Monday 5.2.16
Night Train kicks off the May feature, celebrating the 80th birthday of pianist, composer, arranger and band leader Carla Bley - plus salutes to lyricist Lorenz Hart, drummer Will Kennedy, and organist Groove Holmes, all of whom were born on this date. And new music from Sarah Vaughan, the Yellowjackets, Peter Erskine, Chester Thompson, and more.
Tuesday 5.3.16
More music tonight on the Night Train from May featured artist Carla Bley, this time with her small group lineup, the Lost Chords. And birthday salutes to pianist, composer and Modern Jazz Quartet member John Lewis, rising star on the jazz guitar scene Hristo Vitchev, flutist Andrea Brachfeld, and lyricist Betty Comdon (including a special in hour two exploring the classic songbook she wrote with fellow lyricist Adolph Green) – along with new releases from Crescent City drummer Herlin Riley and singer June Bisantz with a tribute to Chet Baker.
Wednesday 5.4.16
Night Train celebrates the birthday of Ron Carter, who went into the Guinness World Records last year as the most recorded bassist in jazz (2,221 verified recordings and counting), with music he did as a leader and with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Jeremy Pelt and more -- plus an NEA Art Works conversation with him in hour two of the show. Also more music from May featured artist Carla Bley, and new releases from singer Nicolas Bearde, percussionist Joe Chambers, and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt.
Thursday 5.5.16
Night Train highlights some big bands and large ensembles– including those led by May featured artist Carla Bley, Gil Evans and Duke Ellington, along with the WDR Big Band, the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, the Great American Music Ensemble, and Randy Brecker with the DR Big Band. Plus new music from guitarist Ed Cherry, vocalist Kevin Mahogany, Brian Andres & the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel, and a new symphonic arrangement of Claude Bolling’s "Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio".
