Jamara Wakefield

Experience an exclusive WBGO jazz performance starring Yamaha pianist Emmet Cohen and the iconic tenor saxophonist Houston Person.

Our storytellers take us on a journey ranging from the allure of Club Zanzibar, the captivating art of vogue, the sacredness of the dance floor as a place of worship, the profound legacy of disco, and of course to the vibrant city of Newark.

Join producer Jamara Wakefield as she sits down with Kym Mazelle, a true trailblazer of house music in the UK and Europe. Renowned as The First Lady of House Music.

Black House Black Joy producer Shayna Wakefield sits down with Dynelle Rhodes, one-half of the iconic duo and the daughter of the late Izora Armstead. In this compelling podcast, Dynelle shares intimate details about her mother's journey and the origin of The Weathers Girls.

In this episode of the Black House Black Joy podcast, our storytellers discuss the resiliency of House Music culture in New Jersey clubs and festivals. These festivals were built with the goal of building up Black communities in Newark. Will these spaces continue to thrive without funding? As we look to the future are these spaces at risk? Listen and share your thoughts with us on social media.

Come Sunday host, Lezlie Harrison interviews Jamara Wakefield and Carolyn Byrd about the history of House Music in New Jersey and their podcast 'Black House Black Joy' debuting on WBGO. Subscribe and listen here.

For New Jersey House Heads, the dance floor is more than just a place to move their bodies to the beat. It's a space where they can fully immerse themselves in the music, connect with others who share their passion, and experience a sense of community and belonging. In this episode, we listen to the New Jersey-based dancers and creatives who view this space as sacred and life-changing.

Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson talk with WBGO’s Jamara Wakefield about “Going to Mars,” their documentary about poet Nikki Giovanni, which premiered at Sundance.

I Am Everything, a new documentary about Little Richard, reveals the Black queer origins of rock ’n’ roll, finally exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music.

Willard Jenkins, longtime jazz advocate and author, speaks with WBGO’s Jamara Wakefield about his new book Ain’t But a Few of Us, documenting the work of Black jazz writers.