Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Hays Street Hart, the trio of pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Ben Street and legendary drummer Billy Hart, recorded their acclaimed 2021 debut under less then optimal conditions. The album began as a performance in honor of Hart’s 80th birthday in December of 2020, livestreamed from an empty Smoke Jazz Club in the final weeks of that grueling pandemic year. A few years later, they reconvened in the studio to record the captivating “Bridges,” which brilliantly spotlights the unique chemistry and shared spirit of exploration that emerged fully formed on that initial impromptu session.
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Michael Dease starts letting his baritone saxophone do the talking as he boldly decides to “Swing Low” on his latest release. Assembled to provide support is the wonderfully solid rhythm section of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov and powerhouse drummer Rudy Royston, and the virtuoso trumpet stylings of Ingrid Jensen, who provides stunning highlights to several of the album’s diverse tracks. Serious listeners will definitely notice how Dease’s musical vibrations have shifted considerably onto to another level with this set of stunning performances.
Also this week, first-call Chicago bassist Clark Sommers, perhaps best known for his long tenure with Kurt Elling, composes and arranges for a 12-piece ensemble for the first time on “Feast Ephemera”; “Home Cookin’” is a continuation of saxophonist Cory Weeds’ first little big band record, feature a lineup of all-star Vancouver players; and “Summer Me, Winter Me” is singer Stacey Kent’s fulfillment of some of her fans’ requested tunes from over the years.
Jazz Corner of the World Encore with host Craig Kessler
Jazz Night in America
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Art Hodes, Hampton Hawes and George Cables, trombonist George Masso, singer/pianist Diana Krall and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of Roy Eldridge’s “After You’ve Gone” (1943), Barney Kessel’s “Easy Like” (1953), Sonny Clark’s “Leapin’ and Lopin'” (1961), Ron Carter’s “Peg Leg” (1977), Joe Henderson’s “The State of the Tenor” (1985), Bebo Valdes & Javier Colina “Live at The Village Vanguard” (2005) and many others 10am to 2pm, Monday thru Friday, with Jazz Masters at noon.