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The Jazz Session #504: Gordon Grdina

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Gordon Grdina is a guitarist and oud player with many different irons in the fire. In this interview the focus is initially on his new album Nomad (Skirl Records, 2020) with Matt Mitchell and Jim Black. Then the topics move to his many other ensembles; his study with Gary Peacock and Tim Berne; Vancouver as a jazz town; and more.

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I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you agree that The Jazz Session is worth supporting, become a member today at thejazzsession.com/join. For $5 a month you’ll get a monthly bonus episode, early access to every show, and a yearly gift. For $10 a month you get all that plus an extra bonus show exploring a classic jazz album. Big thanks to Frank Christopher for becoming a member.

Theme music by The Respect Sextet

Logo by Dave Vrabel

Intro voice: Chuck Ingersoll

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The Jazz Session #491: Perry Smith

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Guitarist Perry Smith releases his new album, Live In Brooklyn, on October 11, 2019. The album features Melissa Aldana (interview) on saxophone, Matt Aronoff on bass, and Jay Sawyer on drums. In this interview, Perry talks about the jam session as a form of community building; using his musical success for good causes; how his jam session became grant-funded; and his upcoming tour, which begins October 10 with a CD release party at Smalls in Manhattan.

I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you agree that The Jazz Session is worth supporting, become a member today at thejazzsession.com/join. For $5 a month you’ll get a monthly bonus episode, early access to every show, and a yearly gift. For $10 a month you get all that plus an extra bonus show exploring a classic jazz album.

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The Jazz Session #483: Nick Millevoi

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Twilight Time is the new album by guitarist Nick Millevoi and his Desertion Trio. The album features covers of both well known and obscure rock and doo wop songs from the 50s and 60s. In this interview, Millevoi talks about the origin of the trio and the idea for the record; the impact of David Lynch on the way we hear music from this era; and his upcoming touring schedule with Desertion Trio, Unspeakable Garbage and others.

I’ve been recording conversations with jazz musicians since 2007. I think it’s important work that deserves public support. I’d also like to be able to do it for my living. If you agree that The Jazz Session is worth supporting, become a member today for just $5 a month at thejazzsession.com/join. You’ll get a monthly bonus episode, early access to every show, and a yearly gift. Help me make this show for decades to come by joining today. Thank you.

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The Jazz Session #479: Camila Meza

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Guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza’s latest album, Ámbar, comes out on May 31, 2019 on Sony Masterworks. It’s her first album for that label. In this interview, Meza talks about how the loss of her grandfather inspired the title track; why she chose to work with strings; meeting — and playing for — one of her musical heroes, Pat Metheny; and more. Learn more at https://www.camilameza.com/.

Support the show! I want this show to be weekly by 2020. To do that, I need 200 members. You can become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. You’ll receive a bonus episode packed full of cool stuff every month, like this one. Make the move from listener to member today. Let do this!

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The Jazz Session #476: Mike Baggetta

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Guitarist Mike Baggetta’s new album is Wall Of Flowers (2019, BIG EGO Records). The album features bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, The Stooges) and drummer Jim Keltner (everyone you’ve ever heard of). In this interview, Baggetta talks about how this unlikely trio came to be; what he strives for as a musician and improviser; why he loves torch songs; and more. Learn more at http://mikebaggetta.com.

ON TOUR: Mike Baggetta is on tour in support of this album, starting in CA on March 21 and wrapping up in NY on March 30, 2019. Tour dates available here.

Support the show! I want this show to be weekly by 2020. To do that, I need 200 members. You can become a member for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/thejazzsession. You’ll receive a bonus episode packed full of cool stuff every month. Like this one. Make the move from listener to member today. Let do this!