Interview News

Pianist John Di Martino Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 31, 2009

John di Martino is a New York area based pianist, composer, arranger and Venus recording artist. He is a sought after musical director and is in demand by many singers as an accompanist, having accompanied such singers as Jon Hendricks, Sylvia Sims, Diane Schuur and Billy Eckstine. His talents as a pianist and arranger can be heard on recordings with Freddy Cole, Gloria Lynne and Grady Tate. Noted for his versatility, di Martino has also performed and recorded with such ...

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Trombonist Clifton Anderson Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 30, 2009

Clifton Anderson has been on a lifelong journey of artistic evolution. From his start as a child surrounded by a musical family, to formal education mixed with the practical experience of live gigs, Clifton's odyssey is ever-unfolding. Whether playing as a long-standing member of his uncle Sonny Rollins' band, helping to run the Doxy label or leading sessions with his own band, Clifton's life is always happily connected to music.

AAJ contributor Maxwell Chandler spoke with Anderson about his lengthy ...

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Nguyen Lé Interview

Source: All About Jazz
March 28, 2009

This interview is part of the book project “under your skin" which includes Interviews with: Anthony Braxton, Ornette Coleman, Chuck D - Public Enemy, Taj Mahal, Yusef Lateef, Melvin Gibbs, Bob James, Skip Mcdonald, Erika Stucky, Living Colour, Rhonda Smith, Dj Rob Swift, Marilyn Crispell, Dick Griffin, Billy Bang, Kahil El Zabar, Michael Ricci - All About Jazz, Val-Inc, Chico Freeman, Esperanza Spalding, Eddie Henderson, J. Mascis - Dinosaur ...

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Interview: Lisa Simone

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
March 28, 2009

One of the most exciting new singers I've heard in some time is Lisa Simone, daughter of one of America's most impassioned vocalists, Nina Simone. Known simply as Simone, the 46-year-old artist has just released her first full-length album, a stunning tribute to her mother. Rather than simply mimic Nina's style and outrage, Simone has produced an updated interpretation of her mother's catalog complete with vocal power, range and tenderness. Simone's album, Simone on Simone, is earthy and gutsy, but ...

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John Lee Hooker Jr Interview

Source: All About Jazz
March 25, 2009

This interview is part of the book project “under your skin" which includes Interviews with: Anthony Braxton, Ornette Coleman, Chuck D - Public Enemy, Taj Mahal, Yusef Lateef, Melvin Gibbs, Bob James, Skip Mcdonald, Erika Stucky, Living Colour, Rhonda Smith, Dj Rob Swift, Marilyn Crispell, Dick Griffin, Billy Bang, Kahil El Zabar, Michael Ricci - All About Jazz, Val-Inc, Chico Freeman, Esperanza Spalding, Eddie Henderson, J. Mascis - Dinosaur ...

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Trumpeter Herb Robertson Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 25, 2009

Amid a whorl of scraped cello, tenor sax squawks, and bass clarinet blats, trumpeter Herb Robertson paused, his eyes closed in concentration. With NSA-like hearing ability, he pierced the action with a bracing note that crystallized the unfurling improvisation. The intent listening and bold responses displayed during saxophonist Lotte Anker's January show at The Stone typify Robertson's commitment to playing in the moment.

“Once I start improvising I just can't think about other things," Robertson says. “Improvisation, to me, that's ...

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Bret Primack Interviews Mr. Jazzwax

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
March 24, 2009

I frequently receive e-mails from curious readers asking what I look like. In some cases, these e-mails have come from the jazz legends I've interviewed by phone. Up until now, I've avoided posting my photo or focusing on me. I've said from the start that this blog is about the music and the legends I interview, not about me. No one cares about the messenger, and rightly so.

Bret Primack had a slightly different take.

Bret--also known as the Jazz ...

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Saxophonist Jessica Jones Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 24, 2009

Tenor saxophonist Jessica Jones has worked with the likes of Joseph Jarman, Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Steve Coleman and Peter Apfelbaum. A current resident of Brooklyn, NY, she lives with her saxophonist/husband Tony and is a long time jazz educator focusing on children to develop their talent for improvising, composition and oral tradition.

She has previously released Family (Nine Winds, 1997) and Nod (New Artists, 2004). Word (New Artist, 2008) includes poetry, song, and some free jazz with husband Tony ...

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