Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Benny Golson: The second half-century

Benny Golson perfroms in the KPLU studios on February 29, 2012.
Justin Steyer
/
KPLU
Benny Golson perfroms in the KPLU studios on February 29, 2012.

Tenor saxophonist/composer, Benny Golson is now in his second half-century as a touring and recording jazz artist.  He began performing almost 60 years ago and recorded his first LP as a bandleader 55 years ago … and if his stop by the KPLU studios last week is any indication, he shows no signs of slowing down now.

http://youtu.be/gfcP5nPko0M

Benny’s visit was marked by his wonderfully humorous story-telling, which he wove around the performance of three of his best-loved compositions, Along Came Betty, Whisper Not and his stone-cold classic, Killer Joe (all of which can be seen in the video above.)

He was accompanied by pianist, Sharp Radway and drummer, Jason Marsalis.

Justin joined KNKX in 2009 as the station's first Multimedia Manager. In this role, Justin helped to produce multimedia content, and implement systems and procedures in efforts to transform KNKX from a traditional broadcast station into a multi-platform media organization.
Abe grew up in Western Washington, a third generation Seattle/Tacoma kid. It was as a student at Pacific Lutheran University that Abe landed his first job at KNKX, editing and producing audio for news stories. It was a Christmas Day shift no one else wanted that gave Abe his first on-air experience which led to overnights, then Saturday afternoons, and started hosting Evening Jazz in 1998.