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Jazz and Blues Features

KNKX Public Radio

News about jazz, blues, Studio Sessions, and music samplings from jazz artists in the northwest and around the world.

News about jazz, blues, Studio Sessions, and music samplings from jazz artists in the northwest and around the world.

Location:

Tacoma, WA

Description:

News about jazz, blues, Studio Sessions, and music samplings from jazz artists in the northwest and around the world.

Twitter:

@KPLU

Language:

English

Contact:

12180 Park Ave S. Tacoma, WA 98447 253-535-7758

Episodes

Jazz Appreciation Month: Explore legendary live recordings from Cannonball Adderley and Ramsey Lewis

4/16/2021
The important connection between musicians onstage and a crowded jazz club has been missing for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many fans have been turning to live recordings that captured moments of magic, when the music onstage was matched by the energy in the crowd.

Duration:00:04:00

Jazz Appreciation Month: Celebrating the 2021 NEA Jazz Masters

4/15/2021
Nationwide recognition for jazz artists is a rare thing. The National Endowment for the Arts stepped up its mandate in 1982 to include jazz as an art form and celebrate those who advance it. Robin Lloyd introduces the 2021 NEA Jazz Masters for Jazz Appreciation Month.

Duration:00:04:15

Jazz Appreciation Month: Jaco and Joni

4/14/2021
Bassist Jaco Pastorius was a musical innovator, a celebrated master and an audacious free spirit, who proved an inspiring—and challenging—force to all who played music with him. KNKX’s Michael Stein tells us more.

Duration:00:03:59

Jazz Appreciation Month: Stride Piano

4/13/2021
Historically speaking, jazz and blues met at the piano. For Jazz Appreciation Month, KNKX Music Director Carol Handley traces the development of the irresistible style called "stride" from its beginnings to the present day.

Duration:00:04:32

Jazz Appreciation Month: Texas Tenor Titans

4/12/2021
During the 1940s Swing Era, certain big bands began to popularize a saxophone style that would become known as the "Texas Tenor" sound. Nick Morrison’s going to take us back to the beginning of that sound and follow its evolution from the big-band era to 1960s soul music.

Duration:00:04:31

Jazz Appreciation Month: Seattle's 2021 Jazz Hero

4/9/2021
Jazz Appreciation Month brings recognition to the art form and to the artists who produce it. But did you know there are also awards for the behind-the-scenes supporters of jazz? Robin Lloyd has the scoop from jazz journalist Paul De Barros.

Duration:00:04:03

Jazz Appreciation Month: Pianist Bill Charlap

4/8/2021
When you hear Bill Charlap on piano, you have the sense of someone lost – so lost in the music we may never be able to exist on that mountain with him. Paige Hansen has more on his exquisite playing in our series for Jazz Appreciation Month.

Duration:00:03:50

Jazz Appreciation Month: Defining a music genre that's always changing

4/7/2021
Jazz is a music based on improvisation, and evolution. Moving through Dixieland, swing, bebop, free jazz, fusion and beyond can make describing what jazz is a difficult proposition. KNKX jazz host Abe Beeson spoke to three generations of musicians to find a definition.

Duration:00:04:18

School of Jazz: Amy Anderson serves as guest DJ

4/1/2021
Trumpeter Amy Anderson from Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek will virtually join Abe Beeson as guest DJ tonight (April 1) on Evening Jazz. She is a senior and in the school's jazz band. Amy also sings jazz.

Duration:00:49:07

The New Cool: Kate Olson springs forward with K.O. Solo

3/31/2021
Springtime is coming on a lot faster than the end of the pandemic, but there are more signs of artists and audiences reuniting in person in the near future. Making the most of quarantine restrictions, saxophonist Kate Olson presents a circus of sounds with her K.O. Solo project streaming live Friday night .

Duration:00:18:41

School of Jazz: Nate Gilbreath serves as guest DJ

3/4/2021
Trombonist Nate Gilbreath from Bellevue High School will join Abe Beeson virtually as guest DJ at 7 tonight (March 4) on Evening Jazz. He is a senior and in the jazz band at Bellevue High School and Bellevue College.

Duration:00:48:51

Black History Month: Robert Flack and Quiana Lynell's "Trying Times"

2/26/2021
In 1969, Roberta Flack debuted with her album “First Takes.” It included her version of a song written by Donny Hathaway, “Trying Times,” which addressed the civil disorder of the era.

Duration:00:05:21

Black History Month: Maceo Parker's idol, Ray Charles

2/25/2021
Maceo Parker had many influences growing up, but Ray Charles was number one.

Duration:00:03:21

Black History Month: Nina Simone's first protest song

2/24/2021
When Nina Simone had finally had enough, she wrote her first protest song in 1963.

Duration:00:04:29

Black History Month: Dr. Billy Taylor's anthem

2/24/2021
For Black History Month, Robin Lloyd honors Dr. Billy Taylor and his Civil Rights anthem “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.”

Duration:00:04:57

Black History Month: The Bold Blanche Calloway

2/24/2021
KNKX remembers the groundbreaking bandleader Blanche Calloway for Black History Month.

Duration:00:03:16

Jackson Street Jazz Walk honors Seattle jazz past, present and future Saturday and Sunday

2/23/2021
Black History Month concludes at the end of the week, and Seattle jazz musicians and fans will be celebrating the legacy of African-American musicians in the Northwest Saturday and Sunday nights with the virtual Jackson Street Jazz Walk .

Duration:00:04:30

School of Jazz: Austin Schneider serves as guest DJ

2/4/2021
Tenor saxophonist Austin Schneider from Lynnwood High School will virtually join Abe Beeson as guest DJ tonight (Feb. 4) on Evening Jazz at 7 p.m. He is a senior and in the school's jazz band program. Listen to the show and read their Q&A.

Duration:00:48:24

School of Jazz: Rohan Wassink serves as guest DJ

1/7/2021
Tenor saxophonist Rohan Wassink from Shorecrest High School will virtually join Abe Beeson as guest DJ tonight (Jan. 7) on Evening Jazz at 7 p.m. He is a junior and in the school's jazz band program. Listen to the show and read their Q&A.

Duration:00:50:41

School of Jazz: Calvin Lundin serves as guest DJ

12/4/2020
Drummer Calvin Lundin from Seattle Academy virtually joined Abe Beeson Dec. 3 on Evening Jazz. He is a sophmore and in the school's jazz program. Listen to the show and read their Q&A.

Duration:00:54:35

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