Phil James talks with the great jazz guitarist Bill Frisell

Guitarist Bill Frisell has been described as one of the most important, pioneering and panoramic musicians at work today. A consummate jazz player, composer and improviser, over a career or more than 40 years he has performed with most of the jazz greats across a wide range of interpretations of jazz and appears on more than 300 recordings he has been voted “Best Guitarist” in American jazz magazine DownBeat’s annual critics’ poll no less than 15 times. In June he is visiting Sydney as one of the headline acts at the Conservatorium’s International Jazz Festival. Eastside’s Phil James had a chance to speak at length with Bill about hismusical influences, the ranges of musical styles he performs and about his upcoming trip to Australia. Before we hear Phil introducing Bill Frisell and his music, we hear Bill play solo guitar solo on a piece called In Line, the title track from the album of the same name. Part way through the interview we hear a piece entitled Soul Merchant from Bill Frisell’s Blue Dream Album. The interview finishes with a trio of Bill, Lee Konitz on alto and Dave Holland on bass playing Kind of Gentle, a track from Kenny Wheeler’s album Angel Song. The interview and the music were first broadcast on 89.7fm during the show Time and Space on Wednesday May 8th.