Night Train
Monday - Thursday 10pm to 12am
Monday through Thursday nights, it’s the best in jazz on Night Train, hosted by KMUW’s Chris Heim. From classic artists and recordings to today’s emerging artists and most intriguing new releases - along with specials, in-depth features, jazz concert highlights and more - Night Train will take you to the best of “America’s classical music.”
Night Train Best of 2011
February 2012: Mardi Gras Month - New Orleans Jazz
Throughout February, Night Train teams up with Global Village and Crossroads for a Mardi Gras celebration with the sounds of New Orleans. On the Night Train, it’s the sound of New Orleans jazz.
Though jazz may have been inevitable, the unique blend of peoples and cultures in the Crescent City made it the perfect birthplace for this distinctly American musical form and its mix of European and African influences and a little bit of that “Spanish tinge.” From early greats like Jellyroll Morton and Louis Armstrong right up to today’s roster of eclectic and influential artists, including the Marsalis Family, Terence Blanchard, Trombone Shorty and a number of innovative new-generation brass bands, New Orleans remains an integral part of the past, present and future of the music.
Throughout February, Night Train features the sound of New Orleans’ jazz from classic early recordings right up to the latest releases from Crescent City players. In addition, Night Train will feature Monday Louis Armstrong Jazz Profiles shows and “Fat Tuesday Concerts” from the Newport and Savannah Festivals throughout the month.
Louis Armstong Jazz Profiles:
2.6 A Man and His Music Part 1
2.13 A Man and His Music Part 2
2.20 The Trumpeter
2.27 The Singer
Fat Tuesday Concerts:
2.7 The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
2.14 Matt Wilson
2.21 Trombone Shorty and New Orleans Avenue
2.28 Henry Butler
Coming Soon
Week of February 20
Monday 2.20.12 Night Train marks the birthday of Kansas City born soul-jazz organist Charles Kynard, salutes AACM founder and popular Chicago pianist Jodie Christian, who passed away last week, and continues with February feature sounds from New Orleans, including music from the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band and second-line sounds from Charles Fambrough and Donald Harrison. In hour two of Night Train, it’s another in the Louis Armstrong Jazz Profiles series, this week with “Louis Armstrong – The Trumpeter,” which explores how the New Orleans legend transformed the trumpet into a solo and central instrument in jazz.
Tuesday 2.21.12
Night Train celebrates Fat Tuesday with music from Donald Harrison, Art Neville, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers and Oz Noy with Crescent City legend Allen Toussaint - plus music from pianist Eddie Higgins and jazz legend Nina Simone for their birthdays and new music from Pat Martino and Meredith D’Ambrosio.
The claymation classic of the Nina Simone’s My Baby Just Cares for Me:
Wednesday 2.22.12
Night Train highlights tribute albums tonight, including: Scott Hamilton’s salute to Duke Ellington, Susannah McCorkle’s collection of Yip Harburg songs, NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Owens new album of music from Thelonious Monk, a new collection of Paul Desmond music from saxophonist Bruce Babad, a remembrance of Blossom Dearie by singer Amy Cervini, and for the February New Orleans feature, Nicholas Payton’s salute to Louis Armstrong.
Thursday 2.23.12
Night Train highlights some great singers tonight – including Cassandra Wilson, Abbey Lincoln and Ray Charles, along with salutes to both Billie Strayhorn and Duke Ellington – and for Mardi Gras month, it’s music from Ellington’s own New Orleans Suite.
