeba, music as a political force, and why he doesn't play for fun.
