Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Shadows 'N' Dreams," the new solo album by jazz pianist Dave McKenna. (It's on Concord).

Drummer Charlie Watts. For a quarter century, Watts has been the drummer for the rock band The Rolling Stones. Watts has also had a life-long love for jazz, particularly the jazz of Charlie Parker. Watts has put together a jazz combo that pays homage to Parker, called "From One Charlie," and he's written a kid's book about Parker, called "Ode to a Highflying Bird." (Both are published by UFO Records in England). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new Impulse reissue of saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's album, "Let It Go." On that album Turrentine is accompanied by his wife, organist Shirley Scott.

Jazz French horn player Willie Ruff. Ruff's new autobiography, "A Call to Assembly," chronicles his childhood in the South, his enlistment in the army in 1946, his gaining admission to Yale, and his decision to pass on a career in classical music and follow a life in jazz. (It's published by Viking).

Singer Tony Bennett. Columbia Records has just issued a retrospective set of recordings covering Bennett's 40 years in the business.

Charlie Watts, the drummer with the Rolling Stones, has always loved the great alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. Watts just recorded a box set that pays tribute to Parker. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead is unimpressed.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead checks out new records from the bands Curlew and Doctor Nerve, which stretch the definition of jazz with the incorporation of rock attitudes, atonality, and computer-generated music.

Getz recently passed away after a bout with liver cancer. We remember him with a rebroadcast of an interview from last year. Getz talks about dropping out of school and going on the road at 15. He learned while traveling and playing with other musicians.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Duke Ellington's Carnegie Hall Concerts," a new series of CD reissues that chronicle the annual performances Ellington gave during the 40s.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Deadicated." It's a new -- and uneven -- album of other artists performing songs written by the Grateful Dead.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead concludes his look at some current jazz saxophone quartets, this time focusing on the ROVA Saxophone Quartet, which often collaborates with new music composers.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has the first of a two part review of several current saxophone quartets, a configuration that's risen in popularity lately.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead give a profile of the FMP label. It specializes in free jazz and features many American and European musicians.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album by Finnish bandleader and drummer Edward Vesala, on the ECM label.

Dorn's in charge of a new series of records on Virgin called Night Records, featuring great live performances. The first four releases feature performances by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Cannonball Adderley, Les McCann, and Eddie Harris.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the musician's new CD, "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart." Clay was part of the progressive jazz movement in the 50s. Whitehead says the saxophonist's playing has evolved since his days working with Don Cherry.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three albums that show the lasting influence of the blues in the genre that proceeded it. The artists he features are Big Joe Turner, Jay McShann, and Jeanie and Jimmy Cheatham.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says, though there's a wealth of wunderkinds in the scene today, listeners shouldn't overlook more seasoned musicians. He reviews a reissue of tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan's 1961 album, Bearcat.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a recent album by singer Shelly Hirsch and keyboardist David Weinstein. Their music draws from a diverse array of styles and traditions. Kevin says Hirsch is one of the most amazing singers in any genre.

Bernstein has composed the scores for around 80 films, including "The Man With the Golden Arm," "The Magnificent Seven," and "The Ten Commandments. He's done the scores for 2 new films -- "The Field" and "The Grifters." He joins Fresh Air to talk about how he works with directors to write his music.