The Jazz Session turns 17 today! I’m celebrating with an archival episode from back in my jazz radio days. I interviewed Les McCann in 2004 about his classic album Swiss Movement. Les passed away on December 29, 2023. I thought I’d commemorate his passing and celebrate his life and the birthday of this show by sharing that interview with you. Thanks for listening and for supporting The Jazz Session at https://thejazzsession.com/join ..read more

Saxophonist Allison Au’s new album is called Migrations. On it, she explores her family’s history of migration, and by extension the plight of migrants everywhere. In this interview, Allison talks about the album’s spoken word and sung elements; her family history and how it impacted the work; the arranging challenges presented by the presence of strings; and more. Allison was previously on The Jazz Session in 2016. Listen to that interview. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about some ..read more

Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel’s new trio recording with Scott Colley and Brian Blade is called Perspective. In this interview, Benjamin talks about the special relationship between the band members; the band as a collective; his family’s long history in music in Denmark; why he chooses to play in so many different genres; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Benjamin talks about what he’s learned from his dogs. You’ll al ..read more

Allison Miller’s latest album is called Rivers In Our Veins. In this interview, Allison talks about the inspiration for the project and the research into American waterways that went into it; the care she took in assembling the band; the multimedia nature of the project, which includes both visuals and dancers; and much more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Allison talks about drone photography. You’ll also get early access to eve ..read more

Saxophonist Benjamin Boone’s new album is Caught In The Rhythm (Origin Records, 2023). In this interview, Ben talks about his ongoing project to combine poetry with improvised music; how he approaches the selection and setting of the poems; his study of the music of speech; using his music for social commentary; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Ben talks about talking with his wife. You’ll also get early access to every e ..read more

Marc Copland’s latest album is Someday (InnerVoiceJazz, 2023). In this interview, Marc talks about his bandmates; why he seeks out opportunities to play with younger musicians; his years with John Abercrombie and Gary Peacock; going into the studio without a detailed plan; and much more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Marc talks about finding hope in science fiction. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on a ..read more

This episode of The Jazz Session is sponsored by the TD James Moody Jazz Festival at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The festival runs from November 3 through 19 and features a who’s who of talent from the jazz world and beyond. Performers include Dee Dee Bridgewater with Bill Charlap; Take 6; Abdullah Ibrahim; Gladys Knight; Dave Grusin; Cyrus Chestnut; Steve Turre; Christian McBride with Savion Glover; and many more. Tickets and a full schedule of performances are available at https://njpac.org. This episode features interviews with Abdullah Ibrahim, Bill Charlap, Claude McKnigh ..read more

Violinist Aline Homzy’s new album with her band Etoile Magique is called Eclipse (Elastic Recordings, 2023). In this interview, Aline talks about imagining a world for the album to inhabit; how that world took shape in the arranging and titling process; writing for these particular musicians; a surprise theremin; how her dad influenced her music; what it’s like to play an uncommon jazz instrument; the importance of open-mindedness as a musician; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode ta ..read more

Bassist Todd Sickafoose’s new album is called Bear Proof (Secret Hatch Records, 2023). On this episode, Todd talks about assembling a cast of strong musical personalities; the challenges of recording an hour-long piece with no breaks; his work with Anaïs Mitchell on Hadestown; his long tenure in Ani DiFranco’s band; music as social commentary; composing for podcasts; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Todd talks about livin ..read more

Kait Dunton’s new album is called Keyboards (Real & Imagined Music, 2023). In this interview, Kait talks about her love for 70s synth music; the challenge of using vintage keyboards; how she was “pushed” (in a friendly way) into the world of keyboards; developing her social media following; simplicity versus complexity in composition; and more. PATREON Become a Patreon supporter for $5 a month to get a bonus show called This I Dig Of You, on which the guest from the main episode talks about something non-musical that’s bringing them joy. Kait talks about pickleball. You’ll also get e ..read more