Interview News

WDR Big Band/Lucas Schmid Interview

Source: All About Jazz
May 12, 2009

Working with Hiram Bullock & McCoy Tyner. This interview is part of the book project “under your skin" which will include Interviews with: Anthony Braxton, Ornette Coleman, Cindy Blackman, Taj Mahal, Yusef Lateef, Sadat X, Les Nubians, Zap Mama, Bob James, Skip Mcdonald, Erika Stucky, Living Colour, Dj Rob Swift, ...

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Pianist Marcus Roberts Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 12, 2009

With a foundation in the church and a passion for America's music, Marcus Roberts is easily one of the most prolific pianists of his generation. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida and influenced by the early exposure to his mother's gospel singing, he decided that he wanted to be a jazz pianist after listening to the music of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Mary Lou Williams and others on the radio. A student of classical piano at Florida State University, Roberts joined the ...

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Dr. David Demsey Interviewed on B.J. Jansen's Jazz Life Radio Show

Source: JM Creative
May 12, 2009

B.J. Jansen interviewed Dr. David Demsey, Head of the William Paterson University Jazz Studies Dept., on The Jazz Life radio show. The complete interview was broadcast on WPSC 88.7 FM, April 26th, 2009 during Jansen's exploration of Jazz at Willy P. Jansen created his show, “The Jazz Life," to bring audiences to the next generation of jazz artists who struggle to receive airplay in the United States. The programming format of “The ...

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New ECM Group Cyminology Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 11, 2009

After forming in 2002, Berlin-based Cyminology has been exploring the rich musical territory bound by the backgrounds of members Cymin Samawatie, pianist Benedikt Jahnel, drummer Ketan Bhatti and bassist Ralf Schwarz. Holding the foursome's unique tapestry of styles together is Samawatie's vocal and compositional work, built around classical Persian poetry, as well as her own writing.

The band began forging its sound after Samawatie started exploring her Iranian musical heritage. Moved by the power of the Persian music and poetry, ...

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Interview: Creed Taylor (Part 20)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
May 9, 2009

Creed Taylor has never before granted an interview about the events leading up to the bankruptcy of CTI Records in 1978. Until now, that is. In an exclusive conversation with JazzWax, the maverick producer looks back at one of the most painful periods of his career, reflecting on the shifting record-industry business practices during that decade and how the jazz label he started attempted to survive. [Photo of Creed Taylor in the early 1980s by Chuck Stewart]

First, it should ...

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TM Stevens Interview

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2009

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Notes from the Net: Another Miles Davis Book; Riding the "A" Train with the Ellington Orchestra; Plus News, Reviews, Interviews, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
May 5, 2009

Brought to you a day late, courtesy of this spring's proliferation of pollen and the deleterious effects of same on yr. humble editor's sinuses, here's this week's compilation of assorted news briefs and links related to jazz, improvisation, and creative music in St. Louis, including news of musicians originally from the Gateway City, recent visitors, and coming attractions, plus assorted other items of interest:* We've got several Miles Davis-related items this week, starting with the news that the ...

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Flugelhorn Legend Hugh Masekela Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 5, 2009

"I think it is incumbent, not just on every artist, but every person who has as their source communities that are disadvantaged, to give back," says Hugh Masekela, antiapartheid champion, friend of the downtrodden and musician extraordinaire who is still going strong at the age of 70. “If you don't give back, I think you end up somewhere down the line looking at yourself in a mirror that will eventually crack."

He's spent his life doing just that. Playing his ...

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