Terry Gross

Writer David Sedaris is best known for his contributing work with Public Radio’s “This American Life.” He’s written three books of essays, “Barrel Fever,” “Naked,” and his newest “Me Talk Pretty One Day” (Little Brown)

Jim DeRogatis is the author of “Let it Blurt: The Life & Times of Lester Bangs, America’s Greatest Rock Critic” (Broadway Books). Bangs wrote about rock ‘n’ roll for the Rolling Stone, Cream, and The Village Voice. DeROGATIS describes him as, “the great gonzo journalist, gutter poet, and romantic visionary of rock writing—its Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski, and Jack Kerouac all rolled into one.”

Jon Stewart is the co-producer and anchorman of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” The show is an alternative take on the news. Previously Stewart had a part on HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show.” He also hosted Comedy Central’s “Short Attention Span Theater.”

Band leader and clarinetist Artie Shaw. In the 1930s and 40s his band ranked with the Goodman, Dorsie, and Miller bands in popularity. But he rejected many of the pop tunes and stuck with music by composers like Porter, Gershwin, and Berlin. Shaw is also known for working with many fine Black musicians and singers, including Billie Holiday. Shaw is now retired from performing. He celebrated his 90th birthday last week. (Rebroadcast from a 12/241985 interview.)

A live concert/interview with pianist Dave McKenna. Whitney Balliett, jazz critic for The New Yorker magazine, called McKenna "the hardest swinging jazz pianist of all time." McKenna plays with amazing virtuosity and swing, mixing stride, boogie and more modern playing styles. McKenna has recently released 2 CDs-- Clarinet Blue with Bobby Gordon (Arbors) and Jubilee with Daryl Sherman (Arbors) McKenna turns 70 this week. (Rebroadcast. Originally broadcast on Thursday, December 29, 1988.)

New York jazz singer and pianist Daryl Sherman (woman). She has just released a CD with Dave Mckenna called Jubilee. It celebrates the centennials of Fred Astaire, Hoagy Carmichael, Noel Coward and Duke Ellington. She has been a long-time favorite of Manhattan's night life. (REBROADCAST from 8/26/98)

Director John Woo. He grew up in Hong Kong and directed numerous films there before coming to Hollywood. He has established himself as a master of action thrillers and is known for his elaborate action scenes. Woo has directed the American films “Broken Arrow,” “Hard Target," and "Face/Off." His new film, Mission Impossible 2, came out this week. (REBROADCAST from 7/10/97)

Linda Greenlaw has worked on commercial fishing boats for nearly 20 years. She has written about her experience leading a sword fishing boat to Newfoundland in the book "The Hungry Ocean." It’s just been released in paperback(Hyperion). Greenlaw is also featured in the best selling book, The Perfect Storm. That book is being made into a movie which will be released this summer. Boston magazine named Greenlaw one of the most intriguing women of 1997. She lives on Isle au Haut, Maine. (REBROADCAST FROM 6/21/99)

Writer Clifford Wright. His new book is “A Mediterranean Feast: The Story of the Birth of the Celebrated Cuisines of the Mediterranean, from the Merchants of Venice to the Barbary Corsairs, with more than 500 Recipes.” (Morrow) As you can tell from the title, it’s a comprehensive look at Mediterranean foodstuffs, cooking and culture, at over 800 pages. It won the James Beard Cookbook of the Year award, and it is being developed into a 13-part series for PBS called “A Cook’s Tour: Mediterranean Journeys with Clifford Wright.”