Kevin Whitehead

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Manic Traditions," the new album by Les Miserables Brass Band. They're an eclectic group that plays brass music from around the world, as well as original works. (They're on the Northeastern label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Miles Davis "Birth of the Cool" album. That influential album from 1950 has just been reissued on CD by Capitol.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from pianist Art Hodes, "Pagin' Mr. Jelly."

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new CD featuring Carmen McRae. It's "Carmen Sings Monk" on the BMG/RCA label. The recording is a first: no other performer has been permitted to record the lyrics to Monks' songs. McRae got special permission from the Monk family. The CD also features the late saxophonist Carlie Rouse.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumpworld," the new album from jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. It's on JMT records.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Best of Teo Macero," a reissue of Macero's so-called "third stream" work from the 50s. It's on Stash records.

Jazz tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon was one of the creators of bop and one of the most influential players of the 1940s and 1950s. Gordon received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his role in the 1986 film Round Midnight. He died this morning of kidney failure. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead joins the show to remember Gordon.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "That's a Serious Thing," a new reissue featuring trombonist Jack Teagarden. Kevin says the album shows how Teagarden brought a country influence into jazz. The album's on the RCA/Bluebird label and it features Teagarden performances from 1929 to 1957.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a couple of Ornette Coleman reissues from 1968: "New York is Now," and "Love Call." (Both on the Blue Note label). They include some alternate takes of tunes never before released in the U.S.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new reissue, "Uptown," featuring the Gene Krupa Orchestra with Roy Eldridge and singer Anita O'Day. It's on Columbia.