PORTUGAL – a historic land of great explorers – is waiting for your own exploration. Vocalist/pianist Amanda Carr will be your host for this 10 day escorted tour. Book by June 17th to save $250 per person. Click here for more information:

Eddie Palmieri on JazzSet tonight at 6 right after Jazz Matinee with your host Eddie Gardella! Stay tuned!!

His music seems to always be with us, through good times and bad. He's won 25 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Join host Tom Shaker as we celebrate Stevie's birthday on this week's show. It all starts tonight at 7pm.Signed, Sealed, Delivered……..Stevie Wonder | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgSome artists just become part of our lives. From birthdays to graduations to weddings and everything in between, everyone has a favorite Stevie Wonder song.

Come swing with Dan Gabel & The Abletones! Swing Combo and the Dancers of Central Massachusetts (DOCMA) on June 1st at Coral Seafood. All proceeds will benefit WICN Public Radio:Dance Revue Tickets | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgThe night swings into action at 6PM with live music by band leader and musician, Dan Gabel and his band who will be accompanied by ballroom dance aficionados, the Dancers of Central Massachusetts (DOCMA), who will open the dance floor to all guests and teach them a step or two! A full sit-down dinne...

Karrin Allyson enthralls at Tuckerman!http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash4/372786_275578789775_955540562_q.jpgKarrin Allyson Fan PageKarrin Allyson enthralls at Tuckerman MUSIC REVIEW By Peter Landsdowne TELEGRAM & GAZETTE REVIEWER WORCESTER � Warmth. That’s what jazz singer Karrin Allyson said she felt emanating from a crowd of about 300 ardent fans at Tuckerman Hall Friday night as she made a triumphant return to the venue. The small hall was packed almost to capacity as Ms. Allyson and her trio (pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Mark Walker) worked their way through two solid sets of her unique vocal stylings. The concert was presented by WICN (90.5. FM), Worcester’s NPR affiliate and one of the first radio stations to play the singer’s recordings, which now number 13 albums, all on the California-based Concord Jazz label. Decked out in a flowing pink smock worn over tight black leather pants and sporting black leather open-toed pumps and her trademark pixie hairstyle, the lithe Ms. Allyson ranged from the blues to Brazil to Broadway and beyond in her two dynamic sets. She was particularly effective on Duke Ellington’s “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues,” belting out the line, “I ain’t got change of a nickel,” before moving into some melismatic swoops on the “I ain’t got nothin’ but the blues” hook. She was equally as effective on Ellington’s jaunty “Love You Madly” (Duke’s favorite expression to his fans) and especially on a beautifully rendered interpretation of Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady,” on which her stark vocal reflected the loneliness suggested by the song’s lyrics. Ms. Allyson turned to the Great American Songbook for “Say It (Over and Over Again),” a lush but seldom-heard ballad from the singer’s 2001 Concord Jazz album “Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane,” and a wistful “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” Elsewhere, she infused a Latin beat into “I’ve Got a Lot of Livin’ to Do” and a waltz in the song’s bridge before belting out the tune in a straight-ahead 4/4 groove. The singer was adept at interpreting lyrics set to instrumentals composed by jazz musicians. Tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints,” the title track from her 2006 album, was a case in point. Ms. Allyson easily negotiated the complex melody line as she sang lyrics about following a set of footprints to see where they lead. An added bonus: The singer commandeered the grand piano from Barth and contributed her own jazz piano solo to the mix. Similarly, the singer brought a soaring lyricism to jazz pianist Bill Evans’ “Turn Out the Stars,” which Ms. Allyson injected with a poignant tenderness through lyrics about turning out the stars and stopping the roar of the ocean in the absence of a loved one. Like “Turn Out the Stars,” the singer’s version of Paul Simon’s “April Come She Will” is on “Round Midnight,” her most recent album. Still accompanying herself on piano as Barth provided some filigrees and trills on electric piano, she sang with a folksy charm, showing the spellbound audience why the latest album garnered a Best Jazz Vocal Grammy nomination for the singer, her fourth such honor. Ms. Allyson was at her best on “O Pato” (“The Duck”), a sizzling samba about a waterfowl that learns how to dance. She sang the Portuguese lyrics with aplomb and even got some spot-on audience participation on the “quack-quack-quack” parts. The singer and her trio earned a hearty standing ovation for their efforts. Ms. Allyson sans band provided the encore, bassist Jay Leonhart’s quirky “Robert Frost.” She was alternately reflective and bluesy as she pondered how Robert Frost supported himself while writing poetry. The song’s lyrics postulate a supportive wife (“Bobby, don’t you worry about the mortgage”) who brings home the bacon AND cooks it before realizing that “everything in life stays the same.”

Stellar performance by Karrin Allyson and her band! Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Thanks for being there!Fotos de WICN Public Radio 90.5 FMPure joy

Karrin Allyson will be in town tomorrow for an intimate evening of jazz at Tuckerman Hall. Don't miss out. Buy your tickets now. Call (508) 752-0700 or click here:presents Karrin Allyson | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgWICN presents 4-time Grammy Nominee and Concord Recording Artist, Karrin Allyson for an intimate evening of jazz at Tuckerman Hall in Worcester on May 3, 2013 at 8 PM.

Join host Tom Shaker as he celebrates a true southern soul original -- Ann Peebles. Along with Al Green, Ann Peebles was one of the artists who defined Willie Mitchell's legendary Memphis soul label Hi Records. Peebles ranked among the finest deep Southern soul singers of all time with her instant classic 1973 hit "I Can't Stand the Rain." It starts tonight at 7!!

Happy Public Radio Music Month! Celebration began this past weekend with a live performance on Saturday afternoon from our studios. And we'll stretch the celebration a bit into the month of May with the Karrin Allyson concert at Tuckerman Hall on May 3. We will also host an OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, April 18 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Come meet your favorite hosts, hear more great music and visit our studios! We will have food and drinks too!

Happy Birthday to the great composer, arranger, and trumpeter Thad Jones!Thad Jones & Mel Lewis - The Groove Merchant (1968)THE Big Band

On this week's Brown Bag concert at Mechanics Hall we will feature Worcester native and jazz vocalist, ANNE WALSH. She performs, teaches, and writes her own music and tours nationally and internationally. Her 2009 release "Pretty World" received a Grammy nomination and includes music of such luminaries as Keith Jarrett, Sergio Mendez, and Don Grolnick. Anne recently released "Go"-an eclectic soundscape of contemporary and Brazilian jazz influences. She has also recorded a couple of award winning concept albums-lullabies and sacred music. Join us for a FREE hour long performance on Wednesday, March 27th at noon at Mechanics Hall or live on 90.5FM!

Jim Porcella will be performing live at the WICN Performance studio this Wednesday at 2pm. Call 508-752-0700 if you'd like to stop by the station. Listen online atif you can't make it in person!Live Jazz New England on WICN 90.5 | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgJoin pianist Pamela Hines and her special guest musician or band for an hour-long broadcast from WICN's Performance Studio. She'll highlight many of New England's finest jazz musicians as well as major national talent. The show airs at 2pm on the last Wednesday of each month.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin turns 71 today! Join host Tom Shaker tonight at 7 as he celebrates one of the most beloved voices in all of music. She's sold over 75 million records worldwide, earned 16 Grammy awards and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Here's the Nu-Cullers Dance Band performing at the Brown Bag Concert Series earlier today. Thanks for sharing this Jonathan.Fotos de WICN Public Radio 90.5 FMI think the reason I don't have a "regular" job is so I can go to the WICN Brown Bag Lunch Concerts. Thanks alot!

Get Ready for a High Energy Ride as Nu-Cullers perform at Mechanics Hall tomorrow at noon for a FREE Brown Bag concert. Award winning Nu-Cullers is based in New Haven CT and is New England's ultimate R&B dance band - Motown, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, and today's hottest hits! We may even move a table or two if you want to get up and dance!Nu_Cullers Ult. BandCT,VT,RI,Mass,NY Best Band Gene Dobbs Ultimate Band Nu-Cullers.2013 Releasing there New Original "SoulFood Kick. "Tribute to Motown's Gre...

What do you think?Fotos de la biografía

They called him "The Wicked One." With gritty dance floor grooves like "634-5789," "Mustang Sally," and "Funky Broadway," Wilson Pickett established himself as a soul legend. Join host Tom Shaker tonight at 7 and hear for yourself!Wilson Pickett | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgHis type of soul was rough and raw. He started out in church, singing with gospel groups, moved over to R' n 'B with the Falcons and then went solo. With gritty dance floor grooves like "634-5789," "Mustang Sally," and "Funky Broadway," Wilson Pickett established himself as a soul legend.

On tonight's edition of Against The Grain, we have a very special guest -- Paul Geremia. Paul is a guitar-picking veteran, a true blues scholar blending jazz and acoustic country styles for over 40 years. Paul will be inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 28th.Paul Geremia | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgProvidence-born Paul Geremia is an internationally-known musician, equally well-regarded in the folk and blues communities. An active performer and major label recording artist for more than 40 years, Acoustic Guitar magazine calls Geremia "One of the best country blues finger-pickers ever." His app...

Thanks for celebrating Public Radio Music Month with us! Like, tag and share!WICN Open House 2013Thanks for celebrating Public Radio Music Month with us! Like, tag and share!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the Boston explosions.Two Explosions Rock Boston Marathon Finish Line; At Least 2 Dead, 23 Injuredwww.npr.org

Celebrate the marathon with host Tom Shaker as he plays songs with "running" in the title. You'll hear artists like The Four Tops, The Mad Lads, Otis Redding and many others. It all starts tonight at 7, water bottle optional!!!!Marathon Monday | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgCelebrate the marathon with host Tom Shaker as he plays songs with "running" in the title. You'll hear artists like The Four Tops, The Mad Lads, Otis Redding and many others. It all starts at 7pm, water bottle optional!!!!

Don't miss this Jazz Appreciation Month special on Stevie Wonder. Tonight at 6!Stevie Wonder Master | WICN Public Radiowww.wicn.orgStevie Wonder is the object of the SF Jazz Collective's affection. Their bright new arrangements re-imagine the Wonder works and light up the Rose Theater. Don't miss this Jazz Appreciation Month special.

Alligator Records, in collaboration with NPR and public radio stations is now offering a FREE downloadable 17-song sampler to help bring attention to Public Radio Music Month. ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESENTS BLUES & ROOTS features songs selected from throughout the label's storied 42-year history. This sampler will be available through May 11th. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SAMPLER NOW!de la biografíaDownload a free, 17-song music sampler, featuring blues artists like @[106204424717:274:Marcia Ball], @[109513522401324:274:Charlie Musselwhite], @[107997839223530:274:James Cotton] and more, as a gift from @[143247417828:274:Alligator Records] to you in honor of Public Radio Music Month! Get your copy here:

Last night WICN host Nick Noble attended the 2013 Pulse Worcester Music Award and on behalf of WICN he accepted the award for "Best Radio Station - Most Supportive of Local Artists". A big THANK YOU to everyone who voted us!! You guys are awesome!! Nick - thanks for being there last night and promoting us throughout the voting period.It was my honor and privilege last night to attendt the 2013 Pulse Worcester Music Award, where on behalf of WICN I accepted the award as Best Radio Station Most Supportive of Local Artists. Congratulations WICN!

This just in -- Grammy award winning jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall is going to be interviewed TODAY at 4pm by Chet Williamson on WICN 90.5FM. Stay tuned!!