WBGO Blog

  • Sherry Maricle with Rhonda Hamilton on DIVA Anniversary

    April 5, 2013. Posted by Tim Wilkins.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Interviews, Rhonda Hamilton

    Bandleader and drummer Sherry Maricle talks with Rhonda Hamilton about the Diva Jazz Orchestra, the all-women band she has led for 20 years. Enjoy!

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    © 2013 WBGO

  • Vocalese For Hurricane Sandy Relief in Red Bank

    April 3, 2013. Posted by Michael Bourne.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive, michael bourne

    Two legendary vocal groups, The Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices, joined together with their musical
    godfather Jon Hendricks for an evening of vocalese at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on March 28th.

    I was there, as was WBGO'S John Abbott. The concert was a benefit to help rebuild the music and arts department of St. Rose High School in Belmar, alma mater of the Transfer's Tim Hauser.

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    L-R: Michael Bourne, Alan Paul (TMT), Darmon Meader (NYV), and Peter Eldridge (NYV), photo by George Wirt

    That they were singing at a theatre named for Count Basie was historically meaningful for them all. Jon's most iconic recording was the Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross album "Sing a Song of Basie." Jon wrote all the lyrics for the Transfer's Grammy-winning album "Vocalese" that included tracks with the Count Basie Orchestra. NYV also won a Grammy for an album with the CBO.

    Photo by John Abbott
     The Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices together, photo by George Wirt

    Highlights of the concert in Basie's hometown included a friendly vocal battle of the sexes with the four girls singing "Charleston Alley" and the four boys singing "Caravan" in the style of the Mills Brothers. Jon, lively as ever at 92, inspired them all in their musical careers and lives. Jon joined them all for a climactic "Birdland" and an encore of Jon's lyrics to the Ray Charles classic "Rockhouse."

    © 2013 WBGO

  • Peter Bernstein and Todd Barkan With Rhonda Hamilton

    April 2, 2013. Posted by Tim Wilkins.

    Add new comment | Filed under: 54 Below, Interviews

    Guitarist Peter Bernstein and producer Todd Barkan talk with Rhonda Hamilton about Bernstein's performance at New York's 54 Below nightclub on April 2. Bernstein will perform with Jimmy Cobb on drums, Harold Mabern on piano, Frank Wess on reeds, and John Webber on bass.

    Bernstein's show is the opening concert in 54 Below's WBGO Jazz Series, which is curated by Barkan. The series continues on April 9 ith the Barbara Carroll Quartet with clarinetist Ken Peplowski , the Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet on April 16, vocalist Janis Siegel on May 7, a Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall Concert tribute on May 14, and Cecile McLorin Salvant on June 25.

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    © 2013 WBGO