Big Band Jazz with Bob Craig

Woody Herman's 100th on Big Band Jazz!

Bob Craig — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:36:59 +0000

Woody Herman's centennial birthday is Thursday May 16th. And this Sunday evening at 7 pm, Big Band Jazz will spend an hour with some of "Woody's Goodies."

http://youtu.be/CyoQfatss9I

From "The Band That Played The Blues" to "The Last Swingin' Herd," you'll hear some treasures from Woody's 50 years (1936-1986) as the leader of the band.

Don't miss it! That's Sunday, May 12, 7 to 8 pm on WRTI 90.1 FM and the jazz web stream at wrti.org.

Mostly Maynard On Big Band Jazz: May 5 At 7 PM

Bob Craig — Sun, 05 May 2013 15:14:57 +0000

On the anniversary of his 85th birthday this Sunday, we'll remember bandleader and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson on Big Band Jazz. Stan Kenton added the Canadian born trumpet titan in 1950 to his Innovations in Modern Music band. A few years later, he started his own band. We'll feature recordings from his Birdland Dream Band to Be Bop Nouveau. And of course those famous high-end solos! Sunday, May 5, 7 to 8 pm.

Clark Terry and Bill Evans On Big Band Jazz: Sunday, April 14, 7 PM

Bob Craig — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:22:06 +0000

On a few occasions in his long life, the famed nonagenarian trumpeter Clark Terry has lead a big band. Listen to some wonderful recordings with Terry as conductor, and a couple of pianist Bill Evans' compositions this Sunday evening on Big Band Jazz, 7 to 8 pm. And in the birthday spotlight, it's Henry Mancini and Shorty Rogers. Join us!

http://youtu.be/Z7XtoV9Lv7g

Earl Hines: Big Bands And Beyond On A New Box Set

Kevin Whitehead — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:32:00 +0000

By 1928, Earl Hines was jazz's most revolutionary pianist, for two good reasons. His right hand played lines in bright, clear octaves that could cut through a band. His left hand had a mind of its own. Hines could play fast stride and boogie bass patterns, but then his southpaw would go rogue — it'd seem to step out of the picture altogether, only to slide back just in time.

Hines might have focused on a career as dazzling pianist, like Art Tatum. But after working in various orchestras, he itched to lead one of his own.

Big Band Jazz Bites Into The Big Apple: Easter Sunday at 7 PM

Bob Craig — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:08:41 +0000

It's a trip up to The Big Apple this Sunday night. From Broadway and Birdland - from Midtown to Uptown. Just hop aboard the "A" Train starting from 7 to 8 pm for a fantastic Big Band Jazz tour.

Quincy Jones at 80: Big Band Jazz with Bob Craig

Bob Craig and Bob — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:25:37 +0000

The man known as Q turned 80 on Thursday. Tune in on Sunday, March 17th at 7 pm to hear a few of his big band recordings from the '50s including his first with Lionel Hampton's band in 1951. Other birthdays this week: Les Brown, Grover Mitchell, and the 94th anniversary of Nat Cole's birth. You'll hear him with the Basie band, plus a few new releases.

Big Band Jazz: Got The Blues, Part One

Bob Craig — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:38:02 +0000

Join us on the next two Sunday evenings, March 3rd and 10th from 7 to 8 pm, as Big Band Jazz has got the blues! You'll hear Big Band Blues from Count Basie, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington and many others. Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith will be adding their blues licks against big band arrangements.

Big Band Jazz with Bob Craig, Sunday, March 3rd and 10th, 7 to 8 pm.

Big Band Jazz Pianist Tribute Part 2: Feb. 17 at 7pm

Bob Craig — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:59:49 +0000

This Sunday I'll present part 2 of our tribute to the great jazz pianists. We'll hear well-known classics like "Dat Dere", "Sister Sadie", "Round Midnight" and others played by bands lead by Jimmy Heath, Gil Evans, The City Rhythm Orchestra and more.

Join me for the second of two parts airing this Sunday from 7 to 8 pm.

Big Band Jazz Pianist Tribute Part 1: Feb. 10 at 7 pm

Bob Craig — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:08:15 +0000

It's a two-part tribute to the great jazz pianists on Big Band Jazz. From Brubeck to Bud to Bill, you'll hear what happens when we put some brass to the keyboard classics.

Join me for the first of two parts airing this Sunday from 7 to 8 pm.

Big Band Jazz: Top 40 Hits Of the '60s!

Bob Craig — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 22:48:24 +0000

Some great Top 40 songs from the 1960s will get the Big Band Jazz treatment this Sunday. Stan Kenton adds his touch to the Bobby Hebb's "Sunny." The Basie Band takes on a huge Ray Charles hit. And Maynard Ferguson provides his magic to "MacArthur Park." Also, we'll celebrate Gene Krupa's birthday. Join us on Sunday, January 12 at 7 pm.

http://youtu.be/ZMc_MyOR0dg