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Jazz Unlimited
jazz@kwmu.org Dennis Owsley has been hosting a weekly radio show on KWMU since 1983. He has been a jazz album collector, aficionado and historian since 1958 and has seen most of the major artists in jazz in live performance.
Owsley wrote an award-winning book, City of Gabriels—The Jazz History of St. Louis 1895-1973.
Nearly all the music heard on Jazz Unlimited is from Owsley's personal collection. He is gaining an international reputation as a photographer of jazz musicians as well.
Jazz Unlimited won the Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis Award in the "Best Jazz Show" category three years in a row.
Please email jazz[at]kwmu.org with your suggestions, requests or comments.
For more on Owsley or to view past Jazz Unlimited playlists, visit Owsley's website.
Jazz Unlimited is a unique weekly radio show covering the continuum of jazz from Louis Armstrong to Lester Bowie. Each show is scripted and is based on a theme to provide the broadest coverage of the music.
Jazz Giants for May and June, 2008 will be: Sidney Bechet, Betty Carter, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Gil Evans, Red Garland, Erroll Garner, Benny Goodman, Grant Green, Woody Herman, Bill Holman, Keith Jarrett, John Lewis, Mel Lewis, Jackie McLean, Shelly Manne, Joe "King" Oliver, Sun Ra, Freddie Redd, Bud Shank, Frank Trumbauer, Thomas "Fats" Waller and Mary Lou Williams
May 11: Jazzman of History: Jackie McLean (Three Hours)
This encore presentation of Jazz Unlimited presents Jackie McLean's raw, urgent alto sax sound that was heard in jazz from 1951 to his death in 2006. McLean was also a noted jazz educator, teaching at the University of Hartford for many years.
Due to music rights issues, to play these files you'll need Windows Media Player.
56K Modem May 18: The Jo Jones Drum Lessons (Three Hours)
Drummer Jo Jones tried to give lessons on drum playing by doing them on records. In addition to his drum discussions, he taught much about life in these lessons. We will hear music from his career along with the drum lesson records in this encore presentation.
May 25: Keys and Strings Hour (First Hour)
The quieter side of jazz will present pianists Chick Corea, Red Garland, John Lewis, Keith Jarrett, Fats Waller, and Mary Lou Williams in this encore presentation.
June 1: Oliver Nelson Arrangements for Big Band (First Two Hours)
St. Louisan Oliver Nelson came up through the Jeter-Pillars and Eddie Randle bands. He became one of the foremost arranger-composers in jazz in the late 1950's and early 1960's before moving on to film and TV scoring in Hollywood.
June 8: Jazzman of History: William "Red" Garland (First Two Hours)
Jazz Unlimited begins new shows with a salute to pianist "Red" Garland, who played such an integral part in many Miles Davis and John Coltrane recordings in the 1950's. His unique blocl-chord style and chord substitutions make him a major player.
June 15: The Birthdays of Bob Gordon (80), Eric Dolphy (80) and Elmo Hope (85) (Three Hours)
St. Louis born Bob Gordon, Los Angeles born Eric Dolphy and New York born Elmo Hope were all important parts of the West Coast jazz Scene in the 1950's. We will present their music in tribute to their birthdays.
June 22: Keys and Strings Hour (First Hour), Big Band Birthdays: Woody Herman (95), Andy Kirk (110) and Carla Bley (70)
The quieter side of jazz will present Betty Carter, Erroll Garner, Grant Green, Shelley Manne, Sun Ra and Freddie Redd, while the second and third hours will feature big bands led by Andy Kirk, Woody Herman and Carla Bley.
June 29: Giants of Jazz for Many and June (Three Hours)
Throughout its history, certain key players have heavily influenced the course of jazz. This Sunday on Jazz Unlimited our show will feature the Jazz Giants for May and June.
Jazz Events
From the KWMU Events page, browse through all of the area's best jazz and blues events. You may also submit your favorite events to share with our listeners.
Photo Gallery
Browse through a large photo collection of jazz artists. All photos were taken by Dennis Owsley.
For more on Dennis and to view past Jazz Unlimited playlists visit Dennis Owsley's website.
