Terell Stafford upholds a radically holistic ideal as a jazz educator. At Temple University, where he’s the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies in the Boyer College of Music, he focuses not only on producing first-rate musicians but also a community of listeners and advocates.

To hear him tell it, Stafford — a leading trumpeter and bandleader as well as an administrator — is incorporating lessons learned from some of his own mentors, like Jimmy Heath. In all respects, Stafford’s insights on jazz education are inspiring, with implications far beyond the classroom. And as you’ll hear in this episode, they feel right on time.

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Happy Holidays from The Late Set! We’re re-running our episode featuring jazz vocalists Gregory Porter and Samara Joy.

The interview comes from a The Late Set podcast called Comfort and Joy, from 2023. At the time, Christmas Wish and A Joyful Holiday had both just dropped. Former Evening Jazz host and Late Set co-host Greg Bryant and Nate Chinen connected virtually with the two artists, and were struck by their warm camaraderie — rooted in a shared foundation and a common commitment to singing their truth.

You can also watch our video interview with Samara Joy, her father Antonio McLendon, and their late grandfather Elder Goldwire McLendon here:

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‘Tis the season for giving — and receiving! As a tie-in to the WRTI Holiday Gift Guide, Josh and Nate are rummaging through their stockings to talk about some of the boxed sets and other goodies that they’re most excited about this year.

Among the highlights are a pair of reissued landmarks from John Coltrane’s Impulse! discography, a boxed set focusing on the Riverside studio output of the classic Bill Evans Trio, and a 5-LP collection of oft-overlooked mid-‘60s hard bop by trumpeter Chet Baker.

This episode is for the heads, or anybody who’s shopping for one. Happy Holidaze!

Check out our full Holiday Gift Guide: wrti.org/wrti-spotlight/2025-11-28/2025-gift-guide-vinyl-apparel-and-more-for-jazz-and-classical-tastes

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Chapters:

To coincide with this Sunday’s Late Set Radio Hour (airing Sunday at 8 p.m. ET) we’re reposting our interview with Gary Bartz. More on The Late Set Radio Hour here: wrti.org/the-late-set-radio-hour

Gary Bartz turned 85 this fall, and has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, he released his first studio album in more than a decade: Damage Control, a riff on classic soul from Curtis Mayfield, Earth Wind & Fire and others, played by his band Ntu.

Our interview was taped in Brooklyn during the 2024 Winter Jazzfest featuring the original Late Set hosts Nate Chinen and Greg Bryant. The conversation spans Bartz’s apprenticeship years (with everyone from Max to Mingus to Miles), his journeyman period (notably at the helm of Ntu Troop), and his master eminence as a 2024 NEA Jazz Master. The man who gave us “Music is My Sanctuary” is still out along the front line with insights to share.

More to explore:

More on the 2026 Winter Jazz Fest: winterjazzfest.com

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On the cusp of our interview with Mary Halvorson (dropping this Tuesday), The Late Set is proud to share a bonus: a live recording from Solar Myth featuring Halvorson and her band Amaryllis. They played a collection of works – mostly from their most recent record About Ghosts. But she handpicked a new, as-yet-unreleased composition called “Florid Waning” to share with you as a WRTI exclusive. Enjoy! We’ll see you back here on Tuesday.

Musicians: Mary Halvorson, guitar; Adam O’Farrill, trumpet; Jacob Garchik, trombone; Patricia Brennan, vibraphone; Nick Dunston, bass; Tomas Fujiwara, drums.

Credits: Richard Rein, recording engineer; Robby Webb, mixing engineer; Mark Christman, Ars Nova Workshop; Melissa Cusick, Nonesuch Records.