Lennie Tristano Festival Broadcast Schedule
WKCR 89.9 FM New York / www.wkcr.org
all segments subject to change
Tuesday, November 7: 32nd Street Theme
12-3p: Introduction to Lennie Tristano
A guide to Tristano’s career and insights into approaching his
music, from a man who knew him and his music well. Hosted by
archivist Phil Schaap.
3-6p: Vote for Lennie: Bands for Bonds broadcasts and Metronome
All-Star recordings
On Election Day, we encourage you to vote for Lennie! We present
the stories of how both radio listeners and readers of Metronome
magazine “elected” Tristano, and the all-star bebop sessions which
emerged from these polls. Hosted by Patrick Jarenwattananon.
6-9p: Subconscious-Lee: Lennie Tristano with Lee Konitz
We present Tristano’s recordings with one of his oldest and most
prominent pupils, an alto saxophonist who went on to shape the
course of modern jazz and continues to do so today. Hosted by Paul
Burkey.
9p-12a: Solo Piano Recordings
The first day concludes with a look at Tristano’s masterful efforts
at recording for solo piano, with audio documents from the entire
span of his discography. Hosted by Drew Pierson.
Wednesday, November 8: Tuition and Intuition
12-2a: Interviews from the Archives: Lennie in his own words
At this time every night, we dig into our extensive archives to
spotlight exclusive interviews about Tristano conducted at WKCR
over the last 25 years. Tonight we present our two interviews with
Lennie Tristano. Produced by Nat Gale.
2-5a: Overnight Special
Ben Heller explores some highlights of Tristano’s discography.
5-8a: Sideman: Lennie Tristano with Billy Bauer
When Tristano first came to New York in 1946, he immediately made a
long-term musical partner in the guitarist Bauer. Hear their
recordings together, along with an interview with Bauer from our
archive. Hosted by Eric Hirsch.
8-11a: Foreground Music: Lennie Tristano with Warne Marsh
We present Tristano’s recordings with the great tenor saxophonist,
one of Tristano’s ace pupils and most frequent collaborators.
Hosted by our saxophone student and experienced programmer Ritwik
Banerji.
11a-2p: Interviews: Sonny Dallas and Roger Mancuso
Two of Tristano’s best students and closest musical partners of the
1960s and beyond—bassist Dallas and drummer Mancuso—join us in two
separate interviews about studying, playing, and living with
Tristano. Hosted by Ben Siegelman.
2-6p: No Figs: the Solos of the Tristano ‘Curriculum’
Part of Tristano’s teaching methodology was to learn, memorize, and
sing improvisations from the seminal recordings of jazz. Phil Schaap
presents these solos here.
6-9p: The Musician’s Show, Tristano Edition: Connie Crothers and Sal
Mosca
The Musician’s Show, the Wednesday night edition of Jazz
Alternatives, tonight features two pianists who studied with
Tristano. A discussion and airing of Lennie’s greatest recordings
and his legacy in jazz. Moderated by Abe Sorber.
9p-12a: Jazz for Jazz’ Sake: Tristano and Economics
Tristano was one of the first to attempt to take total control of
the financial aspects of making a living as a jazz musician. We
present details of and philosophy behind Lennie’s home studios, his
attempts to run his own record label, his attempts to produce
concerts and maintain a performance venue, and his uncompromising
stance toward commercialism and art. With pianist Connie Crothers
and daughter and percussionist Carol Tristano, facilitated by
Patrick Jarenwattananon.
Thursday, November 9: Crosscurrents
12-230a: Interviews from the Archives: TBA
Our second installment of archived discussions with Tristano’s
partners in music. Engineered by Jordan Paul.
230-6a: Overnight Special
Drew Pierson brings us through the overnight hours with highlights
of the discography and clips from throughout the day.
6-9a: Pastimes: Lennie Tristano with Peter Ind
The British bassist Ind, who met Tristano in 1949 and played with
him ever since, discusses his collaborations with Tristano in a
recently conducted interview. Nick Kelly brings us through some of
the recordings Ind made with Tristano.
9a-12p: Innovation, Please: multi-tracking and free improvisation of
Lennie Tristano
Tristano’s entire career pushed the envelope of jazz performance;
we present two fascinating and underacknowledged aspects of his
musical output. Patrick Jarenwattananon presents on Tristano’s free
improvisations and experiments into multi-track recording.
12-3p: Interviews: TBA
More Tristano collaborators, in their own words. Hosted by Ted
Panken.
3-6p: Interviews: Kazzrie Jaxen and Ted Brown
Two more of Tristano’s students visit our studio to discuss
Tristano’s teachings and life in music, pianist/vocalist Jaxen and
tenor saxophonist Brown. Hosted by Abe Sorber.
6-9p: Live Recordings
We present Tristano as he appeared on the bandstand, with senior
programmer Sharif Abdus-Salaam.
9p-12a: Lennie Tristano, Composer
Tristano was a great and unique composer of musical lines and
formal structures—some of which he never recorded—to introduce his
improvisations. We present on those tonight, with an emphasis on
interpretations of Tristano’s music, with Ritwik Banerji.
Friday, November 10: Line Up
12-2a: Interviews from the Archives: TBA
Our third installment of archived discussions with Tristano’s
partners in music. Engineered by Ben Siegelman.
2-6a: Overnight Special
Ben Young presents more interpretations of Tristano’s music, and
highlights in the Tristano discography.
6-1030a: Discography
All day and into the night on Friday we present the entire recorded
and issued body of work of Lennie Tristano, in chronological order.
Phil Schaap starts it off with his always informed presentation of
Tristano’s early work.
1030a-1p: Discography (with Jordan Paul)
1-4p: Discography (with Ben Siegelman)
4-7p: Discography (with Abe Sorber)
7-10p: Discography (with Cliff Preiss)
Saturday, November 11: Requiem
10p-2a: Discography (with Andrew McNellis)
2-5a: Lennie Tristano Memorial Concert
After Tristano’s death in 1978, Tristano’s students organized a
memorial benefit performance in his name, presented here. Hosted by
Martin Kostov.
5-820a: Best of Broadcast
We begin to wrap up our broadcast with highlights from the
festival, and more great moments in Tristano’s discography. Hosted
by Eric Hirsch.
820a-12p: Lennie-Bird: Lennie Tristano and Charlie Parker
Tristano had nothing but the highest praise for Bird’s music, and
saw his musical production as stemming directly from the
innovations of bebop. Our Charlie Parker expert Phil Schaap
explores the connection, and offers closing words to the broadcast.
