Jason 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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43:24
The Jazz Session #640: Johanna Summer
German 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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46:40
The Jazz Session #639: Muriel Grossmann
Jason 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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34:14
The Jazz Session #638: Emily Mikesell and Kate Campbell Strauss
Jason 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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30:46
The Jazz Session #637: Rachel Eckroth
The 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)