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Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Jazz

Irv Williams was inducted into the Minnesota Jazz Hall of Fame at 96.
Irv Williams was inducted into the Minnesota Jazz Hall of Fame at 96.Nate Ryan | MPR

December 16, 2019

Renowned saxophonist and jazz musician Irv Williams has passed away at the age of 100.

To learn more about his impressive life including his long-running career, 11 albums, and his many awards and accolades, check out this 2015 interview he did with Andrea Swensson. When she asked Williams what kept him faithful to jazz after all these years, he replied, "I love it and I play it pretty well, and that's the reason why".

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break in memory of Irv Williams, what jazz songs - classic and contemporary - would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played

Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five
Sarah Vaughan - 'Round Midnight
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra - Take The 'A' Train
Billie Holiday - All Of You
Miles Davis - So What
Nina Simone - I Love You, Porgy
Ella Fitzgerald - Black Coffee