The Jazz Break at Noon is KRTU’s weekly, mid-day program. Hosted by Music Director Kory Cook, the program is an educational listening session highlighting major artists, styles, and themes from jazz music’s rich history. From rare recordings of the 1930s to today’s most progressive sounds, the Jazz Break at Noon takes you on an educational sonic journey through jazz history.
July 1
At the Crossroads with Willie Dixon and James Cotton
Blues legends Willie Dixon and James Cotton were both born in Mississippi on July 1, and both musicians share a connection with Muddy Waters along the crossroads of the blues from Mississippi to Chicago, Ill. Today, the blues on the Jazz Break at Noon with tracks from pioneers Dixon and Cotton to kick off the month.
July 2
Celebrating Living Legend Ahmad Jamal
Born Frederick Russell Jones in Pittsburgh, PA, on July 2, 1930, pianist Ahmad Jamal is a perennial favorite among generations of musicians and listeners. His trio's 1958 recorded performance at The Pershing Hotel in Chicago, Ill. is one of the best selling albums in jazz, and we'll hear selections from the historic document alongside a few more recent cuts from icon Jamal to celebrate his 91st birthday.
July 5 - July 9
New Summer 2021 Releases
This week we'll feature selections from new releases so far added to the shelves at KRTU for the summer. Lauren Henderson's Musa is a multi-cultural gem from the fresh vocalist. The extreme chops and innovative arrangements on standards from French vibraphonist Simon Moellier are a particular, true delight. Also, we'll unearth recordings from 1975's highly experimental Fourth World Quartet of Michigan. And, more surprises from Frankie Valli of Four Seasons fame and comedian/actor/vocalist Scatman Crothers.
July 12 - July 16
The 50th Anniversary of the Strata-East Record Label
Last month, the Strata-East All-Stars celebrated the 50th anniversary of the artist-driven label created by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell in 1971. Emerging from the Civil Rights era of the late 1960's, Strata-East ushered in an independent movement in jazz and served as a progressive platform for artists like Billy Harper, Pharoah Sanders, Clifford Jordan, Tolliver, Cowell, Shirley Scott, Gil Scott-Heron, and many others. Join us this week as we listen to highlights from the label.
July 19 - July 23
Stacks and Stacks of Steve Lacy
A complete musician with a tremendous body of work, saxophonist Steve Lacy is one of the most prolific recording and performing artists of the twentieth century. Origins in traditional jazz led to Lacy's breakthrough in the 1950's with the formation of free jazz and the avant-garde movement in improvised music. His music is both playful and deeply intense, with genuine leaps through bebop and traditional jazz colliding with formed but free European structures. Lacy's hundreds of recordings offer direct, aural insight into the development of jazz and improvised music. We celebrate the birthday of the New York-born visionary from stacks of Lacy recordings all this week.
July 26 - July 30
In the Company of Drummer Brian Blade
Brian Blade was raised on gospel and praise songs from the church in his hometown before becoming one of today's leading musicians. Born July 25, 1970, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Blade's passion, positive energy, and connection to the music is heard and felt on recordings with jazz masters Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Joshua Redman, and with his own Fellowship Band. We'll listen to some of those recordings this week with drummer, composer, bandleader, and songwriter, Brian Blade.
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