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NOV./DEC. 2015
UPBEAT | WBGO Program Guide Jazz 88.3 FM www.wbgo.org
New Exhibit in Newark Celebrates Cultural Intersections in Jazz
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NEWARK CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER ON EXHIBIT AND EVENTS BGO, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers-Newark present: Jazz, Jews, and African Americans: Cultural Intersections in Newark and Beyond, an exhibit which explores some of the most fruitful and sometimes contentious relationships in jazz history through photos, documents and text. The exhibition, on view now through December 13 in the Jewish Museum of New Jersey at Congregation Ahavas Sholom—Newark’s oldest active synagogue—is the centerpiece of a community-wide celebration of jazz. Five diverse congregations, all within a short walk of each other along Newark’s Broadway, are hosting free events, tours and activities in conjunction with the showing at the museum. Participants include Ahavas Sholom
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(145 Broadway), Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (151 Broadway), Iglesia El Sembrador (143 Broadway), First Mount Zion Baptist Church (208 Broadway), and Project New Life of N.J. (Projeto Vida Nova of N.J.) (152 Broadway). The exhibit coincides with the fourth annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival at NJPAC (Nov. 7–15). “This is a shining example of how the arts and faith-based groups can partner in a celebration of their mutual love of jazz,” said Donna Walker-Kuhne, NJPAC’s Vice President of Community Engagement. “We’re pleased to see such enthusiastic collaboration among members of the spiritual community in this unique, multicultural downtown corridor.” Created by the Institute of Jazz Studies and curator-archivist Tad Hershorn, Jazz, Jews, and African Americans pro-
The next Newark Public Radio, Inc. Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for January 11, 2016 at WBGO, 54 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102. The meeting is open to the public.
Vol. XXXIX No. 1 54 Park Place Newark, NJ 07102 Tel: (973) 624-8880 Fax:(973) 824-8888
E-mail: upbeat@wbgo.org Web Page: www.wbgo.org
MEMBER-SUPPORTED Public Radio
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President & CEO Amy Niles Marketing Manager Brandy Wood Program Director Steve Williams
Music Director Gary Walker Membership Director Roslyn Turner
Director of Donor Development John Newcott Design/Layout Penguin Graphics
Upbeat is available in a large print edition upon request.
www.wbgo.org
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L–R: Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, Mel Torme
Wikimedia Commons
files influential figures from the 1920s to the present day and reveals how their roles in performance, artist management, media and recording informed “America’s classical music.” The narrative includes examples of famous success stories, such as trumpeter Louis Armstrong’s lifelong friendship with the Jewish family that nurtured his talent, as well as clashes and exploitation between the two cultures. Visitors can learn about the contributions made by George and Ira Gershwin in bringing a new dimension to black jazz and the later impact of the composers’ canon on Ella Fitzgerald’s recording career. A reproduction of a Nazi propaganda poster, disparaging to
both Jews and African Americans, condemns jazz as degenerate music. Controversies over blackface traditions and exploitative managers are chronicled side-by-side with tributes to some of the jazz world’s most timeless pairings of black and white musicians. The exhibit emphasizes Newark’s prominence in the jazz landscape by spotlighting such legends as Sarah Vaughan, Wayne Shorter, Willie “The Lion” Smith, and James Moody. Innovators like poet Amiri Baraka, author of Blues People: Negro Music in White America; illustrator Paul Bacon, renowned for his dust jackets and album covers; and Lorraine Gordon, owner of the Village Vanguard, also continued on page 6
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WBGO’s Thanksgiving Jazz Parade T
here’s more than one parade on Thanksgiving Day, and this one lasts all weekend long, so you can enjoy leftovers in style. Every autumn, the WBGO Thanksgiving Jazz Parade allows you to vote— at www.wbgo.org/topten - for your favorite jazz musicians in 19 categories. Voting begins the first week of November and, once tallied, winners will be played every half hour on WBGO Jazz 88.3FM and WBGO.org over the four day Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday, November 26 through Sunday, November 29 at 6 pm.). Join the fun and stay tuned Thanksgiving weekend for the results!
n December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Following her arrest, a 381 day bus boycott began. The boycott brought a focal point to the Civil Rights movement, and a young pastor, Marin Luther King, Jr. emerged as a national leader in the wake of the action. In honor of the sixtieth anniversary of Rosa Parks’ act, WBGO has put together a webpage featuring WBGO News coverage of this historic figure at WBGO.org/RosaParks. December 1, is also #GivingTuesday, a global movement to encourage charitable giving to kick off the holiday season. We hope that you will take an opportunity on this Giving Tuesday to support the radio station that brings you stories from your local community to national figures, like Rosa Parks, WBGO.
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WBGO Remembers Rosa Parks O
(L-R) Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks
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NEWARK GATEWAY CONCERTS | FALL 2015
Joe Alterman
Luis Perdomo joealtermanmusic.com
luisperdomojazz.com
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BGO’s commitment to the communities of jazz and Newark is celebrated every month in the form of a free lunchtime concert at Newark’s 2 Gateway Center, a location recently featured in the Wall Street Journal’s piece about art galleries in Newark. These hour long performances, beginning at noon, allow those who work, study and live in Newark to hear first-hand some of today’s most exciting jazz artists. The Gateway Center in Newark is adjacent to Newark Penn Station, so even if you aren’t in Newark, getting to one of these performances is a breeze.
CONCERT SCHEDULE DATE
ARTIST
WBGO Host
November 10* December 2
Joe Alterman Luis Perdomo
Eulis Cathey Sheila Anderson
More information on the artists listed above, and all WBGO Events, can be found online at WBGO.org/events.
*Part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival www.wbgo.org
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JAZZ, JEWS, AND AFRICAN AMERICANS continued from page 2
claim strong roots in the city. Vaughan, known as “The Divine One,” also was a member of First Mount Zion Baptist Church, where her funeral services were held in 1990. Jazz, Jews, and African Americans: Cultural Intersections in Newark and Beyond is open Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. For extended hours and appointments, call (973) 485-2609. The Jewish Museum of New Jersey at Congregation Ahavas Sholom is located at 145 Broadway. Admission is free. The following are highlights of events planned during the engagement of Jazz, Jews, and African Americans: Sunday, November 8
The Gig, a 1985 feature film about six Jewish amateur jazz musicians who recruit an African-American professional jazzman to help them fulfill a two-week engagement at a Catskills resort, is screened at 2 p.m. at the Jewish Museum of New Jersey. Free. Sunday, November 15
An ensemble from NJPAC's Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens program performs at Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church at 2 p.m. Free. Sunday, November 22
Wayne Winborne, executive director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at RutgersNewark, moderates a panel discussion
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titled Jazz, Jews, and African Americans: Cultural Intersections in Newark and Beyond, co-presented by NJPAC and WBGO. Participants includes WBGO’s Sheila Anderson, NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber, a former longtime jazz producer, and Dan Morgenstern, former director of the Institute of Jazz Studies. The conversation takes place at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of Congregation Ahavas Sholom. Free. Registration must be made in advance at njpac.org/community. Newark artist, photographer and arts educator Mansa K. Mussa conducts an art workshop for young people, How to Make a Romare Bearden-Inspired Jazz Collage, at the Jewish Museum of New Jersey, from 2 to 5 p.m. Free. No advance registration, but space is limited. Sunday, December 13
WBGO presents the exhibit’s closing reception at the Jewish Museum, featuring pianist, writer and sociologist Ben Sidran in Jews, Music and the American Dream. Accompanying himself on piano, Sidran explores the relationship of blacks and Jews in the music business throughout the 20th century. He is the author of the books There Was a Fire: Jews, Music and the American Dream and Talking Jazz. The event, scheduled at 2 p.m., is free. Registration must be made in advance at njpac.org/community.
www.wbgo.org
Cover Photo: Bobby McFerrin and Itzhak Perlman at Lincoln Center 2/12/90 by Tad Hershorn
programs at a glance
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programguide Nov./Dec. 2015 SUNDAYS 6:00 AM SUNDAY MORNING HARMONY with Dan Karcher 10:00 AM SINGERS UNLIMITED with Michael Bourne Singers Unlimited is four hours of new and classic singers singing ballads and bossas, blues and be-bop. For more than 25 years, WBGO’s Michael Bourne has turned the spotlight on jazz vocalists with live in-studio performances, interviews and more. Nov. 8 Porgy and Bess plus Tony and Bill See sidebar. Nov. 15 Songs about the Blues Celebrating mid-Nov. birthdays, including W.C. Handy, Diana Krall (Nov 16), Johnny Mercer (Nov 18), and Sheila Jordan (Nov 18). Nov. 22 Late November Birthday Bash Celebrating the late-November birthdays of Hoagy Carmichael (Nov. 22), composer/arranger Johnny Mandel (Nov. 23), Dr. John (Nov. 21), Etta Jones (Nov. 25), and composer Arthur Schwartz (Nov. 25). Nov. 29 100th Birthday of Billy Strayhorn Singers Unlimited will celebrate this centennial as well as spotlight the favorite singers of the 2015 Thanksgiving listener’s poll. Dec. 6 Happy Birthday to Me December 4 is host Michael Bourne’s 69th birthday and he will play some of his “desert island” songs and singers (the music he would want with him on a deserted island). The show will also honor the birthdays Dave Brubeck (Dec. 6), Jay Leonhart (Dec. 6), Ira Gershwin (Dec 6), and Cassandra Wilson (Dec. 4). Dec. 13 Frank Sinatra—100 Years December 12 would have been Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday, and there’s no better place to cap off what has been a yearlong celebration than Singers Unlimited. Host Michael Bourne looks back on the legend
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and also celebrates the birthdays of Joe Williams, Bob Dorough, as well as what would have been the 95th birthday of Clark Terry (Dec. 14), the 80th birthday of Lou Rawls (Dec. 11) and the 74th birthday of Tim Hauser of Manhattan Transfer. Dec. 20 Pal Joey and Holiday Birthdays Songs from Pal Joey, 75th anniversary of Broadway opening, December 25, 1940 (“Bewitched,” “I Could Write a Book”). Christmas Eve is the birthday of composer Harry Warren (“42nd Street,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” SINGERS UNLMTD.
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Porgy and Bess plus Tony and Bill This week marks the 80th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Porgy and Bess. Singers Unlimited will spotlight the many jazz recordings—Louis & Ella, Carmen & Sammy, Ray & Cleo, Sarah and more to celebrate. And in the noon hour, a two-hour special with Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap. Michael Bourne interviews the duo about the new album The Silver Lining: Songs of Jerome Kern, and more.
www.wbgo.org
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All programs subject to change. “Jeepers Creepers”). The program will celebrate Warren and the Christmas Day birthdays of Cab Calloway and Ernie Andrews as well as highlight Christmas jazz songs. Dec. 27 Jule Styne and Reflections on 2015 New Year’s Eve is the birthday of composer Jule Styne (“Time After Time,” “Just In Time,” “I Fall In Love Too Easily,” “Let It Snow”). Michael Bourne listen back to Singers Unlimited 2015 6:00 PM JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICA RE-BROADCASTS ON WEDNESDAYS AT 6:30 PM. Nov. 8 Marquis Hill Blacktet in Chicago Trumpeter Marquis Hill has shot to international renown recently, especially after winning the Thelonious Monk Competition— a sort of international Heisman Trophy for young jazz artists. But it takes a village to raise a musician. Jazz Night in America caught up with Hill when he returned to his native Chicago for a string of shows, touring his old South Side haunts, interviewing his former teachers, and catching a rehearsal. Then we got to see it all come together at the Jazz Showcase downtown in a performance by Hill’s tight working band, the Blacktet. Nov. 15 Upcomers and Upstarts: Jazz at Lincoln Center There’s a scene and community that’s developed around after hours at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola®, the club environment that’s part of Jazz at Lincoln Center. It’s driven by the programming of JALC’s Michael Mwenso (a vocalist himself), listening sessions and hangs late into the night, and the mutual experience of being young and eager (and talented). Jazz Night in America wanted to know what drives these guys, posing as a fly on the wall as they listen to records, and catching some of them as they get a rare opportunity to present their own music at Dizzy’s. www.wbgo.org
Nov. 22 Sabertooth Saturday Night Every year for about 23 years, one group has held a midnight to 5 a.m. time slot on Saturday nights. It’s a quirky band, co-led by saxophonist Pat Mallinger and Cameron Pfiffner, which swings hard (and a little offkilter) among the hardcore fans, the rowdy drunks, the musicians coming off their own gigs. And it happens in the jazz haven of Chicago, in a club called the Green Mill which doesn’t look to have changed much since its days as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Jazz Night in America follows Pat and Cameron to the gig, then stays up all night with the Sabertooth Organ Quartet. Nov. 29 A Tribute the Late Kenny Wheeler Kenny Wheeler’s stunning compositions and imaginative improvisations on trumpet and flugelhorn left deep impressions on generations of musicians. Two such devotees— trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and saxophonist Steve Treseler—revisited Wheeler’s compositions after his death in 2014 at age 84. And in doing so, they realized they wanted to record their arrangements, paying tribute to the man who catalyzed their own careers. So Jensen, raised in Vancouver and now based in New York, traveled back across North America to meet Treseler, who resides in Seattle, to make the album and play a gig while they were there. Dec. 6 Wayne Horvitz in Seattle The keyboardist and composer Wayne Horvitz made his name in New York, but for over 20 years, he’s been synonymous with his adopted hometown of Seattle. He’s one of the key players of the town’s improvised music community—as a player, a bandleader, a venue operator, and a teacher at several levels. Jazz Night in America returns to Seattle to track his influence on the city’s jazz ecosystem through his students, his collaborators, and a concert he leads during the annual
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programguide Nov./Dec. 2015 Earshot Jazz Festival of music inspired by the late local poet Richard Hugo. 7:00 PM SUNDAY NIGHT MUSIC MIX Grammy® nominated record producer Eulis Cathey plays an eclectic mixture of jazz, contemporary jazz, fusion, jazz/funk, Latin, classic R&B and so much more. From Grover Washington, Jr. to Weather Report; from James Brown to Eddie Palmieri; from Charles Earland to Incognito, the Sunday Night Music Mix has something for everyone. 11:00 PM THE CHECKOUT Re-broadcast of previous Tuesday’s Program. MONDAYS 6:30 PM LATINO USA with Maria Hinojosa Multi award-winning Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only nationally distributed English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective. This program covers the social, cultural and political issues facing today’s Latino community. Maria Hinojosa, host of Latino USA, is also urban affairs correspondent for CNN and a former NPR News reporter. In addition to being a broadcaster, Hinojosa is an author, and a frequent lecturer on college campuses. She has received the Robert F. Kennedy Award, an Associated Press award and the National Council of La Raza’s 1999 Ruben Salazar Award. 7:30 PM THE BEST OF ONE ON ONE with Steve Adubato One-on-One with Steve Adubato features conversations with the region’s most compelling personalities. Guests include television personalities, CEOs, artists, healthcare trailblazers, educational innovators and more. Emmy Award® winner, Steve Adubato, PhD, combines wide-ranging knowledge, a penetrating and inquisitive style and the appreciation for amiable conversation throughout the program. Steve asks questions that inspire the guests to talk beyond their expected route in a manner rarely seen on televised talk shows.
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TUESDAYS 6:30 PM THE CHECKOUT The Checkout is a weekly one-hour music magazine featuring the best content from WBGO—the leading presenter of jazz on public media. Every week, producer Simon Rentner crafts a program that aims into the heart of New York’s music scene—featuring exclusive interviews, studio sessions, and field recordings of today’s leading artists.* *Program listings subject to change. Nov. 3 Gregorio Uribe Live The Bridge Trio Gregorio Uribe shares five classic Colombia Cumbia recordings you should know. He then leads his big band in live concert captured at Berklee College of Music’s Red Room at Café 939. New Orleans drummer Joe Dyson and company introduces us to “The Bridge Trio.” Nov. 10 Victor Prieto Live at Berklee College of Music See sidebar, opposite page. Nov. 17 Cecile McLorin Salvant Aaron Diehl Singer Cecile McLorin Salvant celebrates the release of her recording For One to Love with the Aaron Diehl trio. Diehl is also known to be a pilot, yes, of planes! He takes us on a flight around Manhattan and shares music from his recording Space, Time, Continuum from Mack Avenue. Nov. 24 Kid Koala Matt Shipp The genius of Eric Sans, aka Kid Koala, cannot be overstated. Although not obviously a jazz musicians, his approach to his instrument—the turntables—is reminiscent of his primary musical hero Louis Armstrong. We listen to music from his blues recording masterpiece. Dec. 1 MOPDTK “Blue” Rudresh Mahanthappa “Bird Calls” Don’t assume for a second the IndianAmerican alto saxophonist Rudresh www.wbgo.org
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All programs subject to change. Mahanthappa knows anything about his parent’s ancestry, language, or music. As a second generation kid growing up in mostlywhite Boulder, Colorado, he didn’t. He became an expert of the music of Charlie Parker before investigating the music his own heritage in South India. But first, cloning Kind of Blue. The band Mostly Other People Do The Killing surprises us with their tribute of the Miles Davis classic recording. And, it may shock you too. Dec. 8 Dayna Stephens The saxophonist introduces to his electronic instrument in our studio with his trio. Dec. 15 Zahili Gonzalez Zamora Introducing Cuban pianist singer and songwriter Zahili Gonzalez Zamora. She shares her music from the 2015 Montreal International Jazz Festival. Dec. 22 The Checkout’s Annual Holiday Show. Dec. 29 Matt Shipp Pianist and sound experimentalist Matthew Shipp explores the music of Duke Ellington. 7:30 PM CONVERSATIONS with Allan Wolper Conversations with Allan Wolper features guests whose ideas are on the cutting edge. Wolper, known as a "journalist’s journalist," is an interviewer, reporter, documentary producer and ethics columnist, who has been honored by every journalism medium, winning over 50 awards. 8:00 PM LATIN JAZZ CRUISE with Awilda Rivera WEDNESDAYS 6:30 PM JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICA Re-broadcast of previous Sunday’s Program. 7:30 PM SPORTSJAM SportsJam takes a unique peek into the sports scene as WBGO’s News and Sports Director Doug Doyle talks with a wide variety of guests. Bernie Williams, Kareem AbdulJabbar, Jon Faddis, Savion Glover and Jazz www.wbgo.org
THE CHECKOUT
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Victor Prieto Live at Berklee College of Music There are some musicians who always get classified in the "beyond" categories in the magazine polls. They are usually musicians that are in such a unique area of music that there are few peers to make a single category for their respective instrumental talent and focus. Victor Prieto belongs to that list. The accordionist brings his quartet featuring Chris Cheek (sax) Jorge Roeder (bass), Eric Doob (drums) to Berklee College of Music’s Café 939 for this special live performance.
88 host Rhonda Hamilton all agree there’s a strong connection between jazz and sports. SportsJam recently received the Best Sports Award from the New Jersey Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Nov./Dec. 2015 Upbeat
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programguide Nov./Dec. 2015 THURSDAYS 6:30 PM SONG TRAVELS WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN Nov. 5 Herb Alpert and Lani Hall Herb Alpert is a world renowned musician, composer, producer, and co-founder of A&M Records, the largest independent record label in history. He rose to fame with the Tijuana Brass and is the only artist to have a number one record both as a singer and an instrumentalist. He and his wife, vocalist Lani Hall, join Michael Feinstein to talk about their remarkable careers. Alpert joins Feinstein for an instrumental duet, and Lani Hall performs “That Old Black Magic.” Nov. 12 Patti Austin Vocalist Patti Austin made her debut at age 4 at the Apollo Theatre. In her career she has been a prolific session musician and top performer on commercials which earned her the moniker “Queen of the Jingles.” Her duet partners include Michael Jackson, George Benson, Luther Vandross, and Johnny Mathis. Austin joins Feinstein to talk about their mutual admiration for Quincy Jones, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Gershwins. Nov. 19 Allen Toussaint Pianist, singer, composer, and producer Allen Toussaint defines the sound of New Orleans. He penned early R&B hits including “Working in a Coalmine” and “A Certain Girl,” produced Funk legends The Meters and has worked with artists from The Band to Elvis Costello. This week Toussaint performs some of his songs including “Mother-in-law” and “Southern Nights.” Nov. 26 Dena Kaye Dena Kaye is the only daughter of entertainer Danny Kaye—a man of boundless roles including singer, actor, comedian, and humanitarian. On this Song Travels, Dena Kaye looks back on her late father’s career as well as the role he played in her life—her father.
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Dec. 3 Leftover Cuties L.A. noir-pop quartet the Leftover Cuties have a sound that is both retro and refreshing. Featured as one of Paste Magazine’s “Best of What’s Next,” their sophomore album, The Spark and the Fire, is earning the group praise and new fans. On this Song Travels, host Feinstein talks with Shirli McAllen, the group’s lead vocalist and ukulele player, and the quartet plays a set of originals from their latest release. Dec. 10 Renée Fleming Grammy®-winning opera star and actress Renée Fleming has performed some of the greatest operatic roles ever written at the world’s leading concert halls. Her awards include a Fulbright Lifetime Achievement medal and the National Medal of Arts. This week she shares a few of her favorite selections, including songs by Franz Schubert, George Gershwin, and Leonard Cohen. Dec. 17 Tom Wopat Actor and vocalist Tom Wopat rose to national prominence when he was cast in the role of Luke Duke on the iconic TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard. More roles soon followed, including the TV show Cybil and the touring production of Annie Get Your Gun. He also made a cameo in the 2012 film Django Unchained. In addition to his screen and stage work, Wopat has also honed his craft as a songwriter and recording artist. On this Song Travels, Wopat performs a set of his interpretations from the Great American Songbook. Dec. 24 Eleni Mandel Vocalist and songwriter Eleni Mandell draws inspiration from the music of Los Angelesbased musician Chuck E. Weiss, the gritty poetry of Tom Waits, and the cool edge of LA punk band X. Her own albums have been compared to work by artists ranging from Patsy Cline to Chan Marshall (Cat Power). Mandell brings her novel take on the singer/songwriter tradition to this week’s Song Travels. www.wbgo.org
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7:30 PM PEOPLE’S PHARMACY This program examines current issues in medicine, mental health, nutrition and fitness. FRIDAYS 6:30 PM PORTRAITS IN BLUE Re-broadcast of previous Saturday’s Program; See Listing. 7:30 PM WBGO JOURNAL This program, produced by the multi-award winning WBGO team, covers issues of importance to the Newark/NY metro area. SATURDAYS 6:00 AM NIGHT LIGHTS Night Lights presents jazz, from 1950 to the present, with a late-night sensibility, hosted by David Brent Johnson. "Night Lights is a program of jazz in sound, story and song," says Johnson. "I try to make each show a cultural narrative about whatever artist or theme I’m highlighting." Nov. 7 Claude Thornhill: Godfather of Cool Music of the big-band leader whose 1940s orchestra helped pave the way for cool jazz. Nov. 14 Cool In Crisis: The Year in Jazz, 1962 Night Lights takes another time-capsule journey back into a specific year, featuring the music of Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock, and others. Nov. 21 The Jazz Monk: Thomas Merton Thomas Merton was one of the most influential spiritual writers of the 20th century— and he was also a passionate jazz fan. We’ll talk with jazz musician and Merton friend Dick Sisto, and we’ll hear excerpts from experimental jazz meditations and reflections that Merton recorded in his hermitage, as well as some of the jazz that Merton enjoyed and referred to in his writings. We’ll also hear from Jason Bivins, author of Spirits Rejoice!, a book about jazz and American religion. www.wbgo.org
Nov. 28 The Billy Strayhorn Songbook Billy Strayhorn rose to recognition as Duke Ellington’s composing partner. By the time of his death in 1967, he’d established a musical legacy that stood on its own. We’ll pay a centennial tribute to Strayhorn’s music with recordings from Johnny Hodges, the Dutch Jazz Orchestra, and more. Dec. 5 It’s Jazz, Charlie Brown: The Vince Guaraldi Story A look at the early jazz career and subsequent Peanuts success of pianist Vince Guaraldi, including interviews with jazz critic Doug Ramsey, Guaraldi’s son David, and Guaraldi sideman Eddie Duran. Dec. 12: Jazz His Way: Frank Sinatra A centennial tribute to the Chairman of the Board, featured in small-group and big-band jazz settings throughout his storied career. Dec. 19 Hep To The Holidays An hour-long program of cool-Yule classic jazz from Louis Armstrong, Bill Evans, Horace Silver and more, including poet Sascha Feinstein’s reading of his “Christmas Eve” jazz poem. Dec. 26 Portrait Of Elmo Hope Elmo Hope was a highly-respected compatriot of Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell whose 1950s and 60s recordings as a leader and sideman constitute a unique chapter of hardbop piano. 7:00 AM PORTRAITS IN BLUE RE-BROADCASTS ON FRIDAYS AT 6:30 PM Nov. 7 Lucky Millinder, Vol. 3 Nov. 14 Sam Taylor, Vol. 4 Nov. 21 Billy Eckstine, Vol. 3 Nov. 28 Lionel Hampton, Vol. 3 Dec. 5 Big Joe Turner, Vol. 9 Dec. 12 Jimmy McCracklin, Vol. 10 Dec. 19 Christmas Blues Dec. 26 Best of 2015 8:00 AM SATURDAY MORNING FUNCTION WBGO’s Bob Porter plays blues, R&B and classic soul, with an emphasis on the early Nov./Dec. 2015 Upbeat
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programguide Nov./Dec. 2015 1950s to the late 1960s. New artists who perform these styles are also featured. 10:00 AM RHYTHM REVUE with Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue’s blend of classic soul and R&B received the A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) Award for the Best Weekend Program in New York, and was named Best Radio Show by New York Magazine and the Village Voice. WBGO is the original home of Rhythm Revue. Nov. 7 Felix continues his 29th year on WBGO with a request show. Nov. 14 An extra helping of Motown classics in today’s show. Nov. 21 Felix pays tribute to some of soul music’s pioneers. Nov. 28 Felix dips into his rare stash for some seldom-heard and obscure soul treasures. Dec. 5 It’s dance day, and Felix plays some of the most-requested songs from the Rhythm Revue Dance Parties, now in their 25th season. Dec. 12 Felix celebrates the 29th anniversary of the Rhythm Revue radio show with a request show. Dec. 19 Felix features some holiday favorites as part of today’s classic soul mix. Dec. 26 As part of the four-hour music mix, Felix features an hour of songs that were big soul radio hits in New York City and North Jersey.
Gary’ s Plays
MUSIC DIRECTOR GARY WALKER’S TOP CDS + RE-ISSUES
Top Tunes Christian McBride Trio Live at The Village Vanguard (Mack Avenue) Don Braden Luminosity (Creative Perspective) Perez/Patitucci/Blade Children of the Light (Mack Avenue) Carlos Henriquez The Bronx Pyramid (Blue Engine) Karrin Allyson Many a New Day (Motema) Eric Alexander The Real Thing (High Note) John Scofield Past Present (Impulse) Scott Hamilton & Jeff Hamilton Trio Live in Bern (Capri) Oscar Perez Prepare a Place for Me (Myna) Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap The Silver Lining (RPM/Columbia)
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SUPPORT WBGO
Year End Message from WBGO’s President, Amy Niles
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ften when I meet people for the first time, they ask me how long I have been at WBGO. I say “I am new here. I have only been at WBGO for nine years”. Many of our listeners tell us that they have been with us since our first day—over 36 years ago, so indeed by WBGO standards, I am new. We have seen so many changes since WBGO’s founding in 1979—our first announcers played only vinyl and while they still play some, now much of our library is stored digitally. Back then, you could only access us on your radio dial and now we have listeners all over the planet. And with all of the opportunities created by this new found global audience, we face many new challenges- most of which could never have been imagined when WBGO first started. But the premise upon which this great public media organization was founded still remains. We are here to preserve and present this culturally significant music to you each and every day. We continue to innovate- producing new shows like Jazz Night in America hosted by Christian McBride in partnership with NPR and Jazz at Lincoln Center which is syndicated on over 150 stations across the country and brings the most diverse audience to public radio of any NPR production. WBGO Kids Jazz now in its 23rd year reaching more children than ever before. But what is in our future, is very much what has been a part of our past- presenting the music that we love from our home in Newark, New Jersey. That will never change. We thank you for the support that enables us to continue this mission. www.wbgo.org
great way to support WBGO is through a gift of stock or a family foundation. If you would like more information, please call John Newcott at 973-643-4302. All gifts to WBGO are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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Nov./Dec. 2015 Upbeat
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