WBGO Blog

  • WBGO is Going to Detroit for Sing The Truth!

    August 19, 2011. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Detroit Jazz Festival 2011, Jazz Alive

    Come join WBGO on Labor Day at noon for our special broadcast of Sing the Truth! with Lizz Wright, Angelique Kidjo and Dianne Reeves, live from the free, outdoors, downtown Detroit Jazz Festival.

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    The three women knocked us dead when they performed in June at the Freihofer's Jazz Festival in Saratoga Springs. After that they toured Europe, and have only three more performances this year after Detroit.

    So catch them while you can as Rhonda Hamilton hosts our Labor Day special, Sing the Truth! from the Detroit Jazz Festival, on the Detroit Jazz Festival Radio Network -- WBGO, KUVO in Denver, WCBE in Columbus and more.

    Here's a clip from the trio's performance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal in 2010, followed by the FIJM program description:

    It's a fantastic assemblage of major women of the stage, in a massive Montreal premiere. Raising high the torch inherited from firebrand singers Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta, this trio of superb vocalists intends to loudly proclaiming their support for the civil rights cause. The program will certainly feature originals, but also melodies descended from the jazz, folk and blues legacy that inspired Dylan, Springsteen and Joplin, bequeathed by three recently-departed grandes dames, as well as flourishes of Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye and... Erikah Badu! Around these three women who unite art and a great cause, find five musicians, including magnificently versatile pianist Geri Allen and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. It's gonna be a wonderful, memorable evening!

    On the Sing the Truth! web page, the copy  promises songs of Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Joan Armatrading and Lauryn Hill. And when I saw the show, they sang at least two by Tracy Chapman.

    WBGO's Josh Jackson will also be in Detroit, preparing his special Detroit edition of The Checkout in September. Later in the season, you hear more on JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. And watch this blog for more previews, coverage during the Festival weekend, and follow-up.

    Are you coming to Detroit? It would be great to see you there, If not, come join us on the web!

    © 2011 WBGO

  • Singers Unlimited Celebrates Basie's Birthday + Singers A to Z

    August 16, 2011. Posted by Brandy Wood.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive

    This Sunday, August 21st, Michael Bourne celebrates the birthday of the ‘Kid from Red Bank,’ Jersey's own Count Basie. Most of the singers Michael plays on Singers Unlimited have sung with the Basie band — Ella, Sarah, Frank, Tony, Nat, also Jon Hendricks vocalese and Basie's great blues singers, Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams. Tune in on Sunday from 10am-2pm to hear Michael highlight the singers who sang with Basie.

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    For 25 years, Michael Bourne has hosted Singers Unlimited. He thinks back on the shows when he was away, “Whenever a jock filled in for me and complained that thinking of 4 hours of singers was hard, I've said it's easy. Just look through the library alphabetically — Armstrong, Bennett, Cole, and so on.” Tune in to WBGO Jazz88.3FM and wbgo.org on Sunday, August 28th from 10am-2pm to hear Michael move through an alphabet of singers.

    © 2011 WBGO

  • 19th Annual Charlie Parker Festival

    August 12, 2011. Posted by Brandy Wood.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive

    The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival annually assembles some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Parker’s musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist. The free two-day festival on August 27 & 28, which takes place just before what would have been Parker’s 91st birthday, is revered for bringing leading figures in jazz into the neighborhoods where the celebrated musician lived and worked, Historic Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan’s East Village. Performances begin at 3pm on both days at this can’t miss, end of summer event.

    Toots Thielemans courtesy Universal Music The Netherlands
    Toots Thielemans courtesy Universal Music The Netherlands

    The first day hosted by Sheila Anderson features harmonica player and NEA Jazz Master Toots Thiemans whose illustrious and diverse musical career spans nearly 70 years. Rising alto saxophone star Tia Fuller will lead an exciting group that draws inspiration from be-bop as well as presents original compositions that reflect contemporary rhythms. Powerhouse saxophonist James Carter will lead an ensemble, and French-American vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, whose performance abilities have been recognized by The New York Times, will also present an ensemble.

    Archie Shepp by Jan Kricke
    Archie Shepp by Jan Kricke

    The following afternoon will be hosted by Brian Delp and includes a performance by the trail blazing saxophonist, pianist and composer Archie Schepp. Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux, who cites Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Bob Dylan among her influences, will perform. Tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen will deliver a mix of modern jazz, classical, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban styles, and the Grammy® nominated pianist Gerald Clayton will present his eclectic trio.

    Tia Fuller
    Tia Fuller

    Marcus Garvey Park

    124th Street & Mt. Morris Park

    Saturday, August 27, 3pm

    Performances by Toots Thielmans, Tia Fuller, James Carter and Cécile McLorin Salvant

    Hosted by Sheila Anderson

    Madeleine Peyroux
    Madeleine Peyroux

    Tompkins Square Park

    E. 8th Street between Avenues A & B

    Sunday, August 28, 3pm

    Performances by Archie Schepp, Madeleine Peyroux, Anat Cohen and Gerald Clayton Trio

    Hosted by Brian Delp

    © 2011 WBGO