Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “Hollywood Swing & Jazz: Hot Numbers from Classic MGM, Warner Bros., and R.K.O. Films” (a Rhino box).

Ex-co-leader of the septet Squirrel Nut Zippers, Tom Maxwell. His new recording as a solo artist is “Samsara” (Samsara Ltd.) On the album he continues the work he started with the Zippers, harkening the sound of hot jazz, but also blues and gospel, Country and Western, and even Chinese opera.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “Dusk” (Palmetto) the new CD by pianist Andrew Hill.

Conductor Maurice Peress. He specializes in reconstructing historic American concerts. He’s worked with Ellington and Bernstein, and is the author of the forthcoming book, “Living With American Music: Dvorak to Duke Ellington.”

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “Sonny Rollins: The Freelance Years: The Complete Riverside & Contemporary Recordings” (Riverside)

Contributing editor for Vanity Fair David Margolick. In his new book “Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday, Café Society, and an Early Cry for Civil Rights” (Running Press), Margolick traces the history and impact of the song “Strange Fruit,” a ballad about lynchings which became Billie Holiday’s signature song. It was written by a Jewish school teacher who was inspired to write the song after seeing a newspaper photograph of a lynching.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “Too Much Coffee Man” (Blue Note) by singer-songwriter Bob Dorough.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Monk's Dream (Verve records), the new record from soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy and trombonist Roswell Rudd.

Singer Keely Smith. She has been called “The Queen of Swing” and “the First Lady of Las Vegas”. Smith is perhaps best known as the duet partner and wife of Louis Prima. Smith and Prima drew crowds to the lounges of Las Vegas in the 1950s. Their hits include “Jump, Jive, an’ Wail,” “Just a Gigolo,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “That Old Black Magic.” Smith talks about her marriage to Prima, the music they made together, and her career. Smith has just released a new CD called Swing Swing Swing

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “Tenor & Fallen Angels” (hatology) the new reissue by Joe McPhee.