Jazz

Critics say Carter has no equal. Her career has spanned four decades, and she's earned three Grammy nominations. Carter's new album is called "Droppin' Things.

Raney began playing when he was 17. He was one of the first jazz guitarists to incorporate modern bop into his music. He suffers from Meniere's disease, which causes hearing problems -- he can perform solo, but has difficulty with other musicians. He collaborated with Stan Getz in the 1950s. Some of those early sessions have recently been re-issued on CD.

Cherry played with Ornette Coleman's free jazz ensemble. After striking out on his own, he immersed himself in world music. Those influences have informed Cherry's new album, Multikulti.

The jazz musician is an in-demand sideman, and is also known for his composed pieces. In discussing his career, Ehrlich says that improvisation and composition are part of the same musical gesture. His new quartet album is called The Traveller's Tale.

Murray is one of the few cello players working in jazz. She says class and cultural differences between black and white communities can explain why fewer African American children learn classical instruments. She appears on Muhal Richard Abrams' new album, The Hearinga Suite.

Jazz trumpeter Red Rodney. Rodney's played with the greats...Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Charlie Parker, among many others. He has a new album, called "Code Red," on the Continuum label.

Photographer William P. Gottlieb. In the 40s, Gottlieb learned photography and took hundreds of shots of the jazz greats of the time. Many of those shots are now well known through album covers, books, and posters. 200 of those photos appear in Gottlieb's new book, "The Golden Age of Jazz." It's published by Da Capo Press

Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz dropped out of school and went on the road at 15. He only took a few lessons on his instrument, instead learning by playing with other musicians. He's been popular in both jazz and pop. His latest album is Apasionado.

Jazz drummer Tony Williams.

Musician and actor John Lurie. He appeared in Jim Jarmusch's off-beat films "Down By Law," and "Stranger Than Paradise." Lurie also scored the music for these films, and he performs and records with his group, The Lounge Lizards. Lurie has a new album, Voice of Chunk, which he produced and is marketing himself through TV ads and an 800 number.