Jazz

Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo: 'Better than caffeine'

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:30:35 +0000

Frank Vignola is well-known as one of the most amazing guitarists on today’s jazz scene. Five years ago he hooked up with a young, extremely accomplished guitarist named Vinny Raniolo.

Since then they’ve worked together in a number of different group configurations but they’re at their best when it’s just the two of them, each armed with an acoustic guitar and a great desire to have a good time.

And that’s exactly what they do in this studio session with jazz host, Abe Beeson.

The Greyboy Allstars: A serious party band

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:59:44 +0000

During this performance interview with The Greyboy Allstars, KPLU jazz host, Abe Beeson, called their latest CD (Inland Emperor) ‘the party album of 2013.’

The Greyboy Allstars’ reputation as a party/dance band is well-earned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnQwYX4pCQ

Ann Hampton Callaway: Singing the standards, Streisand and making it up as she goes

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:06:16 +0000

Vocalist, pianist and composer, Ann Hampton Callaway has had success in the worlds of jazz, Broadway and cabaret. She’s also one of our favorite KPLU Studio Session guests.

We invite her to perform every time she passes through Seattle because, from one visit to the next, we never know what kind of surprises she’ll treat us to.

Joan Osborne and The Holmes Brothers are a recipe for soul

Justin Steyer and John Kessler — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:51:29 +0000

Want a good recipe for soul music?

Here’s what you do: Start with vocalist, Joan Osborne, who has had pop music hits, performed on The Grand Old Oprey, toured with members of The Grateful Dead and yet never strayed from her roots in rhythm ‘n blues music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZF3hIg0gFg

Now add a good, solid dose of The Holmes Brothers (Sherman Holmes, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon), who have been playing their own unique blend of blues, gospel, soul and R&B since the late 1970’s.

Molly Ringwald: Rediscovering her jazz roots

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:51:14 +0000

In 2010, actress/singer, Molly Ringwald wrote her first book, Getting The Pretty Back. The "pretty" in the title is a reference to what is perhaps Molly’s most famous movie, "Pretty In Pink" (1986), directed by John Hughes.

She also worked with Hughes in "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club." But before Molly Ringwald became one of the world’s most famous teenagers, she was a jazz singer.

Relive KPLU's Jimmy Jazzoid Rides Again

Dick Stein — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:21:50 +0000

Need more Jimmy?

You can listen to the wildly popular, live radio performance of Jimmy Jazzoid Rides Again below! Want to take Jimmy Jazzoid with you, wherever you go? You can download the podcast here.

Holly Cole: Reinventing the familiar

Abe Beeson — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:01:00 +0000

Canadian vocalist, Holly Cole, is one of greatest song interpreters alive.

She can take a song you think you know and bring something out of it that you’ve never heard before.

For example, her latest CD, Night, contains Holly’s inventive re-imagining of a James Bond theme (You Only Live Twice), as well as songs by Danny O’Keefe, Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, Rod McKuen and Gordon Lightfoot.

The creators of Jazz Appreciation Month start celebrating

Patrick Jarenwattananon — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:06:58 +0000

The 12th official Jazz Appreciation Month began when April did. But today, the Smithsonian Museum of American History, which founded the JAM campaign, kick started its own celebration with a series of performances, discussions and ceremonies.

A morning gathering for invited guests was highlighted by the official delivery of two musical artifacts to the Smithsonian's collection.

Singer Jackie Ryan's life in music

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:12:53 +0000

In this studio session singer, Jackie Ryan, gives us three of her favorites: a gospel-tinged version of Accentuate The Positive, a beautiful reading of I Loves You, Porgy and the Spanish-language song, La Puerta, dedicated to her mother.

As you’ll hear Jackie say in this interview, she grew up singing. After years as a touring R&B singer, Jackie discovered jazz and never looked back. Today, she’s one of America’s finest jazz singers.

Take 5 goes meta: A list of 5 songs about lists

Nick Morrison — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:01:00 +0000

Over the past few years, Take 5’s theme-based music lists have covered a wide variety of subjects. We’ve covered all the seasons of the year, all the holidays, different types of weather, the careers of jazz legends, the cutting-edge work of up-and-coming jazz artists and have gotten into the musical minutiae of things like flowers, birds, baseball, prohibition and civil rights. And now it’s time for Take 5 to go meta and present a five-song list of songs about….LISTS. It had to happen sooner or later.

Time is on their side: Ageless jazz drumming

Patrick Jarenwattananon — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:59:15 +0000

I've been listening to two very good new albums led by drummers. After learning that both men are in their early 70s, I can't help but wonder how I process that fact in what I hear.

"Killer" Ray Appleton (b. 1941) and Barry Altschul (b. 1943) practice different styles. But they both came of musical age in the hard-bop era, spent many years living in Europe and eventually returned to New York. In other words, they've each got a lot of experience.

The new album from Appleton, Naptown Legacy, which is old-school in almost all good ways.

Juan de Marcos and The Afro-Cuban All Stars: The Soul Of Cuba

Abe Beeson and Justin Steyer — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:13:08 +0000

On a recent visit to Seattle, Juan de Marcos and The Afro-Cuban All Stars stopped by for a three-song studio session with KPLU in the KCTS 9 studios. How good was it?

Well, as host, Abe Beeson says, “If this music doesn’t move you, you’ve got no place to go.”

Watch the full interview and performance:

http://youtu.be/ayKsqYLvE0g

February 13 is World Radio Day

Robin Lloyd — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:21:16 +0000

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) encourages us to acknowlege World Radio Day:

"...a day to celebrate radio as a medium; to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information and freedom of expression over the airwaves. "

Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs, and Trombonasaurus Wrecks on Jazz NW

Jim Wilke — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:00:00 +0000

A double bill featuring a piano trio from Iceland, and a six trombone band is featured on Jazz Northwest this week. The groups were recorded on separate occasions playing at Tula's in Seattle.

Listen to the 50 Greatest Jazz Vocals of All Time

KPLU — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:51:41 +0000

Last month more than 4,600 votes were cast by our listeners for the songs they felt were the greatest jazz vocal of all time.

The votes have been counted and the top 50 songs are now available below in our 24/7 stream!