Monk Competition madness, Don Byron interviewed, professor Sam and hints of a Clark Terry film.

Host Marian McPartland calls Dearie an “incandescent singer and pianist” whose “delicate, swinging style makes every song a musical gem.” The vocalist and pianist died this past year of natural causes. Piano Jazz remembers her life and music in an archival interview and performance.

The pianist pioneered bebop-style improvisation at his instrument. His biographer, Peter Pullman, selects five tunes which represent the brilliance of a desperately uncompromising artist.

Hear the music of an exciting young trumpeter from Havana, as well as a brief history of Cuban jazz.

With her classic voice and in-the-pocket delivery, Russell recently polished some gems at the 2010 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival. Saxophonist Virginia Mayhew also presents her new transcriptions of Williams’ classics for quartet.

It’s a scary job market for conservatory grads. But one musician still sees value in studying jazz.

The freewheeling saxophonist and his small group from the 1970s came together for a live concert in 2007 — their first together in more than two decades. Now, a recording has been posthumously released on CD, and critic Kevin Whitehead says it’s like they never went away.

A recap of the music in season three’s opening episode, featuring Glen David Andrews and “Frogman” Henry.

During the final round, the 24-year-old New Orleans musician made clear statements within the blues form with a lay audience in mind. He takes home a $25,000 scholarship and a recording contract. Justin Brown finished second, and Colin Stranahan third.

Jazz’s most prestigious contest takes place this weekend — though not everyone agrees it deserves the prestige. Five former entrants, winners and semifinalists alike, reflect on what their experiences meant to them.

A small town in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is home to more than its share of talented jazz musicians. Pianist Jesse Green is the son of a trombonist and a singer who moved to the Delaware Water Gap, and still lives there today.

Guaraldi had range, as well as an instrumental hit right when jazz was vanishing from AM radio.

A panel of musicians assembled by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation had lots of ideas.

The long-running jazz festival is set to go on this weekend for the 55th year. As always, new talent will be there — including these emerging vocalists. Artistic director Tim Jackson breaks down some of the performers he picked.

Today’s alto man renews a classic, Charlie Parker With Strings, at the Kennedy Center.

The hymn “Be Still My Soul” was one of the songs that Dave Douglas’ mom asked him to play at her funeral. Now, he’s recorded the tune. But well before he even heard the melody, it had already seen many different lives.

The jazz trio returns to covering classic rock, folk and pop tunes on its latest album, Where Do You Start. Fresh Air critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the band’s take on Elvis Costello, Nick Drake, Sonny Rollins and more.

Joe Jackson’s new album, The Duke, is a tribute to fellow musical pioneer Duke Ellington. The album, however, is not meant as a faithful, note-for-note re-creation. In fact, it features almost no horns.

Adele’s pianist, women in the avant-garde, Indiana jazz history and the 50 greatest saxophonists.