Jazz Library Folgen

Sonny Rollins joins Alyn Shipton to select the key recordings from his voluminous catalogue.Widely regarded as a major living exponent of the tenor saxophone and an innovator since the end of the 1940s, here Rollins focuses on his early years, from albums made with Emo Hope and Kenny Dorham to his masterpieces Tenor Madness and Saxophone Colossus. On the way he discusses calypso, trio improvising and his close friendship with Thelonious Monk.

Jelly Roll MortonAlyn Shipton is joined by Morton specialist Martin Litton to explore the work of Jelly Roll's band, the Red Hot Peppers, as well as the solo discs. The self-proclaimed 'inventor of jazz', Jelly Roll Morton was a colourful figure, with diamonds in his teeth and gold on his fingers. He was also the first musician to appreciate the potential of the 78 rpm record for creating miniature jazz compositions. Including a contribution from Morton's last living sideman, 99-year-old Lawrence Lucie.

Starting his life as a child star tap dancer, Buddy Rich became one of the most gifted drummers in jazz history. To survey the prolific recorded output of "The Man From Planet Jazz", Alyn Shipton is joined by British drummer Ralph Salmins, covering both Rich's discs under his own name, and his stellar appearances with other musicians.