The legendary saxophonist and spiritually searching composer would've turned 90 today. Hear him in full flight at the '66 Newport Jazz Festival.
On this day in 1969, The Beatles released their 11th studio recording. Hear several artists interpret tunes from that hugely influential album.
Scat singer supreme Betty Carter, who died on this day in 1998, is in full flight on "Swing Brother Swing" from this 1974 Jazz Workshop set.
The singer-songwriter, who turns 61 today, performs "Smoke Dreams," "Who Needs Words" and other tunes from her self-titled 1978 debut.
Suave singer Bryan Ferry, who turns 71 today, leads the Brit art rock band on "Virginia Plain," "Prairie Rose" and tunes from Country Life.
Earl "Fatha" Hines plays a medley of tunes from the Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim musical, which premiered on this day in 1957.
The drummer-composer, who turns 79 today, leads a stellar sextet of Joe Farrell, Steve Khan, Don Alias, George Mraz and Don Friedman.
The pedal steel guitar sensation wails on "Bo Diddley" and switches to tasty acoustic slide guitar on the gospel-tinged "Traveling Shoes."
Hear the Queens-born singer-songwriter perform tunes from One Trick Pony and Graceland along with classics with partner Art Garfunkel.
Hank Williams once said of him: "For drawing power in the South, it was Roy Acuff, then God." Hear him with his Smokey Mountain Boys in 1968.
Singer-songwriter and Righteous Babe exec turns 46 today. Hear her play tunes from Not a Pretty Girl and cover Prince's "When Doves Cry."
On this day in 1980, the reggae superstar played his last concert at Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh. Hear him in this 1975 set from London.
The late guitar great, who would've turned 77 today, squeezes the juice out of every note on "The Messiah," "Hey Joe" and "Five String Blues."
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer turns 58 today. Hear her play "Bad Reputation" and her anthemic "I Love Rock 'n Roll" in this 1981 set.
A prolific songwriter and key contributor to the Great American Songbook, Berlin died on this day in 1989 at age 101. Hear a playlist.
The Nigerian juju music master turns 70 today. Hear him lead his African Beats on this infectious two-hour set from Tramps in 1996.
The Brit synth pop band formed by hairdressers Mike Score and Frank Maudsley play their hit "I Ran (So Far Away)" at Boston's Metro in '83.
Saxman Bobby Watson joins Tom Harrell, Lew Tabackin, Jon Faddis, Carl Allen, Ray Drummond and Mulgrew Miller in this scorching set from '92.
The ebullient bassist-scat singer, born on this day in 1914, performs with Mose Allison, Rosetta Tharpe, Oscar Brown Jr., and Ben Webster.
The bard of Canada turns 82 today. Hear his songs performed by Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Dave Van Ronk and Cohen himself in this playlist.
Liam Gallagher, who turns 44 today, leads the Brit band on "Cigarettes & Alcohol," "Digsy's Dinner" and other tunes from Definitely Maybe.
The irascible guitarist-composer-satirist discusses Alban Berg, Elliott Carter, Charles Ives, the Beatles and his Bongo Fury in a '75 interview.
The man who revolutionized the electric bass died on this day in 1987. Hear him lead his incredible Word of Mouth big band in this 1982 set.
The synth wiz-composer and Weather Report co-founder plays "Patriots" and "Carnavalito" with his powerhouse fusion band in '97.
On this day in 1975, "Fame" became Bowie's first #1 single in the U.S. Hear him sing that soulful anthem from Young Americans in 1983.
The British saxophonist-composer and big band leader was born on this day in 1927. Hear him in his first U.S. appearance at Newport '59.
The singer-songwriter with a biting sense of humor died on this day in 1984. Hear his "Banana Republic" and "Chicken Cordon Blues" in 1977.
The '70s session guitarist was born on this day in 1938. Hear him with Paul SImon, Joe Cocker, Aretha Franklin and the great NYC band Stuff.
The funky rhythm guitarist joins Chic bandmate Tony Thompson on stage with the Brit group for a finale of "Girls on Film" in this '84 set.
The classy singer interprets Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas" and Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" in 1976.
The Queen of Salsa sings "A Papa," "Zambullete," "Quimbara" and other favorites with the Nuyorican bandleader in this fiery set from 1980.
The bluegrass guitar picker-singer and blues scholar plays "Sitting On Top of the World," "Man of Constant Sorrow" and other acoustic gems.
On this day in 1960, Chubby ignited a dance craze when his single "The Twist" went #1 on the pop charts. Hear various takes on that classic.
The rock guitar god died on this day in 1970. Hear him play "Foxy Lady" and "Purple Haze" and cover Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" in 1968.
Theatrical frontman Fee Waybill, who turns 66 today, leads the Bay Area band on "White Punks on Dope," "Boy Crazy" and "Rock & Roll Hospital."
The soulful Hammond B-3 player was born on this day in 1928. Hear him lead his septet on "Killer Joe" and Heatin' System" in a '75 set.
The Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who died on this day in 2014, performs "Steel Rail Blues," "Abeline" and Break My Mind" in 1968.
On this day in 1974, Bob Dylan began recording his classic album. Hear key tracks played by Jerry Garcia, Shawn Colvin and others in a playlist.
The classy cabaret singer, born on this day in 1924, celebrates the Great American Songbook at his old stomping grounds, Cafe Carlyle.
Riley "B."B." King was born on this day in 1925. Hear him play his hits "Sweet Sixteen" and "The Thrill Is Gone" in this '71 Fillmore East set.
The Ramones guitarist (aka John William Cummings) died on this day in 2004. Hear his ferocious attack on "Cretin Hop" and "Pinhead" in 1978.
Vocalese pioneer, lyricist and NEA Jazz Master Jon Hendricks turns 95 today. Hear him with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross at Newport in 1960.
The Grammy-winning neo-Delta bluesman (aka Kevin Moore) plays "Perpetual Blues Machine" and other tunes form Just Like You in '97.
Guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith wails with the Motor City's proto-punk rockers on "Black to Comm" in this '68 set from the Sturgis Armory.
The musician, actor, American Idol judge and talk show host croons "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "I Could Write a Book" in 1990.
The Nashville singer-songwriter performs "When The Devil Starts Crying" and other tunes from Pretty Close to the Truth in a '98 solo set.
Alex Chilton leads the Memphis rock 'n' soul band on their '60s hits "Cry Like a Baby," "Soul Deep" and "The Letter" in this '97 reunion set.
Peter Cetera, who turns 72 today, sings "25 Or 6 To 4" in this dynamic set by the rock 'n' roll horn band featuring guitar great Terry Kath.
Slam Stewart Playlist
