Music

'That's What's Up!' by The Heavy Hitters featured on WBGO's New Day New Play Dec 23-27

WBGO | By Gary Walker

Published December 21, 2024 at 5:01 AM EST

If you've ever been to Smoke Jazz Club in New York you already know what's up with the Heavy Hitters, a blue chip ensemble featuring pianist Mike LeDonne, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, Alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, bassist Alexander Claffy and drummer Kenny Washington. Here, the sextet is captured live at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver, showing just how deep into the groove six like-minded master musicians can take us.

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Gary Walker

In jazz radio, great announcers are distinguished by their ability to convey the spontaneity and passion of the music. Gary Walker is such an announcer, and his enthusiasm for this music greets WBGO listeners every morning on Daybreak. He's the winner of the 1996 Gavin Magazine Jazz Radio Personality of the Year Award and the recipient of the 2021 Marian McPartland-Willis Conover Award for Career Achievement in Broadcasting from the Jazz Journalists Association. Gary hosts the morning show each weekday from 8am til noon. And, by his own admission, he's truly having a great time.

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