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Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program Every week, hear great performances from around the country — and the stories behind them.

Jazz Night In America: The Radio ProgramJazz Night In America: The Radio Program

Youngbloods, Vibes: Joel Ross, Sasha Berliner and Simon Moullier

Youngbloods 2023 vibes, from left to right: Joel Ross, Sasha Berliner, Simon Moullier Graphics: Jackie Lay for NPR hide caption

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Youngbloods, Vibes: Joel Ross, Sasha Berliner and Simon Moullier

WBGO

Youngbloods 2023: Joel Ross, Simon Moullier, Sasha Berliner

Youngbloods, Vibes: Joel Ross, Sasha Berliner and Simon Moullier

Listen · 56:07
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Subtle, relaxed and swinging — there's something about Mary Stallings

Mary Stallings performs with Emmet Cohen Trio at Dizzy's Club in December 2021. Left to right: Emmet Cohen, Russell Hall, Stallings, Joe Farnsworth Gabriela Gabrielaa hide caption

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Subtle, relaxed and swinging — there's something about Mary Stallings

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

As a young singer, Mary Stallings shared the stage with legends. Though her career hasn't been a straight line, she's still swinging at 84, as she proves in a performance with the Emmet Cohen Trio.

Subtle, relaxed and swinging — there's something about Mary Stallings

Listen · 55:53
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McLean's Scene: How Jackie McLean made Hartford a destination for jazz

Portrait of American jazz musician, composer and band leader Jackie McLean, Hartford, Conn., 1979. Deborah Feingold/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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McLean's Scene: How Jackie McLean made Hartford a destination for jazz

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

At a time when jazz was not widely seen in higher education, the alto saxophonist brought the wisdom learned on the bandstand to the classroom.

McLean's Scene: How Jackie McLean made Hartford a destination for jazz

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The steel pan has a legacy. Jonathan Scales is redefining it.

Jonathan Scales Sandlin Gaither/Courtesy of Artist hide caption

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The steel pan has a legacy. Jonathan Scales is redefining it.

WBGO

Meet a steel pan artist that will knock you out of your shoes. Jonathan Scales provides new angles to hear and appreciate his enigmatic instrument.

The steel pan has a legacy. Jonathan Scales is redefining it.

Listen · 55:40
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Pianist Christian Sands shares his 'Christmas Stories' for the holidays

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Pianist Christian Sands shares his 'Christmas Stories' for the holidays

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Pianist Christian Sands shares music from his new record, Christmas Stories. We'll hear tales of his childhood in snowy Connecticut, the ultimate Christmas party music and an exclusive song.

Pianist Christian Sands shares his 'Christmas Stories' for the holidays

Listen · 56:05
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At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

Jazz singer Sheila Jordan, then 84, performs at the 21st annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in New York City's Tompkins Square Park on Aug. 25, 2013. Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images hide caption

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At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

She's among the last living beboppers, one of the first singers on Blue Note and a pioneer of voice and bass. The legendary Sheila Jordan joins Christian McBride for a career-spanning conversation.

At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

Listen · 57:32
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Youngbloods, Brass: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever and Summer Camargo

Youngbloods 2023 brass, from left to right: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever, Summer Camargo Graphics: Jackie Lay for NPR hide caption

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Youngbloods, Brass: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever and Summer Camargo

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

The three brass artists featured in our Youngbloods series — trumpeters Giveton Gelin and Summer Camargo, along with trombonist Kalia Vandever — infuse new energy into today's jazz scene.

Youngbloods, Brass: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever and Summer Camargo

Listen · 55:59
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An Elmo Hope centennial celebration: Giving a jazz piano pioneer his due

Jazz Night in America celebrates the centennial of influential pianist Elmo Hope. Hear selections from his rare discography, pictured above. Collage by NPR hide caption

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An Elmo Hope centennial celebration: Giving a jazz piano pioneer his due

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

One hundred years after his birth in 1923, we celebrate the legacy of Elmo Hope — one of the most influential pianists you've probably never heard of.

Relive the 2023 American Pianists Awards from Indianapolis

Finalists of the American Pianists Awards American Pianists Association hide caption

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Relive the 2023 American Pianists Awards from Indianapolis

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Five young pianists compete for the American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz.

Relive the 2023 American Pianists Awards from Indianapolis

Listen · 56:04
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For pianist Sean Mason, it's about the melody and the dance

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For pianist Sean Mason, it's about the melody and the dance

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night in America talks to pianist and composer Sean Mason about his musical journey from North Carolina to New York, and how the South never really left his music.

For pianist Sean Mason, it's about the melody and the dance

Listen · 56:38
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Songs for the fathers: A tribute to Jazz Dads

Clockwise from top left: Chick & Armando Corea; Madison & Bobby McFerrin; Luis & Catherine Russell; Benny & Bert Green; Cory Wong & father Luis and Catherine Russell © Catherine Russell Collection, all other photos courtesy of artist hide caption

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Songs for the fathers: A tribute to Jazz Dads

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night celebrates dads in the jazz world. Hear tributes from Chick Corea, Bobby and Madison McFerrin, Cory Wong, Catherine Russell and Benny Green in this very special Father's Day episode.

Songs for the fathers: A tribute to Jazz Dads

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Jazz Night toasts the NEA Jazz Masters class of 2023

2023 NEA Jazz Masters (left to right): Louis Hayes (photo by Janette Beckman), Regina Carter (photo by Jeff Dunn), Kenny Garrett (photo by Jimmy Katz), Sue Mingus (Photo courtesy Mingus Archives) National Endowment for the Arts hide caption

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Jazz Night toasts the NEA Jazz Masters class of 2023

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night in America honors the 2023 NEA Jazz Masters: Louis Hayes, Regina Carter, Kenny Garrett and Sue Mingus. Four newly crowned masters, with plenty of music, stories, and memories.

Jazz Night toasts the NEA Jazz Masters class of 2023

Listen · 55:53
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Terri Lyne Carrington: Trailblazer, Advocate and NEA Jazz Master

Terri Lyne Carrington at PDX Jazz in 2018 Mark Sheldon/PDX Jazz hide caption

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Terri Lyne Carrington: Trailblazer, Advocate and NEA Jazz Master

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

In her decades behind the drum kit, 2021 NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington has become one of jazz's most dynamic musicians. In this episode, we'll hear music that captures her wide-ranging sound.

Terri Lyne Carrington: Trailblazer, Advocate and NEA Jazz Master

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From gospel to TikTok to vocal big shot: the rise of Samara Joy

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From gospel to TikTok to vocal big shot: the rise of Samara Joy

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night In America puts the spotlight on Samara Joy, a young vocalist and songwriter who is taking cues from the past to create music that is both classic and contemporary.

From gospel to TikTok to vocal big shot: the rise of Samara Joy

Listen · 56:48
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Exploring the many orbits of jazz legend Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter, photographed during a live performance at the Town & Country Club in London in April 1987. Fin Costello/Redferns hide caption

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Exploring the many orbits of jazz legend Wayne Shorter

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night takes a moment to commemorate Wayne Shorter and his eternal body of work – with concert performances, unaired interviews and music picks from our host Christian McBride.

Exploring the many orbits of jazz legend Wayne Shorter

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'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears

John Zorn in performance in New York. Jonathan Chimene/WBGO hide caption

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'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Composer and alto saxophonist John Zorn brings eight eclectic bands to the Big Ears Festival stage, ranging from solo classical piano to all-out electrified jams.

'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears

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Yule dig? Celebrate the holidays with drummer Matt Wilson's festive Christmas Tree-O

Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O Chris Pizzolo/Courtesy of Artist hide caption

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Yule dig? Celebrate the holidays with drummer Matt Wilson's festive Christmas Tree-O

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Celebrate the holidays with drummer Matt Wilson and his festive holiday group the Christmas Tree-O from Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Yule dig? Celebrate the holidays with drummer Matt Wilson's festive Christmas Tree-O

Listen · 55:49
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Drummer Nate Smith arranges funky grooves with strings attached

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Drummer Nate Smith arranges funky grooves with strings attached

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Hear the premiere of Nate Smith's groovy sextet Kinfolk, with a double string quartet featuring members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Drummer Nate Smith arranges funky grooves with strings attached

Listen · 55:55
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BADBADNOTGOOD steps into the psychedelic void

BADBADNOTGOOD perform live at Brooklyn Steel. Jonathan Chimene/WBGO hide caption

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BADBADNOTGOOD steps into the psychedelic void

More than a decade after BADBADNOTGOOD's viral debut upsetting the "jazz police" and carving their own niche playing rap covers, they take the stage in Brooklyn with a wildly psychedelic set.

BADBADNOTGOOD steps into the psychedelic void

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Bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma reflects on his journey down a 'Dirt Road' in N. Carolina

Jamaaladeen Tacuma in front of the Whiteville Bus Station Sound Evidence/Courtesy of Artist hide caption

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Bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma reflects on his journey down a 'Dirt Road' in N. Carolina

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Hear music and field recordings from bassist, composer, and fashion icon Jamaaladeen Tacuma's residency in North Carolina, where he explores his familial and musical roots.

Bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma reflects on his journey down a 'Dirt Road' in N. Carolina

Listen · 58:07
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Youngbloods: Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins

Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, one of five young jazz artists included in Jazz Night's inaugural class of Youngbloods. Rog Walker/Amna Ijaz/NPR hide caption

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Youngbloods: Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

We close out our Youngbloods series with saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins, who takes us into the relationship between his faith and his compositions.

Youngbloods: Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins

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Youngbloods: Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan

Photo: Jimmy Katz, Graphics: Amna Ijaz Jimmy Katz hide caption

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Youngbloods: Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Meet Sarah Hanahan, a rising star on alto saxophone

Youngbloods: Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan

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Youngbloods: Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson

Photo: Zeph Colombatto; Graphics: Amna Ijaz Zeph Colombatto hide caption

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Youngbloods: Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz Night in America spotlights a young musician and composer who is wise beyond his years. Hear Isaiah J. Thompson's story and his unquestionable gift at the keys.

Youngbloods: Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson

Listen · 55:55
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