Happy New Year to all of you! I appreciate knowing there are some listeners out there in podcast land. Comments, feedback, or questions is always welcome. I’m still making lots of ‘discoveries’ about jazz…..enjoying the fact that we all learn together. This week’s program includes a few selections from albums and jazz artists who sparked my curiosity because either Downbeat Magazine’s critics’ poll or CBC radio ranked them highly this year. You’ll hear the man who was named jazz artist of the year from an album that was rated as Jazz Album of the Year. Also a couple others from that Downbeat poll—-including Cecile McLorin Salvant. And there’s a saxophonist/flautist from the 70’s who seems to be mounting a huge comeback (although I don’t know if he was ever gone). I play a tune from one of my favourite albums of his from the 1970’s. Also one of CBC radio’s picks: a Montreal pianist named Getiane Michaud-Gagnon, and the Getiane MG Trio. Did you Peterborough residents know that you have a master pianist living right in your town who spent years with the Maynard Ferguson Band…..as well as playing with Nancy Wilson and being a regular part of the Doc Severinson band on The Tonight Show? I play a Maynard Ferguson track featuring this Peterborough resident’s amazing piano work. Also on the program you’ll hear Mongo Santamaria, the Artie Shaw rendition of Stardust, and ending off with a really fine version of Angel Eyes by master guitarist, Howard Roberts.