With an eye -- or ear -- toward sharing the enriching power of jazz with the public,
the NEA produces a series of Jazz Moments for radio broadcast. The short radio
segments (running from 30 seconds to three minutes) are interviews with
legendary and contemporary jazz artists about their own work and that of other
artists. They include musical samples, historical information, and first-person
anecdotes designed to give listeners added insight into NEA Jazz Masters and their art. From the
more than 200 segments that were created, an accompanying audio CD, produced by Molly Murphy
exclusively for the NEA, presents the various NEA Jazz Masters’ views on everything from early
inspiration to first performances to musical influences and mentors. All the Jazz Moments can be
found on the NEA website at arts.gov.
Noted jazz bassist, composer, arranger, educator Christian McBride narrates the segments for the
2011 NEA Jazz Masters and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis narrates all the Jazz Moments with
previous NEA Jazz Masters. Poet and jazz writer A.B. Spellman hosts the CD. Listen and enjoy.
1. Introduction by A.B. Spellman
2. Early Inspiration from Hearing Live Music Kenny Barron (2010)
Muhal Richard Abrams (2010)
Marian McPartland (2000)
Buddy DeFranco (2006)
3. Early Inspiration from Radio & Recordings
Jim Hall (2004)
Cedar Walton (2010)
Toshiko Akiyoshi (2007)
Dan Morgenstern (2007)
George Avakian (2010)
4. Early Inspiration from Teachers
Johnny Mandel (2011)
Ramsey Lewis (2007)
Curtis Fuller (2007)
5. First Instruments
Roy Haynes (1995)
Yusef Lateef (2010)
George Benson (2009)
Lee Konitz (2009)
Jimmy Heath (2003)
Hubert Laws (2011)
6. First Performing Experiences
Quincy Jones (2008)
Bobby Hutcherson (2010)
Buddy DeFranco (2006)
Annie Ross (2010)
McCoy Tyner (2002)
Slide Hampton (2005)
Jimmy Cobb (2009)
Chico Hamilton (2004)
7. Relating to Audiences
Bobby Hutcherson (2010)
Slide Hampton (2005)
8. The Art of Improvisation
Lee Kontiz (2009)
Jim Hall (2004)
Kenny Barron (2010)
9. Composing and Arranging
Yusef Lateef (2010)
Jon Hendricks (1993)
Bill Holman (2010)
Frank Foster (2002)
Gerald Wilson (1990)
Johnny Mandel (2011)
10. Musical Influences and Mentors
Snooky Young (2009)
Frank Wess (2007)
Marian McPartland (2000)
Curtis Fuller (2007)
George Benson (2009)
Herbie Hancock (2004)
11. Jazz Education
Wynton Marsalis (2011)
Ellis Marsalis (2011)
Kenny Barron (2010)
Dave Liebman (2011)
12. Why Jazz?
George Benson (2009)
Jimmy Heath (2003)
Dave Brubeck (1999)
