August 2011 | KJZZ.org

Pela Review: "Little Shop of Horrors"

KJZZ's Theatre Critic reviews Hale Center Theatre's production of Little Shop of Horrors which runs through August 27th.

AZ StoryCorps: Keeping Promises

Henry Salinas talks to his friend Edward Upshaw about why he chose to start an organization to stop gang violence and the legacy of his work.

9 O'clock Jazz Special for 8/19

Trumpeter Art Farmer's lyrical lines gave his bop-oriented style its own personality. Farmer studied piano, violin, and tuba before settling on trumpet. Art Farmer and his twin brother Addison were born in the midwest but grew up here in Arizona. Learn more about Art Farmer and his sound tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

9 O'clock New Release Jazz Special for 8/18

This week there are some fine new jazz releases to enjoy. Pianist Cedar Walton has something for you called "the Bouncer", and New Orleans Sax player Donald "The Duck" Harrison has a pared down new CD with just sax, bass and drums. Join Blaise Lantana tonight and hear singer Giacomo Gates new CD featuring the poetry of Gil Scott Heron. It's a fun variety of new jazz tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

Author Pens Desert Mystery

Author and musician James Sallis joins Steve Goldstein to talk about his most recent mystery novel taken from the perspective of three characters...including the killer.

Race For Phoenix Mayor Heats Up

Political experts Chip Scutari and Chris Herstam join Steve Goldstein to discuss the tactics used in the race for Phoenix Mayor...and the controversy over recent debates.

Spreading The Wealth In Arizona

Host Steve Goldstein talks to Barry Broome, CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, about the initiative to grow the economy in the entire valley instead of concentrating on specific cities.

9 O'clock Jazz Special for 8/17

Pianist Bill Evans' impressionist harmony, inventive improvisation, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melody lines influenced a generation of pianists including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Keith Jarrett. A classically trained pianist, at first he played exactly what was written in the sheet, but he learned to improvise by studying jazz recordings. Evans played everything from boogie woogie to Beethoven piano concertos, but jazz fans love his trios and his work with Miles Davis. Hear Bill Evans and learn more about his life and music tonight on the 9 O'clock Special on K-Jazz.

9 O'clock Jazz Special for 8/16

George Shearing was the composer of over 300 songs!! He had multiple albums on theBillboard Chart during the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s and 1990s. Born in London in 1919, the youngest of nine children. Shearing started studying piano at the age of 3 and later attended a school for the blind where he studied for four years. In 1947, Shearing emigrated to the US, where his harmonically complex style mixing swing, bop and modern classical influences gained him a huge audience and his first hit was "September in the Rain". Hear the beautiful and unique style of George Shearing tonight on the 9 O'clock special

9 O'clock Jazz Special for 8/15

Pianist Mulgrew Miller played gospel music in his church and R&B and blues at dances. Mulgrew was constantly meddling in jazz piano, and established a trio in high school that would play cocktail parties. Miller is said to have set his mind definitely to becoming a jazz pianist after seeing Oscar Peterson on television. Hear the bluesy jazz grooves of Mulgrew Miller tonight on the 9 O'clock special