Monday, May 27
Night Train steps aside for its annual Memorial Day Special featuring the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force, the Airmen of Note. In hour one, we’ll hear the Airmen with legendary jazz pianist Kenny Barron, and in hour two their special guest is popular contemporary singer Cyrille Aimee.
Tuesday, May 28
Throughout this week Night Train wraps up the May Drum Month feature with new releases from drummer-leaders, this time from Norwegian drummer Snorre Kirk and Akira Tana. The show will also highlight music this week from the newly named 2020 NEA Jazz Masters, one of the highest American honors for living jazz musicians - tonight with music from vocalist Bobby McFerrin and bassist Reggie Workman. Plus birthday salutes to guitarist T-Bone Walker, vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia, and trumpeter Claudio Roditi.
Wednesday, May 29
Night Train continues this week’s salute to the newly named 2020 NEA Jazz Masters with music from Reggie Workman (with John Coltrane from the classic Africa/Brass album), and this week’s focus on new drummer releases for the May Drum Month feature with a tribute to Oscar Peterson from drummer Alvin Queen. Plus music from pianist Lynne Arriale, drummer Kenny Washington, saxophonists Jim Snidero and Adison Evans, and trombonists Wayne Wallace and Wycliffe Gordon (including a concert special featuring Gordon in hour two of the show) – all artists born on this date.
Thursday, May 30
Night Train wraps up this week’s salute to the newly named 2020 NEA Jazz Masters with music from the Art Ensemble of Chicago (for Roscoe Mitchell) and Roland Kirk’s “Dorthaan’s Walk” (for Jazz Advocacy Master Dorthaan Kirk). And the May Drum Month feature concludes with new music from drummers Art ‘Turk’ Burton, Jack Kilby, and Herlin Riley. Plus it’s the birthday today of Latin jazz and Latin rock percussionist Armando Peraza (also featured tonight on Global Village), pianist Dave McKenna, swing clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman (who is also featured in a special in hour two of the show).
