This week’s edition of Timeless Jazz moves fluidly between reflection, swing, and modern conversation, anchored by a subtle Miles Davis centennial thread and a deep appreciation for jazz lineage. Host Ken Dryden opens with intimate duo settings from Jiggs Whigham & Gene Bertoncini and John Coates & Eric Doney before shifting into contemporary textures from Brian Landrus and the adventurous Turtle Island Quartet.

The program’s emotional center arrives with Helen Sung’s “Positively C.T.” — a warm tribute to the late Clark Terry — followed by Miles Davis’ iconic “So What” from the historic 1960 Amsterdam concerts. Hour two expands the conversation through bebop, Ellingtonia, and lyrical modernism, with standout performances from Jaki Byard, Bobby Broom, Eliot Zigmund, and Michel Camilo.

Feature highlights include tributes to Clark Terry, a nod to Charlie Parker through Birdology, and a closing burst of virtuosity from Camilo’s explosive live Blue Note performance. Throughout, Dryden balances classic recordings with lesser-heard gems, creating

~Ken Dryden

• WUTC-FM / NPR 88.1

This week’s Timeless Jazz traces a wide arc across the jazz tradition, pairing classic repertoire with modern reflections and deep ensemble interplay. Host Ken Dryden opens with the driving swing of The Capp/Pierce Juggernaut and moves through elegant standards like “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “Whisper Not,” highlighting the enduring language of melody and improvisation.

The program also nods to the Miles Davis centennial through Gregory Hutchinson’s Kind of Now, connecting past influence with present-day interpretation. From the lyricism of “Chelsea Bridge” to the bebop energy of “Yardbird Suite,” Hour 1 balances structure and spontaneity, anchored by historic performances such as Gerry Mulligan’s Newport set.

Hour 2 deepens the conversation with live energy and alto summit brilliance, featuring Oscar Peterson and a multi-saxophone gathering of Lee Konitz, Pony Poindexter, Phil Woods, and Leo Wright. The set moves fluidly between intimate trio work, blues-inflected grooves, and contemporary compositions, including standout tracks by Jed Levy, Caleb Wheeler Curtis, and Carlos Henriquez’s Monk Con Clave.

As always, Timeless Jazz lives up to its name—bridging generations, styles, and sensibilities, offering a listening experience rooted in tradition while open to new voices.