Atlantic Records, Part 5 - 1952-53. Atlantic Records was the most influential, significant and important independent record label to come out of the late-1940s, during a time when there were many great, small indie labels being born. What gave Atlantic the advantage over Specialty, Chess, Modern, Vee-Jay, Exclusive, King, etc. is the breadth of material, variety of music styles and the sheer number of hit records that led to the Rock n' Roll explosion of the mid-1950s. This 14-part, behemoth series celebrates the first 10 years of Atlantic's existence: 1947-57. This week in part five, we'll pick up in late 1952 and hear Ray Charles' first release for Atlantic, "The Midnight Hour." It didn't chart, but it marks a very important time for both the singer, who would soon find his voice and style and begin racking up hits, and the label, who bought his contract from SwingTime Records and invested in his development. The Clovers continue to score huge records as we make our way into 1953. Along with more hits from Ruth Brown, we'll also dig up a few one-off singles that have been lost to history from The Tilters, Eunice Davis and guitarist Chuck Norris. This program is highlighted by an excerpt from an interview Matt The Cat conducted with Atlantic's co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, a few years before his death in 2006. So buckle in and prepare yourself for an in-depth, 14 part look at the history of Atlantic Records, which could also be described as a look at the history of American Music itself.

Highlights from the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, featuring Christian Sands, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Bria Skonberg, Melissa Aldana, Yasushi Nakamura, and Jamison Ross.

Join Jesse ‘Chuy’ Varela for a celebration of the birthday of John Coltrane (b.Sept.23,1926), considered among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Highlights include a retrospective on the life of John Coltrane as told by Nancy Wilson and “Jazz Profiles.”

The Bobby Hutcherson & Harold Land Recordings, Part 3. The great vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and the great tenor saxophonist Harold Land joined forces many times between 1967 and 1990. On Part 3 we’ll hear from sessions they did together between 1983 and 1990, with the Timeless All-Stars, the cooperative band that also included Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, and Billy Higgins.

Jim Shearer. Tuba player Jim Shearer’s new CD, Cloud Bowling with Claude Bolling, is Jim’s take on the celebrated Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio that Claude Bolling wrote for classical flutist Jean Pierre Rampal and recorded with him in 1973. That recording spent almost two years at the top of the Billboard classical chart and stayed in the top 100 for over 10 years. Jim replaced the flute with tuba and this CD was born.

Jamey Haddad Quartet Featuring John Shannon. Jamey Haddad holds a singular position in the world of jazz and contemporary music. Haddad’s musical voice transcends styles and trends, and the universal quality of his playing has attracted many international collaborations with artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Simon, and Sting. Jamey is a frequent performer and an honored guest on the program, and he brings to the table unique arrangement with some of the Midwest’s best performers. This performance was the first of a sold out two-night stand and features Chris Coles on saxophone, John Shannon on guitar, Ian Ashby on bass and Jamey Haddad on drums and percussion. From June 6th, 2024 Daniel Peck is your host for Jamey Haddad…Live at the Bop Stop.

join Joe Romagna as he swings you back to the 1990s—when jump blues made a roaring comeback and swing bands filled the dance floors of Bay Area venues-like Broadway Studios, The HiBall Lounge, and the Verde Club. This special program celebrates the era’s high-energy sound, spotlighting the artists and bands like Lavay Smith, Steve Lucky (pictured) and other artists that continue to keep the tradition alive. It will be a fun and informative trip through a unique moment in time and music history, packed with rhythm, horns, and swingin’ sounds. This is a show you don’t want to miss!

Atlantic Records, Part 6 - 1953. Atlantic Records was the most influential, significant and important independent record label to come out of the late-1940s, during a time when there were many great, small indie labels being born. What gave Atlantic the advantage over Specialty, Chess, Modern, Vee-Jay, Exclusive, King, etc. is the breadth of material, variety of music styles and the sheer number of hit records that led to the Rock n' Roll explosion of the mid-1950s. This behemoth, 14-part series celebrates the first 10 years of Atlantic's existence: 1947-57. This week in part six, the entire program is immersed in 1953. The Clovers and Ruth Brown continue to rack up the hits, while Joe Turner enjoys the biggest hit of his career with "Honey Hush." Atlantic introduces two singers that had been around for a while: LaVern Baker and Clyde McPhatter. Baker had been making records since 1949 with Eddie Penigar, Maurice King and Todd Rhodes, under the names Little Miss Sharecropper and Bea Baker. McPhatter began recording with Billy Ward and the Dominoes in 1950 as their lead tenor and had already racked up several #1 records. Both singers became huge solo artists on Atlantic and their tenures began in '53. As always, Matt The Cat has thrown in some records that you don't hear much anymore from Carmen Taylor, Choker Campbell, The Diamonds and Tommy Ridgley. This program is highlighted by an excerpt from an interview that was conducted with Atlantic's co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, a few years before his death in 2006. So buckle in and prepare yourself for an in-depth, 14 part look at the history of Atlantic Records, which could also be described as a look at the history of American Music itself.

Drummer Marcus Gilmore joins host Christian McBride to celebrate the release of his debut album Journey to the New, recorded live at the Village Vanguard. They share stories about Marcus’s grandfather, the legendary Roy Haynes, his mentors and influences, and how Marcus is shaping the future of jazz with his own voice.