Podcast
The Jazz Session
Hosted by Jason Crane · EN
The original jazz interview podcast since 2007. Hosted by Jason Crane.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Jazz Session #645: Carmen Staaf
Oct 1500:54:54Tap to summarizeOn her new album, Sounding Line, pianist Carmen Staaf explores the music of Thelonious Monk and Mary Lou Williams. In this interview, Carmen talks about making music in the context of Palestine and COVID; the intersection between Monk and Williams and how she arrived at it; the arranging of the album, which contains both duets and larger groups; the rhythmic complexity of Monk; and more. Please note that the Patreon version of this interview contains additional material. Carmen has been on the show twice before: TJS #485 (with Allison Miller, 2019) and TJS #304 (2011). 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. Carmen talks about being in the present moment. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. NEW ALBUM I released an album of poetry and music. All the proceeds go to a water charity in Gaza. Get it at fievel42.bandcamp.com. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #644: Kelly Green
Sep 1500:37:22Tap to summarizePeople make music for many different reasons. In Kelly Green’s case, her new album Corner Of My Dreams is in part an attempt to process the loss of her mother to suicide. In this interview, Green talks about writing the music on the new album; finding the right musicians to play it; telling her mom’s story at live shows; and much more. Find out more at https://www.kellygreenpiano.com. 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. Kelly talks about her yoga practice and a new craft she’s learned. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #643: Chris Cheek
Aug 15Tap to summarizeChris Cheek’s new album is Keepers of the Eastern Door. It features Bill Frisell, Tony Scherr, and Rudy Royston. In this interview, we talk about putting the band together; how the stories of indigenous people inspired the album; how a painting led to a voyage of discovery; and more. A note that Chris was last on the show sixteen years ago with the band Rudder. After you listen to this episode, listen to that interview here. 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. Chris talks about sacred geometry. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #500: Sheila Jordan (Encore)
Aug 12, 202500:44:48Tap to summarizeSheila Jordan passed away today (August 11, 2025) at the age of 96. This is an interview I did with Sheila for episode #500. She will be missed. /// The Jazz Session celebrates its 500th episode with NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan. In this interview, Jordan talks about how a nickel changed her life; her early years on 52nd Street with Charlie Parker; her work with Steve Swallow and the poetry of Robert Creeley; her approach to ballads and teaching; 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. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #642: Nico Soffiato & Josh Deutsch
Jul 15, 202500:38:51Tap to summarizeJason Crane chats with guitarist Nico Soffiato and trumpeter/keyboardist Josh Deutsch about their new Redshift Trio album Cloud Forest. The trio features three drummers on different tracks: Dave King, Rudy Royston, and Bram Kinchloe. In this interview, Nico and Josh talk about creating the music; their expanding sonic palette; how they chose the drummers; the logistics of longevity; 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. Nico and Josh talk about motorcycles and food. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #641: Jump Off This Bridge
Jun 15, 202500:43:24Tap to summarizeJason Crane chats with the members of the improvising collective Jump Off This Bridge: Judith Insell (viola), Virg Dzurinko (piano), Eli Asher (trumpet), and Leonid Galaganov (percussion). They tell a Rashomon-esque story about the formation of the band, and then the conversation covers their new album, Quarks; group improvisation; knowing when not to play; finding joy in the collective; 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. The members of Jump Off This Bridge talk about … lots of things. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #640: Johanna Summer
May 15, 202500:46:40Tap to summarizeGerman pianist Johanna Summer has released several albums in recent years: Upright (ACT, 2025); Cameo (ACT, 2025 with Jakob Manz); and Resonanzen (ACT, 2023). In this interview, Summer discusses all three albums; her musical partnership with Manz; improvising on classical themes; finding freedom through limitation; and much more. NOTE: Members get an extra segment from the interview in which Johanna talks about language fluency. 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. Johanna talks about her love of football/soccer. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #639: Muriel Grossmann
Apr 15, 202500:34:14Tap to summarizeJason Crane talks with saxophonist Muriel Grossmann about her new album, Light Of The Mind. They also talk about Buddhism and its relationship to improvisation; the music scene on the Spanish island where Muriel lives; finding players and sticking with them; and more. Learn more about Muriel at http://www.murielgrossmann.com. 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. Muriel talks about gardening. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #638: Emily Mikesell and Kate Campbell Strauss
Mar 15, 202500:30:46Tap to summarizeJason Crane talks with Emily Mikesell and Kate Campbell Strauss about their debut album, Give Way. The album uses overdubbing to create a choir of of trumpets and saxophones. In this interview, they talk about the random way they were paired in a grad school class; why the partnership works so well; how they used Brian Eno’s prompts to write the music; and more. Get the album on Bandcamp here. [Cover photo by Camille Lenain.] 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. Steve talks about his plans to travel to places around the world he’s never visited. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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The Jazz Session #637: Rachel Eckroth
Feb 14, 202500:30:53Tap to summarizeThe Jazz Session returns after nearly a year with a new episode featuring pianist Rachel Eckroth. This interview was recorded in October 2023 and focuses on Rachel’s then-new album Humanoid. We also talk about returning to the piano, recording in a live setting, the album Money Jungle, and more. Find Rachel online at https://www.racheleckroth.com. Rachel was also on episode 544 in 2021. 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. Rachel talks about baking. You’ll also get early access to every episode, a thank you on an episode, and behind-the-scenes news. Join at https://patreon.com/thejazzsession. CREDITS Theme Music: The Respect Sextet (respectsextet.com) Logo: Sarah Walter Intro Voice: Chuck Ingersoll (hearchucknow.com)
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