Max Roach — the indomitable drummer, activist, bandleader and composer — was born 100 years ago this month, on Jan. 10, 1924. His centenary is the perfect opportunity to reconsider how his genius changed the game, and not just in rhythmic terms. So in this episode, we talk about Max as an innovator and a liberator, a connector and a catalyst. We also consider his sterling example as an elder, with deep insights from Nasheet Waits — one of Max’s leading inheritors on drums, someone he mentored from an early age. Nasheet has incredible stories to tell, and he shares them here.

More to explore:

• Max Roach at 100: Five stellar tracks that attest to his genius
• Drummer Max Roach Turns 100
• Max Roach Played For Keeps

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Hark! The holidays are upon us, and so are the holiday tunes. Who better to join us than a pair of sublime vocalists with soulful new Christmas albums, Samara Joy and Gregory Porter? Together they reflect on the season’s warm and wonderful traditions, as well as a sense of mission behind their glad tidings and good cheer. Meanwhile, Greg and Nate are still arguing over the basic merits of holiday jazz, while taking stock of this year’s new releases.

More to explore:

• Samara Joy's polyphonic stardom
• Gregory Porter: Personal Stories For Universal Songs
• Ready or not, here come the yuletide grooves

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What does it mean to pick a winner in jazz? We’re considering that question in the wake of the Herbie Hancock Jazz Piano Competition, which Nate covered in New York City. The subject leads us to a discussion of the competitive tradition in this music, which extends from Kansas City jam sessions to Jazz at the Philharmonic Tours to the present day. Nobody has a more nuanced handle on the topic than Joshua Redman, who hit the ground running when he won the Thelonious Monk Jazz Saxophone Competition 30 years ago.

References for this episode:

• Jahari Stampley wins the Herbie Hancock Jazz Piano Competition
• Joshua Redman's new group walks the "Streets of Philadelphia"
• What Did The Monk Competition Ever Do For You?

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Philadelphia has always punched above its weight as a jazz town, producing legendary players and sometimes even changing the game. We each have our own history with the City of Brotherly Love, so on this first episode of The Late Set, we’ll compare notes — and check in with an absolute authority on the subject, pianist Orrin Evans. He has thoughts (a lot of thoughts) about what it means to be a Philly cat, how to describe “the Philly sound,” and how we should feel about the scene.

More to explore:

• Moment’s Notice: our Philadelphia-area jazz listings
• As Lovett Hines Turns 80, Philly jazz luminaries share the love
• Jazz Philadelphia's Hometown Heroes: Spotlight on Pianist Orrin Evans

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Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs