Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new reissue of Thelonious Monk, "Solo Monk." (on the Columbia label.)

Tonight show band saxophonist Tommy Newsom talks with Terry about the end of his longest running gig (30 years with The Tonight Show).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new CD by avant-garde multi-instrumentalist Hal Russell, "Hal Russell and NRG Ensemble, The Finnish/Swiss Tour" (on ECM)

Jazz singer Sylvia Syms passed away yesterday at the age of 74. She had a heart attack just as she finished a performance at the Algonquin Hotel. Syms was known as the quintessential saloon singer, and foremost among her admirers was Frank Sinatra, who produced and conducted a 1982 album of standards called "Syms By Sinatra." Her one hit was "I could Have Danced All Night," from the 1956 musical "My Fair Lady." Her nightclub career spanned 51 years.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a recording of Stan Getz and Kenny Barron called "People Time" (on the Gitanes Jazz label), billed as Getz's last recording before his death.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead muses on the importance of swing to jazz with two new releases, "The Jelly Roll Joys," by Dave Burrell (on the Gazell label), and "Eugene (1989)" by Anthony Braxton (on the Black Saint label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue, "Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the 75th Anniversary." (on the RCA/Bluebird label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Don Byron's debut album, "Tuskegee Experiments." (on the Elektra Nonesuch label).

Used to be that big bands were the thing. Now, they're pretty much a thing of the past. But jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says he's found a couple of big bands from Boston where teachers and students are drawn to schools like the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music. He reviews "Orange Then Blue," by Funkallero, and "After Blue," by the Ken Schaphorst Big Band.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the soundtrack of the new movie "Naked Lunch."