Monday, May 13
Night Train kicks off a special week long salute to jazz guitar great Kenny Burrell, including music he did with producer Creed Taylor and pianist Red Garland, both born on this date. It’s also the birthday of Stevie Wonder (with covers of his songs from some recent albums), harmonica player GrégoireMaret, Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan), and composer and arranger Gil Evans (with music from a recent Gil Evans Orchestra album and a Birth of the Cool special in hour two).
Tuesday, May 14
Night Train continues the May Drum feature with music from Elvin Jones’ debut album as leader and the new album from Herlin Riley, and the week-long special tribute to jazz guitar great Kenny Burrell with music from a classic album he did with another jazz legend, saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. Plus birthday salutes to saxophonist Virginia Mayhew (including on a new album as part of the Ellen Rowe Octet), and jazz and soprano saxophone pioneer Sidney Bechet (including a Jazz Profiles special featuring him in hour two of the show). We’ll also hear new music from saxophonist Ernie Watts and the Wynton Marsalis soundtrack to the new film Bolden.
Wednesday, May 15
Night Train continues a special weeklong tribute to guitarist Kenny Burrell, including music from an album he did with legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey. And there’s more drummers for the May feature including a rare Latin jazz project from Louis Bellson – plus new music from Trombeatz and Bill Frisell with Thomas Morgan, and birthdays of pianist Ellis Larkins (with Ella Fitzgerald) and Brazilian guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves (who will be part of a Brazilian Duets concert special in hour two of the show).
Thursday, May 16
Night Train wraps up a week long special tribute to Kenny Burrell, and marks birthdays of legendary singer Betty Carter (including music from a new previously unreleased live set in hour one and a Jazz Profiles special in hour two) and of three drummers – Redd Holt, Billy Cobham and Jemal Ramirez.
