Jazz

The saxophonist's latest album, Nightingale, features sensitive interpretations of spirituals and ballads. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead calls it Adams' most commercial effort yet -- and that's not a bad thing.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says many other critics don't know what to make of the jazz pianist's percussive, atonal playing. Cecil Taylor doesn't improvise using standard jazz changes or harmonies, yet he says his biggest influence is the blues. Whitehead reviews a reissue of Taylor's album Indent, and explains what to listen for.

Author and poet Al Young reads some of his autobiographical writing about the African American experience in the 1930s, and the cultural impact Coleman Hawkins' recording of "Body and Soul" had on his family.

Baker made a career as a trumpet player and jazz singer. Known for his struggles with his addition, Baker recently died after falling from his window; drug paraphernalia was found in his room. Bruce Weber's new documentary about the musician has just been released. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has this review.

Bassist Eberhad Weber's new album, on the ECM label, is airy, effects-laden, and often devoid of blues-inflected harmony. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says it's the kind of thing he usually hates -- but he still likes Weber's music.

Band leader and composer Mercer Ellington is the son of Duke Ellington, and leads the Duke Ellington Band. As a young man, Mercer Ellington played trombone, French horn and trumpet in his father's ensemble. Two recent Mercer Ellington albums have won wide acclaim: "Digital Duke" and "For Ellington," performed by the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Jazz critic KEVIN WHITEHEAD reviews a reissue of a MILES DAVIS album that was originally the soundtrack for Louis Malle's first feature film.

The Texas-based pianist joins Fresh Air to sing a classic boogie-woogie song and a piece of her own, about Mobile, Texas.

Self-professed Ellington fanatic Kevin Whitehead reviews Recollections of the Big Band Era and Piano Duets, both of which, he says, reveal why the composer and pianist was so admired by later jazz innovators like Cecil Taylor.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews neo-bop drummer Ralph Peterson's first album as a bandleader. Whitehead praises Peterson's dynamic and energetic approach, particularly in how he backs soloists -- all of whom shine.

Jazz musician and historian Loren Schoenberg profiles Red Norvo, a pioneering xylophonist who began his recording career in the 1930s.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that tenor saxophonist Benny Carter, now 81, has preferred to work behind the scenes, often allowing his collaborators to take the spotlight on his recordings. But Carter's newest album, My Kind of Trouble, puts him front and center where he belongs.

In celebration of the coming of spring, jazz pianist Dave McKenna performs three songs with "April" in the title.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews tenor saxophonist David Murray's new album, Ming's Samba. Whitehead says he revives some off-beat jazz traditions to create his distinctive sound.

Jazz pianist Dave McKenna is known both for his large repertoire of songs and his improvisatory skill. He joins Fresh Air to offer a musical meditation on the change of seasons.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new reissue of recordings by Artie Shaw's quintet, the Grammercy Five, which went through a lineup changes over the years. He says it reveals the seriousness of Shaw's search for greatness.

Pianist Kenny Barron says that the late jazz musician's style was jagged, percussive and dissonant. Barron performs some of Monk's compositions to demonstrate this innovative approach.

Critic and composer Gunther Schuller's new book, The Swing Era, examines the history of big band music. Though he is already a jazz enthusiast, Schuller says he researched his book as if he had no prior knowledge of the genre, hoping to craft a more comprehensive and objective account of that its development.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says a new album by Connie Crothers and the Lennie Popkin Quartet features predictable, snaking melodies, but, like their mentor Lennie Tristano, they keep up the intensity beneath their cool exterior.

Jazz pianist Kenny Barron joins Fresh Air to perform some of Abdullah Ibrahim's music, as well as Barron's own composition inspired by Ibrahim.