In-Studio Performances

Jazz singer McCorkle returns to Fresh Air with pianist Lee Musiker and Dean Johnson for a special, in-studio Christmas concert.

The veteran jazz musician is critically acclaimed, but McKenna considers himself a "barroom pianist." He makes a living as a solo performer, and plays several songs for Fresh Air listeners.

New Orleans-based musician Dr. John, aka Mac Rebennack, performs a few songs by one of the greats from his home city.

Watson is often called the greatest flat-picker in the world. He joins fellow guitarist Jack Lawrence for an in-studio performance.

New performers-in-residence, singer Joan Morris and pianist William Bolcom, play two of their favorite Rodgers and Hart songs.

Costello's first album, My Aim Is True, showcased his tough but emotional songwriting and his classic rock star persona. He joins Fresh Air to discuss his growth as a singer, and to perform a few of his songs.

Barron was part of the Sphere jazz ensemble and records for the ECM label. He joins Fresh Air to perform some of the songs that influenced his playing.

Jazz pianist Kenny Barron joins Fresh Air to perform some of Abdullah Ibrahim's music, as well as Barron's own composition inspired by Ibrahim.

Lovett plays country music, but he's heavily influenced by rock and roll and jazz. His newest album, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, takes its cue from the big band era.

Pianist Kenny Barron says that the late jazz musician's style was jagged, percussive and dissonant. Barron performs some of Monk's compositions to demonstrate this innovative approach.

Jazz pianist Dave McKenna is known both for his large repertoire of songs and his improvisatory skill. He joins Fresh Air to offer a musical meditation on the change of seasons.

In celebration of the coming of spring, jazz pianist Dave McKenna performs three songs with "April" in the title.

Three members of the popular band join Fresh Air to perform a few songs to showcase their distinctive Louisiana sound.

The Texas-based pianist joins Fresh Air to sing a classic boogie-woogie song and a piece of her own, about Mobile, Texas.

Pianist and singer Marcia Ball joins Fresh Air to sing two love songs.

A live concert with songwriter and pianist Charles Brown. Brown is credited with creating an expressive style of blues that blended rough Texas blues with the soft glamour of Hollywood. Between 1946 and 1952, Brown recorded 20 hits, nine on his own, the rest as part of Johnny Moore's Blazers. He is featured in a new PBS documentary on the history of rhythm and blues.

Grammy Award-winning blues singer John Hammond performs two songs in Fresh Air's weekly performance segment. Hammond has performed for nearly twenty years, and in that time his style has evolved from straight-forward, rural blues to a harder-edged, urban style of blues. He is the son of music impresario John Hammond Sr. who helped launched and nurture the careers of Bob Dylan, Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday.

Blues musician John Hammond returns in Fresh Air's weekly performance segment with a demonstration of his slide guitar style. He plays songs by Son House and Big Bill Broonzey.

Pianist and singer Hadda Brooks. In the days following World War II, Brooks was a key figure in the West Coast jazz and blues scene. Her singing led to roles in movies and to a stint hosting a television show; she was the first black woman to earn that distinction. When her style of jazz and boogie woogie piano went into decline in the 50s, Brooks lived and performed overseas. She resumed her career in America in 1987, and was an immediate hit. She's currently appearing at Michael's Pub in New York City with singer Thelma Carpenter. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Grammy Award-winning blues singer John Hammond performs two songs by blues musician Robert Johnson in Fresh Air's weekly performance segment. Hammond has performed for nearly twenty years, and in that time his style has evolved from straight-forward, rural blues to a harder-edged, urban style.