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Billy Strayhorn
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If you are familiar with the jazz composition, "Take the A Train," then you know something about not only Duke Ellington, but also Billy "Sweet Pea" Strayhorn, its composer. Strayhorn joined Ellington's band in 1939, at the age of twenty-two. Ellington liked what he saw in Billy and took this shy, talented pianist under his wings. Neither one was sure what Strayhorn's function in the band would be, but their musical talents had attracted each other. By the end of the year Strayhorn had become essential to the Duke Ellington Band; arranging, composing, sitting-in at the piano
Centennial Shoutouts For June Christy and Johnny Mandel Plus New Releases James Suggs, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, Cecile McLorin Salvant,
by Mary Foster Conklin
This broadcast includes new releases from James Suggs, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter & Superblue, Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, Cecile McLorin Salvant, with birthday shoutouts to June Christy (100!), Johnny Mandel (100!), Etta Jones, Billy Strayhorn, Ethel Ennis, Rebecca Coupe Franks, Aline Homzy, among others with just a hint of holiday fare (more to come in December). Happy ...
The Scott Silbert Quartet: Dream Dancing
by Jack Bowers
The year 2025 marks the centenary of the birth of John Haley Sims, known around the world by his singular nickname, Zoot, a colossus of the saxophone who left this world far too soon in March 1985. Yet even though Zoot's physical presence is absent, his insuperable spirit lives on via Dream Dancing, a marvelous tribute ...
C. Michael Bailey's Holiday Bundle 2025
by C. Michael Bailey
Holiday music in the twenty-first century embraces both the old and new with equal creative consideration. Without a new recording of Handel's Messiah, we must rely on the inevitable evolution of the Christmas Canon. Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra The Nutcracker Remix Self Produced 2025 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ...
Heirloom: Familiar Beginnings
by Kyle Simpler
New music often serves a dual purpose. While it usually introduces fresh sounds, the music's structure generally contains a degree of familiarity, combining recognition with discovery. This idea of exploring new musical territory without abandoning its roots seems to be the guiding concept for the Milwaukee-based quartet Heirloom. With their debut album, Familiar Beginnings, they introduce ...
Lost and Found, part 3: Rare recordings of Ellington, Ben Webster, Art Tatum and Gil Evans
by Larry Slater
There are so many Duke Ellington recordings available. How much undiscovered music of the band can there be? In this hour, you'll hear rarely heard gems from the Ellington discography. Music that's so rare, I doubt even die-hard Ellington aficionados have heard some of these tracks. The Duke Ellington Orchestra with Django Reinhardt at ...
Roberto Magris: Lovely Day (s)
by Dan McClenaghan
Italian pianist Roberto Magris began his journey to the United States--specifically, Kansas City--in 2007, although his recording career began in 1990, in Europe. He expresses himself, for the most part, in the bebop mode--good old-fashioned bop. His inspirations: Lee Morgan, Elmo Hope, Cannonball Adderley and more. Magris found a home at Kansas City's JMood ...
Dave Burrell / Sam Woodyard: The Lost Session, Paris 1979
by John Sharpe
A lot of hoohah gets thrown around about legendary lost dates, but few live up to the billing. But The Lost Session by pianist Dave Burrell and drummer Sam Woodyard assuredly does. During the summer of 1979, Burrell had a three-month stand at the Campagne Premiere Club in Paris, which allowed him to fully explore and ...
Roberto Magris: Lovely Day (s)
by Edward Blanco
Veteran Italian jazz pianist Roberto Magris has enjoyed a four-decade career with the accumulation of over thirty albums as leader, in addition to appearing as a sideman on another 10 recordings. Yet, this highly versatile, creative and talented musician has never recorded a solo performance project until now. With Lovely Day(s), Magris finally keeps his promise ...
Sinne Eeg & Jacob Christoffersen: Shikiori 想帰庵
by Dan Bilawsky
Vocalist Sinne Eeg and pianist Jacob Christoffersen have been collaborating for two decades. Surprisingly, though, this is their first duo album. And it's a beaut--truly well worth the wait. The musicianship from each is first-rate, their chemistry is palpable, the material--a balanced mix of originals and familiar fare--is both highly sophisticated and completely accessible, and the ...
