Monday, August 5
Night Train kicks off the August feature marking the 75th birthday of jazz guitar master Pat Martino with music from his Footprints and Desperado albums in hour one, and an exclusive broadcast of a performance from Martino and his band at the Savannah Music Festival in hour two of the show. Also birthday salutes to Brazilian percussionist Airto and saxophonist and former Flecktone Jeff Coffin, and new music from Al Foster, Catherine Russell, and Antonio Adolfo.
Tuesday, August 6
Night Train marks birthdays of harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens, vocalist Abbey Lincoln, bassist Charlie Haden, and jazz harp pioneer Dorothy Ashby (including a special about her in hour two of the show), continues the month-long birthday feature for guitarist Pat Martino (with music from Baiyina, his groundbreaking world jazz fusion album from the late ‘60s), and highlights new music from pianists George Cables and Chick Corea (with his new Spanish Heart Band).
Wednesday, August 7
Night Train marks birthdays of seven-string guitar pioneer George Van Eps and multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk (including a special about him in hour two of the show); continues the August Pat Martino feature with music from the out-of-print Nightwings album and early music he did with soul jazz organist and singer Trudy Pitts; and highlights recent titles from Etta Jones, Julian Lage and Bob Sheppard.
Thursday, August 8
Night Train marks birthdays of alto saxophonist, composer and arranger Benny Carter and blues and jazz singer Jimmy Witherspoons (including a Jazz Profiles special about him in hour two of the show); continues the August Pat Martino feature with music from the All Sides Now album (dueting with Cassandra Wilson) and early music he did with soul jazz organist Don Patterson; and highlights new music from the Soul Message Band, the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, saxophonist Jim Snidero, and bassist, singer and composer Nicki Parrott.
