Jazz Currents

In 1992, pianist and vocalist Shirley Horn and her trio, enhanced by the orchestral arrangements of Johnny Mandel, produced Here's To Life, which would become her best-known album. According to Keith Hall, it is a shining example of her careful pacing, her unsurpassed signature style of storytelling and her ability to make listeners feel the full emotion of each lyric. In this episode of Jazz Currents, Keith Hall pulls back the curtain on a modern classic.

On January 16, 1958, the Ahmad Jamal Trio recorded a landmark album at the Pershing Lounge at the Pershing Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Titled At the Pershing-But Not For Me, it featured Chicago bassist Israel Crosby and New Orleans drummer Vernel Fournier. The album was on Billboard’s Hot 100 album chart for more than 2 years, and included the crossover dance hit “Poinciana." Keith Hall is our guide to the many treasures found in this recording, on this episode of Jazz Currents.

In the 2nd and final episode of Jazz Currents, Keith Hall celebrates what would have been the 90th birthday of the jazz giant, John Coltrane.  It begins with his recordings in the early 1960’s, including some memorable recordings from his classic quartet featuring McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. Hall also explores the spiritual side of John Coltrane, and his later recordings as he continued to push the musical boundaries until his passing in 1967.

Saxophonist John Coltrane is one of the most imitated saxophonists of all time. During his relatively short career, he profoundly contributed to music as a composer and bandleader.

(Here are the earlier episodes in this Jazz Currents series celebrating what would have been Miles Davis' 90th birthday: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.) In the late 60’s and early 70’s, Miles Davis began experimenting with electronic instruments, becoming one of the leading voices in what we now call fusion. After taking a hiatus in the late 70’s, Davis returned and continued to break new ground, while embracing contemporary sounds and styles. In the end, Davis came full circle to revisit his classic repertoire.