Jazz

Jazz pianist Dave McKenna plays an April medley.

Pianist Jimmy (or Jimmie) Rowles joins the show to discuss Sarah Vaughan, who recently died of lung cancer.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album and a reissue of an old album by tenor saxophonist Sony Rollins. The new recording is "Falling in Love with Jazz" on the Milestone Label; the reissue is "The Freedom Suite," on Fantasy Records' Original Jazz Classics. It was first recorded in the late 50's and featured bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Max Roach.

A spring medley from stride pianist Dave McKenna. The tunes are: "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "Spring is Here," and "It Might as Well Be Spring."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Coltrane Live At Birdland," a reissued album by tenor and soprano saxophonist John Coltrane. Kevin says this is his favorite Coltrane album. (It's on Impulse).

Studio concert with guitarist Howard Alden, trombonist Dan Barrett and bassist Frank Tate. They are members of the ABQ (Alden Barrett Quintet) which records for Concord Records. They play music inspired by the small jazz groups of the 30's and 40's.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews composer and pianist Michele Rosewoman's new album, "Contrast High." (It's on enja records).

Actor Michael Moriarty. He's best-known for his roles in the films "Bang the Drum Slowly" and "Who'll Stop the Rain," and in the TV miniseries, "Holocaust." Moriarty is the star of a new TV series called "Law and Order," and he's also just produced an album of original jazz songs, called "Reaching Out."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Let's Eat Home," the new album by singer/songwriter Dave Frishberg. It's on the Concord Jazz label.

Singer and actress Annie Ross. Ross is best-known as a member of the jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. She also wrote "Twisted," which was recorded by both Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler. She made her acting debut in the 1974 play "Kennedy's Children," and has appeared in such films as The Homecoming, Yanks, and Superman III. Her latest role is in the film "Basket Case 2."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album by German jazz organist Barbara Dennerlein (DEN-er-line). The album, "Straight Ahead!" is her first to be released in the U.S. and Kevin says part of the reason for its success is that Dennerlein doesn't sound like other jazz organists.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from tenor and soprano saxophonist Bill Pierce. It's called "Equilateral," and it's on Sunnyside Records.

On the 25th anniversary of the death of Nat King Cole, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has an appreciation of the well-known singer, and he takes a look at Cole's often overlooked skills as a jazz pianist. (By the way, Nat King Cole actually died on February 15th, but we're running the piece today, a couple of days early).

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the music of two tenor saxophonists, who are father and son. Von Freeman from the Chicago blues style, plays with his son, Chico Freeman, on the album "Freeman & Freeman," (on the India Navigation label). Whitehead also reviews Von Freeman's album "Walkin Tuff!" (on Chicago's "Southport" label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two new albums by drummer Mel Lewis. Lewis has been leading a New York based band for more than 25 years.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new CD by drummer Cecil Brooks III, "The Collective."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissue of a 1957 album by bassist Wilbur Ware. Kevin says that year was the highlight of Ware's career--he recorded with Sonny Rollins and Thelonius Monk as well as recording his only album as a leader.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from pianist Dick Hyman and cornetist Ruby Braff. The pair have been playing together off and on since the mid 70s. This time they've teamed up and revived an old jazz tradition, playing tunes from Broadway. The album's called "Music from My Fair Lady," and it's on Concord Jazz.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead looks back on jazz in the 80s...the big figures, the big trends, the big albums, and he takes a guess as to what the 90s will bring.

Jazz guitarist Jim Hall. In the 50s, Hall was part of the West Coast jazz scene. Several years later he was touring South America with Ella Fitzgerald when the Bossa Nova craze hit. That music's been a lasting influence on Hall. In the 70s, Hall recorded with free-jazz player Ornette Coleman and made several albums with jazz's best bassists. In all, Hall's made more than 100 albums, his latest, with his quartet, is called "All Across The City." It's on the Concord jazz label.