December 5
Bud Shank
Alto saxophonist Bud Shank was a West Coast jazz institution going back to his days with Stan Kenton. He also played bossa nova and explored Indian sounds with Ravi Shankar years ahead of the Beatles. Shank performs "Lover Man and "My Romance with McPartland, bassist Martin Wind and drummer Tim Horner.
December 12
The Music of Marian McPartland
Of all McPartland's attributes, possibly the most underrated is her ability as a composer. Her piano pieces have entered the jazz repertoire, and some of her songs -- with lyrics by such stars as Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, and Peggy Lee -- are part of the Great American Songbook. Guest host Murray Horwitz leads this exposition through some of her most beautiful works, with performances by Cleo Laine, Sarah Vaughan, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra -- and, of course, Marian herself.
December 19
Holiday Memories with Michael Feinstein
Michael Feinstein is a tireless champion and conservator of American Popular Song. And no yuletide trip to Manhattan is complete without a visit to his holiday show at Feinstein's at Loews Regency. On this special program, he shares some of his favorite tunes and memories of the season.
December 26
Gary Burton
Vibraphonist Gary Burton started out gigging with Chet Atkins, George Shearing, and Stan Getz. Along with his own groups he has turned out notable projects with Chick Corea, Pat Metheney, and recently, Julian Lage. He also has been an influential professor at the Berklee College of Music. On this Piano Jazz, Burton solos on Jobim's "O Grande Amor and joins McPartland for "Sophisticated Lady.
January 2, 2012
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim is undeniably the best-known living composer and lyricist working in the American theatre, having earned multiple Tony and Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and the Pulitzer Prize. He was mentored by playwright Oscar Hammerstein II and studied theory with composer Milton Babbitt. This episode showcases a selection of tunes penned by Sondheim, including "Send In The Clowns, "Old Friends, and "I Wish I Could Forget, on which he sings and plays piano.
January 9
The Hot Club of Detroit
The Hot Club of Detroit is a jazz quintet that takes its inspiration from the legendary gypsy-jazz juggernaut, the Quintette du Hot Club de France. Guitarist Evan Perry follows in the footsteps of Hot Club originator Django Reinhardt, and he leads his motor-city incarnation of the group on two Reinhardt classics, "Coquette and "Nuages.
The Hot Club of Detroit
The Hot Club of Detroit is a jazz quintet that takes its inspiration from the legendary gypsy-jazz juggernaut, the Quintette du Hot Club de France. Guitarist Evan Perry follows in the footsteps of Hot Club originator Django Reinhardt, and he leads his motor-city incarnation of the group on two Reinhardt classics, "Coquette and "Nuages.
January 16
Matthew Shipp
Pianist/composer Matthew Shipp has an intricate and heady approach to his music, with avant-garde impulses that have led him to experiment with free jazz styles, tape loops and even turntable artists. On this Piano Jazz, Shipp settles into one of his favorite environs, the duo format, as he and McPartland explore the outer reaches on "Naima and Shipp's own "Gamma Ray.
Matthew Shipp
Pianist/composer Matthew Shipp has an intricate and heady approach to his music, with avant-garde impulses that have led him to experiment with free jazz styles, tape loops and even turntable artists. On this Piano Jazz, Shipp settles into one of his favorite environs, the duo format, as he and McPartland explore the outer reaches on "Naima and Shipp's own "Gamma Ray.
January 23
Randy Weston
Composer and pianist Randy Weston began his career gigging with Eddie "Cleanhead Vinson and Kenny Dorham, and was voted New Star Pianist in a 1955 Downbeat poll. He spent several years in Morocco, and incorporated African musical forms and musicians in his recorded work. On this Piano Jazz, Weston returns to the program with host McPartland to perform "A Ballad for T., "Little Niles, and "African Lady.
Randy Weston
Composer and pianist Randy Weston began his career gigging with Eddie "Cleanhead Vinson and Kenny Dorham, and was voted New Star Pianist in a 1955 Downbeat poll. He spent several years in Morocco, and incorporated African musical forms and musicians in his recorded work. On this Piano Jazz, Weston returns to the program with host McPartland to perform "A Ballad for T., "Little Niles, and "African Lady.
January 30
Michel Camilo
Dominican jazz sensation Michel Camilo is one of the most creative and technically gifted players on the scene today. Although equally skilled as a classical player, his true calling is jazz, with significant Latin influences. Camilo and McPartland get together for a stellar hour of classic jazz standards including "Willow Weep for Me and Chick Corea's "Windows.
Michel Camilo
Dominican jazz sensation Michel Camilo is one of the most creative and technically gifted players on the scene today. Although equally skilled as a classical player, his true calling is jazz, with significant Latin influences. Camilo and McPartland get together for a stellar hour of classic jazz standards including "Willow Weep for Me and Chick Corea's "Windows.
February 6
Clark Terry
Legendary trumpeter and educator Clark Terry got his jazz education playing with the Basie Band and Duke Ellington's orchestra. Commanding a wide range of styles and a dazzling technique, Terry went on to become one of the most influential jazz horn players of his generation. On this 1994 session, he joins Marian McPartland for Ellington's "Come Sunday and Terry's most famous tune, "Mumbles.
Clark Terry
Legendary trumpeter and educator Clark Terry got his jazz education playing with the Basie Band and Duke Ellington's orchestra. Commanding a wide range of styles and a dazzling technique, Terry went on to become one of the most influential jazz horn players of his generation. On this 1994 session, he joins Marian McPartland for Ellington's "Come Sunday and Terry's most famous tune, "Mumbles.
February 13
Piano Jazz at Tanglewood
For the seventh annual Piano Jazz show at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, McPartland hosts three amazing guests. Pianists Mulgrew Miller, singer Nnenna Freelon, and rising star, singer/pianist Spencer Day, each take their turn on stage with McPartland. The result is an eclectic and energetic hour of world class jazz.
Piano Jazz at Tanglewood
For the seventh annual Piano Jazz show at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, McPartland hosts three amazing guests. Pianists Mulgrew Miller, singer Nnenna Freelon, and rising star, singer/pianist Spencer Day, each take their turn on stage with McPartland. The result is an eclectic and energetic hour of world class jazz.
February 20
Ed Reed
Singer Ed Reed is relatively new to the national jazz scene, but he's been singing for more than 50 years. After a life of addiction and incarceration, Reed has emerged triumphant, ready for his moment in the spotlight. With his accompanist Gary Fisher, Reed performs "Sleeping Bee and "Ask Me Now before he and McPartland get together on Ellington's "All Too Soon.
Ed Reed
Singer Ed Reed is relatively new to the national jazz scene, but he's been singing for more than 50 years. After a life of addiction and incarceration, Reed has emerged triumphant, ready for his moment in the spotlight. With his accompanist Gary Fisher, Reed performs "Sleeping Bee and "Ask Me Now before he and McPartland get together on Ellington's "All Too Soon.
February 27
Bobby Broom
At age 16, guitarist Bobby Broom was recruited by Sonny Rollins, and he's been dazzling listeners and fellow musicians ever since with his well-honed technique and innovative style. His love of jazz flows through his fingers and resonates on his six strings, as he solos on his own tune, "Coming Home, before joining bassist Gary Mazzaroppi and McPartland for "Can't Buy Me Love and "Donna Lee.
March 5
Larry Willis
Larry Willis is a swinging pianist, an artful composer and arranger, and the music director and producer for the boutique label Mapleshade Records. He's a master of a wide range of styles and has played or recorded with almost every great jazz musician of the modern era, including Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, and Shirley Horn. No stranger to piano duets, Willis joins McPartland for "I Should Care and "Alone Together.
March 12
Sherrie Maricle
Sherrie Maricle is a musician of many talents -- she's a drummer, an educator, a writer and a band leader. She's also the beating heart of the all-female big band the Diva Jazz Orchestra. Maricle brings along a few women from her group -- pianist Tomoko Ohno and bassist Noriko Ueda -- to perform "Groove Merchant and Ellington's "Squeeze Me.
March 19
Jimmy McPartland
Jimmy McPartland was one of the great cornet players from the early Jazz Era and is the late husband of Marian McPartland. Piano Jazz celebrates the jazz legend's centennial with a special concert from the Danny Kaye Playhouse at the 2007 JVC Jazz Festival. Host McPartland gathered a group of Jimmy's former band mates for an hour of traditional jazz music.
March 26
Robin Meloy Goldsby
Pianist Robin Meloy Goldsby has spent much of her musical life providing a pleasant soundtrack for hotel lobbies and cocktail bars. She's written a book about her experiences, Piano Girl, Lessons in Life, Music, and the Perfect Blue Hawaiian. Goldsby joins McPartland to talk about her piano bar memoir and performs some original tunes, as well as that cocktail-crowd pleaser, "Night and Day.
April 2
Beegie Adair
Pianist Beegie Adair is known for an impeccable sense of swing and her smooth but intricate playing. The Nashville resident has been an in-demand pianist for the town's best country musicians, but her heart belongs to those classic tunes from the Great American Songbook. Adair performs a graceful version of "I Wished on the Moon" and teams up with McPartland for her signature closer, "We'll Be Together Again."