WBGO Blog

  • Wail: The Life of Bud Powell by Peter Pullman on WBGO!

    May 9, 2013. Posted by Simon Rentner.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive

    Peter Pullman visited WBGO's Jazz From The Archives last fall to discuss his new book Wail: The Life of Bud Powell with historian Dan Morgenstern.  This two-hour special delves into the mysterious life and musical brilliance of the late piano player.  Listen to parts I and II of the special below.  Pullman and I also collaborated on this NPRMusic feature about 5 essential Bud Powell performances.  Enjoy!

    Hour 1

    Hour 2

    Wail: The Life of Bud Powell

    © 2013 WBGO

  • Boom Tic Boom And Sexmob at 92Y And On WBGO HD2

    May 8, 2013. Posted by Tim Wilkins.

    Add new comment | Filed under: 92Y, Jazz Alive, Live Music, Live Music Blogging, The Checkout Live at 92Y Tribeca Archive

    WBGO's The Checkout! presents a live double bill from 92Y Tribeca of drummer Allison Miller's trio Boom Tic Boom and trumpeter Steven Bernstein's Sexmob on Wednesday, May 8 at 8 p.m. Watch live video and chat with hosts from WBGO and NPR Music right here, or listen live on WBGO-FM.

    Want to hear more? WBGO's HD2 channel for new music, the jazz bee, is streaming Boom Tic Boom's brand-new album, No Morphine, No Lillies, this week, as well as past releases by Miller, Bernstein and their bandmates. Enjoy!

    Like WBGO's other live broadcasts, these shows live on in our video archive and at NPRmusic.org.

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    © 2013 WBGO

  • Johannesburg's Maboneng Precinct with Simon Rentner

    May 3, 2013. Posted by Simon Rentner.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive

    Our celebration of global jazz all May continues with more from my recent trip to South Africa. In this second report for The WBGO Journal, I investigate urban renewal in Johannesburg's Maboneng Precinct.

    Once a notoriously dangerous part of the city's bustling Central Business District, Maboneng now a playground and living space for some of the country's top artists.

    Click here to hear my first report for The WBGO Journal, on the Capetown Jazz Festival.

    Maboneng Graffiti

    There are over 100 murals of Graffiti Art throughout the Maboneng Precinct.

    Arts on Main

    The flagship development of the Maboneng Precinct is Arts on Main.  This courtyard hosts their very fashionable Sunday Market.

    The Museum of African Design

    This October, the Museum of African Design in the Maboneng opens to the public. The museum is currently showcasing this private show of works described "braille astronomy."

    The Museum of African Design Part II

    Skateboard Ramp and Graffiti Wall

    Skateboarding is very popular in Johannesburg.  This ramp is installed on the main avenue of the Maboneng Precinct in effort to "activate" the streets and welcome kids from the surrounding poor neighborhoods.

    Remed's View Mural

    The murals and special commissions of public art throughout the precinct are impressive, including this work by the French artist Remed.  This painting is featured on an under-construction building for low-income students called Remed's View.

    For more of my South African arts coverage, click here for a recap of the 14th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival.  And here's my article about five South African swing artists every jazz lover should know.

    © 2013 WBGO