Jazz

Of all Marian McPartland's attributes, possibly the most underrated was her ability as a composer. Her piano pieces have entered the jazz repertoire, while some of her songs — with lyrics by such stars as Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn and Peggy Lee — have become part of The Great American Songbook.

Though he's best known as a live collaborator of techno wunderkind Nicolas Jaar and one-half of the electronic-rock group Darkside, guitarist Dave Harrington has a deep history with jazz and improvisation. Become Alive, the debut album of the group that bears his name, digs deep into these musical roots. Yet there's a twist: electronic studio processes are also on-hand to coax new results in the music.

Harold Mabern (born March 20, 1936) is both one of New York's most requested pianists and a staple of Japan's jazz scene. A mainly self-taught musician, his style is influenced by Art Tatum, Chris Anderson, Billy Wallace and Bud Powell.

From tender and soulful to hard-edged and gritty, Ernestine Anderson was one of the most versatile jazz vocalists to emerge from the big band era.

Anderson was born Nov. 11, 1928. At age 3, she could sing along with recordings of Bessie Smith; she soon moved on to the more refined environs of her local church's gospel choir. After winning a regional talent competition at age 12, the precocious Anderson landed a gig with trumpeter Russell Jacquet's big band.

Regarded as one of the world's hippest jazz vocalists, Mark Murphy (1932–2015) epitomized the jazz singer. He was discovered by Sammy Davis Jr. in 1953 and remained true to his art throughout his life.

Alfredo Rodriguez left Cuba for the United States seven years ago. The classically-trained pianist and composer has been mentored and produced by music legend Quincy Jones.

The turning point that propelled musician Jay Leonhart to take up the bass was hearing Ray Brown with the Oscar Peterson Trio in 1955. Leonhart has since become a superior bassist, a witty lyricist and a charming singer.

Pianist Sumi Tonooka is an incisive musician of great originality and imagination. She's toured with Art Blakey and teamed with tenor saxophonist Odean Pope and drummer Philly Joe Jones. In 2015, she was selected for a Music Alive: New Partnerships residency through New Music USA.