Monday, June 8
Night Train gives the drummers some with music from drummer Willie Jones III for his birthday (including music he did with Horace Silver, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Malone and more). There’s also more from June featured artist, drummer Shelly Manne, to mark his centennial birthday later this week, and from West Coast artists Teddy Edwards, Bud Shank and Bob Cooper. Plus new releases from saxophonist Eric Alexander, the BK Trio, guitarist John Stein, pianist Joey Alexander, and Brazilian quartet Aquarela headed up by classical artist Oboman.
Tuesday, June 9
Night Train marks birthdays of pianist Kenny Barron (with music from his new album with Dave Holland and compositions of his on new releases from Gerald Beckett and the Lorca Hart Trio in hour one, and a concert performance featuring Barron at the Savannah Music Festival in hour two of the show) and also of Great American Songbook great Cole Porter (performed by Art Pepper, Kelly Johnson, and a new album from saxophonist Vin Dieterle). We’ll also hear June featured artist Shelly Manne featured on one of the last recordings from West Coast vibes player Cal Tjader.
Wednesday, June 10
Night Train marks birthdays of guitarist, singer and bossa nova pioneer Joao Gilberto (on a classic with Stan Getz and on his own version of a Jobim classic), and of guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg (from his most recent album and with soul jazz organ great Dr. Lonnie Smith). Night Train also continues the Shelly Manne Centennial/West Coast Jazz June feature with music Manne did with cool jazz singer June Christy and as part of the Poll Winners, and a special in hour two featuring the Four Brothers After Woody Herman and their influence on West Coast Jazz. Plus new music from guitarist John Stein, pianist Harold Mabern, and a charming new Brazilian set from Aqurela & Oboman.
Thursday, June 11
Night Train marks the centennial birthday of June featured artist Shelly Manne in a show devoted to his music. We’ll hear Manne as a leader (including on the groundbreaking best-selling My Fair Lady album and with the Poll Winners and L.A. 4) and in a wide array of appearances from his early days with Stan Kenton to later performances with Hank Jones and Joe Pass, and in between with Peggy Lee, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Chet Baker and more. Manne was also closely associated with West Coast Jazz and we’ll hear a special that looks at the sound and the controversy of that music in the last half hour of the show.
