Monday 4.7.14
Night Train marks birthdays of Latin jazz percussion master Mongo Santamaria, drummer Pete La Roca, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, and legendary singer Billie Holiday, including a Jazz Profiles special about the life and music of Holiday in hour two of the show. Plus new music from Cuban-born pianist and composer Alfredo Rodriguez, and an intriguing blend of jazz and Haitian music from Jacques Schwarz-Bart.
Tuesday 4.8.14
Night Train marks the birthday of lyricist Yip Harburg, and also one of the great jazz vocalists – Carmen McRae. (We’ll have a Jazz Profiles special about McRae in hour two of the show). Plus more great jazz drummers for the April feature – including one of the most recorded drummers in jazz, Lewis Nash, on a new album with Mike Longo, and a new release from veteran drummer Billy Hart.
Wednesday 4.9.14
Night Train marks birthdays of drummer Steve Gadd and soul jazz organ pioneer Reuben Wilson – and there’s more for the April ‘Big Beat’ jazz drummer feature –tonight with Akira Tana, Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath, and Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts. Plus new music from the Nightcrawlers, Calvin Keys, Anton Schwartz, and the Janice Borla Group.
Thursday 4.10.14
Night Train marks birthdays of guitarist (and brother of Von) George Freeman, contemporary Latin jazz pianist and composer Omar Sosa, and Joey De Francesco, who helped make the organ a central instrument in jazz again. Hour two of the Night Train tonight will feature DeFrancesco from a special performance at the Newport Jazz Festival. Night Train also continues with more great jazz drummers for the April feature – this time with new music from an album headed up by drummer Jeff Ballard. Plus new music from singer Lisa Ferraro and pianist Bruce Barth.