Jazz

Mystery writer Charlotte Carter. She made her debut last year with "Rhode Island Red" featuring heroine Nanette Hayes, a jazz saxophonist. Carter's second novel featuring Hayes is "Coq Au Vin" (Mysterious Press/Warner)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Heart and Sack" the new release by the Pandelis Karayorgis Trio (Leo Lab label).

We remember jazz composer and musician Jaki Byard. ("BY-ARD") He was found dead from a gunshot wound a week ago in his house in Queens. His death was ruled a homicide. He was 76. Byard was considered a stylistic virtuoso, who moved quickly in his playing from boogie-woogie to free jazz. He played with Charles Mingus and Rahassaan Roland Kirk and the Duke Ellington orchestra. Byard was also the composer of the first Fresh Air theme. We remember him with an interview and concert that originally aired 6/5/87. Byard is joined by tuba and bass player Ralph Hamperian.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Sunset and the Mockingbird:The Birthday Concert" by pianist Tommy Flanagan on Blue Note.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new Miles Davis reissue, "The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "War Orphans" the new release by Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson, on the ECM label.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Zero" (Blue Note), the new release by jazz saxophonist Greg Osby.

Commentator Milo Miles looks at the music and mores surrounding the new swing scene emerging in southern California. And he reviews the new cd "Swing This, Baby" (Slimstyle/Beyond) which features the new swing sound--which Miles says is more accurately described as "jump blues."

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews "Dizzy Gillespie: Jambo Caribe" (Verve).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Remembering Clifford" (Milestone), the new release by tenor saxophonist Benny Golson.

We remember jazz vocalist Betty Carter with a 1990 interview. She was considered one of jazz's great singers, composers and arrangers. She was known for her work with small groups, her control of tempo, and her vocal improvisations. In 1961 she recorded what became a classic album, "Ray Charles and Betty Carter." In 1993 she began the Jazz Ahead series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Last year she received the National Medal of Arts. She died on Saturday of pancreatic cancer. She was 69. (REBROADCAST from 11/28/90)

Sherman has a new album called "A Lady Must Live." She has been a long-time favorite of Manhattan's night life. Her new album features many American classic songs by Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Cole Porter.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Eddie Harris's newest cd "Greater than the Sum of His Parts."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three new CDs by clarinetist Ben Goldberg: "12 Minor" (Avant); "Here by Now" (Music & Arts) and "What Comes Before" (Tzadik).

After over 30 years in the business, Dara he's just released his first solo album, "Olu Dara: In the World: From Natchez to New York" (Atlantic). During the 70s and 80s Dara played in Art Blakey's band, as well as that of advante gardist Henry Threadgill and others. His new CD blends the two worlds and the two sounds that influenced him most: his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi and New York City where he lives now.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews three new re-issues of the music of saxophonist Tab Smith, featuring songs were recorded from 1953-1954. He says "Top 'n' Bottom" is has the best assortment of recordings.

A conversation with our jazz critic, Kevin Whitehead. Kevin's just published a new book, called "New Dutch Swing." (Billboard Books) It's "an in-depth examination of Amsterdam's vital and distinctive jazz scene." Kevin brings along some recordings of his favorite players.

A new box set of Miles Davis recordings has been issued. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has a review.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the CD "In the World From Natchez to New York" by Olu Dara from Atlantic Records. Dara who plays coronet, has been a fixture in the New York jazz scene since the 1970's. He performed with drummer Art Blakey, Julius Hemphill, David Murray and Henry Threadgill. This is his first CD of his own.

Author Diane Wood Middlebrook has written "Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton." (Houghton Mifflin) It traces the life of jazz musician Billy Tipton who passed as a man most of her life. Middlebrooke also wrote "Anne Sexton: A Biography." She is a professor of english at Stanford University in California.