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For more than twenty years, legendary pianist Marian McPartland has welcomed a stellar line-up of jazz artists for conversation and improvisation on her Peabody Award-winning program. Piano Jazz fans say the show's intimate style is "like listening in on a conversation in someone's living room." And no one but McPartland, with her engaging personality and improvisational savvy, could host such a variety of performers in her radio "living room."

Piano Jazz is a forum for jazz legends and influential performers as well as up-and-coming talents. Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, Max Roach, Cassandra Wilson and Tony Bennett are among the over 400 guests who have joined McPartland to create dynamic duets and discuss their lives and music.

Tune into this graceful series each week and enjoy what The Washington Post calls "an oasis of intelligence and grace and probably the best hour of jazz on the airwaves."

 

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June 3 - Marian McPartland And Friends At Dizzy's Club Coca Cola - Reprise

Piano Jazz sails into summer with a special session recorded at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center. On this new session, host McPartland and friends return to Dizzy's, following up on the hugely successful 30th Anniversary Concert last year. Guest host Jon Weber shares tunes and memories from that wonderful evening, including "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," "Royal Garden Blues," and "Twilight World."

June 10 - Marian Selects: Denny Zeitlin

This West Coast jazz pianist and composer is a practicing psychiatrist who lectures on improvisation. He has also played with the Paul Winter Consort and composed music for film. On this Piano Jazz from 2000, Zeitlin brings his lyrical piano style and awesome technique to the program with his tune "Cascade," and he joins McPartland for some exciting improvisation on "Body and Soul," and "Lady Byrd."

June 17 - Remembering John Dankworth

Saxophonist John "Johnny" Dankworth was one of the most celebrated jazz musicians and bandleaders of his native Great Britain. He performed with Charlie Parker during the bop era, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. Dankworth passed away earlier this year at age 82. Piano Jazz remembers Dankworth on this 1998 session, recorded before an audience at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Dankworth joins vocalist and wife Cleo Laine, along with McPartland, for "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," and "Fine and Mellow."

June 24 - Randy Weston

Composer and pianist Randy Weston began his career gigging with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Kenny Dorham, and was voted New Star Pianist in a 1955 Downbeat poll. He spent several years in Morocco, and incorporated African musical forms and musicians in his recorded work. On this Piano Jazz, Weston returns to the program with host McPartland to perform "A Ballad for T.," "Little Niles," and "African Lady.

July 1 - Piano Jazz 30th Anniversary Special With Guest Host Murray Horowitz

What began as a series of modest, intimate musical conversations has become one of the most successful and longest running music programs in media history; and a national treasure trove documenting jazz greats, pop music giants, and cultural icons such as Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Lou Williams, Oscar Peterson, Elvis Costello, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, and Studs Terkel. Nobody could engage them more entertainingly than the divine, pioneering Ms. McPartland. Marian's friend and NPR veteran Murray Horwitz hosts this hour-long survey of three decades of great radio moments.

July 8 - Ted Nash with Guest Host Christian McBride

Virtuoso reed man Ted Nash hails from a respected West Coast jazz family, but for the last ten years he has been heavily involved with Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. He is also an art lover and he brings along some of his latest tunes inspired by modern artists to this Piano Jazz session. Tunes include "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and Nash's tunes "Matisse" and "Pollock."

July 15 - Romain Collin with Guest Host John Weber

Brilliant young pianist Romain Collin toured with both Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock while still a student at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Since graduating, he has jumped into writing original music on a sweeping, cinematic scale. Guest host Jon Weber welcomes Collin to Piano Jazz for a set including many original tunes by this exciting young pianist/composer.

July 22 - Marian Selects: Remembering John Bunch

Pianist John Bunch learned to arrange for big bands while held captive in a German POW camp during World War II. After returning stateside, he worked with the likes of Woody Herman, Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman, and was Tony Bennett's pianist for a number of years. He passed away earlier this year, and Piano Jazz remembers Bunch with this 1991 session. Bunch performs "Something to Live For," and duets with host Marian McPartland on "What is This Thing Called Love?"

July 29 - Pat Metheny

Guitarist Pat Metheny is one of the brightest stars in the jazz firmament. The Grammy-winning artist is constantly experimenting with technology new and old, and honing his improvisational skills and unique style. On this Piano Jazz, the Pat Metheny Trio, which includes bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez, performs exclusive versions of "Go Get It" and "Bright Size Life."

August 5 - Marian Selects: Remembering Hank Jones

Legendary pianist Hank Jones was one of Marian McPartland's first guests when she began Piano Jazz over 30 years ago. Jones passed away earlier this year, and on this 2009 session, Marian McPartland asked another of her favorite pianists, Bill Charlap, to take a turn on the host's bench to catch up with Jones. The two sparkle on such duets as "Oh Look at Me Now" and Billy Strayhorn's "Lotus Blossom."

August 12 - Marian Selects: Remembering Joyce Collins

Singer and pianist Joyce Collins became the first woman to conduct a Las Vegas resort show band in the late 1950s. She also worked in film and television, serving in bands on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Bob Newhart's programs. Collins passed away earlier this year, and Piano Jazz remembers her with this 2002 session. She performs her tune "Marjolane," and duets with Marian McPartland on "All Blues and "On Green Dolphin Street."

August 19 - Marian Selects: Clark Terry

Legendary trumpeter and educator Clark Terry got his jazz education playing with the Basie Band and Duke Ellington's orchestra. Commanding a wide range of styles and a dazzling technique, Terry went on to become one of the most influential jazz horn players of his generation. On this 1994 session, he joins Marian McPartland for Ellington's "Come Sunday" and Terry's most famous tune, "Mumbles."

August 26 - Allen Toussaint with Guest Host Elvis Costello

Five years ago Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, but the city's musical heritage is indestructible. Piano Jazz pays tribute to the Crescent City on this session with one of her favorite sons -legendary pianist, singer, composer and producer Allen Toussaint. The ever-eclectic Elvis Costello sits in as guest host for this session, which features Toussaint singing and playing his hit tune "Southern Nights" and a duet with Costello on the pair's recent collaboration -- "Ascension Day."

September 2 - Vijay Iyer with Guest Host Arturo O'Farrill

The multifaceted Vijay Iyer's resume includes pianist, composer, bandleader, writer and PhD. candidate in Physics. Last year his Vijay Iyer Trio won a treasure trove of accolades for the album Historicity. On this session, Iyer performs Geri Allen's "I'm All Smiles," and duets with guest host Arturo O'Farrill on the bluesy Iyer original "Abundance."

September 9 - Jean Bach

Jean Bach was nominated for a 1995 Academy Award for her film A Great Day in Harlem, documenting 57 jazz greats, including Marian McPartland, who gathered on a front stoop in Harlem for a portrait in 1959. Bach remembers the legacy of this iconic image, including those who have appeared on Piano Jazz: Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Roy Eldridge, Milt Hinton, and Gerry Mulligan.

September 16 - Joan Stiles with guest host Jon Weber

Pianist Joan Stiles is known for her brilliant playing painted by a deep understanding of the roots of jazz. As a full time educator, Stiles has been presenting the music of Mary Lou Williams for the past decade. She also knows how to swing on a Monk tune. On this session with guest host Jon Weber, Stiles performs her tunes "Spherical" and "Hurly-Burly," and a duet on Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz."

September 23 - Marian McPartland selects: Helen Merrill

Vocalist Helen Merrill got her start singing with the Earl Hines Band, and recorded an acclaimed album with Clifford Brown, Oscar Pettiford, and Milt Hinton. She spent time working and living in Italy and Japan before returning to the U.S. in the 1970s. On this 1995 Piano Jazz session, Merrill is joined by host Marian McPartland for duets on "Home on the Range" and "Don't Explain."

September 30 - Nels Cline Singers with guest host Jon Weber

Nels Cline is well known as the lead guitarist for indie rock band Wilco, but he has been playing and recording in jazz groups since the 1980s. He brings his free jazz trio, the Nels Cline Singers (which includes no singers!), to this Piano Jazz session with guest host Jon Weber for a set of richly layered free improvisations and a familiar tune or two.