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Monty Alexander Feature + Paquito D’Rivera & Peter Erskine Birthdays

Monday, June 3

Night Train highlights some big bands and large ensembles to start the week – including groups led by Carla Bley, Gil Evans and Duke Ellington, along with the WDR Big Band, the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, the Great American Music Ensemble, and Randy Brecker with the WDR Big Band. We’ll also hear music from vocalists Kevin Mahogany, the New York Voices, Billy Eckstine and Ernestine Anderson, and classics from Quincy Jones, Paul Gonsalves, and Jimmy Smith with Wes Montgomery.

Tuesday, June 4

Night Train marks the birthday of Latin jazz saxophone and clarinet player Paquito D’Rivera in a special edition of the show devoted to his music. We’ll hear him as part of the groundbreaking group Irakere, as a leader, and as a special guest with the Caribbean Jazz Project, Anat Cohen, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Mann and more – and in hour two, it’s a special that focuses on the classical side of his work, though always with a certain ‘Spanish tinge.’

Wednesday, June 5

Night Train marks the birthday of drummer Peter Erskine with music he did as a leader (including his first album under his own name), as well as guest appearances with Jaco Pastorius, Gary Burton, and Ralph Towner. Plus more music from June featured artist Monty Alexander and the latest from the Doug MacDonald Trio, Pete Coco, and Christian Sands.

Thursday, June 6

Night Train marks the 75th birthday today of June featured artist Monty Alexander with a program devoted entirely to his music. We’ll hear a selection from one of the Jamaica-born pianist’s earliest releases as a leader, in guest appearances with Milt Jackson, Mary Stallings, Ernestine Anderson and Vanessa Rubin, as part of the Triple Treat lineup, and from one of his many reggae-inspired projects in hour one. In hour two, we head to the Savannah Music Festival for a special performance from Alexander to cap off the birthday celebration.

Chris Heim produces and hosts Global Village, a nationally and internationally distributed world music show; the nightly jazz show Night Train, and Crossroads, KMUW’s twice-weekly blues and R&B show. Chris is also a critic and freelance writer whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Utne, Global Rhythm, Dirty Linen, and Option, among others.