Jazz Library

Alyn Shipton talks to gifted South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim about the highlights in his recorded catalogue. Ibrahim discusses discs from the apartheid era, when he was both an exile and, on a brief return home, the creator of the freedom anthem Mannenberg, as well as his international work as a solo pianist, bandleader and composer.

Alyn Shipton presents a special tribute edition of Jazz Library devoted to Oscar Peterson, who died in December 2007 and is regarded as one of the greatest jazz pianists. The programme not only suggests the essential Peterson CDs, but also calls on the help of the man himself, with an extended interview recorded in 2000.

Django ReinhardtThe first European jazz musician to make a significant impact on the world stage, guitarist Django Reinhardt's effect was felt throughout jazz.John Etheridge, leader of the Django tribute band Sweet Chorus, joins Alyn Shipton to select the finest recordings by the gipsy genius. From the Hot Club Quintet of France to Reinhardt's solo waltzes, and from his later electric guitar triumphs such as Nuages to his wartime big band discs, this covers all the essential Reinhardt recordings for any jazz collection.

Cab CallowayChristmas Day marks the centenary of one of the most outsize talents in jazz, the Hi-de-Ho man himself, Cab Calloway.To select from such recorded gems by Cab as Minnie the Moocher, St Louis Blues and Nagasaki, Alyn Shipton is joined by the singer's grandson Calloway Brooks, who leads the present day Calloway Orchestra and has an encyclopedic knowledge of his grandfather's work.

Alyn Shipton concludes his conversation with the great Sonny Rollins, and brings his survey of the saxophonist's recorded output up-to-date.The programme includes excerpts from Rollins' latest album Sonny Please, and looks back at his work from the time of his 1950s political protest, by way of his score for the Michael Caine film Alfie, and his long association with the Milestone record label, which produced some of his most memorable albums.

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.

Widely regarded as one of the great innovaters in Jazz Piano, Andrew Hill passed away in April of 2007. To celebrate his life Alyn Shipton and Trumpeter Bryon Wallen, who worked regularly with Hill, select highlights from the pianist's recorded catalogue.

Trumpeter Art Farmer was one of the most lyrical and inventive players in jazz. Alyn Shipton is joined by Ian Smith (who met and interviewed Farmer) to select his finest recordings, which include his work with Gerry Mulligan, Horace Silver and Hank Mobley, as well as the many famous albums he made under his own name such as 'Farmer's Market'.

Singer Christine Tobin guides Alyn Shipton through the best work from Billie Holiday's early and late career. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest singers in jazz history, Billie Holiday's short life produced a remarkable recorded legacy, in which anguish blended with ecstasy as she sang of unrequited love. Her voice changed with age and hard living, and among the highlights are Good Morning Heartache, My Man and the emotional wasteland of Strange Fruit, a song about a Southern lynching.

In this Jazz Library podcast, Alyn Shipton is joined by saxophonist Soweto Kinch to assess the legacy of the highly influential and innovative saxophonist, John Coltrane and select the most essential Coltrane recordings – from acclaimed albums such as Blue Train and Giant Steps to some of his lesser-known works.

Pat Metheny joins Alyn Shipton for this Jazz Library podcast. One of the most technically skilled jazz guitarists ever to record, he helps Alyn to select some of the highlights of his work not only in his own groups, but also with Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Jim Hall and many other great names of jazz.

Pianist and bandleader Chick Corea himself guides Alyn Shipton through some of his finest recordings. Few musicians in jazz have the extraordinary stylistic range of Chick Corea. His work ranges from acoustic bebop to rock fusion, from free jazz to the classic Miles Davis Quintet, as well as his own groundbreaking ensembles Return to Forever and the Elektric Band.

Alyn Shipton is joined by Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval to choose key recordings in Cuban Jazz including music from Dizzy Gillespie, Machito, Cubanismo and Sandoval himself.