Monday, June 1
Night Train pays tribute to drummer Jimmy Cobb, who passed away earlier this month, in a special edition of the show devoted entirely to his music. In hour one we’ll hear Cobb as a leader including music from two recent albums on which he appeared, and as a guest with Wes Montgomery, Wynton Kelly, Joey DeFrancesco, and with Miles Davis at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Then in hour two, it’s a Kind of Blue special. For many years, Cobb had been the last living member of the lineup that recorded that classic album. The program looks at the making of that Miles Davis album with commentary from a number of jazz masters, including Jimmy Cobb himself talking about what it was like to be part of that historic and enduringly popular recording.
Tuesday, June 2
Night Train focuses on singers tonight, both contemporary and legendary – including Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn, Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell, Mose Allison, Nat King Cole, Blossom Dearie and more. We’ll also hear guitarists Kenny Burrell and Al DiMeola, pianist Leslie Pintchik, and three master Brazilian musicians who make up Trio da Paz.
Wednesday, June 3
Night Train marks the birthdays of Curtis Mayfield (with jazz reinterpretations of his work from Pucho & the Latin Soul Brothers and the Jazz Soul Seven) and singer Dakota Staton (from a recent compilation of her complete early work). We’ll also hear music from June featured artist Shelly Manne, and new music from trombonist Audrey Ochoa and pianist John Di Martino.
Thursday, June 4
Night Train marks the birthday of Latin jazz saxophone and clarinet player Paquito D’Rivera in a special edition of the show devoted to his music. We’ll hear him as part of the groundbreaking group Cuban band Irakere, as a leader, and as a special guest with the Caribbean Jazz Project, Anat Cohen, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Mann and more – and in hour two, it’s a special that focuses on the classical side of his work, though always with a certain ‘Spanish tinge.’
