Photo by Amani Willett

Guitarist/composer Mary Halvorson is the subject of the latest episode of the popular jazz interview podcast, The Jazz Session.

She and host Jason Crane discuss a number of topics, such as her personal listening habits, her processes for composing and leading her own bands, the influence of former teacher Anthony Braxton, and her 1970 Guild Artist Award guitar.

“I’m not really setting out to be an experimental musician, necessarily,” Ms. Halvorson explains. “I just want to play the music that I like and it just happens to be experimental. I’m really interested in playing all types of music as long as it’s something that I find interesting.”

Much of their conversation is centered around the Mary Halvorson Quintet’s forthcoming release, Saturn Sings on Firehouse 12 Records, including why and how she expanded her core trio, the growing chemistry within the group and the personal story behind the album’s distinctive cover art.

The group will celebrate their debut release, which officially hits the streets October 5th, with a two-set CD release concert at Barbès in Brooklyn on September 30th.

Learn more about Mary Halvorson on her Facebook page and at http://maryhalvorson.com