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Take Five: By Region

Caribbean Jazz: A Summer Cruise For Your Mind

A native of the Dominican Republic, Michel Camilo is one of the most energetic pianists in jazz. Alessandra Raimondi/via Flickr hide caption

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Alessandra Raimondi/via Flickr

A Blog Supreme

Caribbean Jazz: A Summer Cruise For Your Mind

Jazz24

Wouldn't it be nice to just drop whatever you're doing right now and go on a nice, leisurely Caribbean vacation? Well, you can — sort of. Let your mind sail through the Caribbean by listening to some music from a few of the many fine jazz artists who were born on the Caribbean islands.

It's A 'Burgh Thing: Jazz In Pittsburgh

When trumpeter Sean Jones isn't touring the world, he is also an assistant professor at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University School of Music. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

A Blog Supreme

It's A 'Burgh Thing: Jazz In Pittsburgh

90.5 WESA

Aside from being America's current "Most Livable City," Pittsburgh is known as a home of great pro sports teams and many legends of jazz, including Art Blakey. But WDUQ shines a light on the Pittsburgh jazz musicians working around town these days.

5 Young British Jazz Artists To Watch

Don't let Jasper Hoiby's Scandinavian cheekbones fool you. The Danish bassist (center) is very much a key part of London's jazz scene. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

5 Young British Jazz Artists To Watch

BBC Radio's Jazz on 3 program showcases the richness of the U.K. jazz scene with a particular emphasis on seeking out and supporting young talent. Host Jez Nelson and the rest of the team pick out some recent British jazz albums everyone should keep on their radar.

Kick It Up With South African Jazz

The African Jazz Pioneers kick it, South Africa style. Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich; photos: Intuition Records, iStock. hide caption

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Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich; photos: Intuition Records, iStock.

Kick It Up With South African Jazz

90.5 WESA

From June 11 to July 11, nine cities in South Africa are hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The excitement has stretched from Johannesburg to Pretoria and the world over. In honor of the world coming together to celebrate soccer in the "rainbow nation," here's a chance to sample four South African jazz artists and one of the World Cup performers.

Five New Orleans Brass-Band Jams

Drummer Benny Jones Sr. is the leader of the Treme Brass Band. He also has an awesome hat. Pompo Bresciani hide caption

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Pompo Bresciani

Five New Orleans Brass-Band Jams

WBGO

William Claiborne, the first American governor of the Louisiana territory, believed New Orleans was ungovernable due to the citizenry's preoccupation with dancing. Two centuries have passed, and that much hasn't changed. Hear five songs from New Orleans' modern brass-band tradition that are bound to make you move.

Mississippi Delta Blues: American Cornerstone

One of the two known photos of Robert Johnson. This portrait was taken by the Hooks Bros. Photography Company in Memphis, Tenn., circa 1935. Courtesy of the Delta Haze Corporation hide caption

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Courtesy of the Delta Haze Corporation

Take Five: A Jazz Sampler

Mississippi Delta Blues: American Cornerstone

Jazz24

Influencing everyone from The Rolling Stones to Cassandra Wilson, the blues recordings that came out of the Mississippi Delta from the late 1920s through the late '30s have had an enormous impact on American music. Hear songs from Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Son House and more.

Celebrate Mardi Gras With New Orleans Piano

Professor Longhair's "Tipitina" is a New Orleans funk staple and a template for the New Orleans piano style. Eric Bookhart/Harvest Records hide caption

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Eric Bookhart/Harvest Records

Take Five: By Holiday

Celebrate Mardi Gras With New Orleans Piano

Jazz24

One of the beauties of New Orleans piano music is that once you hear it, you'll know it whenever you encounter it again. It's Mardi Gras week in New Orleans, and we're going to join in the celebration with a brief but broad overview of some of the Crescent City's many extraordinary pianists.

Cajun Carols: New Orleans Christmas Jazz

Album cover of Putumayo's New Orleans Christmas. Courtesy of Putumayo World Music hide caption

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Courtesy of Putumayo World Music

Holiday Music

Cajun Carols: New Orleans Christmas Jazz

90.5 WESA

In New Orleans, December brings only faux snow, so Papa Noel packs his presents on a pirogue pulled by alligators. Feux de Joie bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to light his way to the bayous. Papa might not have a stereo on board, but if he does, you might hear a few of these Cajun carols around the Crescent City area.

West Coast Cool: The Jazz Sound Of '50s California

A classic West Coast jazz quartet: saxophonist Paul Desmond, drummer Joe Dodge, pianist Dave Brubeck, bassist Bob Bates. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Take Five: A Jazz Sampler

West Coast Cool: The Jazz Sound Of '50s California

Jazz24

As opposed to the hard-bop sound dominant on the East Coast during the '50s, the West Coast sound was a bit mellower and more lyrical, with blended harmonies and more interest in composition and arrangement than improvisation. In these five songs, you'll hear all the definitive aspects of the West Coast jazz sound.

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