Monday, September 14
Throughout the week, Night Train pays tribute to bassist Gary Peacock, who passed away earlier this month – including music this evening from the debut release from the remarkable ‘Standards Trio’ he was part of with Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette, and also on an album headed up by pianist Marc Copland. Night Train also marks birthdays of Brazilian artist Marcos Valle, legendary Cuban bassist Cachao, jazz violinist Stuff Smith, and saxophonist Oliver Lake. Lake was part of the innovative all-saxophone World Saxophone Quartet, and we’ll hear a special about the group in hour two of the show.
Tuesday, September 15
Night Train marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a show devoted to Latin jazz. In hour one we’ll hear some of the latest Latin releases in a wide range of rhythms and styles, including Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, Latin soul and even some Latin Bach from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Ray Mantilla, Mongorama, John Santos, John Finbury and more. Then in the second hour, we head to the Savannah Music Festival for a special Piano Showdown Latin Tinge performance featuring Marcus Roberts’ salute to Jelly Roll Morton (who coined the ‘Spanish Tinge’ expression for jazz), Cuban great Chucho Valdez, and Panamanian player Danilo Perez.
Wednesday, September 16
On the birthday list tonight on the Night Train are blues legend B.B. King, saxophonists Mike Frost, Hamiet Bluiett and Steve Slagle, pianist Jan Johansson, and vocalese master Jon Hendricks (featured in a special on vocalese in hour two of the show). Plus new music from an Ella Fitzgerald tribute concert and remembering Gary Peacock with music he did as part of the Bill Evans Trio 64.
Thursday, September 17
Night Train wraps up a week-long tribute to bassist Gary Peacock, who passed away earlier this month, with more music he did in the ‘Standards Trio’ with Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette. It’s also the birthday of drummer Jeff Ballard (heard tonight with pianists Brad Mehldau and Chick Corea) and popular soul-jazz organist Jack McDuff (featured in a special in hour two). New music tonight comes from guitarist Dave Stryker, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa.
