Terry Gross

Band leader Woody Herman. Herman was the leader of numerous big bands, all variously called The Thundering Herd. His bands were noted for their dazzling improvisation combined with their incisive ensemble playing. He died in 1987. (ORIGINAL BROADCAST: May 1986 and 8/19/986)

Jazz Saxophonist, Stan Getz. Born in Philadelphia in 1927, Getz got his start playing with Woody Herman's band. He later went on to form his own quartet. He has worked with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton. In the early 1960's, Getz became the first American musician closely identified with the bossa nova movement. He died in 1991. (REBROADCAST FROM 6/14/90)

Jazz vocalist Anita O'Day. She joined Gene Krupa's band in 1941. She later sang with Stan Kenton. She is still performing today (ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 12/3/87).

Jazz singer/songwriter Abby Lincoln. Once married to legendary jazz drummer Max Roach, she’s made her mark on jazz for over 40 years, singing with giants like Benny Carter, Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins. Lincoln has been hailed by one critic as the "Last Great Diva", and says herself that she sings in the tradition of Sarah Vaughan, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday. (REBROADCAST from 6/16/93)

Bebop drummer and composer Max Roach. He's been at the forefront of contemporary jazz for over 40 years. He played with a number of bop groups in New York during the 1940s with quintets led by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Later, a quintet led by him and Clifford Brown, came to epitomize the sound known as hard bop. During the Civil Rights movement, Roach was composing some of jazz' strongest political statements. (REBROADCAST from 6/25/87)

Jazz trumpeter Red Rodney. Rodney's played with the greats...Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Charlie Parker, among many others. (REBROADCAST from 6/15/90)

Kansas City pianist Jay McShann. As a big band leader in the 40s and 50s, McShann helped start the careers of jazz stars like Charlie Parker and Big Joe Turner. He performs "When I Grow To Old To Dream." Kansas City pianist Jay McShann. As a big band leader in the 40s and 50s, McShann helped start the careers of jazz stars like Charlie Parker and Big Joe Turner. He performs "When I Grow To Old To Dream." (rebroadcast from 10/8/87)

We feature a 1999 interview with singer/Hollywood legend Rosemary Clooney. She starred in the 1954 film White Christmas. She talks about her life as a singer and performer. We will also listen to songs from throughout her career. Her 1999 autobiography, Girl Singer, reads like a who's who from the golden age of Hollywood. She also released a CD companion to the book. Its called Songs from the Girl Singer. (ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 12/21/99)

Singer Otis Williams. He was the founder of The Temptations, whose smooth five-part harmonies and synchronized dance steps made them one of the hottest of Motown's super groups. Their hits included "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." He is the only surviving member of the original group. The Temptations have just released a new CD called “Ear-Resistible.” (9/15/88)

Mavis Staples remembers her father, Pops. Pops died on December 19. (RB of 6/2/1999)