The Bright Moments Podcast, hosted by WBGO's Jamara Wakefield and features NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk, is a storytelling project exploring the experiences and impact of people who have changed WBGO, Newark Public Radio, and the world of jazz.
In Season 1, we highlight Dorthaan Kirk's role in the beginnings of WBGO, Newark Public Radio. Learn about her commitment to jazz musicians as a curator and community organizer.
Though WBGO now stands as a global jazz powerhouse, its origins were far humbler, and it was Dorthaan Kirk's indispensable role in those formative years that laid the groundwork for the station's enduring success, spanning several decades.
This episode transports us back to 1984, a pivotal year in the world of jazz and African American culture. Dorthaan Kirk, a renowned figure in jazz circles, takes us on a journey to a significant moment captured in a photograph at the home of Amiri and Amina Baraka. This particular evening holds significance because it was when Abbey Lincoln, the legendary jazz vocalist, performed at the Peppermint Lounge in New Jersey. Adding to the allure of the event, Nina Simone, another iconic figure in the world of jazz, was in attendance.
The Bright Moments Podcast is produced by WBGO's Billy Robinson with special thanks for Corey Goldberg.
Check out the rest of our lineup at WBGO Studios.