WBGO Blog

  • Abbey Lincoln Songbook on JazzSet

    June 15, 2012. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: abbey lincoln, cassandra wilson, dee dee bridgewater, dianne reeves, JazzSet

    Abbey Lincoln used to call her songs "little ditties." That's what her pianist James Weidman told us when we played a WBGO recording of her from The Peppermint, a jazz club in New Jersey, on JazzSet. It comes from the 1980s, and Abbey was introducing her album Talking to the Sun. This is the cover photo.

    11 01 13_AbbeyLincolnFsm_ScottSternberg

    Those little ditties contain amazing images. It's as though we can be with Abbey Lincoln all over again as Cassandra Wilson sings "Talking to the Sun," Dee Dee Bridgewater chooses "Another World" (singing it made her cry), and Dianne Reeves soars on"Bird Alone." All three whistle and trill on "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." It may be my favorite moment of this Tribute to Abbey Lincoln from the Kennedy Center. Hear it Sunday, June 17, at 6pm .. Wednesday, June 20, at 6:30 .. or any time at wbgo.org/jazzset.

    Bridgewater, Musical Director Terri Lyne Carrington, Wilson and Reeves
    Bridgewater, Musical Director Terri Lyne Carrington, Wilson and Reeves

    © 2012 WBGO

  • Sing the Truth! - "With near record breaking heat and high humidity, I felt chills"

    September 3, 2011. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Angelique Kidjo, Detroit Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival 2011, dianne reeves, Jazz Alive, Lizz Wright, Sing the Truth

    Rhonda Hamilton writes:  The Detroit Jazz Festival got off to a spectacular start Thursday evening with fireworks in the sky and on the stage, as the voices of Dianne Reeves, Angelique Kidjo and Lizz Wright rang out into the night and captivated the opening night crowd.

    With near record breaking heat and high humidity in the Motor City over the last few days, the word perspiration doesn’t fit the bill.  We have all been sweating but within the first few seconds of Sing The Truth!, I literally felt chills. These three incredibly gifted artists, each with her own distinctive style, put on a show that energized the audience and made us glad to be alive.

    Dianne Reeves sings with the clarity, confidence and passion of an artist who has earned diva status. In complete command of her instrument, she knows how to weave a spell, create drama and take the music higher.

    Dianne Reeves .. Photo by Jeff Forman
    Dianne Reeves .. Photo by Jeff Forman

    Angelique Kidjo carries the spirit of Mother Africa within her soul. Her voice, her dance, her exuberance have the power to make you scream.

    Angelique Kidjo in motion .. Photo by Jeff Forman
    Angelique Kidjo in motion .. Photo by Jeff Forman

    Lizz Wright embodies youth and beauty and grace.  Despite her young years she has the heart of a woman and the wisdom to match.  With a voice like warm honey she digs deep and brings up a well of emotion with each performance.

    Lizz Wright .. Photo by Jeff Forman
    Lizz Wright .. Photo by Jeff Forman

    During their months on tour, Dianne, Angelique and Lizz have developed a strong bond, clearly inspiring and learning from each other.  They share the love and they “Sing The Truth.” Don’t miss our broadcast Labor Day Monday at noon.

    Photo by Jeff Forman
    Photo by Jeff Forman
    Thanks, Jeff! Great photos
    Thanks, Jeff! Great photos

    © 2011 WBGO

  • A Tribute to Abbey Lincoln at the Kennedy Center

    May 23, 2011. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: abbey lincoln, cassandra wilson, concerts, dee dee bridgewater, dianne reeves, Jazz Alive, JazzSet, Live Music, Terri Lyne Carrington

    UPDATE: Read the review from The Washington Post here. Critic Mike Joyce tells you about THE BAND! And there's a good photo. BP

    On Friday night at the Mary Lou Williams Festival in Washington, DC, four daughters of Abbey Lincoln (1930-2010) opened her songbook together, for the first time.

    Bridgewater, Carrington, Wilson, Reeves backstage after the show .. photo by BP

    This was a dynamic concert, and generous too. More than five hundred people in the Terrace Theater concentrated on the artists onstage concentrating on words and music that came from Abbey Lincoln's own concentration. We felt the loss of her, and newly appreciated the gift she left us.

    Read more

    © 2011 WBGO