One comes from a line of New Orleans piano geniuses. Another comes from New York’s downtown scene. They bonded over old jazz, and together, inject modern twists into early repertoire.
Butler, Bernstein And The Hot 9 At Jazz Standard
‘Everything Is Cyclical': Christian McBride Looks At 2015 In Jazz
McBride, host of NPR’s new program Jazz Night In America, talks to Audie Cornish about two exciting new jazz records, as well as two birthdays he says he can’t wait to celebrate.
How Eric Clapton, Who Once Quit A Too-Pop Band, Became A Celebrated Pop Star
By John Kessler and Nick Morrison The Yardbirds released their first hit record, “For Your Love,” 50 years ago. It was 1965, the year British rock invaded American pop music culture. The guitarist in The Yardbirds was Eric Clapton, who actually quit the band because they had a pop hit. At age 20, Clapton was already […]
Paul Shaffer On Piano Jazz
On this episode of Piano Jazz from 1988, David Letterman’s bandleader plays the standard “All The Things You Are” and teams up with host Marian McPartland for “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Remembering Marian McPartland: A Celebration
In a live tribute at 92Y in New York City, the late pianist and host of NPR’s Piano Jazz is saluted by a diverse cast of musical friends on the date of what would have been her 96th birthday.
Live Studio Session: Pearl Django and Gail Pettis
KPLU rang in the new year of 2015 with a studio session featuring some old friends of the station who are also some of Seattle’s finest jazz musicians—Pearl Django and Gail Pettis. Pearl Django has long been regarded as one of America’s finest gypsy jazz bands. Gail is a two-time recipient of the Earshot Jazz […]
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Live In Los Angeles
With its newest album, the swing revivalists honor a clear pioneer to their dance-friendly approach: Bandleader Cab Calloway. Lead singer Scotty Morris leads the band from Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Wynton Marsalis Group: Live In Concert
By necessity, the early jazz pioneers knew how to make music for revelers. So it made sense that Marsalis put the tunes of Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver on the bill for this New Year’s Eve bash.
Toast Of The Nation: Winter Jazzfest 2014
For one weekend each January, the epicenter of the New York jazz community is a marathon two-night downtown festival. Hear from Donald Harrison, Gretchen Parlato, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and more.
Ahmad Jamal, ‘A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order,’ Keeps On Building
At 84, the acclaimed jazz pianist is still recording and touring. Among his many achievements is one that often eludes even the most beloved jazz artists: mainstream popularity.