Hey Jazz Fans! Join Jesse “Chuy” Varela and his co-host, acclaimed jazz vocalist, Tiffany Austin for a special salute to the iconic jazz singer, Billie Holiday. We'll survey the life of Lady Day and hear her sing songs about the many manifestations of love from its joys to its heartbreaks.

Before they ever wrote a note together, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen were already at the top of their game. Cahn had made his name as one of the top lyricists of the swing era and was one of Frank Sinatra’s most trusted collaborators. Jimmy Van Heusen, was a master of the melody, writing singer-friendly tunes and scoring major hits with artists like Bing Crosby. In the mid-1950s, Sinatra brought them together- and that introduction changed everything. Join Joe Romagna as he highlights their songbooks with a romantic night of ballads, elegant melodies, and timeless classics.

Join Harry Duncan on Sunday, February 15 at 7pm for Mardi Gras Mambo, a special edition of In The Soul Kitchen celebrating the music of Mardi Gras in New Orleans featuring The Meters, Dr. John, The Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, Rebirth Brass Band and much more.

George Goldner, Part 1 - Rama Records. We begin a multi-part series on record man, George Goldner. He is said to have had the "golden ear" for hit records and songwriter Jerry Leiber even complimented his talent for picking hit songs by saying that Goldner had, "the musical taste of a fourteen-year-old-girl." Born to Jewish immigrants in 1919, Goldner's first love was Latino dance music and he began his career by opening night clubs and starting Tico Records, a Latino label in 1948. By 1953, he was interested in Rhythm & Blues and began releasing records under the Rama subsidiary. This week, we'll take a close look at Goldner's first R&B label, which helped put Rock n' Roll on the musical map with the 1953 smash, "Gee," by New York vocal group, The Crows. "Gee" crossed over to a very respectable #14 on the pop chart and just might be the first Rock n' Roll hit by a Rock n' Roll group. From there, Goldner signed The Wrens, The Valentines, The Joytones, The Heartbeats, The Harptones and other NY groups that are now considered vocal group royalty. His house band was led by the tenor great, Jimmy Wright, who put his sax stamp on all these classic records for Goldner's various labels. Next week in part 2, Matt The Cat will focus on Gee Records as we continue our look into the ground-breaking labels of George Goldner.

Very Very Threadgill. Henry Threadgill, NEA Jazz Master and one of the world's leading avant-garde composers and arrangers, turns 82 on February 15. To celebrate, we present a 2014 Harlem Stage concert honoring his 70th birthday, curated by pianist Jason Moran. Dozens of musicians who have played alongside Threadgill throughout his storied career gathered to perform his groundbreaking compositions while the maestro himself watched from the audience.

Tres Pontas: Milton Nascimento With Wayne Shorter, Part 2. Presenting the iconic Brazilian composer-vocalist in collaborations with jazz giants Shorter and Hancock.

Ira Liss & Dan Radlauer. Like many creative artists during the pandemic, saxophonist/band leader Ira Liss and multi-instrumentalist/composer Dan Radlauer were inspired by their unexpected gift of time. They had collaborated previously on a number of projects but with this CD, they did something unusual. Dan and Ira invited musicians not usually associated with jazz to perform with Ira’s big band with arrangements by Dan. Artists as diverse as Country Music’s Vince Gill and jazz recorder virtuoso Tali Rubinstein—and everyone in between—jumped at this unique opportunity to play or sing with a big band with original compositions by Dan or songs of their choosing. The result is the CD, Unexpected Guests.

Jackie Warren is a legend behind the piano, from her work in the 3D Jazz Trio, to her work with Tito Puente and her place as one of the anchors of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.She leads this performance, where she’s joined by Saxophonist Steve Kortyka. Beyond the four releases as a band leader, Steve is a core member of the Brian Newman Quintet and his work anchors releases by Tony Bennett and live performances with Lady Gaga.But wait, as they say, there’s more. Jim Rupp joins this group on percussion and beyond some legendary performances with Woody Herman, Ray Charles and Natalie Cole and his extensive work as a drum educator Jim has forgotten more about drum performance than many of us will ever know.George Delancy rounds out this quartet on bass. George was a core member of the Larry Fuller Trio and has performed with Ben Patterson, Wynton Marsalis and Houston Person, among others.Enjoy this talented quartet as they perform a mix of standards and originals. From February 8th, 2025 Daniel Peck is your host for the Jackie Warren Quartet…Live at the Bop Stop.

We honor Black History Month with the trailblazing big bands that defined the swing era and changed American music forever. Hear the irresistible rhythms and powerhouse arrangements of Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millinder, Chick Webb, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and more bands that packed ballrooms, launched legends, and kept the country dancing. Roll up the carpet, grab your partner, and get ready to swing

George Goldner, Part. 2 - Gee Records. It's part 2 of our 3-part series on record man, George Goldner. He is said to have had the "golden ear" for hit records and songwriter Jerry Leiber even complimented his talent for picking hit songs by saying that Goldner had, "the musical taste of a fourteen-year-old-girl." Born to Jewish immigrants in 1919, Goldner's first love was Latino dance music and he began his career by opening night clubs and starting Tico Records, a Latino label in 1948. By 1953, he was interested in Rhythm & Blues and began releasing records under the Rama subsidiary. We featured Rama Records in part 1. This week, the "Juke In The Back" with Matt The Cat will take a close look at Goldner's second R&B label, Gee Records. It's been said that the label was named after the huge success of The Crows single, "Gee" on Rama Records, but it's more likely that he named the Gee label after himself. Gee was very vocal group focused and we'll hear seldom-played classic records from The Coins, The Five Crowns, The Valtones, The Debonaires and The Quintones. Goldner scored the biggest and most influential hit of his entire career on Gee with "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" by The Teenagers featuring 14-year-old Frankie Lymon. The late, great Herbie Cox of The Cleftones was in Goldner's office when the Teenagers auditioned as The Premiers and we'll hear Herbie recall that story as well as how the Cleftones came to sign with Goldner. Next week, we'll close the series with a spotlight on Gone and End Records, Goldner's last 2 labels under his