Piano Jazz

Singer/pianist Loston Harris with guest host Michael Feinstein. Loston Harris switched from percussion to the piano after Ellis Marsalis overheard him tinkering at the keys. Today he is a mainstay of the Bemelmans Bar in New York. Tune in Wednesday March 17th, at 6 PM.

This program is presented in tribute to Trumpeter, flugelhorn player, and vocalist Stacy Rowles, who passed away last year. Stacy Rowles was a fixture on the Los Angeles jazz scene.  On this Piano Jazz from 2001, Rowles chats about her father, pianist and composer Jimmy Rowles. She brings along bassist Todd Warrington and joins host McPartland for trio renditions of "Emily," "Prelude To A Kiss," and "Time After Time."  Wednesday, March 10 at 6 p.m.

Pianist Steve Kuhn is a highly accomplished player, a creative composer and a longtime friend of McPartland. He has played with John Coltrane, Chet Baker, and Oliver Nelson. Over the years, he's honed a unique style built on melodic variation, rhythmic sparkle and his ceaseless imagination. He joins McPartland for "Walkin" and "Too Late Now." Wednesday, March 3 at 6 p.m.

Pianist Marcus Roberts combines improvisation and a deep respect for swing and ragtime to create his signature style. He sits down with guest host and bassist, Christian McBride, for a discussion of Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and the future of jazz. Roberts plays his tunes, "The Party Is Almost Over", and "Hidden Hues," and He and McBride team up for a duet of "Country By Choice."  Wednesday, February 24 at 6 p.m.

Singer Janis Siegel is one quarter of the jazz super-group, The Manhattan Transfer.  She visits Piano Jazz, along with pianist and accordionist Gil Goldstein, to perform Tad Dameron's "Whatever Possessed Me" and Annie Lennox's "A Thousand Beautiful Things."  Wednesday, February 17 at 6 p.m.

This month marks the 122nd anniversary of the birth of James Herbert "Eubie" Blake. He was the last known original ragtime pianist when he appeared on Piano Jazz at age 93. On this program from 1980, Blake remembers his vaudeville days, writing "Charleston Rag" and "I'm Just Wild About Harry."  Wednesday, February 10 at 6 p.m.

Ron Carter has set the standard for modern jazz bass players. He rose to fame with Miles Davis and went on to play with Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, and others.  Tune in on Wednesday Febuary 3 at 6pm.

Pianist Cedar Walton was a guest on the very first season of Piano Jazz, and he returns as part of the program's continuing 30th Anniversary celebration.  Wednesday, January 27 at 6 p.m.

The tables are turned as Marian McPartland sits at the guest bench to discuss her life as a performer and as the host of Piano Jazz. She reminisces about the program's early days, including her debut guest Mary Lou Williams, and Bill Evans, who gave her a lesson in the structure of his playing. Pianist Pete Malinverni accompanies Costello on a few tunes. McPartland plays and Costello sings on "Our Love Is Here To Stay."  Wednesday, January 13 at 6 p.m.

Piano Jazz continues with part two of this special interview with Marian McPartland, the creator of Piano Jazz and host for over 30 years. Guest host Costello and McPartland stroll down memory lane as she discusses her favorite moments from over 700 episodes. Costello serenades McPartland with a moving version of "P.S. I Love You." Tune in on Wednesday, January 20 at 6 p.m.