Monday, December 9
Lots of Jazz Messenger music tonight on the Night Train, with a recent album from Blakey alums Ralph Peterson & the Messenger Legacy, the Joshua Breakstone Trio’s tribute to some of the classic compositions from Jazz Messengers, and Messenger alum Donald Byrd, who was born on this date, as a leader, with Hank Mobley, and, in hour two, as part of a special featuring Messenger trumpeters including Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard.
Tuesday, December 10
Night Train focuses on vocalists, classic and contemporary, in this edition of the show. We’ll hear such legends as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald (together), Carmen McRae, Leon Thomas, and Nat ‘King’ Cole, and contemporary singers including Rene Marie, Carmen Souza, Jazzmeia Horn, and Nicolas Bearde. We’ll also dig out some overlooked gems from Teri Thornton, Dave’s True Story, Mark Winkler, Ben Sidran, and Bobby McFerrin. Night Train also sneaks in a few new instrumental albums, including the latest from organist Doug Carn, Bill O’Connell & the Afro Caribbean Ensemble, saxophonist Ray Blue, and pianist Monty Alexander.
Wednesday, December 11
Night Train marks the birthday of legendary pianist McCoy Tyner in a special edition of the show tonight. We’ll hear him as a leader and in recordings with Joe Henderson, Hank Mobley, and John Coltrane (from the newly released Blue World album) in hour one, and then as a featured performer in a special in hour two about John Coltrane and his bandmates.
Thursday, December 12
Night Train highlights music from a number of artists born on this date, including singers Bob Dorough and Joe Williams, saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., accordionist Richard Galliano, and also drummer Tony Williams (heard with Miles Davis in hour one, and as part of a “Sons of Miles” special in hour two with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter). Plus the latest from George Coleman and Jane Bunnett with Maqueque.
