Akira Tana with Jesse "Chuy" Varela
Drummer and Producer Akira Tana earned degrees from Harvard University and the New England Conservatory of Music before being enlisted by jazz greats Sonny Rollins, Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt and Helen Humes. He's been recording and leading his own groups ever since splitting his time between the Bay Area, New York and Japan.

Kate McGarry with Michael Burman
Vocalist Kate McGarry was voted Down Beat's Rising Star consecutively from 2011-2016 and has worked with fellow creatives Kurt Elling, Fred Hersch and Maria Schneider. Her multi-Grammy nominated works have often looked beyond jazz for inspiration covering material by Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell and Bjork.

Chet Baker with Dick Conte
Nicknamed the Prince of Cool, trumpeter Chet Baker gained critical praise in the 1950's for his inimitable melancholy singing style and outstanding playing. His musical innovations with Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz and Russ Freeman have often been overshadowed by his well-publicized drug addiction.

JKamasi Washington with Chris Cortez
Since his 2015 release The Epic, saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington has taken the music world by storm introducing jazz and improvised music to mass audiences around the world. His collaborations with Gerald Wilson, Chaka Khan, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar have helped paved the way to his success.

Moran on Monk Encore Presentation
Jason Moran's "In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, 1959" reimagines Thelonious Monk's historic concert, interweaving music with archival audio and interviews with Monk himself, Moran creates a musical portrait of "the first pianist who made me want to be a pianist". First performed in 2007 for Monk's 90th birthday tribute, Moran brought the concert to the Kennedy Center a few years ago with his band, The Big Bandwagon.

Camille Thurman's Queens Encore Presentation
On this episode of Jazz Night of America, we head to Queens with saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman. Camille grew up just ten minutes away from the homes of Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Fats Waller, and Illinois Jacquet - to name a few. We'll hear her perform with the Darrell Green Trio and with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Performance During the Pandemic: Philadelphia
When put in crisis, how does the jazz community respond? Jazz Night in America spotlights three scenarios unfolding in Philly, creatively reacting to the pandemic. The pianist Orrin Evans turns his front porch into a jazz stage. A local resident creates socially distanced concerts in her backyard. And a jazz club opens its doors for the first time since the lockdown.

Sesame Street
We toast 50 years of Sesame Street by examining the many ways jazz has been incorporated into popular children's show. We hear the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra invite Muppets onstage and trombonist Joe Fielder's funky take on lesser-known songs from the vast Sesame songbook.

Singer/Composer/Actor Lisa Engelken
Encore Presentation originally aired September 26, 2014

Pianist Terry Disley
Encore Presentation originally aired May 2, 2008

Singer/songwriter Jacqui Naylor
Encore Presentation originally aired Novembeer 13, 2015

Guitarist Ray Obiedo
Encore Presentation originally aired March 10, 2017

Legendary Jazz Bassist Dean Reilly
Encore Presentation originally aired September 8, 2006