Jazz

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bob Wills, who helped define the western swing sound while in the band The Texas Playboys.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the reissue collection "Lee Konitz meets Jimmy Giuffre" (Verve).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the 4-CD box set "Count Basie: The Golden Years," which features recordings the pianist made after the age 70.

We remember jazz drummer Tony Williams, who died of a heart attach Sunday at the age of 51. As a teen prodigy, Williams played with the Miles Davis Quintet, and later drummed with Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane. (REBROADCAST from 5/25/90)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the re-issued CD "New and Old Gospel" by Jackie McLean. It was a collaboration with Ornette Coleman--who played trumpet during the session--and originally recorded in 1967.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Apollo Records. Many of their albums are being reissued by Delmark.

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews Sun Ra's album "The Singles," which compiles songs he wrote in different styles, and that never made it onto his albums.

A concert and interview with singer Rosemary Clooney taped before a live audience in San Francisco, January 18th, as part of the City Arts & Lectures series. Clooney sings some of her best known songs, accompanied by a quintet directed by John Oddo. She also talks with Terry about her life. Her 1996 album "Dedicated to Nelson" has been nominated for a Grammy.

Commentator Milo Miles looks at the singing career of Jesse Stone. Stone helped shape the sound that was to become rock and roll. As chief arranger during the early days of Atlantic records, he guided the company towards a more swinging, urbane sound. A new collection focuses on his own singing career.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the CD "Serpentine," featuring drummer Han Bennink and trumpeter Dave Douglas.

A live concert in the WHYY Forum with jazz clarinetist Don Byron and his "Bug Orchestra." On their new recording "Bug Music," they play the music of The Raymond Scott Quintette, John Kirby & His Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra -- and a lot of cartoon music. Byron has become best known for playing klezmer, but musically he's all over the map: he plays jazz with his Don Byron Quintet, modern classical music with the Semaphore quintet, and he toured Europe with Music for Six Musicians, an Afro-Cuban ensemble.

Born in Connecticut, Brubeck is the son of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. He's been involved in classical music since college at Yale, and is a member of the Berkeley Symphony. In addition, he performs jazz both locally and internationally, composes for Club Foot Orchestra and leads the group Oranj Symphonette. Their debut album is"Oranj Symphonette Plays Mancini," which features original interpretations of the easy listening music of Henry Mancini.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Sun Died," by tenor saxophonist Ellery Eskelin. It's a tribute to to the late musician Gene Ammons.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new collection of the albums and unreleased recordings of Miles Davis' work with arranger Gil Evans.

Tenor saxophonist and composer, Ellery Eskelin. He's been called the most inventive American tenor player in creative music. His father, Rodd Keith, (also known as Rod Rodgers) was killed when he was struck by cars on the Hollywood Freeway after leaping or falling from the Santa Monica Boulevard overpass. Eskelin only knew his father for the first eighteen months of his life. As he grew up, Eskelin was inspired and intrigued by the continuous stories he heard about his father and his musical talent.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a CD by the Patrick Zimmerli Ensemble titled "Explosion." It's released by the Canadian music company Songlines. Patrick Zimmerli is a saxophonist living in New York.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the reissue of "Earl Hines Plays Cole Porter" (New World).

Johnston is best known for his work with the Microscopic Septet from 1980 to 1992. His latest band, Big Trouble, has just released the album, "Flood At The Ant Farm." He has a reputation as one of contemporary music's most versatile composers. In addition to playing the saxophone, Johnston has a growing interest in scoring music for film, T.V., and radio programs. He has written the theme music for "Fresh Air." He has also written music for other NPR programs, MTV, and Comedy Central.

Jazz Critic Keving Whitehead reviews a new re-issue of jazz saxophonist Lester Young. It's called "The Complete Aladdin Recordings of Lester Young" from Blue Note. Whitehead says these recordings from the 1940s prove that, contrary to popular belief, Young's playing remained intact after his military service.

Moody's new CD, "Young At Heart" is a collection of Frank Sinatra tunes. Just after World War II, Moody joined the bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie and played with Milt Jackson. His most famous recording is of an improvisatory piece he performed in 1949, now known as "Moody's Mood For Love." In the new CD, Moody performs as vocalist, tenor/alto/soprano saxist and flutist. He talks about his career and how his hearing problems have affected his career.