Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
While the recording studio offers an ideal, controlled environment for audio fidelity and perfectionist tinkering, the bandstand is where any musician’s mettle is tested—live in the moment, under the scrutinizing gaze of a rapt audience. On the new CD, “Kalamazoo,” trombonist/composer Delfeayo Marsalis places his gift for entertaining a crowd under the spotlight, vividly capturing not only the buoyant, lively chemistry that he shares with a stellar quartet, but also his engaging rapport with an audience. Delfeayo is joined by his legendary father, pianist Ellis Marsalis, along with a newly-assembled rhythm section consisting of bassist Reginald Veal and Ralph Peterson on drums.
With over 2 million albums sold, a Grammy nomination and international recognition as one of the most successful and prolific jazz vocalists of her time, Stacey Kent stands strong among the artists that don’t have much left to prove. She surprises us once more with her brand new disc, “I Know I Dream.” Recorded inside the famous Angel Studios in London with a 60-piece orchestra, this is her first orchestral release in a career that spans two decades and more than 15 CDs. As Ms. Kent states, “This was something I knew I needed to do one day or another, but I didn’t want to make it at any cost or rush it in any way.”
Also this week, the soulfully expressive tenor saxophonist Houston Person is joined by long-time friend, cornetist Warren Vache, and guitarist Rodney Jones for “Rain or Shine”; saxophonist Eric Alexander reunites with pianist David Hazeltine and adds special guest trumpeter Jon Faddis to the mix on “Song of No Regrets”.
A longtime treasure of the Cincinnati jazz scene, pianist Phil 
DeGreg debuts his latest trio on “Queen City Blues.”
Jazz Night in America with host Christian McBride
As part of Craig’s tribute to the recently departed record producer and label owner, Joe Fields, we survey another jazz record label founded and operated by Joe Fields and his son Barney – HighNote Records. Craig spins a tasty variety of jazz gems from this classy label that was founded in 1996. Artists include the likes of Pat Martino, Etta Jones, Russell Malone, Tom Harrell, Larry Coryell, and a host of other present-day jazz greats!