Jazz

Today marks the Centennial of Fred Astaire's birthday. First, we'll hear from Will Friedwald on Astaire's singing ability. He says while Astaire didn't have the best voice, he was still wonderful to listen to. Friedwald is author of several books on Singers including: The Tony Bennett autobiography "The Good Life," "Sinatra! The Song is You: A Singer's Art," and "Jazz Singing :America's Great Voices from Bessie Smith to Bebop and Beyond"

Jazz pianist/composer Dave Brubeck. He turns 80 next year and has been recording for 50 years. There are several new collections of his work: "The Dave Brubeck Collection" (Columbia/Legacy) which reissues five of his classic out-of-print LPs, and "Dave Brubeck: Time Signature: A Career Retrospective"

To complete our celebration of the centennial of Duke Ellington's birth (April 29th, 1899) a talk with music critic Gary Giddins. He won the National Book Critics Circle award for criticism for his new book "Visions of Jazz: The First Century." (Oxford Press). Giddins has written for The Village Voice for 25 years.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead continues his look at Duke Ellington.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead corrects some common misconceptions about Duke Ellington.

Dave Brubeck talks about Duke Ellington.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the re-issue of "These are my Roots: "Clifford Jordan plays Leadbelly" by Koch Jazz. It originally came out in 1966.

We remember jazz singer Joe Williams who died yesterday at the age of 80. Williams begin singing professionally at age 17, influenced by Erskine Tate, Jimmy Noone and Coleman Hawkins. In 1954, he became Count Basie's number one singer and was perhaps the principal reason the band was the dominate big band of the 50s and 60s. His hits include "Every Day (I Have the Blues)" and "All Right, Ok, You Win." He started performing as a soloist in 1961. (REBROADCAST from 6/20/89)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The West Coast Jazz Box"

Mystery writer Charlotte Carter. She made her debut last year with "Rhode Island Red" featuring heroine Nanette Hayes, a jazz saxophonist. Carter's second novel featuring Hayes is "Coq Au Vin" (Mysterious Press/Warner)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Heart and Sack" the new release by the Pandelis Karayorgis Trio (Leo Lab label).

We remember jazz composer and musician Jaki Byard. ("BY-ARD") He was found dead from a gunshot wound a week ago in his house in Queens. His death was ruled a homicide. He was 76. Byard was considered a stylistic virtuoso, who moved quickly in his playing from boogie-woogie to free jazz. He played with Charles Mingus and Rahassaan Roland Kirk and the Duke Ellington orchestra. Byard was also the composer of the first Fresh Air theme. We remember him with an interview and concert that originally aired 6/5/87. Byard is joined by tuba and bass player Ralph Hamperian.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Sunset and the Mockingbird:The Birthday Concert" by pianist Tommy Flanagan on Blue Note.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new Miles Davis reissue, "The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "War Orphans" the new release by Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson, on the ECM label.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Zero" (Blue Note), the new release by jazz saxophonist Greg Osby.

Commentator Milo Miles looks at the music and mores surrounding the new swing scene emerging in southern California. And he reviews the new cd "Swing This, Baby" (Slimstyle/Beyond) which features the new swing sound--which Miles says is more accurately described as "jump blues."

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews "Dizzy Gillespie: Jambo Caribe" (Verve).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Remembering Clifford" (Milestone), the new release by tenor saxophonist Benny Golson.

We remember jazz vocalist Betty Carter with a 1990 interview. She was considered one of jazz's great singers, composers and arrangers. She was known for her work with small groups, her control of tempo, and her vocal improvisations. In 1961 she recorded what became a classic album, "Ray Charles and Betty Carter." In 1993 she began the Jazz Ahead series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Last year she received the National Medal of Arts. She died on Saturday of pancreatic cancer. She was 69. (REBROADCAST from 11/28/90)