Jazz Focus

Show - James P Johnson and the blues

WETF Show - James P Johnson and the blues singers . . Stride legend backing Ethel Waters, Rosa Henderson, Clara Smith and Bessie Smith in the 1920's and early 30's
 

Show- Benny Morton

Prolific and consistent trombonist whose career began in the 1920's with Fletcher Henderson here featured in his own small groups and with other swing stars like Harry Carney, Edmund Hall and others

Show - Harry Carney

Ellington's great baritone saxophonist Harry Carney in a variety of small group settings from the 1930's and 40's with fellow Ellingtonians and many others

Show - Ronnie Scott - British Hard Bop

Legendary British tenor player during the 1950’s and 60’s in sessions with Tubby Hall, Zoot Sims, Victor Feldman, Dizzy Reese, Derek Humble, Ken Wray, Jimmy Deucher and others

Show - Oscar Peterson and the tenor saxes

Oscar Peterson and the tenor saxes . . a selection from Verve/Clef/Mercury albums of the mid to late 1950's featuring the Peterson trio and quartet (including Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Buddy Rich, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen and Alvin Stoller) backing up Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Flip Philips and Stan Getz
 
---

Roy Eldridge and the Big Bands 1941-44

A series of the great trumpeter's recordings with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa and Charlie Barnet - featuring all those leaders along with Dodo Marmarosa, Vernon Brown, Jon Walton and others

Show - the Boswell Sisters 1930-34

Connie, Martha and Vet Boswell were raised in New Orleans and evolved a highly complex style of trio singing based on the Jazz of the 1920's and 30's . . they were each accomplished musicians (Martha plays piano on many of these tracks) and discerning in their choice of sidemen - Bunny Berigan, Mannie Klein, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Art Schutt, Bobby Sherwood, Dick McDonough, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, Joe Tarto and Stan King are all featured, but the main interest is the singing!

Johnny Dodds- duos and trios 1926-29

The great New Orleans clarinetist heard here in the most elemental from possible - in a duo with pianist Tiny Parham, trios with Jimmy Blythe on piano and W.E. Burton on drums, Lil Armstrong on piano and Bud Scott on guitar and either Armstrong or Charlie Alexander on piano and Bill Johnson on drums.

Red Nichols and His Five Pennies - 1944, 45

When Nichols came out of his temporary retirement during the WWII years, he put together a much more modern group than he had before or after.  This sextet featured the very late swing and even Bebop influenced arrangements of Heinie Beau as well as his superb clarinet playing.  He is matched the the tenor player Herbie Haymer and a rhythm section that isn't completely known but may include Thurman Teague on bass and Rollie Culver on drums . . recorded for McGregor Transcriptions in Los Angeles

Show - Willie Smith . .1940's and 50's

WETF Show The Willies - 1940's and 50's small group sessions by the remarkable alto saxist Willie Smith - known for his years playing lead for Lunceford and Harry James, Smith was a stylist on alto and a good arranger as well.  He is presented here with his own groups as well as ones led by Nat King Cole, Billie Holliday, Al Casey, Corky Corcoran, Gene Krupa and Shorty Sherock and featuring those notables as well as Charlie Shavers, Billy May, Les Paul, Murray McEachern, Harry Edison, Teddy Wilson, Allan Reuss and Israel Crosby