Programs

Wake up each morning to a fresh and exciting mix of swing, blues, Latin and world jazz music, plus the latest news and information from National Public Radio on the hour. Go on a musical tour through the exciting world of today's jazz.

Against The Grain features a wide variety of music reminiscent of the days when fm radio wasn't categorized - classic folk, contemporary folk, folk-rock, bluegrass, classic country, alt-country and roots rock, from old favorites to brand new releases by local and international artists. "From Roy Acuff to Warren Zevon, you'll hear it all on Against The Grain with Nick DiBiasio"

Host Dick Robinson plays all American Standards every Saturday morning from 6 - 8 a.m.

Big band music is the focus of this incredible 2-hour program on Saturday mornings. Host Howard Caplan, presents material from the classic big bands of the 1930's and 1940's to today's contemporary ensembles. The orchestra's of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis are just some of the bands you'll hear on the Big Band Brunch.

That "High Lonesome Sound" floats through the air of central New England every Tuesday evening from 7-11 p.m. Banjos ring & mandolins sing as this high energy music takes us back to days when the radio was the center of family entertainment. From Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys or Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs & the Foggy Mountain Boys, right up to today's hot pickers like Alison Krauss & Rickie Skaggs; Bluegrass Junction is the place where the music is the star.

The Folk Revival features the “folk of the folk renaissance” from the second half of the last century right through into the millennium. Focusing on the folk boom of the 1950s and the 1960s, this four hour show will also visit recordings from both before and well after that period,  highlighting folk music as a living and ever-changing tradition, connecting listeners and music through an eclectic mix of traditional songs, topical and  protest music, singer-songwriter creations, the blues, folk rock, and more. The Folk Revival takes listeners on a journey through our musical roots, from Lomax to the latest. Themed shows are particular favorites (traditional songs, old songs by new artists, folk love songs, folk songs of the Spirit, a history of folk groups, humorous/satirical folk songs, protest songs, Top 40 folk, western songs, women of the Folk Revival, etc.). Do you want to suggest a theme? Request a song? Talk about the music? React to the show? Correct the host (nicely, of course)? Share and/or find out more about the folk music tradition? Feel free to contact the host: nicknoble@wicn.org.

On Inquiry, we'll bring you thought-provoking, informative, and often wild discussions with some of the most interesting people in art, history, science, medicine, and more. You'll hear everything from Magellan to Mars landings, from Cole Porter to punk rock aerobics, from comics to the Venus de Milo - always expect something different on Inquiry.

Bluesy jazz or jazzy blues? How do you tell where jazz ends and the blues begin? What is that grey area in between jazz and blues? Sophisticated blues mixed with down home jazz makes for one distinctly American musical dish. The beat is relentless, yet relaxed. The melody can be simple or complex, the harmony straightforward, yet subtle. We don’t know what to call it, but we know we like it and you will too. Join Michelle Willson every Saturday from 4-6pm as she features great artists, songs and interesting tidbits from the 1930’s through the present day - music full of cool passion, hot rhythm, humor, and swinging jazz n’ blues. Get your Saturday night started right!

Jazz At Lincoln Center showcases exclusive live concerts from America's premier jazz performance series and features special guests and intimate duets. The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra concerts are organized by the legendary Wynton Marsalis who also acts as host of the radio program. The Peabody Award-winning Jazz At Lincoln Center presents old favorites and introduces new faces and sounds to the airwaves. Guests have included James Moody, Nicholas Payton, Jon Faddis, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander and Clark Terry.

When the world thinks of New England, it's usually fabulous fall colors and quaint colonial villages that come to mind. But to us here at WICN, New England is JAZZ. The area has produced and is home to literally hundreds of world-class players. There are legends like Carol Sloane, Scott Hamilton and Herb Pomeroy. There are also rising stars like Dino Govoni, Cassandre McKinley and Andy Ezrin. How about transplants like Kevin Mahogany or Marshall Wood? And we haven't even mentioned the first-rate players who are teaching the next generation of jazz musicians at places like Berklee. As you can see, we're crazy about the jazz talent in New England. That's why we've created a very special program called Jazz New England. You'll hear lots of music from regional artists, conversations about the music, and you'll find out where you can see this wealth of talent in performance.

Jazz Profiles is NPR's award-winning documentary series, featuring the people, places and events in jazz. Vocalist Nancy Wilson hosts this unique program that documents the careers of living jazz masters, through their own voices. The stories they have to tell - of their struggle, individuality and freedom - reflect much of the joy and spirit of America itself.

Classic Jazz of the ‘20s, ‘30s, and 40’s in vintage and new stereo recordings. Host Dave Radlauer provides compelling insights into the music, bringing alive the unique personalities, culture and lore of jazz. The show is filled with thoughtful and entertaining presentations to delight and charm whether you are just learning about jazz and swing or are a dedicated "moldy fig". Occasionally, guest host celebrities, authors and musicians stop by to present jazz biographies told in music or rare interview clips. Meaningful chapters of American cultural history are revealed in the emergence of jazz from unique settings: • New Orleans c. 1900 • Harlem in the ‘20s • Kansas City in the ‘30s • San Francisco’s traditional jazz revival of the ‘40s and ‘50s

Here's a cure for the ordinary as Jazz Rocks presents a "theater in the mind" that engages the audience with hidden gems that include post-bop, avant-garde, classic and big band styles. Come with us to the edges of improvisation!

Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Jeff Fox plays a comfortable mix of classic jazz alongside today's artists. You'll hear everyone from Miles Davis and Chet Baker up to today's stars like Dianna Krall and Russell Malone.

NOTE: The Playlists for the show  are not available due to a server failure on their web site.

Find Jeff's Playlists Here 

NPR's JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater is the jazz lover's ears and eyes on the world of live music. It presents today's best jazz artists in performance on stages around the world, taking listeners to Puerto Rico and Cuba, as well as Marciac in the French countryside and across the North American continent from Montreal to Monterey. Some of the artists appearing on the JazzSet stage include Herbie Hancock, Joshua Redman, Nicholas Payton, Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Shirley Horn and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, whose concerts air exclusively on the program.

JazzWorks offers a complete program for any jazz fan. It serves up a delightful mix of new releases and classic jazz from new artists and the established masters of this truly American treasure.

Veteran radio host Jaime Flores takes you on a wild ride through the intoxicating sounds of Latin Jazz. Dance and party the night away to music from Poncho Sanchez, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Tito Puente and more.

For over 20 years, host Marian McPartland has introduced listeners to some of the best jazz musicians and performers in the world through her weekly, hour-long oasis of music and conversation. Her gift of perfect pitch and improvisational savvy makes her an ideal host to showcase a wide variety of jazz styles--everything from bebop to Latin jazz. McPartland's devotion to jazz sets her Peabody Award-winning program apart. To listeners of Piano Jazz, her trademark raspy voice and English accent signal yet another hour of unforgettable keyboard and conversation magic.

Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli is radio that is indeed deluxe. Every weekend John and his wife and co-host, singer Jessica Molaskey, play music and entertain guests in their "deluxe living room." The stories, the laughs, the artists and their songs make the party a must for listeners week after week. John and Jessie know everybody in the business, and most all of them eventually drop by for a visit. The Los Angeles Times calls Radio Deluxe "a radio show that combines the retro feel of a 1940s living room broadcast with a boomer's passion for the Great American Songbook..."

The Blues is heard every Saturday night from 7:00 - 11:00 on The Saturday Night Fish Fry with Norm Rosen. Saturday is a night where anything can happen, and he'll provide your soundtrack with Jump Blues, Boogie, and hard rocking blues-rock from contemporary artists. Expect the unexpected, the occasional interview, as well as live Blues from our studios. But count on each week to become a regular habit.

Tune in every Monday night to listen to the best in current and vintage soul music. Enjoy the classic sounds of Motown, the gritty sounds of Stax and the sweet sounds of Philly soul mixed in with a touch of gospel, jazz, blues and even country!! Soul music is an American original, songs that sing of love, hate, church and family. It’s about a time, a place and most certainly, a dance. Soul Serenade will feature the favorites, the one-hit wonders and songs you’ve forgotten. We’ll focus on the stories of lost soul legends and legends to be. From Sam Cooke to Solomon Burke, Isaac Hayes to the Temptations and James Brown to Ray Charles, let an evening of intense vocals, driving horns and great rhythm section grooves start your week.

Sunday mornings are special at WICN. That's when you can hear the latest in contemporary, straight-ahead, and Brazilian jazz. Explore the lighter side of jazz with artists like Jane Monheit, Claudio Roditi and others.

An in-depth interview show that highlights the world of Central New England's business and economic-development leaders. Learn about their successes and failures as well as their hopes and dreams.

What better way to wind down from a hard day at work or relax on a weekend afternoon than with The Jazz Matinee. Explore all the great jazz standards along with the very best of the American Songbook. You'll hear music from legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, and Stan Getz as well as today's local and national stars.

Featuring Joe Zupan Monday through Thursday

Ed Gardella on Fridays

Joe Slezik on Saturdays

and Al Dean on Sundays

We've got our eye on it, The Public Eye that is. From same-sex marriage to the scandal that rocked the Catholic Church, you'll hear in-depth discussions on these and other controversial issues.

Can’t get enough of Ella, Sinatra, Armstrong and Basie? On The Saturday Swing Session, we can’t either! Start your weekend off right, with all of your favorite swing artists, together again for two solid hours of hot rhythms and cool sounds. From the great Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller, to legendary crooners like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, to today’s stars like Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall and Michael Bublé, host Howard Caplan brings you the best of both yesterday’s and today’s swing and jazz standards. You’ll have a “swinging good” time!

A unique and rare program featuring new age, acoustic, ambient and world music. Get ready for a fantastic voyage into the realms of the new age scene combined with award winning solo pianists, flamenco guitarists, and the melodic sounds of rich ambient music. From new age artists like 2002, Secret Garden, Kitaro, and David Arkenstone, to the world beat sounds of artists like Derek Bell and Esperanza. Don't miss this relaxing blend of harmony and rhythms, a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening. There's no place like Tonal Vision.