Lester the Nightfly

Long before I was spinning records as Lester the Nightfly, I was a kid in Farmington Hills, Michigan obsessed with the tactile magic of a 45 rpm single.

The lights are low, the ice is clicking against the glass. You've just stepped into the sonic world of Ultra Lounge.

Our guest, the brilliant composer Jonathan Ammons, joined us to pull back the curtain on his creative process.

Lester Loves Ariana (S6 | E273) | this week, we're pivoting to the contemporary master of pop and R&B: Ariana Grande.

Lester Loves Ariana (S6 | E273) | this week, we're pivoting to the contemporary master of pop and R&B: Ariana Grande.

What an incredible weekend for opera lovers in New York. I'm still buzzing from Saturday's performance of Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera.

This week's episode takes us on a sweeping vocal journey, moving from the tender intimacy of a lullaby to the dramatic heights of Dichterliebe.

Best Jazz of 2025 (S5 | E270). Some of our best friends in jazz join us this week on a year in review show for Jazz New York Radio.

We kick off 2026 by welcoming a familiar voice and long-time friend of the show, David Goldman, for our sixth annual "Year in Review" special.

Finn Ewing's Best of 2025. Tokyo Tea Room Augustine. Darksoft. SZA. Molly Santana. Malcom Todd. Think Dreamy Beachfront Getaway.

Tonight we present an original production of Dickens's “Christmas at Dingley Dell” from The Pickwick Papers written in 1837.

How We Kept Thanksgiving at Old Town is a story written in 1869 by Harriet Beecher Stowe about a civic honoring of our singular American holiday.

G is for Guaraldi - a study in the key of "G" - its Autumn in New York.

A new record from a gifted jazz guitarist, composer, singer and New Yorker. Tony Davis Jessamine (S5 | E261)

Jazz guitarist Tony Davis sat down with PJ Ewing, host of Jazz New York Radio, for a revealing interview that digs into his creative journey and recent projects

Chick Corea recorded Forever Yours in October 2020, just four months before his passing, during two luminous solo piano concerts at Florida's Ruth Eckerd Hall

This week on Lester the Nightfly, your host PJDJ is back with the latest installment of the show, titled October House.

Part 2 | Two European Stars | A New Album of Cabaret Songs | Part Two of Two Radio Shows. Yep - It's Amazing!!!

Two European Stars | A New Album of Cabaret Songs | Part One of Two Radio Shows. Yep - It's Amazing!!!

Juliet Ewing Part Two (S5 | E255). Juliet Ewing is an exciting, masterful interpreter of the Great American Songbook.

Juliet Ewing Part One (S5 | E254). Juliet Ewing is an exciting, masterful interpreter of the Great American Songbook.

Part II with Alan Broadbent. Lots of jazz. American Standards. We hear Stella Cole and Georgia Mancio. Way too much fun!

The great Alan Broadbent is our guest this week. Get your popcorn and your headphones - this one is groundbreaking.

Bill Mays has made his name for more than 65 years as a jazz band leader, sideman, studio musician, and composer. This is part two of a two-part series.

Bill Mays has made his name for more than 65 years as a jazz band leader, sideman, studio musician, and composer. This is part one of a two-part series.

It's been a summer of K-Pop. And we just don't want to let it go. Back to the well with K-POP SUMMER II.

It's been a summer of K-Pop. The BTS Documentary : BTS Army, the ENHYPEN concert my children attended. KPOP SUMMER.

Peace on Earth (S5 | E247) Part II of our series with jazz bassist, composer, educator and band leader Joris Teepe.

In part one of a two part series, we dive deep into Teepe's remarkable career, exploring his versatility as a leader and a sideman through a selection of captivating tracks.

Scenic Route is all about taking the path less traveled, exploring diverse sounds, and discovering hidden gems. Playlist July 2025.

Harvie S Part Two | Sheila Jordan, Kenny Barron, Paquito D'Rivera. Stories from the New York jazz world.

Harvie S Part One | A jazz playlist. A brilliant acoustic bass player. Stories from the New York jazz world... what more could you want?

In a world of highly curated playlists and genre-specific stations, Lester the Nightfly Radio dares to be different.

William Tyler. Hayden Petigo, Daniel Lanois. Headlund. A distinctively American sound for guitar. Lester the Nightly Radio.

A look at the legancy and influence of Pet Sounds by Brian Wilson. This seminal Beach Boys recording changed music. We explore it...

I see a biopic on Alfred Hitchcock on Netflix, and suddenly I am in the middle of a private Hitch Fest here in lower Manhattan.

Brian Kahanek opens the set with the soaring instrumental "One True Thing," followed by Ariana Grande's tender "ordinary things."

Instant Holograms on Metal Film. Some of the gorgeous new music, after 15 years, from the epic band STEREOLAB.

FEELS LIKE SUMMER: A birthday. An Opera Gala. Good vibes across the board. Lester the Nightfly Radio - Songs, Dance, House.... FUN!

The Guilio Gari 2025 Opera Competition Winners are announced. We review the list, talk about the singers and hear some arias.

The nostalgia of The Boards of Canada. These Scottish Brothers have created beautiful music from their childhood since the 1990's.

Part THREE. Trumpeter, Band Leader, Sideman, Composer, Charlie Porter joins us this week for Jazz New York.

Part TWO. Trumpeter, Band Leader, Sideman, Composer, Charlie Porter joins us this week for Jazz New York.

Trumpeter, Band Leader, Sideman, Composer, Charlie Porter joins us this week for Jazz New York.

We continue our series on the best of pop music... the best... of ALL TIME... with Charlie XCX, The Smiths, Juliana Hatfield, The Marias...

Now in its eighth year of presenting concerts, The Wheel Sessions is the premier location for hearing great jazz in the Upstate (SC).

I remember. House music from: Lane 8, Nick Curly, Four Set, Kolter, Kaskade, Chris Stussy, Moon Boots, Tahini, Musk and Mr. Jools.

I remember. House music from: Lane 8, Nick Curly, Four Set, Kolter, Kaskade, Chris Stussy, Moon Boots, Tahini, Musk and Mr. Jools.

Herr Schnauzer. AMIX. Tulio. Gary Luton. Thom Merlin. It's March. It's time to move. Dance. Pop. House. V. 1.0.

The Remarkable Mr. Glass (S5 | E224) Daniel contributes regularly to publications like Modern Drummer, DRUM and Classic Drummer.

The Remarkable Mr. Glass (S5 | E224) Daniel contributes regularly to publications like Modern Drummer, DRUM and Classic Drummer.