Gerald Wiggins, 1992
Piano Jazz remembers jazz piano master Gerald Wiggins (1922 – 2008). Born in Harlem, Wiggins began learning classical piano at a young age, but he discovered jazz through pianists Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum. In this 1992…
NPR: Piano jazz short podcast
Step into the intimate, crackling atmosphere of a live studio session where the keys tell stories. NPR: Piano Jazz Short Podcast, from NPR National Public Radio, captures the essence of Marian McPartland's legendary radio program, distilling it into focused glimpses of musical genius. Here, the barrier between performer and listener dissolves. You'll hear McPartland's warm, insightful dialogue with the most influential pianists, vocalists, and composers in jazz, conversations that feel like eavesdropping on old friends. These aren't just interviews; they are exchanges that inevitably lead to the bench, where spontaneous duets and solo improvisations arise directly from the talk. Each episode of this music podcast serves as a curated preview, offering a taste of the deep musicianship and personal history each guest brings. The focus remains on the artistry and the spontaneous creation happening in the moment-the thoughtful pause before a chord, the laughter that turns into a riff, the shared language of standards and original pieces. It’s a celebration of jazz as a living, breathing conversation, hosted by one of its most graceful and knowledgeable practitioners. Tune in for a rare front-row seat to the kind of unscripted, collaborative magic that only happens when master musicians connect.
Episodes
Sandy Stewart & Bill Charlap, 2006
Vocalist Sandy Stewart first emerged as a star on the cabaret scene during the 1960s, and her marriage to Broadway composer Moose Charlap kept her plugged into a vibrant music community. In 2005, Stewart and her son, pia…
Duke Jordan, 1980
This Piano Jazz remembers one of the great innovators of the bebop style—pianist Duke Jordan (1922 – 2006). He's perhaps best known for his innovative work with Charlie Parker's legendary 1947 quintet, and he played with…
Eddie Gomez, 1993
A two-time Grammy Award winner, bassist Eddie Gomez has been on the cutting edge of music for over five decades. He has held down rhythm sections and set the groove for some of the heavyweights of jazz—from Bill Evans to…
LeeAnn Ledgerwood, 1990
Pianist LeeAnn Ledgerwood studied at the Berkley College of Music alongside fellow musicians Branford Marsalis and Terrence Blanchard. She became a protégée of Marian McPartland, who encouraged her to pursue a career in…
Nat Hentoff, 2006
A prolific author and jazz critic for more than half a century, Nat Hentoff (1925 – January 7, 2017) wrote for publications including the Village Voice, Down Beat, The New Yorker, and the Washington Post. For his commitm…
Joyce DiCamillo, 2000
For more than thirty years, pianist and composer Joyce DiCamillo has led her own trio, which critics hail as "a compact unit that breathes almost as one." A dedicated educator, DiCamillo appears in high schools and unive…
Terence Blanchard. 2004
Multiple Grammy winner, trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard carries the torch of New Orleans jazz in the tradition of the great Louis Armstrong, who shares his hometown. This spring Blanchard comes to Charleston, So…
Dee Dee Bridgewater, 2003
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater began her career as the lead vocalist of a jazz band. She honed her talent and headed to Broadway in 1975, where her performance in The Wiz was honored with a Tony Award.…
T.S. Monk, 1995
Percussionist T.S. Monk was born into the world of jazz. As the son of Thelonious Monk, his home was the gathering place for musicians such as Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Max Roach, who g…
