San Diego Sessions: Recent Episodes
San Diego's jazz podcast
Your inside perspective on the San Diego jazz scene. Join your hosts Ian Tordella and Ed Kornhauser for new music and in-depth interviews with San Diego artists.
Clarinetist, saxophonist, and vocalist Chloe Feoranzo takes a moment from her busy touring schedule to discuss her New Orleans-based all women ensemble the Shake Em Up Jazz Band as well as her work with Postmodern Jukebox, among other projects. She’s done San Diego proud!
Flutist Holly Hofmann sits down with us to discuss her storied career, the various jazz series she’s produced in San Diego and beyond, and her mentoring to up-and-coming female musicians.
Jazz meets trip hop by way of classical and drum n’ bass with San Diego outfit OrchidxMantis. We talk it all out with drummer and composer Isaac Crow, singer and keyboardist Nina Dering, and cellist and vocalist Caitlin Fahey Crow as we play some fire off their sophomore album Rated X.
Bassist Sean Hicke joins us to discuss his debut album, Sunflower Sutra, as well as his musical plans for his future in San Diego.
Guitarist Jon Garner discusses his longtime study of gypsy jazz as well as his educational book series.
OBTuse Goose dropped by to play some cuts from their newest release, The Goose Is Loose
Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist JP Balmat dropped in to talk about his career as a performer and educator, including his work with Euphoria Brass Band and the KSDS Jazz Orchestra.
Composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist Ellen Weller comes through to discuss her approaches to improvisation as well as her work with various ensembles, including The Weller Family Band.
Composer and bandleader Joe Garrison came by to give us the inside scoop on his new release, The Broken Jar, which features a host of local jazz and classical luminaries.
Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Tripp Sprague dropped in to discuss past and current projects. We also touch on his practice routine, Steely Dan, Sprague family history, upcoming gigs, and more.
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Lizabeth Yandel discusses her roots, her writing processes, and her many eclectic influences, from jazz to future soul
Vocalist Whitney Shay drops by and gives us a preview of her soon-to-be-released album A Woman Rules the World, featuring some gritty blues vocals and a killer cast of players.
Pianist, guitarist, and producer Tonga Ross-Mau came by to share his new album with Ascent Trio and other recent projects.
Pianist John Opferkuch stops by to discuss his album "The Kennedy Files," and performs a new composition live, in-studio.
We kick off Season 3 of the podcast with an 'on-air' recording of pianist Danny Green, plus more tracks from his new album "One Day It Will"
Vocalist and first-ever guest on the podcast Leonard Patton returns to discuss his new live album and plans for a new jazz venue here in town!
Saxophonist and composer Jesse Audelo came by with some of his new large-ensemble recordings. We discuss his his approach to composition, and the many projects he's involved with in San Diego and Los Angeles.
Bassist and composer Kyle Motl came by to discuss his solo performing, his trio with pianist Tobin Chodos and drummer Kjell Nordeson, a second trio with drummer Abbey Rader and woodwindist Drew Ceccato, and his concepts for improvising musicians.
Saxophonist and Professor of Music at UCSD David Borgo comes by to discuss his multitude of works and collaborations, including his electro-acoustic duo KaiBorg, his polymeric group Kronomorfic, and his saxophone trio Initial Conditions
Blues and jazz guitarist Robin Henkel is our guest this week. Robin has been a fixture on the San Diego scene for decades. We discuss his new album, influences, and some blues guitar history.
Guitarist and luthier Victor Baker stops by to discuss his craft, his music, and his move out to San Diego. His guitars are garnering him accolades across the jazz world, and he's built instruments for the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel and Gilad Hekselman
Trumpeter Curtis Taylor came by to play some tracks from his new production #Hashtagged. We also discuss his work with James Carter, Gregory Porter, and more.
Trombonist (and multi-instrumentalist) Andy Geib has been a gig warrior on the San Diego scene for 20 years. We get the skinny on his group Wise Monkey Orchestra, and also discuss his youth ensemble Ambassadors of Soul.
Two guests in the studio this week - Farhad Bahrami and Louis Valenzuela of Dornob Collective discuss the intersection of Persian music, jazz, and other genres. Also, hear a live, in studio demonstration of the setar and get the latest on the Monday night jam session.
Bassist Ben Wanicur drops by to discuss his musical approach, his new monthly jam session, surfing, bacon, and his literary favorites.
Jake Najor has been in the trenches for over 20 years laying down the beat for dozens of groups around San Diego. In this episode we dive into Jake's debut record "In The Cut", featuring an all-star cast of SD and LA musicians.
Singer Sacha Boutros discusses her past albums and writing style, as well as her upcoming European tour.
Sharon discusses her new album "Into Light," featuring John Staten, Joey Carano, Christian McBride, and more.
Bassist and composer Harley Magsino discusses his own ensemble (HM3), the writing processes, as well as his role in various local projects (OrchidxMantis and Moth and Sons).
Trumpeter Gabe Wolf stopped by to discuss his jazz-rock roots, experimentation with the electric trumpet, and current happenings around town.
Grant came down to give us an exclusive on the new JUX ep, featuring bassist Harley Magsino and drummist Julien Cantelm. We discuss all things jazz guitar, disc golf, foot-fashion, and hear about Grant's work on the Rad Scientist podcast.
We talk all things funky and soulful with keyboardist/composer/engineer Tim Felten. Tune in for the latest on Sure Fire Soul Ensemble and his other recent projects.
Drummer David Whitman came by to talk music and spin some tracks from his latest record, featuring some of southern California's finest players.
We spin some tracks off Steph's latest record Music Is Art, and hear the latest news from Voices Of Our City Choir including their upcoming film.
We chat about Tobin's work in jazz, avant-garde, and classical idioms, plus the undisputed fact that robots have taken over the world (as predicted by James Cameron in the '80s).
Bob dropped by to discuss his influences, coming up as a musician in NYC, and the musical legacy of the Weller family (both past and preset).
We interview saxophonist and composer Sam Pratt about his two 2017 releases - one quintet record and one solo saxophone record (with electronics).
Join us for a double-header as we discuss the upcoming San Diego Jazz Anthology and SDSU's new two-disc album.
We got deep in the groove with vibraphonist and recent San Diego resident Matt DiBiase. Check out his electronic-influeced projects Plexus and Fisson, and his perspective on vibes, malletKAT, composition, and performance.
Pianist and composer Joshua White gave us the behind-the-scenes on his debut album "13 Short Stories"
Les Arbuckle dropped in to discuss his new book, Saigon Kids, the San Diego music scene, and his past recordings with Mike Stern, Kenny Barron, John Abercrombie, and others.
Drummer Isaac Crow discusses the production of the new OrchidxMantis record, fashion, Bach, Kevin Bacon, and trip hop.
Acclaimed producer and musician Kamau Kenyatta joined us for a discussion about music - from his Detroit roots all the way up to current projects.
Nathan joined us to chat about the two records he's put out this year, as well as his work making and altering percussion instruments.
Gabriel dropped by for an exclusive sneak peak of the new Nexus album, and insights into his influences and the past two decades of music-making in San Diego.
Danny Green discusses Wagner, TEDx, Brazilian music, caffeine, bacon, and his new record with strings.
Anthony came by to discuss his new book "Masters of the Vibes: Conversations with Great, Living Jazz Vibraphonists"
Bassists and composer Rob Thorsen stops by to play some tunes from his latest album, and rap about current happenings around town.
Episode 04 with flute player Lori Bell. Tune in to hear her new record Blue(s), opinions on bacon, and general reflections on jazz.
Bobby Cressey takes us on a sonic adventure through his new record featuring Hammond B3 + horns.
Drummer and composer Matthew Smith. Tune in for an in-depth discussion of his new record featuring Dayna Stephens and Curtis Taylor.
Leonard Patton joins us for the inaugural episode of the podcast. We discuss his latest records and how to play 70 gigs in 24 hours.