WBGO's 45th Birthday Celebration on April 12 at Newark Symphony Hall will be filled with music and dancing. The night will start off with music from the Tyreek McDole quintet. McDole was the most recent winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition at NJPAC.
Then let the dance party portion of the night begin with Angelika Beener (host of WBGO Studios podcast Milestones) and DJ Prince Hakim leading the way.
DJ Prince Hakim and Newark Symphony Hall President Talia Young joined WBGO's Doug Doyle to talk about why they wanted to be a part of WBGO's special evening.
Talia Young says she's excited about the event, especially since it will take place in a legendary and treasured space.
"The partnership of WBGO and Newark Symphony Hall is about the legacy of music and culture that has happened here in our venue. The celebration will take place in the completely newly restored Terrace Ballroom. It's absolutely beautiful."
DJ Prince Hakim Bell, son of Robert "Kool" Bell of the Grammy award-winning group Kool & The Gang, is also looking forward to the event.
"I always go to 88.3 on the dial when I want to hear some music that will uplift me. Jazz is great. I've worked with George Benson on one of his albums. Sitting in the studio with him playing that guitar was just incredible. I love jazz."
Prince Hakim obviously grew up in a musical family and says he's always wanted to stay in the music business.
"My whole family is made up of songwriters, producers and musicians. It's just in the blood."
Prince Hakim has performed with Kool & The Gang as a rapper. He is also a long-time producer and has been a DJ for many of the biggest events in the industry. He says the WBGO celebration is his first gig in Newark and expects that partnership to blossom.
"It will definitely be a classy evening representing WBGO."
Talia Young agrees and stresses both Newark Symphony Hall and WBGO share a wonderful connection to the Newark's history and legacy of artists. She says Newark Symphony Hall will hold its GALAon April 18 in honor of iconic jazz singer Sarah Vaughan. Vaughan who performed many times at the legendary concert venue at 1020 Broad Street.
"We are putting together a tribute to Sarah Vaughan and the curators have been gathering so much material on her life. I didn't realize there are so many other artists who have recreated her music. The foundation of jazz and R&B is from this woman's voice."
You can SEE the entire conversation with Talia Young and Prince Hakim Bell here.
