Big Band Jazz with Bob Craig

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."

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.