Serenade To The City on WCLK

Errol Garner was a Jazz pianist and composer who inspired his audience and transcended genre. He emerged from Pittsburgh's George Westinghouse High School, as did Billy Strayhorn and Ahmad Jamal. He left us too soon in 1977 aged only 53, and in many ways is lost to contemporary Jazz listeners. Marcus Roberts may come close at times to the amazing keyboard touch of Garner.

Woody Shaw was a great Jazz trumpet player who has been lost to the ages after his early and untimely death in 1989. His early work with Eric Dolphy led to playing in the mid 1960s as Blue Note's "House" trumpet player. He worked with Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and others. Elemental Music has done a great job of unearthing great live sets from the past. On Tokyo '81, they capture Woody Shaw in his element during a live performance by his classic quintet that includes Trombonist Steve Turre, Pianist Mulgrew Miller, Bassist Stafford James, and Drummer Tony Reedus.

Atlanta's own Rhythm Jets are back with their fourth record called Rhythm Island on Infinity Jazz Records. Their Jazz and world beat inflected music leads with saxaphone and rhythm, led by tenor and alto sax man and leader Vance Kelly. The new record includes turns by Trammell Starks and John Patti, as well as a Carribbean arrangement of Michael Jackson's Human Nature. 

Inglewood California's Kamasi Washington is one of the shining lights of Jazz music today as a bandleader, composer and saxophonist. We've played his music on  Jazz 91.9 WCLK from the beginning, and we've checked out his mesmerizing live appearances when he comes through Atlanta.

Illinois-born pianist Brian Simpson was influenced by Oscar Peterson as he grew up listening to jazz music, but his music over a career including seven albums has fit into a contemporary groove that you hear on WCLK. On his latest release Persuasion(Shanachie), he brings funk and jazz with help from musicians including Peter White and Boney James. You can hear cuts from Persuasion on WCLK at various times, particularly during Serenade To The City, Monday-Fridays overnight 10pm-2am.