The Jazz Wench
February 2002
The Jazz Wench
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In Celebration of Marian McPartland
By Teri Harllee
I first met Marian McPartland three years ago, at the taping of a radio interview. Later that evening I went to her performance at Yoshi's. She was humorous and gracious, on and off stage. At 81, her playing was strong and beautiful. I met her again last summer, at the taping of a Piano Jazz session featuring Willie Nelson and jazz guitarist Jackie King. Jackie's new CD, "The Gypsy," had just been released: a compilation of ten songs (with Willie's vocals on five of the tracks). Nat Hentoff described "The Gypsy" as: "like being present at an after-hours session among longtime friends... 'pleasure music' - for both the players and the listeners." And Marian joined Jackie and Willie in playing such songs as 'The Gypsy" and "Heart of a Clown" as if she, indeed, was an old friend.
Marian has hosted NPR's acclaimed Piano Jazz for over 25 years now. It is one of the longest running radio shows in the history of National Public Radio. If you are one of the few who haven't tuned in to Piano Jazz, here's your opportunity to become a loyal listener. Each week Marian has a different guest from a roster of top jazz talent, with whom she performs and interviews. She has a relaxed style that puts her guests at ease while entertaining her wide listening audience. The session with Willie Nelson and Jackie King will air the week of February 10. (Call your local public radio station to find out which day of that week it will be on in your area.) Hear one session of Piano Jazz and you'll find yourself back next week, and the week after.
Born and raised in England, Marian became interested in jazz when her older sister's boyfriend brought some LPs over to the house. Her sister wasn't interested, but Marian definitely was. In 1943 she began playing in USO camps in Belgium and France, and soon after met her late husband Chicago coronetist Jimmy McPartland. He encouraged her to start her own trio, and in 1952 the Marian McPartland Trio began what was to be a long engagement in New York's Hickory House. Many well-known jazz artists would come out to listen to her, and it was during this time that Marian started her own record company, Halcyon Records, and later becoming one of Concord Records' priority artists. Her recording career has been successful and prolific. (Amazon.com currently carries 60 of her recordings.) In 1978 Marian began hosting Piano Jazz. In addition to her radio show she composes, records, has written her autobiography as well as educational books, and -at age 84 - keeps up a touring schedule that would wither many a younger artist.
Last week Marian sat in with Willie Nelson and Jackie King at New York's Irving Plaza. The audience cheered her performance and crowded to shake her hand as her escorts walked her to her awaiting car. Many special friends were there that night: actors Rip Torn, Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior on The Sopranos), and Ethan Hawke; Tony Garnier (bassist for Bob Dylan), vocalist Rob Thomas, jazz saxophonist Bill Evans, Mantis Evar (Blue Note Records), Brad Riesau (DL Media). Everyone was aware that they had experienced Marian's special gift, and I think we were all thinking the same thing - what an amazing woman!
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