Music

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumptime," the first in a series of reissues of 50s singles from alto saxophonist and singer Tab Smith. (Smith originally recorded these tunes for the United label. They're being reissued by the Delmark label in Chicago).

Alto Saxophonist Vernard Johnson. He's best known for his Gospel playing, performing with preachers like, E.V. Hill, Billy Graham, and Bishop L. H. Ford. His saxophone was considered too raucous for the Gospel circuit when he began playing there in the mid-60's, but eventually he became a favorite on the evangelical circuit.

Baritone Sanford Sylvan. He portrayed Zhou Enlai in John Adams' "Nixon in China." He's a regular in Peter Sellars' repertory company, having played in "The Marriage of Figaro," and "Cosi Fan Tutte." He's playing the title role in Adams's "Death of Klinghoffer," which has its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in September. He also has his first solo record, "Beloved That Pilgrimage," on which he is accompanied by pianist, David Breitman. (on the Nonesuch label).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reports on cellist Yo-Yo Ma's performance at Tanglewood last week. He played the world premiere of electronic music composer Tod Machover's "Begin Again Again," which was written for the cellist.

Milo Miles reviews the music of two African guitarists: Diblo Dibala and Zanzibar, he heads a band called Les Têtes Brulées.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album from country singer Willie Nelson. The album's called "Who'll Buy My Memories," and it's subtitled "The IRS Tapes" since Nelson made the album to pay off back taxes. Tucker says the album's much better that you'd expect.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Living With The Law," the new album from singer and songwriter Chris Whitley.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new Brahms recordings by the Boston Chamber Music Society. Lloyd says it's great music, and a great argument for chamber music written for something OTHER than string quartet. (The recordings are on Northeastern).

Television critic David Bianculli goes out on a limb, and reviews two live shows before they air..."Paul Simon Live in Central Park," which airs Thursday night on HBO, and "The Elvis Files," a syndicated show that tries to prove that Elvis Presley is still alive.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Shadows 'N' Dreams," the new solo album by jazz pianist Dave McKenna. (It's on Concord).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Warm Your Heart." It's the first solo album in a decade from Aaron Neville, of the Neville Brothers. The album was produced by Linda Rondstadt.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward looks back at the Gold Star recording studio and the summer of 1958, when a 17-year-old Phil Spector wrote his first hit.

World music commentator Milo Miles tells us about David Byrne's latest anthologies of world music--Cuba Classics.

Drummer Charlie Watts. For a quarter century, Watts has been the drummer for the rock band The Rolling Stones. Watts has also had a life-long love for jazz, particularly the jazz of Charlie Parker. Watts has put together a jazz combo that pays homage to Parker, called "From One Charlie," and he's written a kid's book about Parker, called "Ode to a Highflying Bird." (Both are published by UFO Records in England). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new Impulse reissue of saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's album, "Let It Go." On that album Turrentine is accompanied by his wife, organist Shirley Scott.

It was 10 years ago today that MTV first debuted. Television critic David Bianculli looks back at the network's influence.

Pianist JOHNNIE JOHNSON. For nearly 30 years, Johnson was Chuck Berry's pianist. He played on all of Chuck's great hits, and he gained rock and roll immortality when Chuck Barry wrote the song "Johnnie B. Goode" about him. Now Johnnie Johnson has his own album, called "Johnnie B. Bad." (It's on Elektra/Nonesuch).

Jazz French horn player Willie Ruff. Ruff's new autobiography, "A Call to Assembly," chronicles his childhood in the South, his enlistment in the army in 1946, his gaining admission to Yale, and his decision to pass on a career in classical music and follow a life in jazz. (It's published by Viking).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles English disc jockey John Peel.

Part two of our interview with Sonny Bono. Today, he talks about the Sonny and Cher years, their breakup, and his going on to be elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. Bono has a new autobiography, called "And The Beat Goes On" (published by Pocket Books).