Kenny Drew, Jr.

We celebrate the birthday of pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. who combines classical compositions with jazz standards and his own tunes. New Orleans called us with songs by vocalist Johnny Adams, clarinet player & composer Evan Christopher and the traditional Crescent City classic, St. James Infirmary. 

Doc Cheatham, Attilar Zollar, Ellen Kelly

We celebrate the birthdays of trumpeter & vocalist Doc Cheatham and the guitarist Attilar Zollar who founded the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro. It’s also the birthday of my mother Ellen Kellywho loved blues, Count Basie & Joe Turner and Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall concert.

Chick Corea, Geri Allen

We celebrate the birthdays of two of the great pianists of the last 40 years: Chick Corea, who has worked with an astounding number of musicians including Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Gary Burton and many others and Geri Allen who has worked with trios including, Charlie Haden & Paul Motian and a Mary Lou Williams tribute band.

Cole Porter

Cole Porter’s birthday was last Saturday June 9 and we celebrate tonight with vocalists & instrumentals doing his songs, including versions by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Art Tatum and many more. You’re The Top Cole Porter.

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

Tonight I announced my retirement from being the Jazz Host here at VPR. I’ve been honored to share jazz with you for almost 11 years and have learned so much about this great American music – Jazz. We also celebrate the upcoming performances of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival.

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival & New Releases

We sample some of the many jazz artists appearing through June 10th at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival: pianist Vijay Iyer; the Donny McCaslin Group; vocalist Dianne Reeves; bassist Christian McBride and alto sax player Lee Konitz. Get out and hear live jazz!