Tonight hear your favorites!  Art Tatum, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ella fitzgerald, and more when we pull out all the stops for a fun night of jazz and fund raising starting at 8.  It's a jazz party to keep jazz alive on public radio, and it starts with Poncho Sanchez new CD. Join the fun and stand up and be counted for jazz tonight when jazz awakes at 8!

Tonight hear a hot new release from the Clayton Brothers featuring trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and trumpeter Terrell Stafford.  You will be moving to the Latin grooves of the latest new CD from Poncho Sanchez and his band recorded live in Hollywood.  Enjoy these and some new artists on the scene tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.  Plus I'll be giving away tickets tonight when jazz awakes at 8.

Not as biting as Charlie Parker, not as pretty as Paul Desmond, but somewhere in between was Memphis native, alto saxophonist Sonny Criss.  Hear the bluesy bebop of Sonny Criss Monday night on the 9 O'clock Special, jazz awakes at 8!

Jazz bassist Ray Brown studied piano as a kid in Pittsburgh.  There were so many pianists that he thought he'd be better off playing bass and that became his main ax. At 20 yrs old he took his bass to New York and got a gig in Dizzy Gillespie's band.  Ray Brown's understanding of the blues and bebop made him one of the best loved bassists of all time.  Enjoy the best of Ray Brown tonight on the 9 O'clock special.

  Jazz drummer Art Blakey was such a hard hitting drummer he was called the jazz tiger.  He started the Jazz Messengers with Horace Silver in 1954, and kept it going with different artists for over thirty years.  His band was a jazz university for many young players who went on to become jazz giants themselves.  Hear the many messengers of Art Blakey, tonight on the 9 o'clock special.

  There is no one more unique than pianist Thelonious Monk.  He was an original who created bebop harmonies and  wrote melodies that are angular and still melodic.  He played in a style that was minimalist, yet Coltrane said that playing with Monk was like going to a jazz university.  Hear the distinctive sounds of jazz legend Thelonious Monk tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

Jazz drummer Billy Higgins played on over 700 recordings.  He worked with Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny, Dexter Gordon and even some rock artists!  His top quality performance matched by his joyful energy and showmanship has inspired many of todays great drummers. Find out why on the Monday night 9 O'clock special, when we celebrate jazz legend Billy Higgins.

Harlem pianist Bud Powell was a genius, along with Charlie Parker he created bebop.  He also had mental problems that kept him in hospitals for much of his career.  Learn more about Bud Powell and hear his amazing chops whether he is ripping through some bebop changes or cruising a blues.  We will also hear some sweet Chicago sound from Norman Simmons tonight it's 2 for 1 on the 9 O'clock special. Jazz awakes at 8.

Tonight hear a new release from pianist Harold Mabern with saxophonist Eric Alexander, and a new one from Diana Krall that is causing quite a stir, is it jazz or Texas Honky Tonk?  Listen tonight and find out for yourself.

  British bassist, composer and band leader, Dave Holland began on the ukelele, and found his way to the upright bass.  He studied with classical teachers but listened to Ray Brown and Charles Mingus to get his sound.  Hear the wonderful variety of bands created by Dave Holland Monday Night on the 9 O'clock Special. Jazz awakes at 8.