Monday 5.8.17
Two impressive jazz pianists were born on this date – Keith Jarrett and Mary Lou Williams. Night Train highlights music from both, including Jarrett’s tribute to Miles Davis with the famous ‘Standards Trio’ and a lovely set of duets he did with bassist Charlie Haden – and tributes to Williams from Virginia Mayhew and Marian McPartland, her most famous song recorded with Andy Kirk, and a Jazz Profiles special about her in hour two of the show. Plus more music from May featured artist Ron Carter (with Houston Person and Bobby Timmons) and new music from Diana Krall and a forthcoming EP from afrobeat drummer Tony Allen in tribute to Art Blakey.
Tuesday 5.9.17
Good vibes tonight as Night Train highlights some of the masters and contemporary players of jazz vibraphone. Among the highlights, May featured artist Ron Carter with Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, and Joe Locke, along with music from vibesmen Gary Burton (with Chick Corea), Steve Nelson (from his new album in tribute to Mulgrew Miller, and Dave Samuels (with his Caribbean Jazz Project). Plus lots of new music including singer Deborah Brown, drummer Tom Marko, guitarists Ralph Towner and Steve Khan, trombonist Nick Finzer, and pianist-composer-singer Ben Sidran.
Wednesday 5.10.17
Night Train highlights contemporary guitarists – including the ‘big three’ – Bill Frisell, John Scofield and Pat Metheny, along with WSU jazz guitar professor William Flynn, Gilad Hekselman, and Bireli Lagrene. Plus singers Joyce Moreno and Kim Nalley, saxophonist Kirsten Edkins, pianist Joey Calderazzo, saxophonist John Ellis with Double Wide - and Lea DeLaria’s jazz tribute to David Bowie.
Thursday 5.11.17
Night Train marks birthdays of famed composer Irving Berlin and pianist and composer Carla Bley, including Berlin favorites from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Fred Astaire, and Dinah Washington, and in hour two a Night on the Town/Composer Spotlight about Berlin and the classic songs he first introduced in Broadway productions.
