Benny Goodman, Terry Gibbs, Al Jolson, George Gershwin & Bill Charlap

Tune in for the 894th show, a jazz-filled hour celebrating the legendary artists featured in Kosher Jammer, the latest book by London-based jazz journalist Mike Garber. This deep dive explores how the Jewish community intertwined with African-Americans and other minority groups to shape jazz into the timeless art form it is today. We kick things off with the "King of Swing" himself, Benny Goodman, before grooving through a lineup of jazz icons, including Max Kaminsky, George Gershwin, Terry Gibbs, Mezz Mezzrow, Ted Lewis, Al Jolson, and Bud Freeman. The show also highlights the final recorded interview with the great Artie Shaw, offering an intimate look into his extraordinary world. Finally, we wrap up this unforgettable hour with the incomparable Bill Charlap. Get ready to swing, sway, and soak in the sounds of jazz history—this is one special hour you won't want to miss.

Playlist

• Benny Goodman "You Turned the Tables on Me" Essential (Colombia) 0:00
• Host talks 3:10
• Max Kaminsky "Dipper Mouth Blues" This is Jazz (Jazzology) 5:41
• Mickey Katz "Where is my Pants?" Compile (Records DK) 8:38
• Host talks 11:29
• George Gershwin "Rhapsody in Blue" Gershwin Plays Gershwin (Nonesuch) 12:16
• Bix Beiderbecke "When" The Indispensable Bix Beiderbecke (RCA) 17:53
• Host talks 18:18
• Ziggy Elman "Fralich in Swing" Big Band Jazz (HHO Licensing) 19:00
• Terry Gibbs Quartet "Gibberish" Live on The Tonight Show (NBC) 22:11
• Host talks 27:14
• Mezz Mezzrow "Gone Away Blues" Blues in Disguise (Werner's Last Favorite Jazz) 28:22
• Artie Shaw "Beguin The Beguine" And His Orchestra (RCA) 30:56
• Host talks 34:11
• Vic Berton "Devil's Kitchen" Jazz Mad 1930s (Van Up Records) 35:01
• Art Hodes "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" Keeping out of Mischief Now (Candid Records) 38:02
• Host talks 41:13
• Ted Lewis "Poor Papa" High Hatted Tragedian of Jazz (Van Up Records) 41:49
• Bud Freeman "Another Sunday" Complete Bud Freemon (Jazzology) 44:26
• Host talks 47:21
• Rube Bloom "Futuristic Rag" Novelty Piano Recordings (Vintage Jazz) 47:43
• Al Jolson "My Mammy" Single (Bacci Bros Records) 50:24
• Host talks 52:27
• Bill Charlap "Pure Imagination" All Through the Night (Criss Cross Jazz) 53:33