Their performances astounding, and diversity unparalleled, these three revered musicians are not actually natives of the Golden State." The California Guitar Trio (CGT) is Bert Lams from Belgium, Hideyo Moriya from Japan, and Paul Richards from Utah. Together, their technical wizardry is breathtaking, as is the wide range of instrumental music the group renders... everything from unique originals to dazzling,... read full bio

Caribbean Jazz Project is a Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz group including Dave Samuels, Paquito D'Rivera and Andy Narell. They might be best known for their 2002 album The Gathering. They have recorded seven albums, five for the Concord Jazz label, one for Inak Records and one for Heads Up. Vibraphone and marimba specialist Dave Samuels, having played for... read full bio

Pianist, composer and free jazz pioneer Carla Bley with her longtime partner, bassist Steve Swallow, for a simpatico set of original tunes from one of the most successful couples in jazz. Steve and I worked together years ago, and he reminded me of several fun times we had together," host Marian McPartland recalls from the session. "I thought... read full bio

Singer-songwriter and '70s icon Carly Simon found that her breast cancer diagnosis in 1997 gave her life a focal point. I feel stronger and more vital than ever," she told the New York Daily News. "When you actually have a battle, it's better than when you don't know who to fight."... read full bio

She began playing the piano at five, learned the clarinet, flute and saxophone while in high school, then later accomplished the mandolin and guitar. Johnson also focused on singing and songwriting. Johnson continues to write music for other artists, including SheDaisy, Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea and Patty Loveless. Her first two singles,"Georgia" and "Complicated," reached No. 1 on the Canadian... read full bio

The voice is more visual than audible; shaded, iridescent, tangible, substantial. It seems to flow effortlessly. Her development can be tracked through her discography. From the standards on Blue Skies to the Grammy-winning projects New Moon Daughter and Loverly, to the combination of originals and interpretations played by a collection of Mississippi and New York musicians on both the 2001... read full bio

Their 1997 release, Zoot Suit Riot, went Double Platinum and catapulted swing music back onto American popular radio. In the intervening years the upbeat danceable anthem, Zoot Suit Riot, has become one of the most fun modern swing dance hits of all time. The Cherry Poppin' Daddies bring the energy of the ultimate fun party band, mixing it up... read full bio

Chick Corea is one of the most prolific and acclaimed of jazz artists from the second half of the 20th century, with contributions to most forms of modern music, including straight-ahead jazz, electric fusion, avant-garde and orchestral music. As a member of Miles Davis's band in the 1960s, and later as founder of Return to Forever, he participated in the... read full bio

Trumpeter Chris Botti is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer, and a charismatic performer who--since the release of his first solo album in 1995--has created a series of recordings that have made him a virtual genre-of-one in the realm of contemporary jazz. Through his singular combination of lush atmos-pheres and thoughtful improvisations, Chris Botti has earned both critical acclaim and... read full bio

One of the brightest jazz stars to emerge in the last few years is trumpeter Christian Scott. He make his Concord Jazz debut with Rewind That, arguably the most remarkable premiere the genre has seen in the last decade. Instead of retreading bebop the way so-called young lions did, Scott delivers a smart, grooved and plugged-in set of tunes with... read full bio

Chuck Mangioneis an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, Feels So Good". Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960. Chuck Mangioneis' quartet with saxophonist Gerry Niewood was a popular concert and recording act throughout the 1970s. "Bellavia", recorded during this collaboration, won Mangione his first Grammy Award in 1977... read full bio

Since coming to national attention on the second season of American Idol in 2003 - where he was the unexpected runner up, only to become the biggest selling male artist the show has ever featured, Clay Aiken has evolved into a versatile and beloved popular entertainer. He has toured nine times, written a New York Times bestselling memoir, sold more... read full bio

Cleo Laine is a singer who has done just about everything. She's played everywhere - English dance halls to London's Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie to the Blue Note Cafe. She's been on stage, on Broadway, to London's West End, done opera and the BBC. Cleo Laine's continued activity in the world of jazz performance, and the quality and depth which... read full bio

Clint Holmes is more than a singer. Like a painter with a blank canvas, Clint Holmes makes every performance an original. His powerful voice and magnetic stage presence embrace the upbeat side of life. When Clint Holmes is on stage, anything can happen. And it usually does. Clint Holmes CD, "Edges," explores Clint Holmes multiple creative sides as singer... read full bio

Corinne Bailey Rae is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leeds, who released her debut album ���Corinne Bailey Rae�۝ in February 2006. Bailey Rae was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2006 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2006. She became only the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut... read full bio

The current Basie ensemble is uniquely equipped to render this distillation. One reason is the remarkable continuity of personnel that continues to connect the past to the present in the band. There are five permanent members in the current Basie Band who played under Count Basie's personal leadership.This is no exercise in nostalgia, however. Over its history, the Basie Orchestra... read full bio