Monday, April 27
Night Train marks birthdays of Modern Jazz Quartet drummer Connie Kay and guitarist Lionel Loueke (including a concert special from the Savannah Music Festival in hour two of the show). Plus more music from April featured artist Carmen McRae, and a new reissue froe am Brent Jenson in tribute to Dave Brubeck Quartet saxophonist Paul Desmond.
Tuesday, April 28
Night Train marks birthdays of guitarists Leni Stern (on a new album as part of Monica Herzig’s Sheros lineup) and Steve Khan, and vocalist and pianist Blossom Dearie (including a special in hour two featuring her finest work done for the Verve label). We’ll also hear more from April featured artist Carmen McRae, a tribute to Basie alum Frank Foster, and a new album from Kat Edmonson.
Wednesday, April 29
In honor of the birthday of one of the legends of jazz, Night Train tonight presents a two-part special on Duke Ellington, focusing on his contributions as a composer.
Thursday, April 30
Night Train marks the birthday of bassist and composer Percy Heath with music he did as a leader, as a guest with Paul Desmond, Chris Connor, and Bill Evans, and as part of the Heath Brothers and the Modern Jazz Quartet. Night Train also wraps up the Carmen McRae Centennial feature with music she did with the WDR Big Band and the Shirley Horn Trio. And there’s new music from the Bill Cunliffe Trio, trombonists Delfeayo Marsalis, Audrey Ochoa and Michael Dease, John Di Martino (with a tribute to Billy Strayhorn), vibes player Lolly Allen, and the latest in an on-going series of reissues from pianist Erroll Garner.