Alex Ariff

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We remember some of the luminaries we lost this year: Chick Corea; Milford Graves; Dr. Lonnie Smith; Pat Martino; Dottie Dodgion; Howard Johnson; Slide Hampton; Curtis Fuller; and Ralph Peterson Jr.

To celebrate their 50-year anniversary, we trace the history and legacy of the independent jazz record label Strata-East founded by trumpeter Charles Tolliver and the late pianist Stanley Cowell.

Jazz Night visits Portland to ride along with the non-profit Montavilla Jazz and its door-to-door music festival, including a lovely set by trumpeter Charlie Porter.

We examine the life and legacy of 2021 NEA Jazz Master Phil Schaap with music from Jazz at Lincoln Center and a rare live album produced by Schaap himself at the West End Café in Manhattan.

Sung reflects on how, as a young classical pianist, she stuck to her jazz dreams. More recently, she's translated her emotions on social justice into a thematic composition for her quartet.