Tonight the 9 O'Clock Special honors the music and memory of soul jazz sax legend Red Holloway who passed away last Saturday from kidney failure. When you heard Red Holloway blow his sax, the South Side of Chicago came to life with all its gritty, tough and bluesy personality. Red was one of the last great beboppers from Chicago, and helped shape the soul jazz scene. Critics admired his "imposing sound, keening dissonances, fat vibrato and lamenting phrases."  Red played with many jazz and blues artists including Billie Holiday, Yusef Lateef, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Willie Dixon, Bobby "Blue" Bland and B.B. King. His recordings opposite tenor giant Sonny Still and Hammond B-3 master Jack McDuff featured some of his best work. Celebrate the genius and soul of Red Holloway tonight at 9. Jazz awakes at 8 on KJZZ.

The middle of the week gets a little better when you can preview the best new jazz releases! Tonight "All ballads and a little Bossa" from guitarist Royce Campbell, and previously unreleased live radio/TV and concert performances by jazz legends Gerry Mulligan, Benny Goodman with Anita O'Day, and Cannonball Adderley. The recordings were made during post-war Europe when Germany, in particular, gave American jazz artists a warm reception. New music label JAZZHAUS holds the keys to the biggest unpublished live jazz recordings of many American major modern jazz artists from 1947-1960, and is now sharing it with the world! New releases from your favorite jazz stars to enjoy and experience tonight at 9. Jazz awakes at 8 on KJZZ.

Standing 6' 6", Long Tall be-bop pioneer Dexter Gordon played his sax with innovation and style, and personified the meaning of hip and cool. Few musicians had as big a sound as "The Sophisticated Giant," whose artful and charismatic approach to jazz influenced generations of musicians. He was the first and only jazz musician to receive an Oscar nomination for his role in the movie "Round Midnight." Find out more about Dexter Gordon tonight.

From Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton's New Orleans blues-tinged release to "I Feel You" from husband/wife duo Herb Alpert & Lani Hall and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band's "That's How We Roll," tonight hear some of the best jazz duo and group releases from 2011 on the 9 O'Clock Special. Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

This week hear highlights from the best new jazz of 2011 on the 9 o'clock special with Michele Robins. Piano players and B-3 groovers are showcased tonight! Brad Mehldau brought lyrical beauty to his solo release  "Live in Marciac" while Monty Alexander's playful notes were the stars of two new releases. You'll also have a chance to win Brad Mehdlau Trio's complete "Art of the Trio" 5-CD series from 1996-2001 plus a bonus CD of unreleased performances during the 9 o'clock hour. We'll also get into the B-3 grooves of  Mike LeDonne, Reuben Wilson and Joey DeFrancesco's celebration of turning "40." Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

This week hear highlights from the best new jazz of 2011 on the 9 o'clock special. Vocalists take center stage tonight. Grammy winner Kurt Elling is back with "The Gate," and Tierney Sutton gets her long awaited shot at a Grammy with "American Road." Newcomers Tianna Hall and Gretchen Parlato stepped into the spotlight but Tony Bennett's "Duets II" earned the 85 year old crooner his first number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

This week hear highlights from the best new jazz of 2011 on the 9 o'clock special with Michele Robins. Tonight features bass and drums! The rhythm section provides the back beat but this year took front and center with bassist Ron Carter's exploration into big band territory. Kyle Eastwood's elegant bass lines contributed to "Marciac," while drummer Alphonse Mouzon hosted a who's who on "Angel Face" and Roy Haynes presided over "Roy-alty." Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

This week hear highlights from the best new jazz of 2011 on the 9 o'clock special with Michele Robins. Tonght is devoted to horns aplenty! Listen to cuts from Houston Person's "So Nice,"  Kennedy Center honoree Sonny Rollin's Grammy nominated "Road Shows Vol. 2,"  Terrell Stafford's tribute to Billy Strayhorn, and Randy Brecker's Grammy nominated release with the Danish Radio Big Band! Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

This week hear highlights from the best new jazz of 2011 on the 9 o'clock special with Michele Robins. Tonight is guitar night! George Benson's "Guitar Man" leads the fret pack that includes, Pat Metheny, Stanley Jordan, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, John Stein and Sheryl Bailey. Jazz awakes tonight at 8!

Celebrate Labor Day with some of jazz's best Work Songs from Cannonbal Adderley, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and more!