Jazz Stories

BP!

WRTI Staff — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:42:27 +0000

Wynton Marsalis Group: Live in Concert

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:44:00 +0000

The world-renowned trumpeter leads the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in the music of Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver on New Year's Eve.

It's an hour and a half of New Orleans Ragtime jazz!--From NPR Music
Listen to the Concert Here

Christian McBride: Tackling Two Sides Of Jazz At Once

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:13:00 +0000

In jazz, to be a bassist usually means playing in someone else's band. The bassist-as-bandleader is a fairly rare thing, with the torch being passed over the years from Charles Mingus to Ron Carter...and now to Philadelphia-born Christian McBride.

Not yet 40, McBride has become one of the most prolific performers in jazz. He's just released two new albums, each representing completely different takes on the form.--from NPR

Jazz Up Close: Benny Golson on December 11

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:33:00 +0000

Join Maureen Malloy from 6 to 8 pm for the second installment of the Jazz Up Close series from the Kimmel Center, celebrating "Killer Joe" himself, Benny Golson. Philadelphia-born Golson is known worldwide as a true jazz innovator - as a sax player and as a composer. He's also the only living artist to create eight jazz standards.

It's Dave Brubeck All Night: December 6th to 7th

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:24:00 +0000

Join WRTI as we celebrate 91 years of Dave Brubeck! The birthday festivities kick off at 6 pm with Bob Perkins as he plays some of Brubeck's true classics, and some lesser-known (yet still magnificent) works. At 9 pm, Maureen Malloy will bring you Brubeck's live recordings, selections from performances with his sons, and other music from his sons' band, The Brubeck Brothers. The music of this groundbreaking pianist/composer will continue until 6 am.

During this special night, be sure to visit our website, right here at wrti.org, to enter our BRUBECK ALL-NIGHT CONTEST.

LISTEN: An American Jazz Diva Plays French Chanteuse

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:52:00 +0000

The voice of jazz singer Stacey Kent has been compared to the taste of vermouth and the compositions of Erik Satie. Described as an irrepressible gamine, she's an American from New Jersey who now splits her time between Colorado and London. Kent's latest album springs from yet another national backdrop: France, where she's enjoyed particular fame and success. She sings the songs on Raconte-Moi entirely in French, trading between standards and a few new ones written just for her.--from NPR

Five Hauntingly Hip Sides For Your Jazz Halloween

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:17:00 +0000

Even if you're not into the trick-or-treat bag and have permanently had your fill of candy corn, you might dig the grave sounds of some wickedly good music. Here are five sides to help you light your jazz-o'-lantern with an otherworldly glow.--from NPR

Bob Perkins Recommends...

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:48:00 +0000

Mel Torme: The Best of the Concord Years

There's an old saying that pays tribute to multi-talented people by suggesting that such people are larger than the sum of their parts. Read on and determine if this artist earns such credit.

As a child of four years, Torme made his debut as an entertainer when he performed an impromptu rendition of "You're Driving Me Crazy," at Chicago's famed Blackhawk restaurant. From that time on, his career - which saw him as a singer, drummer, pianist songwriter and actor - spanned 65 years.

LISTEN: Footmen, Mansions And Jazz - The Life Of 'Nica'

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:48:00 +0000

She was married to a baron, flew airplanes and fought for the French Resistance in North Africa. She smoked cigarettes from a holder, drove a Rolls-Royce and sipped Chivas from a silver flask. And, for the last three decades of her life, she dedicated herself to helping jazz musicians. Known as "The Jazz Baroness," she was a patron to the likes of Thelonious Monk and Art Blakey; Charlie Parker died in her hotel room. Now, a new biography called Nica's Dream tells the story of Kathleen Annie Pannonica de Koenigswarter.--from NPR

LISTEN: What's With All The Jazz Tribute Albums?

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:59:00 +0000

More than so many other kinds of music, jazz takes its tradition seriously. There's about 100 years' worth, and most of it has been passed down in sound: by playing with, listening to and studying with the masters. So it makes sense that jazz musicians feel such visceral connections to their ancestors, whether spiritual, intellectual, educational, inspirational, aspirational or even just marketable.--From NPR