For over 40 years, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges was the primary solo voice of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. 2019 brought the first ever biography of … Continue reading “Rabbit’s Blues: The Story of Johnny Hodges”

There is no question about it… Milt Jackson revolutionized the way the vibraphone was played in jazz, and continues, twenty years after his death to … Continue reading “Milt Jackson—Bags’ Groove”

In this episode Bob Hecht and former Poet Laureate Billy Collins continue their conversation about jazz and poetry, and Billy reads poems about Art Blakey, … Continue reading “Poet Billy Collins on Jazz & Poetry—part 2”

Billy Collins is a modern poetry phenomenon. The former U.S., and New York State, Poet Laureate, Collins is one of the most-read poets anywhere—and also … Continue reading “Poet Billy Collins on Jazz & Poetry—part 1”

There was only one Jaki Byard—he was a jazz pianist without peer. No one else combined elements from so many different genres of jazz piano … Continue reading “The Many Worlds of Jaki Byard”