VPR Program: Jazz with George Thomas

9 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 p.m.-Midnight Friday on VPR

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Recent Episodes

Mercer Ellington & Bobby McFerrin Thursday, 03/11/10 9pm We begin the evening with a birthday celebration for Duke's son, Mercer Ellington & the great improvisational vocal acrobatics of Bobby McFerrin dueting with pianist Chick Corea.
Count Basie Wednesday, 03/10/10 9pm We begin with the great, bluesy, big band sound of Count Basie And His Orchestra with Joe Williams' vocals leading the way. I've tried for weeks to remember Charles Mingus' Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting and I finally got it's gospel soul on a Wednesday night..
Ornette Coleman Tuesday, 03/09/10 9pm We celebrate the 80th birthday of composer, multi-saxophonist, trumpeter & violinist Ornette Colemanwith selections from the beginning of his recording career to the Pulitzer-winning Sound Grammar from 2006.
Dick Hyman, George Coleman Monday, 03/08/10 9pm We celebrate the birthdays of pianist Dick Hyman and tenor sax player George Coleman, who, as far as we know, never played together. We also feature the new CD by vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater which is a tribute to Billie Holiday and is partly a showcase for the multi-saxophonist & bass clarinet player James Carter.
Carol Sloane Friday, 03/05/10 10pm
We honor the vocalist Carol Sloane on the anniversary of her birth, hear some classic sides by Dexter Gordon, the long tall tenor sax player who stared in the 1986 movie Round Midnight and sample new releases.
Mud Season Spring Thursday, 03/04/10 9pm As we enter Mud Season (Spring) we are "Grateful" but need to remember "Easy Does It" as we try to stay "In The Now" and out of the ruts, because "It Don't Mean A Thing" just to be "In The Moment," "You Must Believe In Spring" even though "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" "This Too Shall Pass." Poetry in jazz titles.
Women's History Month Wednesday, 03/03/10 9pm We celebrate Women's History Month with an array of women singing, composing, band leading and playing piano, alto sax, trombone and much more. From Lil Armstrong to Mary Lou Williams to Geri Allen, Joanne Brackeen, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the range on women in jazz is endless.
Kurt Weill & Mack The Knife Tuesday, 03/02/10 9pm We celebrate the birthday of the German-born and Broadway-successful composer Kurt Weill with jazz versions of Mack The Knife (Louis Armstrong), Lost In The Stars (Dave McKenna), My Ship (Dee Dee Bridgewater), and several versions of Speak Low.
Chopin Birthday Jazz Monday, 03/01/10 9pm We celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin's birthday with a variety of jazz versions of his piano works, including those by Kenny Drew, Jr., James Booker, Jacques Loussier and more.
Full Moon, Johnny Cash & Mildred Bailey Friday, 02/26/10 10pm We spend the first hour of tonight's jazz exploring the many sides of the Full Moon, including Art Pepper, Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins, and more. Quick birthday nods to Johnny Cash & Mildred Bailey follow and we end with a live recording of John Coltrane's classic quartet.
Atomic Jazz & George Harrison Thursday, 02/25/10 9pm We begin with some classic jazz sounds, including Sidney Bechet & Louis Armstrong duetting in 1925, Count Basie's Atomic Jazz sound from 1957, and on the anniversary of his birthday, George Harrison's songs covered by several jazz artists.
Snow & Fathead Wednesday, 02/24/10 9pm We begin the show with snow, and lots of it, as we revisit a holiday album by vocalist Jackie Allen and pianist/vocalist Judy Roberts and their wonderful versions of Let It Snow and Claude Thornhill's Snow Fall. New releases follow along with a birthday tribute to the late tenor sax player David "Fathead" Newman.

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About Jazz with George Thomas

Jazz with George Thomas has moved to 9pm weeknights, and 10pm on Fridays. Read the announcement for more details.

End your evening on the right note with Jazz in the Evening with George Thomas. From traditional crooners to contemporary improv, George swings you into the night.

George's Playlists »

Suggest music or Contact George »

Visit the VPR Jazz Blog from the 2009 Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, VT.

Selections from the Archive

Tuesday, 01/12/10 9pm

Jazz: Sandra Wright, Jay McShann

We note sadly the passing of "Vermont's Blues Diva," Sandra Wright, with a live recording done in 2000 with Big Joe Burrell introducing her. Jay McShann's birthday is the occasion to revisit some on his 1941 Decca recordings featuring a young Charlie Parker soloing on his first recordings.

Friday, 01/08/10 10pm

Jazz: Vocalese

Vocalese is a style of setting new lyrics to an existing jazz performance, often using a recorded instrumental solo as a starting place. We hear some of the masters of the genre including, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Joe Carroll, Eddie Jefferson, Kurt Elling and more.

Friday, 10/15/04 8:05am

Jazz with George Thomas

Jazz in the Evening with George Thomas for Friday, October 15, 2004

On Now	On Point
On Next	Vermont Edition

On Now	Classical Music with Walter Parker
On Next	Performance Today

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