Monday, April 6
Night Train highlights some contemporary ‘gypsy jazz’ inspired by Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, including music from Pearl Django, Stephane Wrembel, Quartet San Francisco, Tchavolo Schmitt and more. We’ll also hear solo projects from Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, and Annie Ross, who rose to fame as part of the pioneering vocalese combo of Lambert Hendricks and Ross, classics from jazz legends John Coltrane and Bill Evans, and selections from jazz violinists Mads Tolling and Didier Lockwood.
Tuesday, April 7
Night Train marks the birthday of Billie Holiday with music from her (doing a song April featured artist Carmen McRae wrote), from one of several Holiday tribute albums McRae did, one of her songs done by Freddie Hubbard (who was also born on this date) and a Jazz Profiles special about her in hour two of the show. We’ll also hear new music from Pearl Django, new reissues from Brent Jensen (in tribute to Paul Desmond) and Erroll Garner, and music from Mongo Santamaria and Victor Feldman who were also born on this date.
Wednesday, April 8
It’s the centennial birthday today of April featured artist Carmen McRae and Night Train highlights music from her last recorded album (a tribute to Sarah Vaughn), and another tribute album she did (songs of Thelonious Monk) in the first hour and has a Jazz Profiles special about her in hour two of the show. It’s also the birthday of lyricist Yip Harburg and we’ll hear one of the songs he did for the Wizard of Oz and another that become one of the classics of the Great Depression. Plus tributes to Wallace Roney and Ellis Marsalis and new music from Church on Monday
Thursday, April 9
Tonight on the Night Train it’s ‘Organic’ Ellington as the show highlights music from Duke Ellington featuring Wild Bill Davis on organ and an array of Ellington compositions performed by jazz organists, including Pat Bianchi, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, the Organik Vibe Trio, Papa John DeFrancesco and more.