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In the world of jazz, a few active players deserve to be called legends and stars. Among them is bassist Percy Heath, who has played with a who's who of artists, including a lengthy association with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Celebrating his 80th birthday this year, he joins us to look back on his storied career and to talk about his new CD – astonishingly, the first recording date he’s ever led. Speaking of living legends, 75-year-old American composer George Crumb has written music that addresses fundamental concerns like man's connection to the natural world and the importance of ritual. We hear a new piece of his for prepared piano performed by live in the studio by Simone Dinnerstein. Rounding out the program, Billboard columnist Anastasia Tsioulcas drops by to review a new CD of a choral rarity by Franz Liszt.
Additional Resources:
» Read a Percy Heath biography
» Read a Simone Dinnerstein biography
» More about Franz Liszt’s St. Stanislaus