Of all McPartland’s attributes, possibly the most underrated is her ability as a composer. Her piano pieces have entered the jazz repertoire and some of her songs—with lyrics by such stars as Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, and Peggy Lee—are part of the Great American Songbook. In honor of Marian’s birthday this week, guest host Murray Horwitz leads this exposition through some of her most beautiful works, with performances by Cleo Laine, Sarah Vaughan, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, and Marian herself.
News Stations: Sat, Mar 26, 8 pm | Classical Stations: Sun, Mar 27, 7 pm