The Cookers with Jesse "Chuy" Varela

Vocalist Nicolas Bearde with Melanie Berzon

Guitarist Tal Farlow with Dick Conte

The Delta Wires with Kathleen Lawton

Lew Tabackin
A musician's favorite and a 50 year veteran of the jazz scene, Tabackin is simultaneously one of the great individuals of swinging tenor saxophone and one of the most expansive stylists of the flute.

Sonny Simmons
One of the foremost alto saxophonists of the Avant Garde, Sonny Simmons combines an emotive tone and technical mastery with a boundary less approach to improvisation. Now 84 years old, he continues to perform with a fire undiminished by a checkered and challenging career.

Joachim Kuhn
German pianist Joachim Kuhn has shown a unique voice and high level of sophistication over 50 years of recordings with the best musicians of Europe and the US, including a rare collaboration with Ornette Coleman.

Joe Maini
Before his tragic death at the age of 34, alto saxophonist Joe Maini was a bebop legend of the Los Angeles jazz community. He was a regular presence on the best records of that scene in the 1950s and early 60s, holding his own in the company of Clifford Brown, Terry Gibbs, and Gerald Wilson.

Chris McGregor
South African pianist Chris McGregor had a massive influence on the landscape of European jazz. Aside from his playing and composing, his band leading with the Blue Notes and the Brotherhood of Breath both organized and integrated the explosive sound of the South African expatriate scene.

John Scofield at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Guitar icon John Scofield is a one-of-a-kind virtuoso known for his signature blend of jazz, funk, rock, R&B, and soul. Jazz Night in America adds new insights to two of Scofield's most revered albums (1986's Blue Matter and 1996's Quiet) exploring them for the first time since their original releases.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Legendary trombonist and conch shell virtuoso Steve Turre brings a monster lineup to Jazz at Lincoln Center to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of Turre's influences, the late Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

The Robert Glasper Experiment
The Robert Glasper Experiment performs live at Summerstage in New York City.

Herbie Hancock
Jazz Night in America host Christian McBride sits down with Herbie Hancock to discuss his journey in technology through the years and we present a concert featuring Herbie with Lionel Loueke, James Genus, Trevor Lawrence Jr. and Terrace Martinon.

Billy Strayhorn
Jazz Night in America features interviews with, Strayhorn's biographer, his family members and rare archival tape of Strayhorn himself. Pianist and vocalist Johnny O'Neal joins the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to present Strayhorn's music.

Daniela Schaechter
In 2005, Sicilian pianist Daniela Schaechter won the prestigious Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz competition. Ever devoted to the next generation of female jazz musicians, McPartland wasted no time in having Schaechter on this 2006 show.

Jack DeJohnette
Jack DeJohnette got his start on the piano as a child, but he took up the drums at eighteen and went on to become one of the most inventive and important drummers in modern jazz history. He's provided rhythm for greats such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Keith Jarrett. In this 1993 Piano Jazz session, DeJohnette shares the story behind the real Freddie the Freeloader.

Lenore Raphael
Award-winning pianist and vocalist Lenore Raphael has emerged as one of the most promising musicians in modern mainstream jazz. Influenced by such jazz greats as Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, and Thelonious Monk, Raphael has developed her own swinging style. She joins Marian on this 2002 edition of Piano Jazz.

Patrice Rushen
A popular vocalist whose talent ranges from jazz to soul to R&B, Patrice Rushen is also a songwriter, arranger, and master keyboardist who has performed with and produced for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Nancy Wilson, Michael Jackson, and Dianne Reeves.

Lee Konitz
A former member of the Miles Davis "Famous Nonet," Lee Konitz is the foremost saxophonist in the cool style of jazz. He is also a composer, arranger, and teacher. While his very first instrument was a clarinet, he favored tenor sax and made his way to alto. What's more, he plays the piano on this 1992 Piano Jazz.

Melba Liston
Melba Liston (1926-1999) made her mark as one of the few women to succeed as a jazz instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. A trombonist in the '40s, '50s and '60s, she played in big bands and led her own group in the '70s and '80s. As an accomplished arranger, she brought musical life to the songs of other artists.

Bill Evans
Pianist Bill Evans turned out to be one of the most influential pianists of his generation. Before his untimely death in 1980, he had made nearly one hundred recordings. He became well known for his work with Miles Davis. He broke new ground with drummer Paul Motian and bassist Scott LaFaro in the development of the jazz trio.

Jackie McLean
Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean - who died at the age of 74 on March 31 - was one of the giants of jazz. His spare, sugar-free sound backed everyone from Charlie Parker to Miles Davis. In tribute to McLean, we'll listen again to this Jazz Profiles episode where the McLean talks candidly about his life and times.

Etta Jones
Etta Jones sang with clarity and precision reminiscent of Carmen McRae, but with the edge of Dinah Washington or Billie Holiday. She liked ballads and loved an accompanying saxophone, as evidenced by her long association with Houston Person.

Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet (1897-1959) started playing the clarinet when he was 13 years old. By the time of his death, at age 62, he was considered one of the most innovative and original clarinetists and soprano saxophonists in jazz. He brought to the instrument an unequaled energy, clarity and verve and was best known for his heavy vibrato. Temperamental and creative, Bechet left a profound mark in the way the clarinet and the soprano saxophone is played today. His autobiography, Treat It Gentle is still considered one of the best personal accounts of the life and times of a jazzman. This show explores his legacy.