Jazz Interpets Classic Motown with Claire Daly

By Gary Walker

Published March 17, 2017 at 10:49 AM EDT

Claire Daly's creative baritone saxophone and flute playing have taken her from a place in Diva, the all-female Big Band, to her own projects — including tributes to Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stevie Wonder and Thelonious Monk. Her new album, 2648 West Grand Boulevard, is named after the address of Hitsville in Detroit, where Berry Gordy and company made Motown music for the ages.

Claire recently stopped by Morning Jazz to talk with Gary Walker, giving listeners an idea of why she chose to do jazz interpretations of classic Motown 45s. She'll play an album-release gig on Tuesday night at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in New York.

Daybreak

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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