Terry Gross

Critics call Bill Charlap one of the strongest mainstream jazz pianists on the scene and one of the most gifted interpreters of standards. He has worked with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Benny Carter, Clark Terry and the Phil Woods Quintet where he remains. His most recent album, Written in the Stars (Blue Note) was released in 2000.

Jamison is an authority on manic- depression and suicide. Her book, Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide is now out in paperback Shes also the author of Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. JAMISON disclosed her own 30-year battle with manic-depression in the memoir, An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness. Jamison is Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Paymer received an Oscar nomination for his role in Mr Saturday Night. He also starred in the movie Quiz Show as Dan Enright, the villain producer who rigs the show "Twenty-One." His other film credits include Get Shorty and the new David Mamet film State & Main.

His latest movie is Traffic, starring Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Its about drug traffic at the US-Mexico border. The idea came from a British miniseries called Traffic.Soderbergh began his career with the low budget hit,Sex, Lies and Videotape. His other films include Erin Brockovich, The Limey, and Kafka.

Jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie. Bowie was considered one of the most original trumpeters in jazz, and a master of horn effects. He died in November of 1999. Bowie started out playing with Saint Louis R&B bands. In 1969, he helped found the Art Ensemble of Chicago as an outlet for more eclectic and avant-garde jazz. Bowie also headed his own band, Lester Bowie's Jazz Fantasy. (originally broadcast 11/3/89)

Jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton. He invented a four-mallet grip for the instrument that is used by many contemporary players. Burton left Stan Getz's quartet in the mid 60's (at the age of 24) to form his own combo; a few years later he hired a young guitarist named Pat Metheny, giving Metheny his first taste of big time jazz. Burton has been teaching percussion and improvisation classes at the Berklee School of Music in Boston; in 1985 he was named Dean of Curriculum there. Burton has over fifty albums to his credit and three Grammy awards. (originally broadcast 1/5/94)

Elvin Jones, considered one of the most influential drummers in jazz history. He’s been a bandleader for over 30 years. He’s played with all the great names in jazz. In the early sixties, he played with Charlie Parker. He also did a brief stint with Duke Ellington’s band before going out on his own. (originally broadcast 1/7/98)

Singer and actress Annie Ross. Ross is best-known as a member of the jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. She also wrote "Twisted," which was recorded by both Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler. She made her acting debut in the 1974 play "Kennedy's Children," and has appeared in such films as "The Homecoming," "Yanks," and Robert Altman’s "Short Cuts." (Rebroadcast from 3/2/90)

Jazz pianist Marian McPartland. Though British-born, white and a woman, McPartland has had a forty-year career in a profession that is largely male and black. She is heard on many National Public Radio stations in her popular series with leading jazz artists. (REBROADCAST from 9/8/87)

Jazz musician James Moody. Just after World War II, Moody joined the bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie and played with Milt Jackson. His most famous recording is of an improvisatory piece he performed in 1949, now known as "Moody's Mood For Love." Terry talked to him in 1996, about his CD, "Young At Heart," (Warner Brothers) which had just been released. It is a collection of Frank Sinatra tunes. In this CD, MOODY performed as vocalist, tenor/alto/soprano saxist and flutist.