Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Schedule May 4 Veronica Nunn with Travis Shook Vocalist Veronica Nunn grew up in Little Rock, AR, absorbing all kinds of music, from jazz to funk to gospel. When she moved to New York in 1978, she split her time between Harlem's jazz clubs and the Theology department at Lehman College. Now a full-time jazz singer and accompanied by her pianist husband, Travis Shook, Nunn demonstrates her soulful touch on "One Note Samba" and "I'm Old Fashioned." May 11 Larry Vuckovich Pianist Larry Vuckovich hails from Yugoslavia, where he studied classically until Armed Forces Radio turned him into an ardent jazz fan. He launched his jazz career in San Francisco in 1960 and has since carried his evocative and elegant music around the world. He plays his own composition "Blue Balkan," before conspiring with McPartland on "Billie's Bounce." May 18 Oscar Peterson Pianist Oscar Peterson was one of the giants of jazz piano. Fast fingers and a hard-wired sense of swing defined Peterson and made him a favorite musical partner for everyone from Ella to Dizzy to Herbie Hancock. In this encore presentation, Peterson demonstrates his deft touch and amazing technique on his own "Love Ballad" before joining McPartland on Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone." May 25 Laurence Hobgood Pianist Laurence Hobgood has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene for years. He has recently come to prominence as pianist, musical director and co-producer for the much-celebrated jazz singer Kurt Elling. An exceptional soloist and trio leader in his own right, Hobgood performs his own tune "The Smuggler" and joins McPartland on "Things Ain't What They Used to Be."