Before her show at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, Bettye LaVette stopped by WBGO to talk to Gary Walker.

Their conversation touched on her early days in Detroit, the influence of her old producer Jim Lewis, and the evolution of her career. Listen below, and scroll down for an edited transcript.

Buddy Terry, a saxophonist who worked in a broad array of styles and situations — making his most enduring contribution in the realm of soul jazz, and on the ground in Newark, his hometown — died on Nov. 29 in Maplewood, N.J. He was 78.

Marta Sánchez — a pianist from Madrid, now based in New York City — is celebrated for her inventive use of counterpoint and rhythm, as displayed on her radiant new album, El Rayo de Luz (Fresh Sound New Talent).

Two of Newark’s most prolific political minds have come together to edit and publish a book about Newark’s first African-American Mayor. A Mayor For All The People: Kenneth Gibson’s Newark, provides an assessment of Gibson’s leadership and his legacy, from the perspectives of the people who were deeply immersed in 1970s and 80’s Newark politics: city employees, politicians, activists, journalists, and mayoral colleugues like the first African-American mayor of New York City David Dinkins. WBGO’s Alexandra Hill recently sat down with Richard W. Roper and Robert C.

“In 20 years of being in the legislature, I find this bill the most confusing,” said state Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-Middlesex, during a Trenton hearing Thursday.

Yet just a few hours later, she and other lawmakers on the Senate Labor Committee voted 3-1 in favor of legislation that critics say would take money out of the pockets of some freelance workers and put others out of business altogether. Greenstein said she hoped additional amendments would address their concerns.

Recently, almost as often as popular movies have become Broadway musicals, popular singers and songs have inspired new shows on Broadway. Theater critic Michael reviews a new show adapted from a 1995 groundbreaking album from Alanis Morrisette, Jagged Little Pill.

From Academy Award-winning writer Diablo Cody (Juno) comes an original story of suburban subversion inspired by Morissette’s Grammy-Award winning album.

Jagged Little Pill is running at the Broadhurst Theatre.

Click above for Michael Bourne's review.

Deborah Simpkin King, Ph.D. is a visionary choral conductor, new music advocate and master teacher who has been thrilling audiences in New York and New Jersey for many years. 

Her semi-professional choral ensemble Ember of Schola Cantorum on Hudson is presenting a concert "An Ember December" this Sunday, December 8 at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 94 Pine Street in Montclair, New Jersey.

The famous conductor also leads the choir of the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township and is the host of public radio's Sounds Choral.