McCoy Tyner was encouraged to play piano by his mother and by his neighbor, Bud Powell.  By the time he was 17 he was playing with Coltrane in some local clubs in Philly.  Eventually they formed one of the finest jazz quartets ever recorded.  Hear the startling virtuosity and the delightful variety in the sound of pianist McCoy Tyner Monday night on the 9 O'clock Special.  Jazz awakes at 8!

Dave Brubeck helped to bring jazz into the pop culture of the 60s with his million selling album Time Out.  His unique style and new ideas continued to develop all through his life.  Tonight hear Brubeck from his early days to his final concerts, when jazz awakes tonight at 8.  It's a Brubeck bonanza.

  Horace Silver has written some of the most memorable tunes in jazz, like Song for My Father and Sister Sadie, .  From modal jazz to hard bop he brought magical grooves and rhythms to his sound.  Learn how Horace Silver brought all the sounds together tonight when we celebrate Silver's birthday on the 9 O'clock Special.  Jazz awakes at 8!

  Pianist Gene Harris is known for his blues infused soul jazz.  From 1956 to 1970 he recorded with The Three Sounds,.  He retired to Idaho in 1970, but 8 years later Ray Brown got him to come out of retirement and play with his trio.  Gene Harris performed for another 20 years until his death in 2000.  Tonight, under a rare blue moon enjoy Gene Harris on the 9 O'clock Special. Jazz awakes at 8.

  Bill Evans is one of the most copied and studied pianists in jazz.  His development of harmonic structure infused jazz with a classical flavor and added dimensions.  Bill Evans had a profound influence on Miles Davis and his Kind of Blue release.  Tonight hear Bill Evans with Miles, Stan Getz and leading his own trios tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.  Jazz awakes at 8!

  Blind British pianist, George Shearing wrote over 300 songs, and created his own unique sound with classical harmony and a brilliant knowledge of the piano. He was Marian McPartland's favorite guest and became an American jazz legend.  Hear Shearing favorites Lullaby of Birdland and September in the Rain tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

Jazz master Hank Jones lived from 1917 to 2010 and played music for over 75 years. He was the oldest in his musical family, with brothers Thad and Elvin following in his jazz footsteps.  Hear the eloquent lyrical style of pianist Hank Jones Monday night on the 9 O'clock special, and you'll be surprised at who he has played with.

In the 50s and 60s pianist Dave Brubeck had one of the best loved quartets of all time with his sax playing partner Paul Desmond.  Brubeck's brilliant use of time signatures and Disney melodies started a whole new trend in jazz performance.  Today Brubeck performs with his own quartet, with his talented sons, and with symphony orchestras.  He is still creating new music at the cutting edge of jazz.  Take five and hear the dynamic talent of Dave Brubeck tonight on the 9 O'clock Special with Blaise Lantana.

  Pianist and vocalist Diana Krall took the world by storm in 1996 when she released "All for You" her third album which was her  trio tribute to Nat Cole. Since then she has recorded with orchestras, big bands and combos, selling over 15 million albums worldwide and winning 3 Grammys. With her sultry alto voice and her Jimmy Rowles bluesy jazz piano style, she is one of the best loved and in demand jazz performers of the 21st century.  If you have never heard her, be prepared to fall in love and if you already know her, I know you'll be listening when K-Jazz  celebrates Diana Krall tonight on the 9 O'clock special.  Jazz awakes weeknights at 8.

 Pianist Ellis Marsalis and his wife started a dynasty of jazz musicians.  His sons Wynton, Branford, Delfeyo and Jason are all world famous performers, composers and producers.  Besides his family ,he taught many young musicians in Ne Orleans, including Harry Connick, jr., about the history and the future of jazz.  Tonight hear him with his own trios and with his sons and friends when K-Jazz celebrates Ellis Marsalis tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.