WBGO honors the rich history and vibrant presence of African American music in celebration of Black History Month. Tune in to hear messages from your favorite WBGO hosts highlighting notable quotes from leaders and artists, speaking about the impact and importance of jazz music to our society. Hear quotes from influential people like Wynton Marsalis, Maya Angelou, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sonny Rollins, and more! Also tune in to hear show features that highlight the contributions of African American artist and musicians throughout the month of February. Our music collection will also feature songs of protest that resonate with the Black experience in America, past and present.
WBGO’s Award Winning program Jazz Night in America will offer episodes that narratively touch on social justice and empowerment, and musically showcase a wide spectrum from big band, spoken word, and gospel. Jazz Night in America airs Saturdays at 6pm on 88.3 FM and streaming via WBGO.org.
Jazz Night in America Black History Month lineup:
Feb 3, 2022
The Movement Revisited
Former All Things Considered host Audie Cornish guest hosts this week’s Jazz Night in America episode. The tables turn as JNIA host Christian McBride -- Grammy Award winning bassist and composer -- talks about and performs his suite, The Movement Revisited, inspired by the words of Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King, Jr. The performance was captured live at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, McBride's hometown.
Feb 10, 2022
Samora Pinderhughes: The Transformations Suite
Samora Pinderhughes says that jazz has the power to reflect “radical imagination.” To the Bay Area-native pianist and composer, that means challenging the status quo with his multi-movement “Transformations Suite.” The suite combines theater, music and poetry to examine and explore the history of African American protest movements. Jazz Night travels to Berkeley, CA to showcase the “Transformations Suite” and explore Samora’s journey into forming his musical life around activism from his parents to his peers, pupils and mentors.
Feb 17, 2022
Jazzmeia Horn
Maybe you became aware of Jazzmeia Horn when she took first prize at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Maybe you got hip when her debut album, A Social Call, was released in 2017. Or maybe this is the first you’re hearing of Jazzmeia, which means you have something to look forward to. A singer of ironclad capability, creative drive and irrepressible panache, she has emerged as the breakout new talent in a formidable jazz-vocal tradition. This is her moment, and Jazz Night in America has her story.
Feb 24, 2022
Damien Sneed
Jazz Night goes to church. Leading us in services this week is gospel pianist and vocalist Damien Sneed. We hear him live at Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center with his trio plus special guest vocalist Anitra McKinney. We take a tour of the legendary Abyssinian church in Harlem and learn about Sneed's upbringing in Augusta, GA to working with the legendary Aretha Franklin.
The Pulse with Keanna Faircloth
New interviews with artists in honor of Black History Month:
- Feb. 3: Jazzmeia Horn, in advance of the Hudson Jazz Festival
- Feb. 9: Alicia Olatuja, prior to her concert at Flushing Town Hall
SportsJam with Doug Doyle: From the Vault
- Monte Irvin and Jimmy Heath: a Baseball Hall of Famer and an NEA Jazz Master
- Bob Glauber on the NFL's color barrier
- Ken Burns and PBS Team Up for the Four-Part Documentary Series Muhammad Ali
- Tamyra Mensah-Stock becomes the first Black woman to win a gold medal in freestyle wrestling
- Jim Overmyer, author of Queen of The Negro Leagues
We'll also celebrate Black History Month with an array of features online, including:
- Jazz United: Dilla Time
- Take Five: A Black History Month kickoff
- The Pulse: Alicia Olatuja
- Q&A - Irma: My Life in Music
- Q&A - Oscar Peterson: Black + White
- Jazz United: Cecil Taylor
- Black History Month x Valentine's Day
Stay tuned for more stories from WBGO.