Melinda Rose and Frenchy Romero. Longtime friends and musical collaborators, vocalist Melinda Rose and pianist Frenchy Romero first met in their teens during a weekly jam session in Miami, then stayed in touch with mutual support and encouragement as they continued studying and developing their individual creative visions. Now, after years of gigging and teaching together and on their own, they’ve joined forces on their first CD as a team, I’m On My Way, a collection of standards and originals.

Altin Sencalar. Hailed by Stereophile Magazine for “sound[ing] like the 21st-century grandchildren of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding” and praised by the International Trombone Associations Journal for his “virtuosity [and] melodic and harmonic mastery,” Altin Sencalar is in high demand across the country as a performer, educator, and composer. We caught Altin on tour in support of his 2025 release ‘Unleashed’. Featuring Altin on Trombone, Matt Twaddle on Piano, Leland Nelson on Bass and Sofia Goodman on Drums, and from a May 24th, 2025 performance, Daniel Peck is your host for Altin Senclair – Live at the Bop Stop.

Chuck Berry, Part 1 - 1955-56. Chuck Berry has been called the "Father of Rock n' Roll" and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, the guitar riffs of Carl Hogan and mixed it with the fiddle and Western Swing music of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. Then he rolled it all into one big sonic blast. Rhythm & Blues become Rock n' Roll when Chuck Berry began writing songs aimed at teenagers, finally granting them their own music. This is part 1 of a 3-part feature on Chuck Berry's early career; the first full year of recording for the legendary Chess Records in Chicago. We'll look at his recordings from his first session, held in May, 1955 to his fourth session from April, 1956 and everything in-between. Some of the titles you'll know by heart, like "Maybellene," "You Can't Catch Me" and "Roll Over Beethoven," but others might be new to your ears, like the eerie "Down Bound Train" and the very bluesy "Wee Wee Hours." Chuck Berry defined Rock n' Roll guitar and his influence is felt every time someone picks up a guitar with the intention of tearing the house down. Next week, we'll finish up 1956 and begin 1957.

Abdullah Ibrahim: How Improvisation Saved My Life. Abdullah Ibrahim, the legendary South African pianist and composer, died on June 15 at the age of 91. Abdullah Ibrahim, the legendary South African pianist and composer, died on June 15 at the age of 91. We're revisiting this archive episode in his memory. In it, he reflects on growing up under apartheid in South Africa and what freedom meant to him. Listen to a performance with his band Ekaya, recorded at Town Hall in New York City.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk: The Mercury/Limelight Recordings, 1961-1965, Part 1. The great multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk is at his very finest. And joined by Hank Jones, Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill, Roy Haynes, and more.

John Eaton. This is one of my favorite conversations with one of MY inspirations as a musician and person, jazz pianist John Eaton who passed away May 24th just shy of his 92nd birthday. John was one of the last of a generation of pianists influenced deeply by the early jazz greats—Fats Waller and Art Tatum—as well as later pianists like Bill Evans. He was an educator and raconteur, making the following conversation one of my most enjoyable. John Eaton was an old friend from my early days in New York City. This chat gave me a wonderful opportunity to revisit that time and some of the events that shaped John’s music and mine.

Zach Brock and Bob Lanzetti. Snarky Puppy’s reputation precedes itself, of course, but for this performance, Violinist Zack Brock and Guitarist Bob Lanzetti step out on their own to create soundscapes that invite deep listening, emphasizing nuance, spontaneity, and the power of musical storytelling. It’s a performance that’s as intimate as it is inspiring. From April 23rd, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for Zack Brock and Bob Lanzetti…Live at the Bop Stop.

Chuck Berry, Part 2 - 1956-57. Chuck Berry has been called the "Father of Rock n' Roll" and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, the guitar riffs of Carl Hogan and mixed it with the fiddle and Western Swing music of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. Then he rolled it all into one big sonic blast. Rhythm & Blues become Rock n' Roll when Chuck Berry began writing songs aimed at teenagers, finally granting them their own music. Part 2 of a 3-part feature on Chuck Berry's early career, presenting every studio recording made by Chuck Berry from the middle of 1956 to the end of 1957. We pick up where part 1 left off as the hits continue with "School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell)" topping the R&B chart during the spring of '57. We'll also dig the demo and hit versions of "Rock and Roll Music" as well as some great, but overlooked Berry instrumentals. We end this week's program with the demo version of "Sweet Little Sixteen" and will pick it up next week on part 3 with the evolution of that important Chuck Berry tune. Don't miss the "Shakespeare Of Rock n' Roll."

From bebop to hip-hop: Gary Bartz’s sound shapes many eras. 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.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk: The Mercury/Limelight Recordings, 1961-1965, Part 2. The great multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk at his very finest, and joined by the likes of Horace Parlan, Jaki Byard, Richard Davis, Elvin Jones, and more.