VPR Program: Jazz with George Thomas

9 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 p.m.-Midnight Friday on VPR

Explore the Jazz with George Thomas Program Archive »

Recent Episodes

Lonnie Johnson's Guitar Monday, 02/08/10 9pm We celebrate the birthdate of a central figure in early blues and jazz guitar, Lonnie Johnson and his recordings with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Eddie Lang. We also sample some of the riches that New Orleans has to offer: black brass marching bands, The Tan Canary (Johnny Adams), Professor Longhair, James Booker and more.
Fun Fund Drive Friday, 02/05/10 10pm
It's a Fun Fund Drive evening on tonight's jazz show. New Releases include the guitarist Lionel Loueke's Mwaliko (Swahili for invitation), Von Freeman's New Apartment Quartet with the tenor saxophonist's distinctive voice-like lines and the South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim's collaboration with the German WDR Big Band. We hope you'll be inspired to make a contribution to VPR during this Membership Drive. Please call 1-800-639-6391 or go to VPR.net and thanks.
Songs To Inspire Giving Thursday, 02/04/10 9pm We share songs about money and classic jazz to inspire giving in support of Vermont Public Radio and all the programming that you enjoy and depend on day in and day out. Please take a moment and make a pledge of financial support by calling 1-800-639-6391 or by going to vpr.net. And thanks.
Membership Drive Jive Wednesday, 02/03/10 9pm It's VPR's Membership Driveand we ask you to make a pledge of financial support to your public radio station by calling 1-800-639-6391 or by going to vpr.net. Songs to inspire you include: Billie Holiday's Day In Day Out; Benny Carter's Easy Money; Nat King Cole's Got A Penny, Benny and many more. Thanks for your support.
Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz & New Releases Tuesday, 02/02/10 9pm We celebrate the birthdays of Sonny Stitt (alto & tenor sax) and Stan Getz (tenor Sax) and the upcoming appearence of the young Japanese piano Hiromi at the FlynnSpace in Burlington, VT on February 20th. Featured New Releases include the vocalist/lyricist Lorraine Feather with her distinctive sense of humor.
The Piano In Jazz: A Sample Monday, 02/01/10 9pm From the 1951 Haitian piano stylings of Fabre Duroseau to the Father Of Stride Piano James P. Johnson, we cover the keys tonight, including the Latin jazz giant Arturo O' Farrill and the hip sounds of Dave Frishberg. From New Orleans come the keyboard sounds of David Torkanowsky, Champion Jack Dupree and Tom McDermott.
Ornette & Major Players Friday, 01/29/10 10pm We sample some classic sax players, from Ornette Coleman & Eric Dolphy on alto sax to the tenor sax of John Coltrane & Archie Shepp and the baritone sax of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, all from the late '50's and early '60's, a classic period in jazz.
PoJazz Live In VPR Performance Studio Thursday, 01/28/10 9pm Listen for a performance by PoJazz, Vermont's own poetry and jazz repertoire ensemble. The six musicians and four poets create new works from jazz standards and original poetry.
The State Of The Union Address Wednesday, 01/27/10 9pm NPR's Coverage of President Obama's State Of The Union Address airs tonight; Jazz with George Thomas returns tomorrow.
Jimmy Van Heusen Tuesday, 01/26/10 9pm We celebrate the birthday of songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen who wrote music to songs including Polka Dots and Moonbeams, Deep In Dream, Darn That Dream, Imagination and many others popular with jazz musicians over the years.
Antonio Carlos Jobim, Benny Golson, Vanguard Jazz Orch. Monday, 01/25/10 9pm We celebrate the birthdays of Benny Golson-tenor sax player, arranger, bandleader and composer and Antonio Carlos Jobim, one of the architects of the early 1960's Bossa Nova sound which combined Brazilian music with jazz. We also celebrate the arrival in our area of the NYC-based Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
Jazz: Django, Pt. 2 Friday, 01/22/10 10pm
We celebrate Part two of our tribute to gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt on the eve of the centennial of his birth.

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About Jazz with George Thomas

Jazz with George Thomas has moved to 9pm weeknights, and 10pm on Fridays. Read the announcement for more details.

End your evening on the right note with Jazz in the Evening with George Thomas. From traditional crooners to contemporary improv, George swings you into the night.

George's Playlists »

Suggest music or Contact George »

Visit the VPR Jazz Blog from the 2009 Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, VT.

Selections from the Archive

Tuesday, 01/12/10 9pm

Jazz: Sandra Wright, Jay McShann

We note sadly the passing of "Vermont's Blues Diva," Sandra Wright, with a live recording done in 2000 with Big Joe Burrell introducing her. Jay McShann's birthday is the occasion to revisit some on his 1941 Decca recordings featuring a young Charlie Parker soloing on his first recordings.

Friday, 01/08/10 10pm

Jazz: Vocalese

Vocalese is a style of setting new lyrics to an existing jazz performance, often using a recorded instrumental solo as a starting place. We hear some of the masters of the genre including, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Joe Carroll, Eddie Jefferson, Kurt Elling and more.

Friday, 10/15/04 8:05am

Jazz with George Thomas

Jazz in the Evening with George Thomas for Friday, October 15, 2004

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