Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead profiles trombonist Charlie Green who worked with Bessie Smith.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the music of Willem Breuker.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead give a profile of the FMP label. It specializes in free jazz and features many American and European musicians.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says some of the best parts of classic songs like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "A Foggy Day" are the half-sung, almost-spoken introductions. But many singers skip them, opting to begin with the chorus. Whitehead remembers some of these forgotten intros.

World music commentator Milo Miles reviews the career of the Afropop pioneer. Dibango grew up in Cameroon, played jazz in Paris, and later returned to his home country. He performs in a wide range of styles, from soul to smooth jazz.

Milo Miles looks at the career of Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango.

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.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward explores the roots of doo-wop from jazz harmonists the Cats and the Fiddle to groups such as the Ravens and the Orioles.

On the 25th anniversary of the death of Nat King Cole, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has an appreciation of the well-known singer, and he takes a look at Cole's often overlooked skills as a jazz pianist. (By the way, Nat King Cole actually died on February 15th, but we're running the piece today, a couple of days early).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead looks back on jazz in the 80s...the big figures, the big trends, the big albums, and he takes a guess as to what the 90s will bring.