WBGO Blog

  • Hank Jones (1918-2010)

    May 17, 2010. Posted by David Tallacksen.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Detroit Jazz Festival 2009, Interviews

    Photo by David Tallacksen

    The death of Hank Jones was sad news to wake up to this morning.  Here is the New York Times obituary.

    Last year when the Jazz Journalists Association named him Pianist of the Year, Jones said the honor was an inspiration to work even harder. That comment summed up his rare dedication. Indeed at the age of 90, he was still practicing, two to three hours a day when he could. And his playing was sublime.

    At the end of the summer, he was honored by the Detroit International Jazz Festival. WBGO blogged excerpts of his Jazz Talk.

    As always, he graciously answers familiar questions and shares a little of himself. With his music he shares much more. - Becca Pulliam

    Click "read more" to view Hank Jones photo gallery.

    Read more

    © 2010 WBGO

  • Broadway By The Year

    February 18, 2010. Posted by Andrew Meyer.

    Add new comment | Filed under: broadway, concerts, Interviews, Jazz Alive, michael bourne, News

    Scott Siegel is the producer and host of an extraordinary series of concerts at The Town Hall in New York. "Broadway by the Year" celebrates musical theatre year by year with some of Broadway's best singers and dancers. This season is Siegel's 10th anniversary and begins February 22nd with the musicals of 1927, including the first great dramatic musical, "Show Boat." March 22nd spotlights musicals of 1948, including the first Tony-winning Best Musical, "Kiss Me, Kate." May 10th features musicals of 1966, including "Cabaret," "Mame," and "Sweet Charity." Siegel's season finale on June 14th will be that much more special, presenting one song from one musical each of the last 20 years, plus Scott's choice of a song from the Broadway season happening now.

    We talked about "Broadway by the Year" for the February 19th WBGO Journal, but this blog special includes our continuing conversation about our favorite shows, plus songs from four of Scott's previous "years" at The Town Hall.

    -- Michael Bourne

    © 2010 WBGO

  • Tony Bennett helps Michael Bourne Celebrate 25 years at WBGO

    January 7, 2010. Posted by David Tallacksen.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Anniversaries, Interviews

    Tony Bennett stopped by for a visit with Afternoon Jazz and Singers Unlimited Host Michael Bourne. The two are good friends that share a long history. Listen to the full interview here:

    © 2010 WBGO