Music

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

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.

Guitarist Ry Cooder. His career consisted of one-night stands until he began writing the scores for films. His credits include "Paris, Texas" and "Crossroads." He's just come out with a solo album, his fist in six years. (INTERVIEW BY LIANE HANSEN)

Actor George Hearn, star of many Broadway hits, including "Follies," "Sweeney Todd" and "La Cage Aux Folles." He is now starring in a new theatrical production based on Chaim Potok's novel The Chosen. (INTERVIEW BY LIANE HANSEN)

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review "A Very Special Christmas," the new charity record that features The Pretenders, U2, Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recent recording of Alexander Zemlinsky's "The Mermaid," a work forgotten for almost 80 years. Zemlinksy's greatest influence was on the Viennese School of 20th century music.

Rock historian Ed Ward will profile The Standells. Their big hit was titled "Dirty Water." The group's name surfaced in the news recently when someone tried to impersonate Dick Dodd, the group's leader in an Austin, Texas nightclub.

Two novelty tunes from the 20s and 30s performed by singer and songwriter Michael Cooney.

Ken Tucker will review new home video releases, including the works of rock composer Frank Zappa.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews of new CD featuring the Swedish tenor Jussi Bjorling who died in 1960.

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."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles James Carr, the little-known 60s soul singer, thought to have been the equal of Otis Redding and Wilson Picket.

John Doe and Exene Cervenka, songwriters and vocalists with the L.A. rock band X. Their new album, their sixth, is called "See How We Are."

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.

Guitarist Ron Wood. He spent 12 years as a member of the Rolling Stones, seven years with Rod Stewart's Faces and five years with The Jeff Beck Group. A book of his paintings and drawings has just been published. It's titled Ron Wood by Ron Wood: The Works.

Accordionist William Schimmel will perform several tangos.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews Bryan Ferry's new album "Bête Noire."

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews pianist Mitsuko Uchida's new recording of Mozart's 22nd and 23rd Concertos, accompanied by Jeffrey Tate and the English Chamber Orchestra.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bobby Fuller, whose band, The Bobby Fuller Four, had hits including "I Fought the Law." Fuller came from West Texas, the region that Buddy Holly came from, and tried to emulate Holly's mannerisms and music. Fuller was just catching on in Los Angeles when he died under suspicious circumstances at age 23.