Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Each week, NPR's award-winning program showcases both acclaimed artists and up-and-coming performers as they share music and memories.
Special Series

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Acclaimed jazz artists share music and memories

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Pat Metheny On Piano Jazz

On this episode, The Pat Metheny Trio, which includes bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez, performs an exclusive version of "Go Get It" and "Bright Size Life."

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Michel Camilo On Piano Jazz

Hear Grammy-winning pianist, composer and bandleader Michel Camilo demonstrate his whirlwind approach to music, technical brilliance and post-bop Latin rhythms.

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Soprano Eileen Farrell Erich Auerbach/Getty Images hide caption

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Eileen Farrell On Piano Jazz

On this episode of Piano Jazz from 1993, she shares her tremendous vocal range on "How High the Moon" and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning."

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Gene Harris On Piano Jazz

On this 1988 Piano Jazz episode, Harris opens with a slow and easy "Black and Blue," then McPartland joins him on "Bag's Groove."

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Stefon Harris Elizabeth Leitzell/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Stefon Harris On Piano Jazz

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris is one of the most innovative and impressive artists in jazz, blazing new trails on vibraphone and marimba.

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Jess Stacy is featured on this week's episode of Piano Jazz William P. Gottlieb/Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress hide caption

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Jess Stacy On Piano Jazz

As one of the leading pianists of the swing era, Stacy was best known for his work with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and had a prolific career before stepping back from the music world in the 1950's.

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Rachel Z On Piano Jazz

On this 1999 episode of Piano Jazz, Rachel Z performs her original "Gently Sleeps the Pear Tree" and she and McPartland switch gears with "All the Things You Are."

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Tony Bennett On Piano Jazz

The iconic vocalist makes an appearance on 'Piano Jazz' and shares his inspirations.

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Renee Rosnes On Piano Jazz

On this 1990 episode of Piano Jazz, Renee Rosnes plays Monk's "Four in One" then improvises with McPartland on her own tune, "Fleur De Lis."

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Don Byron On Piano Jazz

The decorated musician demonstrates his musical flexibility with McPartland on this episode of Piano Jazz.

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Barbara Carroll On Piano Jazz

In this episode of Piano Jazz, we celebrate the longstanding career of Barbara Carroll.

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Marcia Ball On Piano Jazz

Marcia Ball bends our understanding of blues with her melding of deep southern melodies and rhythms.

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Geri Allen On Piano Jazz

An unequivocal jazz figure, we remember and celebrate Geri Allen's genre-bending influence on contemporary jazz.

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Ben Sidran performing in San Francisco, California circa 1980. Tom Copi/Getty Images hide caption

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Ben Sidran On Piano Jazz

On this episode from 1989, the composer, pianist and song stylist joins McPartland for a duet and some of his own songs.

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Barbara Cook performs at the 2014 New York Festival of Song at Carnegie Hall on April 28, 2014 in New York City. Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images hide caption

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Barbara Cook On Piano Jazz

This week's Piano Jazz from 1998 remembers lyric soprano Barbara Cook, a Broadway star, staple of the New York cabaret scene and favorite of audiences around the world.

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American jazz trumpeter Harry 'Sweets' Edison performs in 1991. David Redfern/Getty Images hide caption

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Harry 'Sweets' Edison On Piano Jazz

On this episode of Piano Jazz from 1999, broadcast just months before Edison died, the legendary jazz trumpeter joins Marian McPartland for a few classics and an original.

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Virginia Mayhew On Piano Jazz

Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Virginia Mayhew joins forces with Marian McPartland to perform "All the Things You Are" and "Body and Soul" on this 1998 episode of Piano Jazz.

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This 1996 episode of Piano Jazz features jazz pianist Don Friedman. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Don Friedman On Piano Jazz

The classically-trained jazz pianist enchanted audiences during his lifetime. In celebration of his 83rd birthday, hear his Piano Jazz performance from 1996.

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This 1988 episode of Piano Jazz features Brazilian pianist, composer, and vocalist Eliane Elias. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Eliane Elias On Piano Jazz

Brazilian pianist, composer, and vocalist Eliane Elias is a renowned artist in her home country and in the American jazz scene. Hear her first Piano Jazz performance from 1988.

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Willie Pickens On Piano Jazz

Chicago jazz mainstay Willie Pickens died this past December at age 86. Revisit his performance with McPartland in this 1997 episode of Piano Jazz.

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Cleo Brown On Piano Jazz

Cleo Brown makes a rare appearance to perform her greatest hit, "Pinetop's Boogie-Woogie," and to recall the style's heyday in the 1930s.

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Nicholas Payton On Piano Jazz

The trumpet prodigy learned how to improv from fellow New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis. Payton was only in his 20s when he visited with McPartland for this 1998 episode.

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