Michael Shannon is an actor known for the intensity of his performances, whether in films like 99 Homes, prestige cable series like Boardwalk Empire or Broadway plays like Long Day’s Journey Into Night. He’s also an intense jazz fan, as he discussed with WBGO’s Gary Walker on Morning Jazz.
Paying a visit on Walker’s birthday — and during a WBGO fall fund drive challenge — Shannon talked about an in-studio performance by pianist Joey Alexander, and shared a favorite track from the Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou compilation The Kings of Benin: Urban Groove 1972-80.
Shannon also discussed a production of Sam Shepard’s play Simpatico at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, N.J. on select dates through Oct. 15. The play, which Shannon declared his favorite among Shepard’s work, is a production of A Red Orchid Theatre, a Chicago company he has been involved with since 1993.
Finally, Shannon talked about his love of WBGO. “I’m hooked on this station,” he said. “I put it on no matter where I am. I’m so glad that you have the streaming, because I can be anywhere.”
“I’ve been in Toronto a lot this year,” he added, “and I get homesick and I can just punch in WBGO and bring it up on my iPad, and it just made me feel a little less far away from home.”
Support WBGO in our fall fund drive, We Speak Jazz! Pledge here or call us at 800-499-9246.