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Birthdays Of Ellington, MJQ’s Connie Kay & Percy Heath, & Blossom Dearie + International Jazz Day

Monday, April 27

Night Train marks birthdays of Modern Jazz Quartet drummer Connie Kay, bassist Martin Wind (whose credits include work with Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts),  and guitarist Lionel Loueke – including a special performance from him at the Savannah Music Festival in hour two of the show. Plus more music from Billie Holiday and new music from the Susan Krebs Chamber Band, Eric Reed, and Molly Johnson.

Tuesday, April 28

Night Train celebrates birthdays of guitarist Steve Khan and Latin jazz pioneer Mario Bauza (both also featured tonight on Global Village), along with singer Blossom Dearie (featured in a special in hour two of the show). Plus new music from Latin jazz pianist Bill O’Connell, bassist and singer Katie Thiroux, and drummer Steve Gadd – and more from Billie Holiday, the Night Train April featured artist.

Wednesday, April 29

Night Train celebrates birthdays of jazz giant Duke Ellington, harmonica player, whistler and guitarist Toots Thielemans, and two great Latin jazz artists – percussionist Ray Baretto and flutist Dave Valentin (both also featured tonight on Global Village). Plus the April Billie Holiday feature continues, this time with music from tribute recordings by Spanish singer Buika, Abbey Lincoln, Johnny Griffin, and Terence Blanchard.

Thursday, April 30

Night Train celebrates the birthday of acclaimed bassist and Modern Jazz Quartet member Percy Heath, and hosts the grand finale of KMUW’s Jazz Appreciation Month celebrations. On tap is music from artists who appeared at this year’s International Jazz Day concert that took place earlier today in Paris – and the conclusion of Night Train’s month-long Billie Holiday centennial birthday celebration, with tributes from Cassandra Wilson and Nnenna Freelon, and music from Holiday herself - including the classic song with which she would often end her performances that will bring the month and feature to a close.

Chris Heim produces and hosts Global Village, a nationally and internationally distributed world music show; the nightly jazz show Night Train, and Crossroads, KMUW’s twice-weekly blues and R&B show. Chris is also a critic and freelance writer whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Utne, Global Rhythm, Dirty Linen, and Option, among others.