Jazz Appreciation Month on Rocky Mountain PBS

Tune in to Rocky Mountain PBS and catch all the Jazz Appreciation Month Shows!

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

10:00 pm - We Knew What We Had: The Greatest Jazz Story Never Told —  The unrecognized history of jazz in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The hour-long documentary features the talents of international jazz legends George Benson, Ahmad Jamal, Stanley Turrentine, Billy Eckstine, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, Billy Strayhorn and Mary Lou Williams—all Pittsburghers. Using archival footage and photos, it also sheds light on the social conditions and historical events that conspired to make Pittsburgh one of the world's leading contributors to the legacy of jazz music.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

7:00 pm – Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time - *Local/Independent Programming* —  Millions of people love the music of Dave Grusin but may not know his name. Discover Grusin's journey from Colorado cowboy to Oscar and Grammy winning composer. Packed with archival images and concert footage, the film also shares intimate interviews with Quincy Jones, Tom Brokaw, Michael Keaton, Tommy Lipuma, Marcus Miller, and many others.

8:30 pm – Dr. Eddie Henderson: Uncommon Genius — The remarkable life story of renowned African American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player Eddie Henderson. Eddie's curiosity and need for exploration led him down many career paths, including figure skating and medicine and music.

9:00 pm – Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes — Explore the life and career of jazz luminary Ron Carter, the most recorded bassist in history. Featuring original concert footage and candid insights from jazz icons, Finding the Right Notes is a vibrant portrait of the artist in his own words.

Friday, April 4, 2025

10:00 pm – Wes Montgomery: A Celebration Concert — Celebrate one of the greatest and most influential jazz guitarists of all time in a new concert special. The film honors the centennial of the Hoosier-born artist whose guitar sounds defined a generation of jazz music and left a lasting global musical legacy. During his career, Montgomery won two Grammy Awards and was named "Jazz Man of the Year" by Record World in 1967. He played alongside many of the greatest names in music, including Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Quincy Jones, and fellow Hoosier Freddie Hubbard. His sound is defined by the iconic way he would play his guitar using the direct touch of his thumb on the strings, producing a softer, more melodic tone. Recorded before a live audience in the WTIU studio, the concert features the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor Brent Wallarab, and a performance by the celebrated jazz trio of guitarist Dave Stryker, organist Bobby Floyd, and drummer Sean Dobbins. The film reveals the genius of Montgomery through both his music and interviews with the performers.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

10:00 am – Wham Re-Bop-Boom Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham — Eddie Durham heard music differently, and he played it differently, too. Carrying rural southwestern blues influences with him from his hometown of San Marcos, Texas, Eddie became a leading architect of the Kansas City swing jazz sound in the 1920s and '30s. As a trombonist, guitarist, writer and arranger, he helped to author the signature sounds of Count Basie, Benny Moten, Jimmie Lunceford and Glenn Miller, while his pioneering work with amplified and electric guitars paved the way for today's rock 'n roll. Through interviews with family, friends and devoted fellow musicians of all ages, WHAM RE-BOP-BOOM-BAM: THE SWING JAZZ OF EDDIE DURHAM follows the musical journey of this often overlooked, but totally unique, musical genius.

Monday, April 7, 2025

9:00 pm - American Masters – The Disappearance of Miss Scott — Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil rights pioneer, Scott faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. Monday, April 7, 2025

10:30 pm – American Masters – Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes — Explore the extraordinary life and musical career of the legendary drummer, composer and social activist. The film follows Roach's career and personal struggles and triumphs, across a series of masterful musical innovations and artistic reinventions. His creativity and unshakable sense of mission kept him at the forefront of music and activism across seven decades--from the era of the Jim Crow south, to the Civil Rights years... from the heady days of post-war modern jazz, to the hip hop-era and beyond.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

8:00 pm – Independent Lens – We Want the Funk – Premiere (*Pledge) — Acclaimed director Stanley Nelson's syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, from the early roots to 1970s urban funk and beyond. Nelson is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, MacArthur Fellow, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. President Obama awarded him the National Humanities Medal, Nelson has directed and produced numerous films, including Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and Jonestown: The Life and Death of People's Temple. -April 9

10:00 pm – Earth, Wind and Fire: iHeart Radio Live (*Pledge) — The iconic group will perform fan favorites from over the course of their incredible career.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

2:00 pm - Independent Lens – We Want The Funk (*Pledge) — Acclaimed director Stanley Nelson's syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, from the early roots to 1970s urban funk and beyond. Nelson is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, MacArthur Fellow, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. President Obama awarded him the National Humanities Medal, Nelson has directed and produced numerous films, including Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and Jonestown: The Life and Death of People's Temple. -April 9

Thursday, April 10, 2025

7:00 pm – Jazztown *Local/Independent Programming* — JazzTown is a tribute to Denver jazz musicians by one of their own, drummer Ben Makinen. Performances and interviews with local musicians such as Charles Burrell and Ellyn Rucker. Tune in to hear what makes Denver JazzTown.

8:00 pm – The Longest Walk — *Local/Independent Programming* Premiere — Charles Burrell has played at the highest level in both jazz and classical music genres. Charlie helped to form the cultural identity of Denver, despite the politics in play, some of which adversely affected Charlie as a man of color. He remarkably rose above it all through his grace, intellect, and incomparable music.

10:00 pm – Wes Bound: The Genius of Wes Montgomery — A documentary tracing the life and career of legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Told intimately through his son Robert's own journey of discovery, the program explores Wes' early years in Indiana, his rise to fame with the Lionel Hampton Big Band, his notable solo career, and his tragic death at age 45. The film features numerous rarely-seen performances, as well as interviews with music historians from across the country and guitar luminaries such as Pat Metheny and Slash.

Friday, April 11, 2025

10:00 pm – Next at the Kennedy Center – Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet: Deep River — Alonzo King LINES Ballet performs the elegant piece Deep River in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran. Founder and choreographer Alonzo King invites audiences to look at human beings as the pinnacle of creation in this deeply soulful work. The San-Francisco-based, celebrated contemporary dance company is recognized for its impeccable technique, captivating dancers, and rich visual works that challenge the way we look at ballet.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

10:00 am – The Blackfire Documentary — This documentary uncovers Washington, DC’s music and cultural heritage by highlighting the music, message, and art of the people behind Black Fire Records — a Black-owned independent jazz record label started in Chocolate City, aka the nation’s capital in the 1970s.

Friday, April 18, 2025

9:00 pm - Next at the Kennedy Center – Continuum: Jason Moran and Christian McBride — Music icons Jason Moran and Christian McBride collaborate for an electrifying jazz performance at the Kennedy Center. They share stories about their legendary teachers and introduce us to their remarkable proteges.

10:00 pm - Next at the Kennedy Center – Joshua Redman: Where We Are — Renowned jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman takes the stage at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater for a mesmerizing performance of his Blue Note Records debut album, where are we. Joining forces with soulful vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa, the artists take on music from Rodgers & Hart to Springsteen, all interpreted with the improvisational brilliance and melodic invention that is a hallmark of Redman's artistry -- and of this all-star ensemble featuring Aaron Parks (piano), Joe Sanders (bass), and Brian Blade (drums).

Friday, April 25, 2025

9:00 pm – International Jazz Day from Morocco – Premiere — "International Jazz Day from Morocco" sees jazz and blues stars from around the globe come together to celebrate the unifying power of music. International Jazz Day is the one day each year on which jazz is celebrated worldwide, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities in more than 190 countries. This inspiring program showcases some of today's finest artists proclaiming the positive message of America's greatest cultural gift to the world, featuring performances by Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Femi Kuti, Shemekia Copeland, Kurt Elling, Mandisi Dyantyis, Melody Gardot, Marcus Miller, Richard Bona and many more!

10:00 pm – Bird: Not Out of Nowhere — As the world celebrates the centennial of Charlie "Bird" Parker's birth, this film looks back at the twenty-one years Charlie “Bird” Parker spent at home in Kansas City and on his long-lasting impression on Kansas City Jazz.