Music

Brooklyn, N.Y., is the current home of John Ellis — raised in North Carolina and once a student in New Orleans — and Darcy James Argue, from Canada and once a student in Boston. They're both on the main stage at the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival.

Guy Clark was born in Texas and moved to California as a young man before relocating to Nashville in 1971. He stepped into the spotlight in the early '70s with songs like "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a Train," both recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker.

Tonight on Galactic Travels, the month-long focus on Modulator ESP continues.  The Featured CD at Midnight will be the self-released title "Into the Matrix."  You'll also hear music by an artist appearing at the Soundscapes Concert Series on Sunday, December 2, 8:00 pm at the Nazareth Center for the Arts.

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

There's something about Johann Sebastian Bach's music that nourishes musicians. Pianist Andras Schiff and cellist Yo-Yo Ma have said that they play Bach almost every day — like having breakfast, it seems essential for them.

Chihiro Yamanaka is big in Japan — of course, it helps that the pianist was born and grew up there. Now, she's based in New York City and making strides in the stateside jazz world. Her 2012 album Reminiscence features two trios: one is her working band, while the other features special guests Larry Grenadier (bass) and session artist Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums). An imaginative virtuoso on the piano bench, she's enjoyed a recent itinerary which has seen her play in many of the East Coast's most prominent jazz clubs and concert halls.