Monday, January 20
Night Train marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a number of selections in hour one and a Blues and Beyond Martin Luther King Jr. Day Special with music from Dr. Billy Taylor, Paul Robeson, Otis Spann and more in hour two. We also mark birthdays of two drummers – the legendary Jimmy Cobb and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts – and begin a week of tributes to artists who passed away in 2019 with music tonight from pianist Harold Mabern and bossa nova pioneer Joao Gilberto.
Tuesday, January 21
Night Train highlights classic and contemporary soul jazz tonight – including music from such great veterans as Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson and Jack McDuff, and contemporary soul jazz acts including Dave Stryker, Brian Charette, Organissimo, and Mike LeDonne.
Wednesday, January 22
Night Train marks birthdays of jazz trombone pioneer J.J. Johnson, composer and trombonist Juan Tizol, and chamber jazz bassist Eberhard Weber, and continues the week-long tribute to jazz artists who passed away in 2019, this time remembering guitarist Vic Juris, third stream pianist Jacques Loussier, and vibes and marimba player Dave Samuels (including a tribute special featuring the music of Samuels in hour two of the show).
Thursday, January 23
Night Train celebrates birthdays of vibes master Gary Burton, and guitar legend Django Reinhardt. We’ll hear Burton as a leader and with Chick Corea, along with Reinhardt’s groundbreaking work in the Hot Club of France and Django-inspired performances from Stephane Wrembel and Pearl Django. Night Train also wraps up a week-long series of tributes to artists who passed away in 2019 with selections from Ethel Ennis, Bob Dorough, and Sam Pilafian. In hour two it’s a Woodsongs special Django tribute with the Hot Club of San Francisco and other special guests.
