For over 40 years, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges was the primary solo voice of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. 2019 brought the first ever biography of … Continue reading "Rabbit’s Blues: The Story of Johnny Hodges"

There is no question about it… Milt Jackson revolutionized the way the vibraphone was played in jazz, and continues, twenty years after his death to … Continue reading "Milt Jackson—Bags’ Groove"

In this episode Bob Hecht and former Poet Laureate Billy Collins continue their conversation about jazz and poetry, and Billy reads poems about Art Blakey, … Continue reading "Poet Billy Collins on Jazz & Poetry—part 2"

Billy Collins is a modern poetry phenomenon. The former U.S., and New York State, Poet Laureate, Collins is one of the most-read poets anywhere—and also … Continue reading "Poet Billy Collins on Jazz & Poetry—part 1"

There was only one Jaki Byard—he was a jazz pianist without peer. No one else combined elements from so many different genres of jazz piano … Continue reading "The Many Worlds of Jaki Byard"

Sean Jones is recognized as one of today’s top trumpeters, and in this conversation with Bob Hecht he talks about his formative roots in Ohio, … Continue reading "The Sean Jones Interview"

Zoot Sims was one of the hardest-swinging jazz musicians, who had his own immediately identifiable sound… and that sound was one of the warmest and … Continue reading "Zoot Sims: Warm Tenor"

Lester Young is recognized as one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists, and one of the all-around giants of jazz. But in this episode we … Continue reading "Genius on a Cheap Clarinet"

Featuring an interview with jazz trumpeter Charlie Porter, this episode explores the living legacy of trumpet great Clifford Brown. Though gone for over sixty years, … Continue reading "Clifford Brown LIVES!"

It’s rare to be able to hear about the Harlem Stride greats from someone who knew several of them personally, but that’s exactly what Stride … Continue reading "More Harlem Stride!"