Nneena Freelon, 2002

Nneena Freelon, 2002

Author: NPR National Public Radio April 4, 2017 Duration: 15:29
Internationally hailed as the greatest vocalist to come along in decades, Nnenna Freelon exudes both class and sophistication. Her soulful style consists of fresh interpretations of classic standards. A six-time Grammy Award nominee, in 2014 she starred in the critically acclaimed show Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles in Las Vegas. On this 2002 Piano Jazz, Freelon surprises McPartland with a lyric to her original tune "Threnody."

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

NPR: Piano jazz short podcast
Podcast Episodes
Jess Stacy, 1982 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:18
This week's Piano Jazz presents an episode from the early years of the program with guest Jess Stacy (1904 – 1995), who came out of retirement to appear on the show in 1982. One of the leading pianists of the swing era,…
Rachel Z, 1999 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
Pianist and composer Rachel Z grew up in Manhattan in a musical family. Her mother taught her classical voice and opera from a young age, but she found her own sound in the jazz and rock worlds. On the keys, she is light…
Rachel Z, 1999 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
Pianist and composer Rachel Z grew up in Manhattan in a musical family. Her mother taught her classical voice and opera from a young age, but she found her own sound in the jazz and rock worlds. On the keys, she is light…
Rachel Z, 1999 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
Pianist and composer Rachel Z grew up in Manhattan in a musical family. Her mother taught her classical voice and opera from a young age, but she found her own sound in the jazz and rock worlds. On the keys, she is light…
Tony Bennertt, 1990 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:27
Ever-popular song stylist Tony Bennett was McPartland's guest for the first time in 1990. Bennett vocalizes American popular songs like nobody else can. When he was starting out, a voice teacher, Miriam Spier, famously t…
Tony Bennertt, 1990 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:27
Ever-popular song stylist Tony Bennett was McPartland's guest for the first time in 1990. Bennett vocalizes American popular songs like nobody else can. When he was starting out, a voice teacher, Miriam Spier, famously t…
Tony Bennertt, 1990 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:27
Ever-popular song stylist Tony Bennett was McPartland's guest for the first time in 1990. Bennett vocalizes American popular songs like nobody else can. When he was starting out, a voice teacher, Miriam Spier, famously t…
Renee Rosnes,1990 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:31
Upon moving to New York from Vancouver, Canada, pianist and composer Renee Rosnes established a reputation as one of the premier jazz musicians on the scene. Over her 30-year career, Rosnes has collaborated with a divers…
Renee Rosnes,1990 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:31
Upon moving to New York from Vancouver, Canada, pianist and composer Renee Rosnes established a reputation as one of the premier jazz musicians on the scene. Over her 30-year career, Rosnes has collaborated with a divers…
Renee Rosnes,1990 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:31
Upon moving to New York from Vancouver, Canada, pianist and composer Renee Rosnes established a reputation as one of the premier jazz musicians on the scene. Over her 30-year career, Rosnes has collaborated with a divers…