Monday 3.31.14
Night Train wraps up the March Pat Metheny feature with music from a guest appearance he made with bassist Marc Johnson, from the Question & Answer album with Dave Holland and Roy Haynes, and from his new Unity Group album, Kin. Plus a birthday salute to vibes pioneer Red Norvo, including a Jazz Profiles special about his life and music in hour two of the show.
Tuesday 4.1.14
Night Train kicks off the April ‘Big Beat’ feature with music from drummers Babatunde Lea, Duduka da Fonseca, Art Blakey, and Leon Parker. There’s also birthday salutes to jazz/funk poet Gil Scott-Heron, and R&B pianist Amos Milburn, and new music from singer Lucy Smith, Latin jazz pianist Bill O’Connell, trombonist Steve Davis, and trumpeter Brian Lynch.
Wednesday 4.2.14
Tonight on the Night – more of ‘The Big Beat’ – the April jazz drummer feature – this time with music from WSU alum Matt Wilson, a rare leader slot for Lewis Nash and Latin jazz percussionist Ray Mantilla. Night Train also marks the birthday of guitarist Larry Coryell, including “A Coryell Connections” special in hour two highlighting some of the many settings and lineups in which he’s worked – and new music from singer Catherine Russell and pianist Helen Sung.
Thursday 4.3.14
Night Train continues to ‘give the drummer some’- featuring great jazz drummers and percussionists throughout April. Tonight’s show also celebrates birthdays of drummer Ali Jackson, Jr., singer Tessa Souter, soul jazz organist Jimmy McGriff, and bassist Scott LaFaro the legendary Bill Evans Trio. IN hour two of the show, we’ll also have a special about LaFaro, whose brief working life had a profound impact on jazz.