Jazz

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Hoagy Sings Carmichael, which features the songwriter's performances with an excellent jazz ensemble. Whitehead says their contributions make this album Carmichael's best.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that a number of New Orleans musicians left the city after they rose to prominence. He reviews a new series of albums featuring the innovations of players who stayed in their hometown.

The veteran jazz musician is critically acclaimed, but McKenna considers himself a "barroom pianist." He makes a living as a solo performer, and plays several songs for Fresh Air listeners.

Terry Gross interviews Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead. He's worked as a rock and restaurant critic. He believes he distinguishes himself by actively featuring artists outside the insular New York jazz scene. Whitehead is also a former seminarian, and a bassist who plays free improvised music.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead shares his favorite releases of the year -- which include three reissues of classic recordings.

Jazz singer McCorkle returns to Fresh Air with pianist Lee Musiker and Dean Johnson for a special, in-studio Christmas concert.

Anderson's music showcases both his technical prowess and sense of humor. As a teenage musician, he never thought he would make a career on trombone; it wasn't until he stopped playing that he realized how central music was to his life. His new album is called Blue Bred in the Bone.

New Fresh Air performer-in-residence Dr. John performs a few of his favorite Hoagy Carmichael songs.

Trumpeter Jack Walrath played with Charles Mingus, and now leads his own band in the new album Wholly Trinity. Kevin Whitehead says the record is filled filled with variety and humor, and is Walrath's best yet.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the movie star had a range of about six notes, but he had personality and a swinging house band. Yet Astaire deserves praise for making famous several songs which later became standards.

Pianist Harry Connick, Jr. makes his final appearance as Fresh Air's performer-in-residence. Today he examines the style of Thelonious Monk.

Saxophonist Bobby Watson learned a lot about band dynamics from performing with the acclaimed drummer. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Watson's new album, No Question About It, features excellent performances from all the players, but the arrangements go on a little too long before the improvising begins.

Performer-in-residence Harry Connick, Jr. performs to two tunes about his hometown.

The critically-acclaimed jazz artist is known for her use of electronics in her performances. She joins Fresh Air to discuss musical development and her experience as a woman in a male-dominated scene.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that jazz evolved in hubs throughout the United States -- not just in New Orleans, Chicago, and New York. The new big band Dreamland Syncopators resurrects some lesser known compositions from the 1920s that came from other parts of the country. Whitehead says their album Territory Jazz is a good history lesson.

Performer-in-residence Harry Connick, Jr. plays songs by Matt Dennis and Cole Porter.

Jane Ira Bloom recorded her first album when she was still a student at Yale; she later was invited to compose music for NASA. Critic Kevin Whitehead says her latest album features tasteful electronics and a sensitive, spare accompaniment.

The saxophonist and composer brings back the large ensemble sound on his new album. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the performances are energetic but a often a little too loose. Hemphill's own playing steals the show.

Performer-in-residence Harry Connick, Jr. plays the music of Harold Arlen. While his name may be known to few, Arlen wrote several popular and recognizable songs.

Rock critic Ken Tucker steps out of his comfort zone and reviews three recent best-sellers he otherwise wouldn't have listened to. He says Anita Baker's Giving You the Best That I Got is lush but soulless, while the Bangles' Everything is an excellent ripoff of a 1960s rock album. Duran Duran's Big Thing is the band's attempt to prove they're serious musicians -- but it's a hapless bummer.