South Carolina Educational Radio Network: Piano Jazz Shorts Podcast

Pianist and singer Barbara Carroll was one of McPartland’s very first guests on Piano Jazz. On this return appearance from 2009, Carroll reminisces with her good friend about their experiences at New York’s Hickory House and the Oak Room. Carroll gives a charmed performance of “Very Early” and McPartland improvises a musical portrait of her guest.

Grady Tate began his jazz career as a much celebrated drummer, backing icons such as Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, and Quincy Jones. Tate has since traded in his skins for a microphone, delivering smooth, soulful, baritone vocals instead of rim shots and cymbal crashes. With pianist John di Martino, Tate sings "Everybody Loves My Baby" and "All Blues."

Vocalist Jane Monheit has tempered her phenomenal vocal range and musical intuition with perhaps the rarest gift of all: restraint. The thirty something singer has already performed with top artists including Ron Carter, Terrence Blanchard, and the late Michael Brecker, and she's sure to stick around for years to come. On this 2001 Piano Jazz, with host McPartland at the piano, Monheit performs "My Foolish Heart," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," and McPartland’s tune, "In The Days Of ...

Saxophonist Phil Woods is a true master of all things bop. He’s been called one of the top alto players since his debut in the 1950s, and the musical heir to Charlie Parker. He cut his teeth with Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and Buddy Rich, and since 1973 his quartet has been redefining bebop. In this session from 2003, Woods joins host McPartland, bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin on "How About You" and "Fine and Dandy."

Guitarist Pat Metheny is one of the brightest stars in the jazz firmament. The Grammy-winning artist is constantly experimenting with technology new and old, and honing his improvisational skills and unique style. On this Piano Jazz the Pat Metheny Trio, which includes bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez, performs exclusive versions of "Go Get It" and "Bright Size Life."

Bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding took the jazz world by storm with her grooving bass lines and neo-soul inspired vocals, and she has since broken into the mainstream, with multiple Grammy Awards. Spalding shows off her dual talents on Lionel Hampton's "Midnight Sun" and joins in with her pianist, Leo Genovese, to sing a tune that seems to be her motto: "Jazz Ain't Nothing But Soul."

Pianist Eddie Palmieri has been called the madman of Latin Jazz. A 2013 Jazz Master, he thrills audiences all over the world with his infectious amalgam of Latin, African, and Caribbean jazz elements. Palmieri brings along bassist Hugo Duran and percussionists Jose Claussell, Richie Flores, and Mark Quinones for a raucous Piano Jazz.

Pianist and vocalist Mose Allison was made a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2013. His rollicking brand of blues has influenced artists from The Who to Frank Black. Allison was a Piano Jazz guest in 1988, and with accompaniment from host McPartland, he sings tunes including "Tennessee Waltz" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."

Piano Jazz dips into the archives as we remember the late queen of the organ, Shirley Scott. The native Philadelphian was known for her strong sense of swing and straight bebop playing. On this 1992 session, Scott trades her organ for a piano, and takes a solo spin through tunes including "Au Privave" and "Skylark," and joins host McPartland for "In A Mellow Tone."

Diana Krall is arguably the most popular female singer in the jazz world today. Though she originally came onto the scene as a pianist, Krall has since seduced audiences and critics with her warm sensuous vocals. She made her Piano Jazz debut shortly after the release of her first album. On this 2007 session, Krall and McPartland get together for "My Shining Hour," "Body And Soul," and "P.S. I Love You."