Episode 268: Jazz Musicians (How They Live and) How They Died, Part 3

Discovering Jazz

12-03-2024 • 59 mins

The last of this fascinating three part series. I start by talking about and playing a great track by Wes Montgomery and Wynton Kelly–from newly discovered recordings released last year. And I finish with the great Rashaan Roland Kirk—focusing on his amazing resilience as he kept playing despite a debilitating stroke. Another amazingly resilient musician who carried on despite physical difficulties was Michel Petrucciani. Other musicians and singers I play this week are Chet Baker w. Paul Bley, Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, Eric Dolphy w. a bunch of jazz superstars (including jazz drummer Tony Williams), drummer Karen Carpenter (really!), and Amy Winehouse. And as a special treat, a Vancouver pianist who made no commercial recordings but was raved about by Oscar Peterson: Chris Gage.