JAZZIZ Conversations

Brian Zimmerman
  • 4.8 (13)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each week, join the JAZZIZ Editors and special musical guests as we listen to and discuss a handful of albums on a given theme. It’s social media in the truest sense of the term: no algorithms, no computer-generated playlists. Just jazz fans sharing records with other jazz fans.

  1. THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #5: JD Allen

    10/06/2022

    THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #5: JD Allen

    Saxophonist/composer JD Allen is known for his enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style, as well as for his passionate storytelling through music. On his recently-released new album, Americana, Vol. 2, he continues to explore the underestimated but crucial role the blues has played in the history of jazz and how in continues to evolve and influence the art form today. He continues this investigation alongside his long-time colleagues Gregg August and Rudy Royston. This time around, he is also joined by guitarist Charlie Hunter, who shares not only Allen's interest in the blues and its legacy but they also share similar life experiences.

    23 min
  2. THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #4: Dave King and Reid Anderson (The Bad Plus)

    09/29/2022

    THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #4: Dave King and Reid Anderson (The Bad Plus)

    This week, we welcome bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King to The JAZZIZ Podcast. Anderson and King are two of the founding members of The Bad Plus, one of the defining bands of 21st-century jazz. After over a decade as an acclaimed piano trio, with Ethan Iverson first and Orrin Evans later, Anderson and King have reinvented The Bad Plus as a dynamic quartet with guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed. This is the lineup featured on their new, self-titled album, which is due out on September 30 via Edition Records. Despite the major change in the lineup, the band's objective of challenging conventions and pushing their unique approach to jazz in boundary-breaking new directions remains unaltered. Their music, as well as this podcast conversation, testifies to their passion, drive and intent.

    54 min
  3. THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #3: Quinn Johnson

    09/22/2022

    THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #3: Quinn Johnson

    Our guest for this latest episode of The JAZZIZ Podcast is acclaimed pianist/composer Quinn Johnson. Throughout his career, Johnson has played and collaborated with some of the all-time greats, including as the music director of Steve Tyrell for many years. He has lived in different countries and continents, and the wealth of influences offered in his music testify to his rich life experience, including on his own albums as a leader. Among them, Trio Con Clave from 2016, a fusion of Latin rhythms and jazz, and Pastimes (from times past) from 2021, which found him revisiting his own compositions from the past couple of decades, performed with a diverse group of old friends.

    26 min
  4. THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #2 | Espen Eriksen

    09/15/2022

    THE JAZZIZ PODCAST #2 | Espen Eriksen

    Our guest for this week’s JAZZIZ Podcast is Norwegian pianist/composer Espen Eriksen, known for his work with his acclaimed Espen Eriksen Trio with Lars Tormod Jenset on double bass and Andreas Bye on drums. The group has been going strong since 2007, having released a number of praiseworthy albums on Rune Grammofon, one of which was a collaboration with Andy Sheppard. The group renews its collaboration with both the label and the British saxophonist on its recently released first ever live album, In the Mountains, released earlier this year. The new album is just one of the topics covered in this latest JAZZIZ Podcast conversation.

    29 min
  5. THE JAZZIZ PODCAST#1 | Connie Han

    09/08/2022

    THE JAZZIZ PODCAST#1 | Connie Han

    Connie Han inaugurates her own brand new series of podcast conversations. The New York Times has described the pianist/composer as "the rare musician with fearsome technical chops and a breadth of historical knowledge." Her new work, Secrets of Inanna certainly reflects the verity of this statement. Due to be released on September 23 via Mack Avenue, its compositions are inspired by the Sumerian mythology of ancient Mesopotamia. Specifically, the legend of Inanna, the goddess of love, sensuality, beauty, fertility, procreation and, also, war. The music was conceived and written in partnership with Han’s longtime producer and drummer, Bill Wysaske, and features bass great John Patitucci and veteran tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, with contributions by Katisse Buckingham on alto flute and piccolo. The new album serves as a starting point for a stimulating conversation about music, history, philosophy, fashion and much more. And if you love jazz and vinyl, be sure to check out our JAZZIZ Vinyl Club.

    46 min
  6. JAZZIZ Travel: Plínio Fernandes

    09/01/2022

    JAZZIZ Travel: Plínio Fernandes

    Plínio Fernandes, hailed as the future of Brazilian guitar, joins us on the latest episode of JAZZIZ Travel. The 27-year-old musician recently released his major label solo album debut, Saudade, on Decca Gold. The record is a collection of interpretations of timeless songs testifying to the rich musical heritage of his native land, from Heitor Villa-Lobos to Antônio Carlos Jobim and beyond. For the most part, these compositions are performed by Fernandes solo on acoustic guitar, showcasing a profound personal connection to them, though special guests join him along the way, including cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason and vocalist Maria Rita.

    26 min
  7. JAZZIZ Travel: Paloma Dineli Chesky and David Chesky

    08/25/2022

    JAZZIZ Travel: Paloma Dineli Chesky and David Chesky

    Pianist David Chesky and his daughter, vocalist Paloma Dineli Chesky pop into our virtual studio to talk about some of their recent projects. Paloma released Soul on Soul earlier this year, an album of reinterpretations of soulful classics that, at 14 years of age, showcases a voice that is well beyond her years. David will soon be releasing The Great European Songbook, an album of transforming classical European standards into a modern jazz trio with Billy Drummond and Peter Washington. Both albums were recorded The Audiophile Society way. The Audiophile Society way is a new record label and music technology by audiophiles for audiophiles who want to listen better and have fun doing it.

    27 min
  8. JAZZIZ Travel: Joey Alexander

    08/18/2022

    JAZZIZ Travel: Joey Alexander

    Origin is a landmark album in the still-young and remarkable career of Joey Alexander. Recently released on Mack Avenue, this is the pianist's first album to feature a program entirely consisting of original material. He joins us to talk about it and some of the driving concepts behind these compositions in the latest podcast episode of JAZZIZ Travel. We also chat with him about his beginnings, including his memories of performing in front of illustrious guests and collaborating with some of the world's greatest artists at such a young age, and more.

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Each week, join the JAZZIZ Editors and special musical guests as we listen to and discuss a handful of albums on a given theme. It’s social media in the truest sense of the term: no algorithms, no computer-generated playlists. Just jazz fans sharing records with other jazz fans.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Zimmerman
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2022
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brian Zimmerman
  • Show Website
    JAZZIZ Conversations