Monday 7.17.17
Tonight’s Night Train is devoted to a special full-length audio documentary, Vince Guaraldi – The Story of Dr. Funk, to mark the birthday of the popular West Coast pianist and composer for his birthday. Actually, it wasn’t funk, but west coast cool and Latin jazz that put Vince Guaraldi on the map. That and the breezy and engaging music he did for all of the Peanuts television specials right up until his sudden death in 1976. Guaraldi's story woven together with music and interviews with his biographer Derrick Bang, a number of musicians including former bandmates Eddie Duran and Dean Reilly, and Peanuts television co-creator and the man who brought Guaraldi into that project, Lee Mendelson.
Tuesday 7.18.17
Night Train marks the birthday of jazz-influenced British blues rock and jazz fusion organist Brian Auger with music from across his career in hour one, and a special live performance in hour two of the show.
Plus more from July featured artist Dr. Lonnie Smith, including a tribute album the organist did to Jimi Hendrix, Organissimo’s new tribute to the Beatles, and the latest from guitarists Steve Khan and former Wichitan Greg Skaff.
Wednesday 7.19.17
Night Train highlights pianists tonight – including a rare track with July featured artist Dr. Lonnie Smith on piano; new albums from pianists Chick Corea, Hans Ludemann, Yoko Miwa, Spike Wilner, and Mike Longo; and classics from Tommy Flanagan, McCoy Tyner, Joanne Brackeen and Marian McPartland. Also featured tonight the latest albums from Louis Hayes, the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, the Peter Erskine New Trio and Ben Allison.
Thursday 7.20.17
Night Train teams up with Global Village and Strange Currency tonight to celebrate the 70th birthday of Carlos Santana – with some of his Latin jazz fusion work in hour one, and a special, Carlos Santana -Multidimensional Warrior – in hour two of the show. Plus more from July featured artist Dr. Lonnie Smith, a previously unreleased live performance from Jaco Pastorius, the latest from Ray Mantilla and Oregon, and a couple of little gems in music from Quartet San Francisco and Marc Johnson.
