Afterglow's latest "What's New" episode features music from teen saxophonist sensation Grace Kelly that pairs her with veteran and fellow alto saxophonist Phil Woods, and from longtime jazz singer Mary Stallings, who at age 71 may finally be getting some of what's generally called "overdue recognition."
We'll have a sneak preview of the newest release from a singer who hasn't had to wait that long for recognition, though he's certainly paid his dues—vocalist Kurt Elling, who came out of the 1990s Chicago jazz scene to make a strong series of CDs for Blue Note Records, and who's just put out The Gate, a followup to his Grammy-winning 2010 CD, the John Coltrane-Johnny Hartman tribute Dedicated to You. We'll also hear some excursions by Nnenna Freelon and Tony DeSare into the respective lands of 1960s and 80s pop.