Monday, May 20
Night Train is featuring drummers and percussionists throughout May for International Drum Month – and this week we have drummer birthdays to celebrate every night, including for this night Victor Lewis and Ralph Peterson (who released a new album for his birthday and will be featured in a special in hour two of the show). Throughout the week, Night Train also features women jazz drummers, starting tonight with one of the best on the scene today – Allison Miller. Plus music from legendary jazz bagpiper Rufus Harley in honor of his birthday and a preview of KMUW’s Bob Dylan birthday special this Friday night from 7 to midnight with a Dylan tune from Charles Lloyd & the Marvels.
Tuesday, May 21
Night Train continues a week-long salute to women drummers as part of the May Drum Month feature with music from the International Sweethearts of Rhythm (featuring Pauline Braddy on drums) and Cindy Blackman-Santana. It’s also the birthday of West Coast drummer Larance Marable, featured tonight with Dexter Gordon and Charlie Haden’s Quartet West – and of legendary pianist, singer and songwriter Fats Waller, who will be featured in a special in hour two of the show. There’s also new music from pianist Harold Mabern, trombonist Steve Davis, and vocalist Catherine Russell (whose mother played bass in the International Sweethearts).
Wednesday, May 22
Night Train marks birthdays of interstellar jazz master Sun Ra (including a Jazz Profiles special in hour two of the show), one of the rising stars of jazz trombone – Nick Finzer, vibes and percussion player Ted Piltzecker, and drummer Dick Berk. The show also continues its week-long feature of women drummers for the May Drum Month feature – this time with Terri Lyne Carrington and the Five Play group headed up by drummer and Diva Jazz Orchestra co-founder Sherrie Maricle.
Thursday, May 23
Night Train wraps up a week-long feature of women drummers for the May Drum Month feature with music from Sheila E. and Allison Miller. The show also marks the birthday of drummers Famadou Don Moye of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Daniel Humair, and also of clarinet and saxophone master Ken Peplowski, including a performance in hour two where he appears as part of the Dick Hyman Trio at the Savannah Music Festival. We’ll also hear new music from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and Chicago’s Soul Message Band, and one more Dylan cover (this time from Bill Frisell) as the show has been featuring them all week long in advance of Friday’s Dylan Birthday Bash here on KMUW from 7pm until midnight on Global Village, Strange Currency and Crossroads.
