Referred to as “One of the most innovative, influential, and best songwriters since Bob Dylan,” by All Music Guide, tunesmith, vocalist, and instrumentalist Elvis Costello is captured in an absolutely fascinating program of music and conversation with jazz piano legend Marian McPartland on NPR’s Piano Jazz.

From the inescapable influence of his parents—his father a professional singer and trumpet player who was greatly influenced by the jazz records coming into England in the ’40s and ’50s, and his mother, a jazz and classical records salesperson—to British jazz and R&B singer Georgie Fame to jazz icon Chet Baker, the English born-and-raised, self-taught Costello reveals the myriad and profound influences of jazz and Tin Pan Alley music on his singular and eclectic songwriting style.

But it’s not all talk.  Elvis and The First Lady of Jazz Piano also get down to some serious music-making, performing a timeless collection of standards, as well as Elvis’s own classic “Almost Blue” and the newly-penned “I’m in the Mood Again.” As usual, Marian delivers great, insightful conversation intertwined with amazing live performances!

1. Conversation
2. At Last
3. Conversation
4. My Funny Valentine
5. Conversation
6. Almost Blue
7. Conversation
8. The Very Thought Of You
9. Conversation
10. Gloomy Sunday
11. Conversation
12. You Don't Know What Love Is
13. Conversation
14. They Didn't Believe Me
15. Conversation
16. I'm In The Mood Again
17. Conversation