Jazz Break at Noon - March 2026

Alexa Tarantino
Lisa Hilton
Melissa Aldana
Patricia Brennan

Each day we will listen to tunes from their latest releases, we’ll go back in time to their earlier works and also check out notable collaborations. 

This program is a snapshot of the innovative work being produced by countless women artists today. It was hard to choose who to spotlight for this show as each of the women featured this week are in great company. 

Tune in this week Monday through Friday from 12pm to 1pm CST to learn more about the life and recordings of Billie Holiday. There are three ways to listen: on the dial at 91.7FM, online at krtu.org or on our free mobile app. 

March 23 - 27

A Bluish Bag with Mr. T: A Retrospective Survey of Stanley Turrentine

This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, we celebrate the sultry and soulful sounds of tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Widely regarded as a titan of the Soul Jazz era, Turrentine, alongside his longtime musical partner, organist Shirley Scott, defined the sound of the 1960s through a prolific run of recordings for Blue Note and Impulse! Records. 

Characterized by a deep, robust tone, Turrentine embodied the muscular "Texas Tenor" tradition of greats like Illinois Jacquet, a style he forged in the 1950s while in the R&B bands of Lowell Fulson and Earl Bostic. During his tenure at Blue Note, his blues-first approach made him the quintessential collaborator for legends like Jimmy Smith and Kenny Burrell, contributing his signature grit to several now classic sessions.

By the 1970s, Turrentine became a central figure in the fusion movement at Creed Taylor’s CTI Records. Landmark releases like 1970's Sugar and 1972’s Cherry were instant hits, demonstrating a massive crossover appeal that few in jazz could match at the time. This era also saw him branch into global sounds, notably on the 1971 classic Gilberto with Turrentine, featuring the legendary Brazilian vocalist Astrud Gilberto.

Throughout a recording career spanning nearly four decades, from his 1960 debut, Stan “The Man” Turrentine, to his final 1999 release, Do You Have Any Sugar?, Turrentine balanced soul-drenched originals with timeless interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Our listening sessions this week offer a comprehensive survey of his work across a variety of settings, spotlighting the diverse repertoire and consistently original tone of the man they called "Mr. T."

Join us for a retrospective survey of a true tenor icon. Hosted by JJ Lopez.

This week's Jazz Break at Noon is sponsored by Emilio Nicolas Jr., as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.

March 30 - April 3

Wynton Marsalis - Excellence In Education Pt. 1

This week on the Jazz Break at Noon, we celebrate a cultural icon of 20th and 21st-century music: New Orleans-born trumpeter, composer, educator, and steward of the arts, Wynton Marsalis. Widely regarded as a cultural ambassador and dignitary, Marsalis has become one of the most recognized names in jazz since elevating its popularity in the 1980s. With a storied recording history of nearly 140 releases throughout a four-decade career, Marsalis has reached the status of the very pioneers he has tirelessly worked to celebrate.

As the founding director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and its accompanying orchestra, he has ensured the historical preservation of jazz at the highest level of the arts. A cultural statesman and honorary doctor, Marsalis has risen to the top of his field as a champion of America’s greatest art form. A Maestro, a Laureate, and a Luminary, Marsalis is internationally recognized as a culture bearer and diplomat for peace.

A committed educator, Marsalis has spearheaded several projects that intersect performance and pedagogy, emphasizing the foundational jazz principles he has established throughout a life committed to music. He represents mastery in both the jazz and classical worlds, boasting a career defined by notable collaborations across the musical spectrum. Winner of nine Grammy Awards, he holds the unique distinction of being the only musician to win a Grammy in both jazz and classical categories in the same year, accomplishing this feat in both 1983 and 1984. A graduate of both Juilliard and the "University of Art Blakey," Marsalis is a true polymath of the discipline.

This week, we dive into some of Marsalis’s most celebrated works and accomplishments, taking a snapshot from his expansive discography. From his early work with Art Blakey to his work with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and beyond, we’ll showcase Wynton Marsalis as one of the great masters of our time. Join us! Hosted by JJ Lopez. 

Excellence in Education is a two-part series celebrating jazz artists whose legacies have reached far beyond the bandstand and into the classroom to steward the next generation of musicians. Join us as we honor jazz ambassador Wynton Marsalis and, in the coming weeks, pianist and composer Joanne Brackeen.

This week's Jazz Break at Noon is sponsored by a longtime KRTU member in honor of Dr. Aaron Prado, Chris Helfrich, and Ryan Weber as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.