When it comes to Jazz music, the city of Chicago has a lot to be proud of. Much of the history of Jazz music is rooted here in the windy city. When it comes to Jazz music stations, Chicago listeners will have high expectations. WNUA works to meet those expectations and offer much more. 95.5 FM plays all of the Jazz greats as well as the up and coming Jazz artists of today. They play a great mix of Jazz classics as well as the softer sounds of today’s light Jazz. Whatever your tastes in Jazz music may be, you find something pleasing to your ear on 95.5 WNUA FM.
Chicago morning commutes can be some of the worst in the country. For those of you that are early risers there is the Ramsey Lewis morning show. From 6 am to 10 am you’ll have an all jazz experience guaranteed to start your day of right. For those of you who are late to bed, there is lights out Chicago with Annie Ash. After a long day at work or wherever, this is the perfect way to unwind and relax before it starts all over again.
For the very best in Jazz music news you should definitely stay tuned. If there is a major Jazz concert happening or a music event at the many fine jazz clubs in the area, you will hear about it first in 95.5 WNUA FM.
For the very best variety, choice and jazz music for the area keep your dial firmly at 95.5 FM. WNUA plays the best in Jazz of all the Chicago radio stations. Get your day off to a great start and keep the momentum flowing with the help of 95.5 FM. With all it has to offer it is no wonder, Chicago’s choice is WNUA 95.5 FM.
By: Danae Martin
Jazz piano has been a part of jazz since its beginnings. Piano is one of the rare instruments in a jazz combo which can play chords, unlike saxophone or trumpet which can only play single notes. The early jazz piano was mainly stride. Stride is also known as New York ragtime is a pioneering jazz piano style. It was developed in Harlem during the World war one. As you can see from the name (New York ragtime) it was influenced by ragtime but it featured improvisations, blue notes and swing rhythms which were new in this type of music.
The great performers of that time were Earl Hines, James P. Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Willie “The Lion” Smith , Art Tatum, Thomas “Fats” Waller, Mary Lou Williams, Teddy Wilson and many others who often attended cutting contests (battles between stride piano players in the early 1920s) where they showed of their skills.
It continued to develop specially during the 50s and 60s with pianists like Red Garland and McCoy Tyner. In that time one of the most widely spread types of jazz called Free Jazz was becoming more and more popular. Some great works of art still reminds us of that time which surely was a gold age of jazz existence. The beginnings of free jazz can be set with recordings of Ornette Coleman for Contemporary and with the Jazz Advance and Looking Ahead, two great albums by Cecil Taylor.
Today jazz piano is still popular among many pianists just to mention few Michael Weiss, Bill Charlap, Geoffrey Keezer, Brad Mehldau, Mulgrew Miller, Danilo Perez and many others.
By: Luka Ce