Monday, August 24
Tonight on the Night Train it’s music from the CTI label. Known for its lush sound, massive lineups, and commercial sensibilities, CTI was one of the most successful jazz labels of the era. It was started by Creed Taylor who began his career at Bethlehem Records, headed up the famous Impulse imprint, championed the then-new sound of bossa nova at Verve, and went on to found CTI. We’ll hear label releases from such legends as Ron Carter, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Hubert Laws, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jim Hall, and Milt Jackson.
Tuesday, August 25
Night Train marks birthdays of guitar great Pat Martino, trombonist Michael Dease, and tenor legend Wayne Shorter (including a special in hour two featuring him and other saxophonists in the “School of Trane”). The Latin Bird feature for the week continues with one of Parker’s Latin recordings. There’s new music from Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo and singer Lauren Henderson. And we run down some of the special online events going on this weekend to celebrate the Parker Centennial.
Wednesday, August 26
Latin Bird week continues tonight on the Night Train with a Latin Jazz version of one of Charlie Parker’s classic compositions off a rare album by pianist Hilton Ruiz. We also mark birthdays of bluesy belter Jimmy Rushing and saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and highlight new music from Diane Schuur, Jason Marsalis, Idle Hands, and the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Stay with us for a special in hour two for the Charlie Parker Centennial Month feature tracing his life and career with the help of Bird historian Phil Schaap and saxophonist Joe Lovano.
Thursday, August 27
Birthday salutes tonight to tenor saxophone legend Lester Young and pianist, harpist and composer Alice Coltrane. We’ll hear music from both, tributes to both on recent albums from Jeff Rupert with George Garzone and Lakecia Benjamin respedtively, and a special in hour two featuring Alice Coltrane. We’ll also hear music from Jimmy Witherspoon (whose centennial birthday is being celebrated throughout the month on Crossroads), and wrap up this week’s Latin Bird feature for the Charlie Parker Centennial celebration, highlighting Latin tracks from Bird and Latin jazz versions of his compositions – this time including music from “El Rey,” Tito Puente.
