Music

Jazz trumpeter Jack Walrath. Walrath is the musical director of Mingus Dynasty Band, a group that continues to explore the compositions of the late Charles Mingus. Their new album is called "The Next Generation." (It's on Columbia Records).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano. It's called Landmarks, and it's on the BlueNote label.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker can't get country/folk/rock singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore's voice out of his head. He reviews Gilmore's "After Awhile," part of the Elektra American Explorer series.

Arnolds Karklis and Vidvuds Mednis of the Latvian-American rock group The Quags. The guys will play music and talk about their now-free homeland, and their new recording, One Of Us (Plate Records).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has just returned from the Chicago Jazz Festival, where Swiss composer George Gruntz premiered his "Chicago Cantata."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD set featuring George Gershwin playing his own compositions. (on the British Pearl label).

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the little known era of the show bands and groups like The Boogie Kings, The Triumphs, and The Uniques.

Saxophonist David Sanborn. Sanborn has a new album, called "Another Hand." He also has a syndicated radio show heard on more than 200 stations, and he was the host of the ground-breaking TV show, "Night Music."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumptime," the first in a series of reissues of 50s singles from alto saxophonist and singer Tab Smith. (Smith originally recorded these tunes for the United label. They're being reissued by the Delmark label in Chicago).

Alto Saxophonist Vernard Johnson. He's best known for his Gospel playing, performing with preachers like, E.V. Hill, Billy Graham, and Bishop L. H. Ford. His saxophone was considered too raucous for the Gospel circuit when he began playing there in the mid-60's, but eventually he became a favorite on the evangelical circuit.

Baritone Sanford Sylvan. He portrayed Zhou Enlai in John Adams' "Nixon in China." He's a regular in Peter Sellars' repertory company, having played in "The Marriage of Figaro," and "Cosi Fan Tutte." He's playing the title role in Adams's "Death of Klinghoffer," which has its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in September. He also has his first solo record, "Beloved That Pilgrimage," on which he is accompanied by pianist, David Breitman. (on the Nonesuch label).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reports on cellist Yo-Yo Ma's performance at Tanglewood last week. He played the world premiere of electronic music composer Tod Machover's "Begin Again Again," which was written for the cellist.

Milo Miles reviews the music of two African guitarists: Diblo Dibala and Zanzibar, he heads a band called Les Têtes Brulées.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album from country singer Willie Nelson. The album's called "Who'll Buy My Memories," and it's subtitled "The IRS Tapes" since Nelson made the album to pay off back taxes. Tucker says the album's much better that you'd expect.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Living With The Law," the new album from singer and songwriter Chris Whitley.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new Brahms recordings by the Boston Chamber Music Society. Lloyd says it's great music, and a great argument for chamber music written for something OTHER than string quartet. (The recordings are on Northeastern).

Television critic David Bianculli goes out on a limb, and reviews two live shows before they air..."Paul Simon Live in Central Park," which airs Thursday night on HBO, and "The Elvis Files," a syndicated show that tries to prove that Elvis Presley is still alive.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Shadows 'N' Dreams," the new solo album by jazz pianist Dave McKenna. (It's on Concord).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Warm Your Heart." It's the first solo album in a decade from Aaron Neville, of the Neville Brothers. The album was produced by Linda Rondstadt.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward looks back at the Gold Star recording studio and the summer of 1958, when a 17-year-old Phil Spector wrote his first hit.