Jazz Night In America puts the spotlight on Samara Joy, a young vocalist and songwriter who is taking cues from the past to create music that is both classic and contemporary.
From gospel to TikTok to vocal big shot: the rise of Samara Joy
Jazz Night takes a moment to commemorate Wayne Shorter and his eternal body of work – with concert performances, unaired interviews and music picks from our host Christian McBride.
Exploring the many orbits of jazz legend Wayne Shorter
Composer and alto saxophonist John Zorn brings eight eclectic bands to the Big Ears Festival stage, ranging from solo classical piano to all-out electrified jams.
'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears
Celebrate the holidays with drummer Matt Wilson and his festive holiday group the Christmas Tree-O from Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Yule dig? Celebrate the holidays with drummer Matt Wilson's festive Christmas Tree-O
More than a decade after BADBADNOTGOOD's viral debut upsetting the "jazz police" and carving their own niche playing rap covers, they take the stage in Brooklyn with a wildly psychedelic set.
Hear music and field recordings from bassist, composer, and fashion icon Jamaaladeen Tacuma's residency in North Carolina, where he explores his familial and musical roots.
Bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma reflects on his journey down a 'Dirt Road' in N. Carolina
Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, one of five young jazz artists included in Jazz Night's inaugural class of Youngbloods.
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We close out our Youngbloods series with saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins, who takes us into the relationship between his faith and his compositions.
Jazz Night in America talks to pianist and composer Sean Mason about his musical journey from North Carolina to New York, and how the South never really left his music.
Jazz Night in America spotlights a young musician and composer who is wise beyond his years. Hear Isaiah J. Thompson's story and his unquestionable gift at the keys.
Pianist Emmet Cohen revives a Jazz Age tradition: the rent party, with "Emmet's Place." We bring you a swinging performance of the Emmet Cohen Trio with veteran saxophonist Houston Person.
Pianist Emmet Cohen hosts a Harlem rent party for the modern day
Jazz Night hangs with trumpeter Theo Croker in Jacksonville, Fla., where he spent his teenage years, to revisit old mentors and hear a set by his band from the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.
Jazz renegade Theo Croker returns to his Jacksonville roots
Gary Bartz shares stories from his sixty-plus-year career, covering everything from bebop to hip-hop. Hear a heartfelt conversation between the legendary saxophonist and host Christian McBride.
From bebop to hip-hop: Gary Bartz's sax sound shapes many eras
The tribute project Anything Mose! breathes new life into the music of the late Mose Allison. We peer inside his blend of blues and jazz with ironic lyrics, and get stories from Allison's widow.
Honoring the iconic blues and ironic humor of Mose Allison
Hear a funky set from guitarist Cory Wong and the Wongnotes from the main stage of the Newport Jazz Festival, plus stories from Cory about his past, process and the evolution of the Minneapolis Sound.
To celebrate bassist Ron Carter's 85th birthday, hear a conversation with Ron and our host Christian McBride with music handpicked from Ron Carter's storied discography.
Ron Carter at 85: tracks and stories from the life of a record-setting bassist
Hear stories from New Orleans saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr.'s upbringing, words from his mentee, drummer Joe Dyson, and a performance on his home turf recorded at Snug Harbor.
The nouveau swing of Donald Harrison Jr., Big Chief and NEA Jazz Master
Jazz Night profiles bassist, composer, producer, arranger and 2022 NEA Jazz Master Stanley Clarke. Hear stories from his collaborators and travel through sonic landmarks in Clarke's storied career.
Stanley Clarke – The Virtuoso Bass Doubler is now an NEA Jazz Master
Jazz Night profiles drummer, composer, educator, & 2022 NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart. Hear stories from his upbringing, words from his mentees, & a performance from Hart's quartet live at Dizzy's Club.
Jabali, Drummer Billy Hart – Master Teacher, Forever Student, and NEA Jazz Master
Jazz Night profiles singer-songwriter, composer, guitarist and 2022 NEA Jazz Master Cassandra Wilson. Hear tracks from her expansive catalog and listen to stories about her inspiring musical path.
Cassandra Wilson: Subtle singer, subversive songwriter and 2022 NEA Jazz Master
We celebrate Women's History Month with a spotlight on Miss Shirley Horn, via a 1991 concert featuring special guests Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Toots Thielemans and more.
Shirley Horn: The queen of silence and anticipation
Damien Sneed conducts his Chorale Le Chateau during a performance of Wynton Marsalis' Abyssinian Mass at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2019.
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Hear music from jazz and gospel pianist/vocalist Damien Sneed and how he got his start in Augusta, GA and went onto work with Wynton Marsalis and give piano lessons to Aretha Franklin.
