Podcast

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 ...

Donny McCaslin: Trio Toolbox

by Jason Crane
September 8, 2008

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 ...

Aaron Parks: Structured Freedom

by Jason Crane
August 18, 2008

On the new episode of The Jazz Session, Jason Crane interviews pianist/composer Aaron Parks about his new album, Invisible Cinema (Blue Note, 2008). Parks is 24 years old--and he started college 11 years ago. A child prodigy who entered the University of Washington at age 13 as a triple major in math, computer science and music, Parks quickly found that music was his true calling. Now, after a five-year stint with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, Parks is set ...

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

by Chris Comer
July 19, 2008

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Chris 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 ...

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 ...