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Jazz Unlimited
jazz@stlpublicradio.
org Dennis Owsley has been hosting a weekly radio show on St. Louis Public Radio 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 four out of the past five years.
Please email jazz@stlpublicradio.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 featured during March and April will be: George Adams, Bix Beiderbecke, Michael Brecker, Harry Carney, Paul Chambers, Nat "King" Cole, George Coleman, Ornette Coleman, Larry Coryell, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Griffin, Lionel Hampton, Slide Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Billie Holiday, Thad Jones, Scott LaFaro, Charles Lloyd, Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, Marian McPartland, Carmen McRae, Gerry Mulligan, Red Norvo, Pee Wee Russell, Charles Tolliver, Lennie Tristano, Sarah Vaughan and Randy Weston.
March 7: The Norman Granz Labels-Part 2 (Three Hours)
Entrepreneur-Promoter Norman Granz founded the Clef, Norgran, Down Home, Verve and Pablo record labels. These labels recorded mainstream jazz artists from 1944 through the mid-1980's. After Granz sold Verve, the label has become a powerhouse, recording many styles of jazz. Artists such as Joe Williams, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie and Wayne Shorter will be featured.
Due to music rights issues, to play these files you'll need Windows Media Player.
Hour 1: 
56K Modem | DSL/Cable
Hour 2: 56K Modem | DSL/Cable
Hour 3: 56K Modem | DSL/Cable
View the current playlist (pdf)
March 14: Swiss Radio Days (three hours)
Swiss Radio recorded many jazz concerts from the late 1940's through the 1980's. The performers included Don Redman, Buck Clayton, Art Blakey and Woody Shaw, among others.
March 21: Jazz Artists of History: Major Birthdays (first two hours)
Benny Powell (80), Ralph Towner (70), Wes Montgomery (85), George Coleman (75), Ornette Coleman (80), Blue Mitchell (80), Tommy Flanagan (80), Paul Horn (80), Marian McPartland (90), Paul Whiteman (120)
March 28: Keys and Strings Hour (First Hour):
The quieter side of jazz will feature Nat "King" Cole, Herbie Hancock, Scott LaFaro, Wes Montgomery, Marian McPartland and Lennie Tristano.
April 4: The Norman Granz Labels-Part 3 (Three Hours)
Entrepreneur-Promoter Norman Granz founded the Clef, Norgran, Down Home, Verve and Pablo record labels. These labels recorded mainstream jazz artists from 1944 through the mid-1980's. After Granz sold Verve, the label has become a powerhouse, recording many styles of jazz. Artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Bryant, Michael Brecker, Kenny Burrell, Benny Carter, Roy Eldridge and Billie Holiday will be featured.
April 11: Jazz Artists of History: Major Birthdays (First Two Hours)
Harry Carney (100), Duke Jordan (80), Gene Ramey (95), Billie Holiday (95), Herbie Hancock (70), Gene Ammons (65), Gil Fuller (90), Richard Davis (80), Bernard Addison (105), Herbie Mann (80), Leo Parker (85), Sonny Berman (85), Paul Chambers (75), Jimmie Noone (115), George Adams (70)
April 18: The Compositions of Duke Ellington (Three Hours)
Duke Ellington was one of the great composers of the 20th century. His work lives on by continual performances and recordings by many jazz artists. We will hear a small part of his accomplishments as we begin our 28th year of broadcasting jazz on KWMU.
April 25: Keys and Strings Hour (First Hour)
The quieter side of jazz will feature Duke Ellington's compositions played by the maestro himself, Red Norvo with Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, Carmen McRae with Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan and Randy Weston.
Listen to Dennis' Jazz St. Louis podcast about Blue Note Records.
Jazz Events
From the St. Louis Public Radio 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.
