For more than 25 years, legendary pianist Marian McPartland has welcomed a stellar line-up of jazz artists for conversation and improvisation on her Peabody Award-winning program. Piano Jazz fans say the show’s intimate style is “like listening in on a conversation in someone’s living room." And no one but McPartland, with her engaging personality and improvisational savvy, could host such a variety of performers in her radio “living room."

Piano Jazz is a forum for jazz legends and influential performers as well as up-and-coming talents. Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, Max Roach, Cassandra Wilson and Tony Bennett are among the over 500 guests who have joined McPartland to create dynamic duets and discuss their lives and music.

In 2000, McPartland was named an NEA American Jazz Master and received the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award and the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Award for her contributions to jazz. Her devotion to Piano Jazz sets this program apart, making it an entertaining addition to any musical format.

Tune into this graceful series each week and enjoy what The Washington Post calls “an oasis of intelligence and grace and probably the best hour of jazz on the airwaves."

Airs: 8 p.m. Saturday on KSTX 89.1 FM
Website: www.npr.org/programs/pianojazz