jazz

"Jazz Currents" celebrates the birthday centennial of the multi-talented Billy Strayhorn.    

Episode one will focus on Strayhorn's upbringing and early years with Ellington.  During this time, Strayhorn wrote many tunes for the Ellington orchestra including 'Something to Live For', 'Take the A Train' and 'Chelsea Bridge.' 

Episode two will focus on Strayhorn's masterpiece 'Lush Life', including some of the definitive recordings by Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman and Strayhorn himself. 

NOTE: This story was published in 2015 on the eve of a concert by Delfeayo Marsalis and Ellis Marsalis. On April 1, 2020, Ellis Marsalis died of complications from COVID-19.

The jazz trio Tri-Fi - Matthew Fries, piano; Phil Palombi, bass, and Keith Hall, drums - is garnering wide praise for its fifth album, Staring into the Sun. 

Jazz singer KeJuan Carter recently graduated from Western Michigan University with a master's degree in vocal jazz performance. He and four other WMU jazz musicians - Hugh Little, piano; Bryan Blowers, guitar; bassist Mike Horrigan and drummer Dave Van Haren - put a personal touch on new, old, and overlooked