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WBGO Journal Podcast

A chat with legendary pianist Herbie Hancock and the Count Basie Center for the Arts honors NJ natives Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson of The B-52s

By Doug Doyle
Published July 11, 2026 at 11:32 AM EDT
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Herbie Hancock at the Newport Jazz Festival
Jonathan Chimene
Herbie Hancock at the Newport Jazz Festival

On the July 11 WBGO Journal...

NEA Jazz Master Herbie Hancock will be performing at NJPAC on July 31. WBGO’s Pat Prescott spoke to the legendary pianist, composer and bandleader about the event and his career….

Herbie Hancock at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2019
Jonathan Chimene
Herbie Hancock at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2019

Two of the Founding members of the B-52s are honored in Red Bank…NJ natives Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson are now on  The Count Basie Center for the Arts Walk of Fame. WBGO's Doug Doyle takes you to the ceremony...

Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson of The B-52s at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on July 10, 2026.
Doug Doyle
Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson of The B-52s at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on July 10, 2026.

And WBGO’s Jon Kalish introduces us to an extraordinary optician in Brooklyn…

A Minzer employee takes measurement prior to making lenses for a customer.
Jon Kalish
A Minzer employee takes measurement prior to making lenses for a customer.

Tags
WBGO Journal Podcast Herbie HancockPat PrescottJazzKate PiersonCount Basie Center for the ArtsFred SchneiderThe B-52sBrooklyn
Doug Doyle
Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998. Since then, Doug and his news staff have received more than 300 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.
See stories by Doug Doyle