How has Arts and Crafts evolved since the beginning? How has the loss of Dennis Irwin [in 2008] affected the interaction and sound, and how has the group changed with the addition of Martin Wind?  

MW. We miss Dennis obviously and I am sure I can speak for the whole jazz community that his death has affected us deeply. Not only his musical offerings but his humor and musical knowledge. He was a pleasure to be around, a true American original that left us way too soon.

Martin and I are very close friends and colleagues. He is an incredible bassist, composer and musical allower. I love his spirit and flexibility. He is a great cat that is one of the most respected artists on the NY scene. We are thrilled to have James [Weidman] join us on this trip as Gary Versace is out on tour with Madeline Peyroux. We have played together with both Joe Lovano and Marty Ehrlich. He has gone out with us before and played with us on the NPR JazzSet concert a couple of summers ago.   

The Scenic Route (Palmetto, 2008) was really successful-- so what will be the follow up?

I plan on making a new CD for Palmetto with the band in the fall. I would love to record live, especially at the Village Vanguard or the Green Mill in Chicago.   

Your Matt Wilson Quartet is still going strong—nice CD, That's Gonna Leave a Mark [2009]. Do you have any other projects underway now as leader?

I am still doing the Carl Sandburg Project. The MWQ has been very busy touring,; we now have cornetist Kirk Knuffke with us as Andrew D'Angelo wanted to move on since his illness. I am also recording a Christmas CD with my Christmas Tree-o (with Jeff Lederer and young bassist Paul Sikivie), a solo CD, and a trio with young saxophonists Adam Larson and Greg Ward, who both are also from central Illinois.    

I see your name on countless new releases these days, often with vocalists. Are you doing more sideman work with singers? Do you approach you drums differently when working behind a singer vs in an instrumental ensemble?

I do not think I work more as a sideman with singers, but I enjoy it very much. I love words and the rhythm of vowels and consonants. I have always really approached the drums as a singer, conveying the melody of the song through the shape of not only the melody but also the lyric. That is something I instill in young horn players in workshops. Play the melody of the lyric, not just the notes.  

I know you do master classes and clinics with students. What are three or four critical bits of advice you give budding drummers?

Hear what you play, feel what you play, love what you play!  Offer your sound(s) with love and intention. Smile and allow folks to go somewhere!   

More on Matt Wilson at www.mattwilsonjazz.com