Monday 8.4.14
Two special hours tonight on the Night Train. In hour one, it’s a tribute to legendary New Orleans drummer Idris Muhammad, who appeared on hundreds of recordings and was one of the most sampled drummers in jazz. We’ll hear him as a leader, and performing with Ahmad Jamal, Charles Earland, John Hicks, Pharoah Sanders with Leon Thomas, and Randy Weston.
Then in hour two, for Louis Armstrong’s birthday - the special, Terry Teachout's "Pops:" Louis Armstrong's Culture Changing Genius, music and conversation with the Armstrong biographer about the profound and revolutionary nature of Armstrong’s music.
Tuesday 8.5.14
Night Train marks birthdays of Brazilian percussionist Airto, and pianist and singer Jeri Southern, and for the August feature – music from the Newport Jazz Festival - it’s from Larry Grenadier and Karrin Allyson, who performed at this year’s festival, and the classic Count Basie at Newport album. Plus new releases from Lisa Hilton, Keith Jarrett & Charlie Haden, the Janice Borla Group, and Mike LeDonne.
Wednesday 8.6.14
SPECIAL: For Charlie Haden’s birthday, Night Train offers a special rebroadcast of the special tribute show that aired shortly after his passing last month. The program highlights music from throughout the great jazz bassist’s career- from his days as the two-year old yodeling Cowboy Charlie in his family’s band, to his groundbreaking work with Ornette Coleman, his own groups – including Quartet West and the Liberation Music Orchestra - and collaborations with some of the greats of 20th century jazz, including Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Art Pepper, Hank Jones, Chet Baker, Abbey Lincoln, and Michael Brecker.
Thursday 8.7.14
Night Train highlights more music from Newport, the August feature marking the 60th anniversary of the ‘grandaddy’ of American jazz festivals, with Ray Charles recorded live at Newport and new music from Gregory Porter, one of the artists featured at this year’s fest. Plus birthday salutes to multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, seven-string guitarist George Van Eps, and pianist Marcus Roberts – including a performance Roberts gave at the 2013 Savannah Music Festival in hour two of the show.