NEA Jazz master, pianist and composer Cedar Walton grew up in Texas.  His pianist mother was his first teacher and the army introduced him to friends like Eddie Harris. Cedar honed his arranging skills with Art Blakey's Jazz messengers and later worked with Benny Golson's Jazztet while creating his own groups throughout his career.  Hear the best of jazz master Cedar Walton tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

  Tonight on K-Jazz we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. with songs of freedom, unity and liberation. You'll hear excerpts from King's speeches and learn more about how jazz musicians dealt with racism in hotels and venues when they traveled to play their music.  Enjoy some soulful Gene Harris and some inspiring gospel from pianist Cyrus Chestnut tonight as we celebrate Dr. King.

  Hear Mr. Lucky and Luck be a Lady to help you stay lucky on Friday the 13th.  Then on the 9 O'clock special it's all Arizona musicians, including a new CD by Margo Reed and some favorites like Sugar by Tony Vacca.  Get to know your neighbors tonight on the 9 O'clock Special on K-Jazz.  Jazz awakes tonight at 8.

Kenny Clark, along with Max Roach created the sound of modern drumming.  Clark worked with Monk and Bird and laid down the foundation of the sound we know today.  From swing to hard bop to sounds we never thought of, hear it all tonight when Kenny Clark takes center stage on the 9 O'clock Special on K-Jazz.

  Drummer Max Roach was a percussion virtuoso who could smoke the tempos and then create a delicate and subtle sound. He was among a small circle of adventurous musicians, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker, who brought about complete change in the sound of jazz.  Max was active in political causes for equal rights and maintained his brilliant ability on drums throughout his career.  Hear the best of Max Roach and learn more about his life and music  tonight on the 9 O'clock special.

 Wynton Marsalis wants you to know that jazz is not dead and that that's a rumor that started back when jazz began.  Hear Wynton talk about the history of blues and jazz and how he is swingin into the 21st century, tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

  Jazz clarinet is a unique voice.  Kenny Davern made it his own after playing baritone sax with Jack Teagarden, and soprano sax with Bob Wilbur.  He played many different styles including his time with the Dukes of Dixieland and avant garde groups, but he made his name in swing.  Hear the sweet sound of Kenny Davern with his combos and orchestra tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. 

Catch up with old friends tonight when Blaise Lantana plays new releases by local vocalist Margo Reed and pianist and improvisational wizard, Brad Mehdau.  You'll hear a classic reissue of sax virtuoso Stanley Turrentine and some magic flute tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. 

  Celebrate the season with the joyful sounds of Christmas, Chanukkah and solstice.  Hear the music of the winter holiday with a jazz and blues flavor.  Jimmy Smith will make you believe that Santa is coming to town and Ella will insist you have a Merry Little Christmas!  The fun begins when jazz awakes tonight at 8.     

 After midnight early this morning the earth reached its official winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.  Tonight we'll celebrate the longest night, the returning sun and Hanukkah with songs of dreidels, the solstice and, of course, your favorite Christmas carols. Listen for some Paul Winter solstice celebration and Art Pepper playing for the winter moon.  Jazz awakes tonight at 8!