Jazz

New Orleans-based performer-in-residence Harry Connick, Jr. performs a few classic standards.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album by Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, and Geri Allen. He says Haden's full, chordal bass playing compliments Allen's spare piano melodies. Motian's musical drumming is given equal weight.

Clint Eastwood's biopic Bird delves deep into the personal life and legend of Charlie Parker. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the story fails to connect these often tumultuous moments with the genius of Parker's music.

The jazz piano wunderkind performs some classic swing tunes on piano.

The tenor saxophonist's father led a big band; Jacquet later played with Count Basie's group. He says that, early on, he was able to imitate the sound of great musicians of his era, but was slow to develop his own style.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new film based on the life of legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker. Schiff says it makes up for its lack of narrative drive with insight and an excellent soundtrack.

Composer and clarinetist John Carter's music takes its cues from a variety of American traditions, including jazz, folk songs, and the works of fellow composers Charles Ives and Morton Feldman. Kevin Whitehead reviews Carter's new album, Fields.

The drummer's new album incorporates dueling saxophones and electronics. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says DeJohnette's band leaves behind their more minimal approach for a more contemporary, commercial sound.

Performer-in-residence Dick Hyman talks about the late musician's approach to jazz. Hyman briefly studied with Wilson, who had a light touch and clarinet-like phrasing.

Tom Waits' music is changing, incorporating new styles like tango and Tin Pan Alley. He has a new performance film called Big Time, which features Waits singing different personas, and an album of the same name.

Bassist Milt Hinton pushed his instrument to new territories in jazz. He was also an avid photographer, who took pictures other noteworthy musicians during their tours across the country. His new memoir and photography collection is called Bass Lines. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the book brings Hinton out of the shadows.

Jazz singer Sheila Jordan grew up in a Pennsylvania coal mining town. She says if she had never heard Charlie Parker, she would have become a country singer. She was recently laid off from her day job of 21 years; now she can perform full-time. Bassist Harvie Swartz joins her for an in-studio performance.

Performer-in-residence Dick Hyman demonstrates the techniques that defined Fats Waller's sound.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has been thinking a lot about west coast jazz. Some easterners think the scene is tame and enervating, but Whitehead says the adventurous new album by Bert Wilson and his band Rebirth proves them wrong.

Fresh Air performer-in-residence Dick Hyman looks at the early jazz style, discusses some of its early practitioners, and plays some tunes in-studio.

Sidney Bechet broke new ground as a soloist early in jazz's history, paving the way for nearly every saxophonist who came after him -- from Charlie Parker to Steve Lacey. RCA has just reissued a collection of his recordings. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has this review.

Hyman performs and talks about the music of Erroll Garner. Hyman is a composer and arranger. He's worked on several Woody Allen films. He wrote the music for "Purple Rose of Cairo," and was music supervisor for "Radio Days."

A revival of Ain't Misbehavin', featuring the original cast, is now playing on Broadway. Critic-at-large Laurie Stone says she jumped at the chance to see it. Overacting and exaggerated choreography plagued the first act, but the cast showed restraint during the last half.

New Fresh Air performer-in-residence Dick Hyman plays some of the music of Jelly Roll Morton. Hyman says the pianist and composer bridged the gap between ragtime and jazz, incorporating the phrasing and style of wind and reed players.

Before his death, Benny Goodman gave Yale University five truckloads of his recordings, which are now being released on compact disc. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the first volume, which he says blends the facile in Goodman's music with the raw.