Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Trombonist Steve Davis was still in his late teens when he first shared the stage with trumpet master Eddie Henderson. At the end of the set, Henderson encouraged Davis, telling him “Man, you’re going to be a star one day.” Indeed, Davis is now revered as one of the leading trombone voices in modern jazz, featured on more than 100 recordings with such legends as Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. For his new live album, “We See,” he’s assembled an all-star sextet including Henderson, Ralph Moore, Renee Rosnes and Lewis Nash.
Saxophonist Diego Rivera expands the diaspora of jazz through his musical celebration of the multi-cultural traditions and observances of Dia de los Muertos with his creation of the “Ofrenda.” This thoughtful program of new compositions, enhanced by the inclusion of special guest trumpet virtuoso Terell Stafford, showcase Rivera’s passionate and joyful saxophone playing. The session is further enriched by the solid groove and harmonic synergy of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Rudy Royston.
Also this week, Israeli-born bassist and composer Avishai Cohen showcases his multifaceted talents alongside a stellar ensemble of some of the brightest young talents from the new jazz scene on “Brightlight”; Ryan Keberle & Catharsis are joined by special guest reedman Scott Robinson on “Music is Connection”; and singer Jane Monheit brings new energy to the Songbook and far beyond with her thirteenth album and first self-titled release.
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of pianists Benny Moten, Art Hodes, Hampton Hawes, George Cables and Ellis Marsalis, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Willie Cook, trombonist Helen Jones Woods, singers Jo Stafford, Ernestine Anderson and Mose Allison, bassists Sam Jones and Neil Swainsson and more. We’ll also mark the recording anniversaries of The Red Garland Quintet’s “Soul Junction” (1957), Donald Byrd “At the Half Note Café” (1960), Tommy Flanagan’s “Confirmation” (1977), Joe Henderson’s “The State of the Tenor” (1985), Karrin Allyson’s “Azure-Te” (1994), Bebo Valdes & Javier Colina “Live at the Village Vanguard” (2005) and many others Mondays thru Fridays and at noon on JAZZ MASTERS on Jazz 88.3 KCCK.