NPR and Newark, New Jersey's WBGO Jazz 88 ring in the New Year with the 25th anniversary edition of Toast of the Nation --13 hours of jazz and blues from Europe and across America. With highlights from the Jazz Foundation of America's Tribute to Ray Charles, a segment of down-home blues from a Delta juke joint and gospel-tinged groove from the brand new Jazz at Lincoln Center, 2005 gets off to a swingin' start.
5:00 pm EST - A look back at the jazz of 2004 and a special preview of Toast of the Nation
5:30 - Live from Paris: The Olivier Témime Lombards All Stars
In association with Le Jazz Club and Radio France, NPR rings in the New Year Parisian style. Saxophonist Olivier Témimes band includes trumpeter Stéphane Belmondo, whose recent CD Wonderland celebrates Stevie Wonder. NPR's Lisa Simeone and Claude Carriere of Radio France host.
7:00 - Live from Boston: The Donald Harrison Quintet at the Berklee College of Music -- in association with WGBH Radio, Boston
The Sox won the World Series, and the party still hasn't stopped! New Orleans alto saxophonist Donald Harrison and trumpeter Christian Scott play an hour of swinging jazz and Crescent City funk from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. WGBH's Eric Jackson hosts.
8:00 - From the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.: A Tribute to Shirley Horn: 'The Music Never Ends'
An all-star lineup of jazz singers pays homage to Washington native Shirley Horn, the grande dame of velvet vocals and swinging piano. Horn sings, and is serenaded by such admirers as Regina Carter, Buck Hill, Kenny Barron, Sheila Jordan, Kevin Mahogany and Lizz Wright. Gary Walker and Rhonda Hamilton of WBGO and Bonnie Grice of WLIU host the tribute.
10:00 - From New York: 'A Great Night in Harlem: The Apollo Theatre Tribute to Ray Charles'
Ray Charles is remembered in a memorial concert sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America. Bonnie Grice and Gary Walker host the special, featuring an all-star lineup of artists and spoken tributes from Quincy Jones and Ray director Taylor Hackford.
11:00 - Live from New York: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends at the New Jazz at Lincoln Center
Pianist Cyrus Chestnut and special guests celebrate the New Year in the friendly confines of Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, one of the new performance spaces at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Michael Bourne of WBGO hosts.
12:15 am - Live from Clarksdale, Miss.: New Year's Eve House Party at the Ground Zero Blues Club
The Jimbo Mathus Knockdown Society and special guests welcome 2005 in a genuine Delta juke joint. Actor Morgan Freeman, co-owner of the Ground Zero Blues Club, is slated to be on hand for the celebration of Mississippi blues. Richard Steele of WBEZ hosts.
1:15 - Live from Denver: Latin Giants of Jazz with Special Guest Eddie Palmieri - in association with KUVO, Jazz 89
The former Tito Puente Orchestra mambos and cha chas its way into the New Year, playing music by Latin jazz masters Machito, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Rodriguez. KUVO's Carlos Lando hosts.
2:15 - Live from Yoshi's in Oakland, Calif.: Joshua Redman Elastic Trio with Sam Yahel, Organ, and Brian Blade, Drums -- in association with KCSM
Stretching the sound of the traditional jazz organ trio, the Elastic Trio calls to mind Weather Report, James Brown and John McLaughlin. They perform groove-based electric jazz for a California midnight.
3:30 – Encore: Live from Paris
5:00 – Encore: A Great Night in Harlem
6:00 – Go to Bed!
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