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Explore the Jazz with George Thomas Program Archive »

Recent Episodes

  • Pre-Valentine's Day & Chick Webb, Larry Adler, Sir Roland Hanna, Rufus Reid Friday, 02/10/12 9pm We send a little love to get the pre-Valentine's Day festivities started and we celebrate the birthdays of harmonica player Larry Adler, bandleader & drummer Chick Webb, pianist Sir Roland Hanna and bassist & bandleader Rufus Reid. Plus several Listener Requests for pianist Paul Bley.
  • New Jazz Releases Thursday, 02/09/12 9pm Tonight we sample new jazz releases including  Paul McCartney's "Kisses On The Bottom,"Esperanza Spalding's "Radio Music Society," Clair Daly's "Mary Joyce Project: Nothing To Lose" and drummer Matt Wilson's "An Attitude For Gratitude"
  • Mulgrew Miller Interview Wednesday, 02/08/12 9pm Join Jazz Host George Thomas as he welcomes pianist Mulgrew Miller Wednesday February 8th at 9pm for a discussion of jazz music, historic and contemporary. Mulgrew Miller is in town for a concert at St Mike's in Colchester the following night February 9 at 7:30pm.
  • Mulgrew Miller Wednesday, 02/08/12 9pm We talk with pianist, composer and bandleader Mulgrew Millerahead of his performance at 7:30p Feb 9th at St. Mike's in Colchester. We hear recordings featuring mulgrew Miller by Cassandra Wilson, Ron Carter and Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers.
  • Full Moon, Eubie Blake, Ray Crawford, King Curtis Tuesday, 02/07/12 9pm Tonight we celebrate the Full Moon from several vocalists, including Chloe Brisson, Billie Holiday, Jimmy Scott and Abbey Lincoln. We also celebrate the birthdays of the composer & pianist Eubie Blake, guitarist Ray Crawford and tenor saxophonist King Curtis.
  • Bob Marley's Birthday Monday, 02/06/12 9pm We celebrate the birthday of Bob Marley with versions of his songs from the Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander with Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone. We also hear from up-coming concerts including vocalist Kate Davis, pianist Mulgrew Miller and saxophonist Tia Fuller.
  • Claire Fischer, John Handy Friday, 02/03/12 9pm We note the passing of composer, arranger and pianist Claire Fischer. Herbie Hancock, quoted in a New York Times  obit, felt that Fischer "was a major influence on my harmonic concept." We also celebrate the birthday of saxophonist & bandleader John Handy.
  • Burton Lane, Stan Getz, Sonny Stitt Thursday, 02/02/12 9pm We celebrate the birthday of the songwriter Burton Lane who wrote the music to "Old Devil Moon," "If This Isn't Love," "How Are Things In Glocca Morra," "I Hear Music." and "How About You?"  We also celebrate the birthdays of the saxophonists Stan Getz and Sonny Stitt.
  • Langston Hughes, James P. Johnson, Joshua Redman Wednesday, 02/01/12 9pm It's the birthday of poet and jazz enthusiast Langston Hughes and we hear his narration of "Weary Blues" with music by Leonard Feather in some sections and Charles Mingus in the final selections. It's also the birthdays of composer & pianist James P. Johnson and saxophonist Joshua Redman.
  • Post Election Jazz Tuesday, 01/31/12 10pm Tonight's Jazz Show comes after NPR's coverage of the Florida Republican Primary and the tone is quiet and reflective. John Scofield's cover of Abbey Lincoln's "Throw It Away," Paul Desmond's classic CTI version of Jobim's "Wave" and Mulgrew Miller's piano.
  • Roy Eldridge, Ahmed Abdul-Malik Monday, 01/30/12 9pm Tonight we celebrate the birthday of one of the great jazz trumpeters, Roy Eldridge, listening to his early work with Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, with Teddy Wilson and Billie Holiday and with Gene Krupa & Anita O'Day. and with Coleman Hawkins & Charles Mingus. We also celebrate Ahmed Abdul-Malik's birthday.
  • Jimmy Van Heusen, Stephane Grappelli, Bobby Hutcherson Thursday, 01/26/12 9pm We celebrate the birthday of songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen, who wrote the music for "Here's That Rainy Day," "Polka Dots And Moonbeams," "Deep In A Dream," "It Could Happen To You" and many other songs covered by Frank Sinatra, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Helen Merrill and more.

About Jazz with George Thomas

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VPR Jazz Host, George Thomas
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.

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VPR Jazz Fest Blog 2009-2010

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