Jazz

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his look at the instruments of rock and roll. Today's installment: the bass.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg discusses Gerry Mulligan, jazz, and the use of the world cool.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a special series on the contribution of various cities to rock and roll. He begins with Los Angeles. Artists discussed Roy Milton, Johnny Otis, Esther Phillips, Richie Valens, Eddie Cochran, Beach Boys, Phil Spector, The Ronettes, and The Byrds.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead discusses Dutch jazz. He's been spending a lot of time in the Netherlands to research the style.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has a tribute to Don Pullen, who died Saturday at age 53. The New York Times called Pullen "one of the major jazz pianists of his generation."

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead remembers the late Julius Hemphill, who died on Sunday. Hemphill, the saxophonist and composer, helped found the World Saxophone Quartet.

Legendary musician and band-leader Sun Ra died Sunday at the age 79; we pay tribute to his otherworldly brand of jazz with an excerpt from a concert he performed six years ago in Philadelphia

Jazz critic Kevin White pays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald who turns 75 this Sunday. He argues that there are two versions of the jazz singer -- an interpreter of ballads and standards, the other a "superhuman" scat singer.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead pays tribute to the singer, who died last Monday.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead tells us what to get the jazz fan on your Christmas list.