Jazz

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead pays tribute to Benny Carter, the elder statesman of the alto saxophone. He reviews the new American Jazz Orchestra recording of Carter compositions, featuring Carter, pianist John Lewis and bassist Ron Carter, among others.

Chicago-based composer, arranger and tenor saxophonist Edward Wilkerson. He leads the big band Shadow Vignettes, whose 1986 album, "Birth of a Notion," was on most jazz critic's lists as one of the top ten albums of that year. In Wilkerson's newest album, titled "Eight Bold Souls," he leads a smaller group, an octet.

Jazz clarinetist and alto and soprano saxophonist Bob Wilber. Wilber is also a composer and arranger; He arranged the music for the film "The Cotton Club." And he's just completed his autobiography. It's scheduled for release later this spring and is titled "Music Was Not Enough." This Saturday, Wilber will lead a tribute at Carnegie Hall to the late Benny Goodman, the king of the jazz clarinet. It's the 50th anniversary of Goodman's famed concert there.

The saxophonist and clarinetist, a student of Sidney Bechet and a specialist in early styles of the music, died Aug. 4 at the age of 91. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1988, excerpted here. (Hear the full interview through the Fresh Air archive.)

Photographer William Claxton. His new book, Jazz, is a collection of jazz photographs taken in the 50s and 60s and includes photographs of jazz greats like Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and Max Roach.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from alto saxophonist Richie Cole. It's called "Popbop" and is available on Milestone records.

Musician Allen Toussaint. For over twenty years he's been a force in New Orleans rhythm and blues as a singer, songwriter and piano player. He wrote hits such as "Working in a Coal Mine," written for Lee Dorsey, and "Mother in Law," written for Ernie K. Doe.

Pianist Ran Blake. He heads the Third Stream Music Department at the New England Conservatory of Music. Third Stream music, a term coined by composer Gunther Schuller, integrates classical and jazz traditions. Blake has extended the definition to include other kinds of music. A CD of Blake's 1961 recording with singer Jeanne Lee has just been reissued by RCA.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Wingspan," the new recording from pianist Mulgrew Miller and his quintet. This 32-year-old musician was inspired by McCoy Tyner, but his sound is more spare and compressed than Tyner's.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead surveys his picks for the year's ten best releases.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album, "Momentum", by soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy.

Martin Williams, producer of the new six-record set for the Smithsonian Jazz Collection featuring singers and soloists from the Swing era. The set includes performances by Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and Johnny Hodges.

J.J. Johnson, a pioneer of the modern jazz trombone. In 1970, he moved to Hollywood to work as a composer and arranger for television. He's toured the country recently, and a new CD of sessions he recorded in the 60s has just been reissued.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Dances and Ballads," the new album by the World Saxophone Quartet.

Drummer and composer Bobby Previte. His music has been described as "... a blend of Charles Mingus' bluesy hoedowns and Steve Reich's trancelike minimalism." Previte began as a rock drummer and now composes in a wide variety of genres, from choral works and string quartets to film score and jazz. His new album is titled "Pushing the Envelope."

A live concert with jazz saxophonist Frank Morgan. Morgan has recently begun a new life after years of drug abuse and prison. He recently performed in a play about his life titled "Prison-Made Tuxedos."

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews bassist Dave Holland's new album, "The Razor's Edge," featuring Holland and his quintet - trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, alto saxophonist Steve Coleman, trombonist Robin Eubanks and drummer Marvin Smitty Smith.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new 3-record set of previously unreleased jazz 45's by tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec.

Guitarist Bob Brozman will perform two songs on his National Steel guitar.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album by the trio Power Tools. The group consists of guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer Shannon Jackson. Their new album is titled "Strange Meeting."