This week's episode is about alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley It features music from his early days, his time playing with Miles Davis, and from his albums as a bandleader.Questions? Comments? Requests? email me at WNPMPod@gmail.c

Chico Hamilton

May 20th, 2021 1h 16m

This week's episode is about west coast jazz drummer Chico Hamilton. It features music from the first two decades of his career.Questions? Comments? Requests? email me at wnpmpod@gmail.com

The Legendary Hasaan Mini Episode

May 6th, 2021 17m 18s

Omnivore Recordings has released Metaphysics, a recently uncovered album by pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali, and it is amazing! This episode talks a bit about the legendary Hasaan, and plays some excerpts from the new album and a track from the other al

Donald Byrd

Apr 29th, 2021 1h 22m

This week's episode is about the music of Donald Byrd, a trumpeter in the peak of the hard bop movement in jazz. It features music from his own albums as a leader and as a sideman with artists as diverse as Kenny Drew, Herbie Hancock, and Eric

Donald Byrd Mini Episode

Apr 22nd, 2021 12m 24s

An episode about trumpeter Donald Byrd will be available next week. In the meantime, enjoy a fantastic track that shows off his avant garde jazz bona fides. Questions? Comments? Requests? Email me at wnpmpod@gmail.com

Scott LaFaro

Apr 16th, 2021 1h 44m

This week's episode is about the virtuoso bassist Scott LaFaro. LaFaro lived a brief life, but managed to record some incredible music in his short time on this world. It features music from his early years, his legendary time in Bill Evans'

Scott LaFaro Mini Episode

Apr 7th, 2021 20m 45s

It's been a busy week, so I haven't had time to finish the episode about virtuoso bassist Scott LaFaro that I'm working on. It will be ready for next week, so in the meantime, enjoy a few tracks that LaFaro appears on.

Benny Golson

Apr 1st, 2021 1h 13m

This week's episode is about Benny Golson, a tenor saxophonist who was also a prolific composer and arranger. It features mostly songs he composed, performed by groups he led and by other top notch jazz outfits.Questions? Comments? Requests?

Chet Baker - WNPM Returns!

Mar 25th, 2021 1h 34m

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting returns with an episode about superstar trumpeter Chet Baker. Baker rose to fame in the 1950's as the prince of cool jazz, and recorded some truly beautiful music. The episode covers his early recordings with Ge

Mini Episode - Chet Baker

Dec 24th, 2020 18m 42s

I'm working on an episode about trumpeter Chet Baker, and noticed that it's focused mostly on his ballad playing. So, while I finish that, I thought you'd enjoy hearing some tracks that showcase his singing and faster playing. Enjoy these cou

Wes Montgomery

Dec 3rd, 2020 1h 11m

This week's episode is about the guitarist Wes Montgomery, a self-taught virtuoso who developed a unique, all thumb approach to the instrument. I hadn't given Montgomery much of a chance after initially being turned off after hearing some of h

Curtis Fuller

Nov 26th, 2020 1h 22m

This week's episode is about the music of Curtis Fuller, a phenomenal trombonist who was one of the earliest in the hard bop idiom of jazz. It features music from his time playing with John Coltrane, the Jazz Messengers, and others, as well as

Bobby Timmons

Nov 5th, 2020 1h 13m

This week's episode is about pianist Bobby Timmons. Timmons' style is sharp, danceable, catchy, and soulful. He spent time playing in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers before striking out to make a string of fantastic albums as a leader. It feat

Kenny Dorham

Oct 29th, 2020 1h 19m

This week's episode is about the amazing, underrated trumpeter Kenny Dorham, and features music from throughout his career. Great mostly straight-ahead jazz! Quetions? Comments? Requests? Email me: wnpmpod@gmail.com

Richard Davis

Oct 22nd, 2020 1h 14m

This week's episode is about the music of bassist Richard Davis. Davis came up in the Chicago jazz scene, and studied classical music intensively, and went on to play on some of the most interesting, progressive albums of the post bebop era in

Elvin Jones

Oct 15th, 2020 1h 23m

This week's episode is about the music of drummer Elvin Jones, best known for his time playing with John Coltrane, during the tenor saxophonist's transition into the most prominent figure in the music's avant garde.It features music by Coltran

Prelude to an Elvin Jones Episode

Oct 8th, 2020 12m 24s

I took the last few weeks off to deal with some family stuff. I should be back to a regular schedule beginning next week with an episode about drummer Elvin Jones. In the meantime, enjoy a preview: Elvin Jones at the peak of his powers with Jo

Charlie Parker and the 100th Episode

Sep 4th, 2020 1h 18m

Last Saturday, August 29th was the 100 year anniversary of the great Charlie Yardbird Parker's birth, and this happens to be the 100th episode of Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting! Join me to celebrate both with an hour of Bird's music!Questions?

Jimmy Garrison

Aug 27th, 2020 1h 54m

This week's episode is about bassist Jimmy Garrison. It features music from his early days playing in some fantastic hard bop groups like those of Kenny Dorham, Ted Curson, and Jackie McLean, a track from his time in John Coltrane's Classic Qu

Charlie Haden - Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting Jazz Podcast

Aug 20th, 2020 1h 18m

This week's episode is about the music of bassist Charlie Haden, and features music from the very beginning of his career playing with Paul Bley and Ornette Coleman to the last recordings he made with his own Liberation Music Orchestra. Enjoy!

Prelude to a Charlie Haden Episode

Aug 6th, 2020 10m 41s

Next week's episode will be about the bassist Charlie Haden, who rose to fame in Ornette Coleman's group. In preparation, this week features a selection from his album Liberation Music Orchestra. Enjoy, and check in next week for a full episo

Don Cherry - Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting Jazz Podcast

Jul 23rd, 2020 1h 14m

This week's episode is about the music of trumpeter Don Cherry. Cherry is best known for his work alongside Ornette Coleman, pushing the boundaries of freedom in the jazz context. The episode features music from his time in Ornette's band, so

Prelude to a Don Cherry Episode

Jul 9th, 2020 21m 4s

Next week's episode is going to be about trumpeter Don Cherry. In anticipation of that, and to tie it to last week's episode about Henry Grimes, this episode showcases Cherry's Symphony for Improvisers, which also features Grimes (*and Pharoah

Henry Grimes - Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting Jazz Podcast

Jul 2nd, 2020 1h 16m

This week's episode is about the bassist Henry Grimes. Grimes was a Juliard-trained musician, who took an interest in free jazz in the 1960's, who disappeared from the music world for three and a half decades. It features music from his early

Mini Episode - RIP Henry Grimes

Jun 25th, 2020 13m 44s

On April 15, bassist Henry Grimes passed away. I will have a full episode about his life and music ready for next week. In the meantime, enjoy some of his poetry and a track from Spirits Aloft, his live album with drummer Rashied Ali.Questio