Free Download: The Billy Hart Quartet, Live In Concert

When you’ve been around as long as Billy Hart has been — over four decades in New York — you hear a lot of interesting music. But what’s astonishing about Hart is that plays the drums as if he’s absorbed all that history into his muscle memory. Interactive and colorful, his quartet is filled with four strong musical personalities, and they were on display for the world this Wednesday in our latest Live At The Village Vanguard broadcast. We have a fine recording of that set, featuring a number of proud tributes to John Coltrane on his birthdate, available for download now. Also, don’t miss the Roy Eldrige Piano Jazz, new piano-less trios, Jamie Cullum at Monterey and a profile of true original Sam Rivers. Happy listening.

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—Patrick Jarenwattananon, NPR Music