WBGO Blog

  • Cecile McLorin Salvant, Helen Sung from the Mary Lou Williams Festival at the Kennedy Center

    June 19, 2013. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive, JazzSet, Mary Lou Williams Festival
    McLorin Salvant at the Kennedy Center, photo by Margot Schulman
    McLorin Salvant at the Kennedy Center, photo by Margot Schulman

    For her voice, dramatic ability and grace, 2013 was the year of Cécile McLorin Salvant at the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, May 16-18 in Washington, DC.

    Cécile sang music from WomanChild, just out from Mack Avenue, and added a couple of pieces by women including this one by Blanche Calloway -- "Growlin' Dan." The pianist is Aaron Diehl.

    But he handles my affairs like a real good man .. talkin' about Growlin' Dan .. and Cécile doesn't just sing it, she puts her own spin on it.

    WBGO listeners, note this opportunity:

    Cécile’s New York CD release party for WomanChild is Tuesday, June 25, and it's part of The WBGO Jazz Series at 54 Below. WBGO members can receive a discount here. You must see her!

    You may have heard underwriting spots from Mack Avenue for WomanChild on JazzSet. Thanks to the label for the support!

    Until Cécile's performance, it seemed as though this year's "Mary Lou" (as a friend calls the festival) was shaping up as the Year of the Bandleader. Helen Sung, Regina Carter and Nicole Mitchell's bands were especially strong.

    Helen Sung and Seamus Blake, photo by Margot Schulman
    Helen Sung and Seamus Blake, photo by Margot Schulman

    Helen Sung's arrangement puts the Tango by the Spanish composer Albeniz over a steady bass figure à la "Poinciana" (Ahmad Jamal) and "Sister Cheryl" (Tony Williams).

    The saxophonist is Seamus Blake, with Brandon Lee on trumpet, Ben Wolfe on bass, and Donald Edwards on drums. This band smiles all around. Here's an excerpt.

    I hope to be back with another post from the Mary Lou, soon!

    © 2013 WBGO

  • Pianists Cedar Walton & Barry Harris With Michael Bourne

    June 17, 2013. Posted by Tim Wilkins.

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

    Pianists Cedar Walton and Barry Harris talk with Michael Bourne about their plans to perform as a duo in the "Jazz Piano Summit" at Jazz At Lincoln Center on June 22 in honor of pianist Mulgrew Miller, who passed away last month. Enjoy!

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    © 2013 WBGO

  • Singer Marlene VerPlanck Talks With Michael Bourne

    June 17, 2013. Posted by Tim Wilkins.

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

    Singer Marlene VerPlanck talks with WBGO's Michael Bourne about the legacy of songwriter Sammy Cahn and her most recent album, Ballads... mostly, which features Mike Renzi, Houston Person, Claudio Roditi, Jay Leonhart, Boots Maleson, Ron Vincent and Tedd Firth. Enjoy!

    marlene_ver_planck_669

    © 2013 WBGO