Mito Habe-Evans/NPR Jazz Night In America Videos Jon Batiste Leads A Private Street Parade Atop A Fort November 6, 2014 O'er the ramparts of 190-year-old Fort Adams, we watched the keyboardist and bandleader urge us to "Believe In Love," accompanied by his Stay Human band, and then saunter away.
NPR Jazz Night In America Videos What Is A Polyrhythm? Beats Taking Turns November 5, 2014 Saxophonist Miguel Zenón likes to stack beats on top of each other. But he doesn't do it for the novelty: As he explains, he's also trying to tell a story about multiple national identities.
The Wayne Shorter Quartet performs at Blue Note at 75, The Concert. NPR hide caption itoggle caption NPR Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program Happy Birthday, Blue Note October 23, 2014 The iconic record company turns 75 this year, and to celebrate, it threw a concert featuring both its living legends and rising stars. Hear highlights and reflections on the label's influence. Listen Loading… 57:18 Playlist
NPR Jazz Night In America Videos The Funky Tune That Was Too Big For Miles Davis October 29, 2014 Trumpeter Wallace Roney played Davis' understudy for many years. So it was fitting when he resurrected a long-lost orchestral composition that Wayne Shorter wrote for his mentor.
Marshall Allen and the Sun Ra Arkestra perform at the Tiny Desk. Claire Eggers/NPR hide caption itoggle caption Claire Eggers/NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Sun Ra Arkestra: Tiny Desk Concert October 31, 2014 With costumes inspired by Egyptian symbolism and science fiction, the late jazz innovator's band plays an out-of-this-world set in the NPR Music offices on Halloween.
Dave Brubeck performs in 1982. Ralph Gatti/AFP/Getty Images hide caption itoggle caption Ralph Gatti/AFP/Getty Images Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program Reimagining Brubeck October 16, 2014 The late pianist Dave Brubeck left jazz with a large body of compositions. Hear how his iconic music was rearranged by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Listen Loading… 56:53 Playlist
Miguel Zenón. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption itoggle caption Adam Kissick for NPR Jazz Night In America: Wednesday Night Webcasts Miguel Zenón's 'Identities Are Changeable' October 9, 2014 The Puerto Rican alto saxophonist and composer's new album explores national identity through spoken word and music. He brings that music to life at the Newport Jazz Festival, joined by his big band. Listen Loading… 1:03:22 Playlist
Miguel Zenón's new album is titled Identities Are Changeable. Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist Reconnecting The Circuit Of Puerto Rican Identity Through Music November 2, 2014 To understand what it means to be Puerto Rican in the U.S., saxophonist Miguel Zenón spoke with friends and fellow musicians who share his split identity — and put their stories into his music. Listen Loading… 6:15 Download Playlist
Dr. Lonnie Smith at the Blue Note 75 concert. NPR hide caption itoggle caption NPR Blue Note At 75, The Concert May 11, 2014 The iconic jazz label celebrates a major anniversary with this special performance featuring artists from its past and present: Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Norah Jones, Jason Moran and many more. Listen Loading… 2:17:47 Playlist
NPR A Blog Supreme What Is Jazz Night In America? October 8, 2014 It's a new public radio program, a concert video webcast every Wednesday night, and a partnership bringing together WBGO, Jazz At Lincoln Center and NPR Music. Here's how to check it out.
Wallace Roney leads a performance of Wayne Shorter's "Universe" at the Detroit Jazz Festival. NPR hide caption itoggle caption NPR Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program To Miles, From Wayne October 16, 2014 In the late 1960s, saxophonist Wayne Shorter wrote a series of pieces for trumpeter Miles Davis and orchestra. They were never recorded — until Wallace Roney played them at the Detroit Jazz Festival. Listen Loading… 56:15 Playlist
Percussionists Clemente Medina, Román Diaz and Pedrito Martinez perform with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Frank Stewart/Jazz at Lincoln Center hide caption itoggle caption Frank Stewart/Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program Behind Wynton Marsalis' Afro-Cuban 'Ochas' Suite October 9, 2014 Jazz At Lincoln Center welcomes a world-premiere commission featuring pianist Chucho Valdés and percussionist Pedrito Martinez. Together, they blend jazz with folkloric and religious music of Cuba. Listen Loading… 56:28 Playlist
The Django Festival All-Stars. NPR Music hide caption itoggle caption NPR Music Field Recordings The Fastest Fingers At The Festival, For Django Reinhardt October 16, 2014 A group of European gypsy jazz masters closed out the Newport Jazz Festival with a dazzling set full of flying fingers. After everyone left, we asked the players to perform one more just for us.