Jazz

Composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, who introduced America and Europe to bossa nova, the sensual, urbane musical idiom of Brazil. Before he started composing bossa novas in the 50s, he wrote symphonies, drawing from his training as a classical musician. His most widely circulated works include "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Desafinado."

Blues singer Moses Rascoe sings "St. Louis Blues." Rascoe, who retired from truck driving in 1983, was discovered at a folk society performance in York, Pa. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two new albums featuring trumpeter Paul Smoker. Smoker studied trumpet with Doc Severinsen and has played in a varied of settings, including orchestras, brass quintets and circus bands.

Composer William Bolcom. He is best known for his humorous and accomplished piano accompaniment of his wife, the singer Joan Morris, in their performances of American popular songs. His own compositions include the vast choral cantata "Songs of Innocence and Experience," that sets the poems of William Blake to music. He won this year's Pulitzer Prize in Music. Bolcom is also renown for his ragtime compositions, especially his work "Graceful Ghost."

Exiled South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. In the 60's, Masekela was probably best known for his instrumental hit, "Grazing In The Grass." More recently, Masekela performed with Paul Simon during his the Graceland tour.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz pays tribute to Irving Berlin, arguably the greatest American song writer, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Schwartz will review a new recording of Berlin songs performed by Elizabeth Welch.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a CD reissue of the recordings of tenor saxophonist Don Byas. The recording is titled "Don Byas on Blue Star," and captures the highlights of his recorded work during the period between 1947 and 1952.

Cabaret singer Wesla [sometimes Weslia] Whitfield. Ten years ago, she was paralyzed after she was shot in the back during a hold-up. She has since established herself as one of San Francisco's most popular cabaret singers.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Twilight Dreams," the third album by Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy. With the exception of drums, the band consists entirely of brass instruments.

New Orleans pianist and singer Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, performs the last segment of a seven-part performance series. Up to now he's payed homage to other New Orleans musicians, like Professor Longhair and Louis Armstrong. But this time he plays his own music. He calls it "homegrown Dr. John the Night Tripper Music."

British conductor Simon Rattle. While Rattle has won acclaim for his guest conducting in America and Europe, he is best known for the success of his City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Rattle's success has created a new legitimacy in England for regional orchestras. The orchestra is now touring in America.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead pays tribute to bandleader and arranger Gil Evans, who died on March 20. A reissue of Evans' music from the early 60s has just been released, and Whitehead uses that record to comment on Evans' varied contribution over the course of his 40-year career.

New Orleans pianist and singer Mac Rebennack (also known as Dr. John) plays two songs recently made popular by other New Orleans artists. This is part six of a seven-part performance series.

Jazz singer Chris Connor. She was best known for the work she did during a brief stint with the Stan Kenton band. Connor recorded sparingly throughout the 70s and for many jazz fans it was as though she ended her career. She's now performing again and has just completed work on a new album.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "She's a Great Great Girl," the second album from singer Daryl Sherman.

New Orleans pianist and singer Mac Rebennack pays tribute to one of his own, the New Orleans pianist and singer Cousin Joe. This is the fifth of a seven-part performance series with Rebennack, who is also known as Dr. John.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissue of the post-World War II work of Woody Herman and The Thundering Herd, one of the best-known big bands. There were almost half a dozen version of The Thundering Herd, but it was the configuration featured on this album that made Herman a household name.

New Orleans pianist Mac Rebbenack pays tribute to James Carroll Booker, III - his pick as the greatest New Orleans pianist. This is part four of a seven-part performance series with Rebennack, also known as Dr. John.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a 1973 recording of the South African quintet Spear, featuring saxophonist Dudu Pukwana. Like many of South Africa's best-known jazz artists, Pukwana emigrated in the middle 60s, settling in England and helping to spark the rich jazz scene there.

The third of a seven-part performance series with Dr. John, the New Orleans pianist who is also known as Mac Rebennack.