Upbeat January/February 2016

JAN./FEB. 2016

UPBEAT | WBGOProgram GuideJazz 88.3 FM www.wbgo.org

Newark Celebrates 350 YearsPhoto: Harry Prott

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2 Upbeat Jan./Feb. 2016 www.wbgo.org

Upbeat is available in a large print edition upon request.

President & CEO Amy Niles

MarketingManager Brandy Wood

Program DirectorSteve Williams

Music DirectorGary Walker

MembershipDirectorRoslyn Turner

Directorof DonorDevelopmentJohn Newcott

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54 Park Place Newark, NJ 07102Tel: (973) 624-8880Fax:(973) 824-8888

Vol. XXXIXNo. 2

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In conjunction with the current exhibit, Jazz, Jews and African-Americans:Cultural Intersections in

Newark and Beyond, this panel discus-sion moderated by Maxine Gordon(widow of Dexter Gordon) will focus onthe role of jazz music and jazz musiciansin the movement for racial equality in20th century America. The panel willfocus specifically on the relationshipbetween Jews and African-Americans inthe jazz community as it impacted onthe larger struggle for Civil Rights. Thisdiscussion, sponsored by the New Jersey

Performing Arts Center (NJPAC),WBGO, and Rutgers-Newark’s Institutefor Jazz Studies (IJS), will include Junius Williams (Chairman NC350),Gwen Moten (Executive Director TheMayor’s Office of Arts, CulturalDevelopment and Tourism), pianist SteveColson and Robert O’Meally (Zora NealeHurston Professor of English—ColumbiaUniversity) and composer David Amram.

The following quote from Dr. King,taken from his speech to the Berlin JazzFestival (1964), speaks to the significanceof jazz in the struggle for Civil Rights:

JAZZ MUSIC AND THE MOVEMENT FORCIVIL RIGHTS: A PANEL DISCUSSION INHONOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.


www.wbgo.org Jan./Feb. 2016 Upbeat3

The next Newark Public Radio, Inc. Board of Trustees

meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 11. 2016,

6:00 p.m., at WBGO, 54 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102

The meeting is open to the public.

Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tellthe story of life's difficulties, and ifyou think for a moment, you willrealize that they take the hardestrealities of life and put them intomusic, only to come out with somenew hope or sense of triumph.

This is triumphant music.

Modern jazz has continued in thistradition, singing the songs of amore complicated urban existence.When life itself offers no order andmeaning, the musician creates anorder and meaning from the soundsof the earth which flow through his instrument.

It is no wonder that so much ofthe search for identity amongAmerican Negroes was champi-oned by Jazz musicians. Longbefore the modern essayists andscholars wrote of racial identityas a problem for a multiracialworld, musicians were returningto their roots to affirm that whichwas stirring within their souls.

Much of the power of ourFreedom Movement in the UnitedStates has come from this music.It has strengthened us with itssweet rhythms when couragebegan to fail. It has calmed uswith its rich harmonies whenspirits were down.

And now, Jazz is exported to theworld. For in the particular strug-gle of the Negro in America thereis something akin to the universalstruggle of modern man.Everybody has the Blues.Everybody longs for meaning.Everybody needs to love and beloved. Everybody needs to claphands and be happy. Everybodylongs for faith.

In music, especially this broadcategory called Jazz, there is a stepping stone towards all of these.

National Archives



WBGO Helps Kick Off FestivitiesCelebrating Newark’s 350th Year!

2016 marks the 350th anniversaryof WBGO’s hometown of Newark,New Jersey. Situated on Military

Park—which went from being a militiatraining ground from 1667–1868, to atown commons, to the city’s most recentlyrevitalized park—WBGO announcersand staff have the opportunity to walkthrough a piece of Newark’s past, presentand future each day. So, it was an obvious“yes,” when we were approached byJunius Williams, the Chair of the Newark350 Celebration Committee (NC350), tokick off a year of celebration in the parkthis past October. The NC350 festivitieswill include more than a hundred events,activities and programs. Presented byindividuals and organizations such asWBGO, Newark Public Library, Newark

Museum, Rutgers University-Newark,New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, NJPACand others, the festivities will be fo–cused around the city’s rich history andcurrent vibrancy.

“We are very excited with our first slateof NC350 programs for 2016. The com-munity’s response, interest and desire to

Junius Williams,Chair of the Newark350 CelebrationCommittee (NC350)



be involved has been overwhelming. Wehave received many great ideas for pro-gramming and are thrilled with the direc-tion of the year-long event,” statedWilliams. “An important factor to our pro-gramming has been the direct feedbackwe received from our ProgrammingCommittee and at each of our five com-munity ward meetings. The turnoutexceeded our expectations and we

received great direction from the mem-bers of each of our diverse communities.”

WBGO is honored to be part of thiseffort, as we broadcast our celebration ofNewark each and every day. WBGO con-tinues to produce its Newark ArtsCalendar, which you can find atWBGO.org/community. There, you willfind arts and cultural activities and eventsthroughout the city of Newark. And, inhonor of the 350th anniversary of the city,WBGO will be producing a series of stories about the people of Newark.

So, stop by and see us in Newark thisyear—whether you come to one of ourfree, monthly Gateway 2 concerts, or tosee the art in the WBGO Gallery, or to our Champions of Jazz Gala dance party at NJPAC in March—WBGO isNewark Public Radio and we celebratethat every day!

Kicking off Newark’s 350th anniversary year, WBGO features aseries of episodes of Steve Adubato’s One-on-One, Newark at aCrossroads, Mondays at 7:30PM January 4–February 8 on WBGO88.3FM and WBGO.org. Recorded in August 2015 at NJIT, this special series features individuals from business, health-care, education and the non-profit world who are shaping thefuture of Newark.

Broad Street at the corner of RaymondBoulevard in Newark, New Jersey in 1945.



MUSIC DIRECTOR GARY WALKER’STOP CDS + RE-ISSUES

Gary’sPlays

Top Tunes

Kenny BurrellThe Road to Love (High Note)

Stanley Clarke, Bireli Lagrene, Jean-Luc PontyD-Stringz (Impulse)

Vic Juris TrioBlue (Steeplechase)

Houston PersonSomething Personal (High Note)

Chucho ValdesTribute to Irakere (Jazz Village)

Marcus PrintupYoungbloods (Steeplechase)

Valery Ponomarev Big BandOur Father Who Art Blakey (Zoho)

SUPPORT WBGO

A great way to support WBGO is through a gift of stock or a

family foundation. If you would likemore information, please call JohnNewcott at 973-643-4302. All giftsto WBGO are tax deductible to thefullest extent of the law.


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Delta and traveled up the river to Memphis,St. Louis, Chicago, and the music theMississippi inspired in the rest of the countryis the story of at least the last century ofAmerican music.

Feb. 28 Snarky Puppy in Big DJazz Night in America meets up with jazz-fusion superstars Snarky Puppy in theirhometown of Dallas, Texas. Along with high-lights from a live concert at The Prophet Bar,we explore how to hear the “gospel tinge” inthe band’s infections grooves and sit downwith an exclusive conversation with band-leader/bassist, Michael League in a recordingstudio where he breaks down his composi-tional process.

7:00 PM SUNDAY NIGHT MUSIC MIX Grammy® nominated record producer EulisCathey plays an eclectic mixture of jazz, con-temporary jazz, fusion, jazz/funk, Latin, clas-sic R&B and so much more. From GroverWashington, Jr. to Weather Report; fromJames Brown to Eddie Palmieri; from CharlesEarland to Incognito, the Sunday Night MusicMix has something for everyone. 11:00 PM THE CHECKOUTRe-broadcast of previous Tuesday’s Program.MONDAYS6:30 PM LATINO USA

with Maria Hinojosa Multi award-winning Latino USA, the radiojournal of news and culture, is the only nation-ally distributed English-language radio pro-gram produced from a Latino perspective. Thisprogram covers the social, cultural and politi-cal issues facing today’s Latino community.

Maria Hinojosa, host of Latino USA, is alsourban affairs correspondent for CNN and aformer NPR News reporter. In addition tobeing a broadcaster, Hinojosa is an author,and a frequent lecturer on college campuses.She has received the Robert F. KennedyAward, an Associated Press award and theNational Council of La Raza’s 1999 RubenSalazar Award.


7:30 PM THE BEST OF ONE ON ONE with Steve Adubato

One-on-One with Steve Adubato featuresconversations with the region’s most com-pelling personalities. Guests include televi-sion personalities, CEOs, artists, healthcaretrailblazers, educational innovators and more.Emmy Award® winner, Steve Adubato, PhD,combines wide-ranging knowledge, a pene-trating and inquisitive style and the apprecia-tion for amiable conversation throughout theprogram. Steve asks questions that inspirethe guests to talk beyond their expectedroute in a manner rarely seen on televisedtalk shows.One-on-One with Steve Adubato “Newark at a Crossroads” series—Jan. 4–Feb. 8Jan. 4 Dr. Joel Bloom, President, NJITSteve Adubato goes one-on-one with Dr. JoelBloom, President of New Jersey Institute ofTechnology, to discuss innovation and ways todrive economic development through the col-laboration of students and business leaders.

David Rosenberg, CEO, AeroFarmsVertical farming is taking root in Newark,thanks to the vision of Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Rosenberg.Leafy greens and herbs will be grown inthe new 69,000 square facility in Newark’sIronbound section.

Kimberly McLain, Pres. & CEO, Foundation for Newark’s FutureSteve Adubato goes one on one withKimberly McLain, President & CEO of theFoundation for Newark’s Future, to discusshow Mark Zuckerberg’s challenge grant isbeing used to improve education in Newark.

Jan. 11 Ras J. Baraka, Newark MayorNational and international companies arecalling the Brick City home. So are seniors who are enjoying new housing facilities.Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka discusses the triumphs and challenges that still faceNew Jersey’s largest city.



Delta and traveled up the river to Memphis,St. Louis, Chicago, and the music theMississippi inspired in the rest of the countryis the story of at least the last century ofAmerican music.

Feb. 28 Snarky Puppy in Big DJazz Night in America meets up with jazz-fusion superstars Snarky Puppy in theirhometown of Dallas, Texas. Along with high-lights from a live concert at The Prophet Bar,we explore how to hear the “gospel tinge” inthe band’s infectious grooves and sit downwith an exclusive conversation with band-leader/bassist, Michael League in a recordingstudio where he breaks down his composi-tional process.

7:00 PM SUNDAY NIGHT MUSIC MIX Grammy® nominated record producer EulisCathey plays an eclectic mixture of jazz, con-temporary jazz, fusion, jazz/funk, Latin, clas-sic R&B and so much more. From GroverWashington, Jr. to Weather Report; fromJames Brown to Eddie Palmieri; from CharlesEarland to Incognito, the Sunday Night MusicMix has something for everyone. 11:00 PM THE CHECKOUTRe-broadcast of previous Tuesday’s Program.MONDAYS6:30 PM LATINO USA

with Maria Hinojosa Multi award-winning Latino USA, the radiojournal of news and culture, is the only nation-ally distributed English-language radio pro-gram produced from a Latino perspective. Thisprogram covers the social, cultural and politi-cal issues facing today’s Latino community.

Maria Hinojosa, host of Latino USA, is alsourban affairs correspondent for CNN and aformer NPR News reporter. In addition tobeing a broadcaster, Hinojosa is an author,and a frequent lecturer on college campuses.She has received the Robert F. KennedyAward, an Associated Press award and theNational Council of La Raza’s 1999 RubenSalazar Award.


7:30 PM THE BEST OF ONE ON ONE with Steve Adubato

One-on-One with Steve Adubato featuresconversations with the region’s most com-pelling personalities. Guests include televi-sion personalities, CEOs, artists, healthcaretrailblazers, educational innovators and more.Emmy Award® winner, Steve Adubato, PhD,combines wide-ranging knowledge, a pene-trating and inquisitive style and the apprecia-tion for amiable conversation throughout theprogram. Steve asks questions that inspirethe guests to talk beyond their expectedroute in a manner rarely seen on televisedtalk shows.One-on-One with Steve Adubato “Newark at a Crossroads” series—Jan. 4–Feb. 8Jan. 4 Dr. Joel Bloom, President, NJITSteve Adubato goes one-on-one with Dr. JoelBloom, President of New Jersey Institute ofTechnology, to discuss innovation and ways todrive economic development through the col-laboration of students and business leaders.

David Rosenberg, CEO, AeroFarmsVertical farming is taking root in Newark,thanks to the vision of Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Rosenberg.Leafy greens and herbs will be grown inthe new 69,000 square facility in Newark’sIronbound section.

Kimberly McLain, Pres. & CEO, Foundation for Newark’s FutureSteve Adubato goes one on one withKimberly McLain, President & CEO of theFoundation for Newark’s Future, to discusshow Mark Zuckerberg’s challenge grant isbeing used to improve education in Newark.

Jan. 11 Ras J. Baraka, Newark MayorNational and international companies arecalling the Brick City home. So are seniors who are enjoying new housing facilities.Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka discusses the triumphs and challenges that still faceNew Jersey’s largest city.



Jan. 18 Christopher Cerf,Superintendent, Newark Public Schools

Steve Adubato goes one-on-one withNewark’s new Superintendent of PublicSchools, Chris Cerf, about his plan to fix the Brick City’s school system.

Guy Sterling, Author, The Famous, Familiar andForgotten: 350 NotableNewarkers

Former Star-Ledger reporter Guy Sterlingreveals the many fascinating people whohave called Newark home in his newbook The Famous, The Familiar, and The Forgotten: 350 Notable Newarkers.Jan. 25 Marjorie Perry, Pres. & CEO MZM

Construction & ManagementMarjorie Perry, President & CEO, MZMConstruction and Management goes one-on-one with Steve Adubato to share more insighton her deep Newark roots and her positivefuture projections for the Brick City.

Barbara Heisler, ExecutiveDirector, GlassRoots

Steve Adubato goes one on one with BarbaraHeisler, Executive Director of GlassRoots, todiscuss how glass blowing transforms lives,especially of underserved youth.

Thomas Krever, ExecutiveDirector, GlassRoots &Ashwanda Fleming, Ph.D. & Exec. Dir. of HMI-Newark

Recent studies indicate that LGBTQ youth are30 percent more likely to be evicted fromtheir homes. Helping Newark LGBTQ youthcope with the myriad of challenges facingthem are Hetrick-Martin Institute(HMI) ChiefExecutive Officer Thomas Krever and theExecutive Director of HMI-NJ AshawndaFleming, Ph. D.

Feb. 1 Barry Ostrowsky, Pres. & CEO,Barnabas Health Systems

President and Chief Executive Officer ofBarnabas Health, Barry H. Ostrowsky,

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explains how the merger with Robert WoodJohnson benefits the entire New Jersey com-munity

Chris Siversen, Executive Chefand Owner, BURG

Steve Adubato goes one-on-one with execu-tive chef of the acclaimed Jersey City restau-rant Maritime Parc, Chris Siversen, about his latest venture, BURG, in Newark’s Military Park.

Ryan Haygood, President & CEO,NJ Institute for Social Justice

Steve Adubato goes one on one with RyanHaygood, President & CEO of the New JerseyInstitute for Social Justice, to discuss lawenforcement and community relations, andempowering Newark community members.

Feb. 8 Ron Beit, CEO & FoundingPartner, RBH Group

Ron Beit, the CEO and Founding Partner ofRBH Group highlights the 15-million squarefoot mixed-use redevelopment project knownas Teacher’s Village located in downtownNewark. RBH Group recently broke ground onMaker’s Village, which will house verticalgardening pioneer AeroFarms.

Andaiye Taylor, Editor, Brick City Live

Steve Adubato goes One-on-One with theEditor of Brick City Live, Andaiye Taylor, to discuss her hyperlocal news website and how she is using citizen journalist tomake content more relatable to the Newark community.

Tony Howell, Executive Director,Educational Opportunity Program, NJITSteve Adubato goes one-on-one with TonyHowell, Executive Director, EducationalOpportunity Programs at NJIT, to discuss howthe program has helped students prepare forNJIT’s rigorous college curriculum.

Feb. 15 Pras Michel/Troy Lewis/Patricia Smith

More than a decade ago, Pras founded theNew Jersey-based, multi-platinum rap group,


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The Fugees. He has since applied his cre-ative energies to documentary film produc-ing. Steve Adubato goes one-on-one withPras, who gives insight into his new docu-mentary Sweet Micky for President, thatreveals how Pras recruited the irreverentmusician, Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly to run for—and win—Haiti’s highest office.

Steve Adubato goes one-on-one with firsttime author Troy Lewis, about his book, GasMoney, which is a collection of personal sto-ries seen through the eyes of a six year oldliving in the small town of Saluda, Virginia,during the civil rights era.

Steve Adubato goes one-on-one withNJPAC Poet in Residence, Patricia Smith, to discuss her poetry career and connectionto NJPAC.Feb. 22 Vaughn L. McKoy/Tina DeMarco

& Rudy Walker/Ted Chapin Vaughn L. McKoy, a successful lawyer, publicspeaker and author has made his life anexample of how one rises to meet everyoccasion. Steve Adubato goes one-on-onewith McKoy to discuss his new teachingguide, The Coaches Playbook, a classroomcompanion to his motivational autobiography,Playing Up: One Man’s Rise From PublicHousing TO Public Service ThroughMentorship.

Steve Adubato talks with Tine DeMarco andRudy Walker about how one hospital is goingbeyond medicine and using the power ofmusic and art to help heal their patients.Steve Adubato goes one-on-one with TedChapin, who talks about his role as President& CEO of Rodgers & Hammerstein organiza-tion as well as host of the AmericanSongbook series at NJPAC, featuring some of today’s top artists.

Feb. 29 Freddy Cole/ Richard Willett & Christian Mansur

A living link to the Great American Songbook,legendary Jazz pianist, vocalist, composerand arranger Freddy Cole talks about his

WJF Preview show—Ray Angry/Shai MaestroNow the biggest jazz festival in the UnitedStates, Winter Jazz Festival celebrates newjazz music by featuring over 100 bands on adozen stages in the heart of New York City,Greenwich Village. Two of this year’s hottestacts this year Ray Angry and Shai Maestrotalk about their projects. Producer andpianist Ray Angry presents Celebration Suitefrom Supreme Sonacy (Blue Note). PianistShai Maestro tells Untold Stories, also thename of his album.

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extraordinary career—and his newest albumwhich, at age 85, he is currently recording.In this Newark at a Crossroads segment,Steve Adubato talks with Richard Willet,head of the Newark Boys Chorus School andstudent Christian Mansur, about the schools45 years of music excellence.

TUESDAYS6:30 PM THE CHECKOUTThe Checkout is a weekly one-hour musicmagazine featuring the best content fromWBGO—the leading presenter of jazz onpublic media. Every week, producer SimonRentner crafts a program that aims into theheart of New York’s music scene—featuringexclusive interviews, studio sessions, and

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field recordings of today’s leading artists.Program listings subject to change.Jan. 5 Cape Town Jazz Fest Part 2:

Thundercat/Claude Cozens The bassist, singer, and composer Thundercattalks about LA’s creative music scene—Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, and the late Austin Peralta. Plus, an introduction toCape Town’s drummer Claude Cozens.Recorded at the 2015 Cape Town JazzFestival.

Jan. 12 WJF Preview show—Ray Angry/Shai Maestro

See sidebar page 11.

Jan. 19 MOPDTK “Blue”/Rudresh Mahanthappa Bird Calls

Don’t assume for a second the Indian-American alto saxophonist RudreshMahanthappa knows anything about his parent’s ancestry, language, or music. As asecond generation kid growing up in mostly-white Boulder Colorado, he didn’t. He becamean expert of the music of Charlie Parkerbefore investigating the music his own her-itage in south India. But first, cloning Kind ofBlue. The band Mostly Other People Do TheKilling surprises us with their tribute of theMiles Davis classic recording. And, it mayshock you too.

Jan. 26 Joshua Redman/Phronesis/Elizabeth Shepherd

Joshua Redman talks about collaboratingwith The Bad Plus for their new recording onNonesuch, plus shares his love for his home-town basketball team, The Golden StateWarriors, now world champions. JasperHoiby, pianist Ivo Neame, and drummer AntonEger from the group Phronesis talk abouttheir album Life To Everything. The Montreal-based singer/songwriter Shepherd explainsthe motivation behind making her recordingThe Signal. Recorded at the 2015 MontrealInternational Jazz Festival.

Feb. 2 Panama Jazz Fest Special Part 1:Randy Weston/Danilo Perez

The Checkout takes you live to the 2016Panama Jazz Festival to feature exclusiveperformances from Panamanian Americanpiano players Danilo Perez and RandyWeston. The show will also highlight some of its emerging talent in connection withBerklee College of Music.

Feb. 9 Cape Town Jazz Fest Part 1Hugh Masekela, BenjaminJephta, Carlo Mombelli

When the South African bassist and compos-er Carlo Mombelli is stumped for ideas, heheads to the forest to sing along with thebirds and insects. He tells us some of those“Stories.” Stories is the name of his record-ing featuring all self-taught musicians. TheCape Townean Benjamin Jephta is anotherSouth African bassist bubbling with ideas.The 22-year-old shares music from his debutHomecoming. But first, we go back 50 years with trumpet legend, HughMasekela. It’s 1965—the year that Masekelabecame a star and when he launched hisrecord label Chisa. This is the 2015 CapeTown International Jazz Festival edition ofThe Checkout from South Africa.

Feb. 16 Zahili Gonzalez ZamoraIntroducing Cuban pianist, singer and song-writer Zahili Gonzalez Zamora. She sharesher music from the 2015 MontrealInternational Jazz Festival.

Feb. 23 Jason Moran on Fats Waller/Ray Angry

Pianist Jason Moran talks about music fromhis recording All Rise: A Joyful Elegy of FatsWaller (Blue Note). Jazz pianist and pop pro-ducer Ray Angry shares his five favorite poptunes with jazz influence.

7:30 PM CONVERSATIONS WITH ALLAN WOLPER

Conversations with Allan Wolper featuresguests whose ideas are on the cutting edge.Wolper, known as a “journalist’s journalist,”



is an interviewer, reporter, documentary pro-ducer and ethics columnist, who has beenhonored by every journalism medium, win-ning over 50 awards.8:00 PM LATIN JAZZ CRUISE

with Awilda RiveraWEDNESDAYS6:30 PM JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICARe-broadcast of previous Sunday’s Program.7:30 PM SPORTSJAMSportsJam takes a unique peek into thesports scene as WBGO’s News and SportsDirector Doug Doyle talks with a wide varietyof guests. Bernie Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jon Faddis, Savion Glover and Jazz88 host Rhonda Hamilton all agree there’s astrong connection between jazz and sports.SportsJam recently received the Best SportsAward from the New Jersey AssociatedPress Broadcasters Association.THURSDAYS6:30 PM SONG TRAVELS

WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEINJan. 7 Mark O’ConnorGrammy®-winning violinist Mark O’Connor isat home playing bluegrass, country, jazz, andclassical. And his approach to teachingstrings is considered a rival to the SuzukiMethod. Feinstein and O’Connor get togetheron this week’s Song Travels to exploreAmerican music, including a performance of Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

Jan. 14 Barry ManilowPop icon Barry Manilow got his start arrang-ing for TV and writing commercial jingles. Hewas Bette Midler’s pianist before he record-ed his 1974 breakout hit, “Mandy.” The restis chart-topping history. On this Song Travels,Manilow joins Feinstein to talk about his lifeand career, and he performs “I Am YourChild.”

Jan. 21 John ProulxVocalist, pianist, and composer John Proulxhas a voice that is reminiscent of anotherall-around musician, the late Chet Baker.

Proulx’s songs have been recorded by artistsincluding Nancy Wilson and Mary Stallings,and he’s performed with legends NatalieCole, Anita O’Day, and Marian McPartland.Proulx joins host Feinstein to discuss thecontinuing evolution of music.

Jan. 28 Brandy ClarkCountry vocalist and songwriter Brandy Clarkhas written major hits for modern countryartists Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, andThe Band Perry. With her acclaimed debutsolo album, 12 Stories, she revitalizes thetradition of storytelling in country music withdarkly humorous songs that speak from theexperiences of a modern woman. Clarke per-forms a set of her original songs including“Pray to Jesus” and “Take a Little Pill.”

Feb. 4 Jimmy WebbOne of the most prominent songwriters of hisera, Jimmy Webb has written for artistsincluding Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, andthe Fifth Dimension. He has earned multipleGrammys, membership in the NashvilleSongwriter’s Hall of Fame, and a LifetimeAchievement Award from the NationalAcademy of Songwriters. In this session, Webbpresents some of his most memorable songs,including “Galveston” and “MacArthur Park.”

Feb. 11 Charenée WadeJazz vocalist Charenée Wade began singingat age twelve and learned from jazz luminar-ies such as Carmen Lundy and ChristianMcBride. Her clear voice landed her first run-ner-up in the 2010 Thelonious Monk compe-tition, and she followed this success with herdebut album, Love Walked In. On this SongTravels, Wade performs jazz classics, includ-ing “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” and“Blue Monk.”

Feb. 18 Michael and Lisa GungorMichael and Lisa Gungor started the musicalcollective known as Gungor, which has beencompared to Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, andSufjan Stevens. Their first two albums wereGrammy®-nominated, and their songwriting




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continues to break ground and defy catego-rization. On this week’s Song Travels, Gungordemonstrates their innovative sound with aperformance of their song “I Am Mountain.”

Feb. 25 Valerie SimpsonSee sidebar.

7:30 PM PEOPLE’S PHARMACYThis program examines current issues in medicine, mental health, nutrition and fitness. FRIDAYS6:30 PM PORTRAITS IN BLUERe-broadcast of previous Saturday’sProgram; See Listing.7:30 PM WBGO JOURNALThis program, produced by the multi-awardwinning WBGO team, covers issues of impor-tance to the Newark/NY metro area.SATURDAYS6:00 AM NIGHT LIGHTSNight Lights presents jazz, from 1950 to the

present, with a late-night sensibility, hostedby David Brent Johnson. Night Lights is aprogram of jazz in sound, story and song,”says Johnson. “I try to make each show acultural narrative about whatever artist ortheme I’m highlighting.”Jan. 2 Hipsters, Flipsters, and

On-The-ScenestersNight Lights rings in the New Year with jazztributes to characters both imagined andreal, including Freddie Freeloader, Moose the Mooche, and more.

Jan. 9 Portrait of Hod O’BrienAn interview with the veteran pianist, as well as recordings that he’s made with Chet Baker, J.R. Monterose, Roswell Rudd,and others.

Jan. 16 Swing It Loud: Duke Ellington’sEarly Black-Pride Music

Long before the black-pride movement of the1960s, Duke Ellington was composing musicthat celebrated the history, achievements,and culture of African-Americans. We’ll hearmusic from Black, Brown and Beige, TheLiberian Suite, and other Ellington works.

Jan. 23 The Benny Golson SongbookTenor saxophonist Benny Golson has pennedsome of the most notable compositions ofthe modern jazz era, including “Whisper Not,”“Along Came Betty,” and “I RememberClifford.” We’ll hear performances of thosepieces and more by Lee Morgan, Art Blakey’sJazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie’s big band,and the Jazztet.

Jan. 30 Later: Bobby Hutcherson in the Mid-1970s

Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson was alreadya Blue Note veteran when he made a stringof mid-1970s hardbop albums for the label,drawing on a strong working group thatincluded trumpeters Woody Shaw andFreddie Hubbard, saxophonist Harold Landand Manny Boyd, and pianist George Cables.Although Blue Note’s glory days were already

Valerie SimpsonVocalist and songwriter Valerie Simpsonand her late husband Nick Ashfordformed one of the most powerful musi-cal duos of the modern era. These mas-ter architects of soul and R&B pennedhits including “Ain’t No Mountain HighEnough,” “I’m Every Woman,” and“Solid.” Simpson reminisces about their work and life with host MichaelFeinstein.

SONG TRAVELS February 25



past when these records were made, theyreflect the intensity of the label’s best work.

Feb. 6 Vee-Jay Jazz: The Vee-Jay Records Story

In 1953 a Gary, Indiana couple started alabel that would become one of the mostsignificant black-owned record companies inAmerica. We’ll hear the jazz artists such asLee Morgan, Wynton Kelly, and WayneShorter who recorded for Vee-Jay Records.

Feb. 13 Portraits in BlackMusic tributes to African-American figuressuch as Paul Robeson and Joe Louis fromCount Basie, Clifford Jordan, Charles Mingusand others.

Feb. 20 Ready for Freddie ReddA salute to hardbop pianist Freddie Redd,featuring recordings he made with artistssuch as Jackie McLean and Tina Brooks.

Feb. 27 Portraits of HarlemBandleader Duke Ellington, stride pianistJames P. Johnson, and saxophonist BennyCarter all wrote musical depictions ofHarlem, one of the most vibrant black com-munities in American history. John Howland,author of Ellington Uptown, joins us to dis-cuss these concert-jazz portraits of Harlem.

7:00 AM PORTRAITS IN BLUERe-broadcasts on FRIDAYS at 6:30Jan. 2 Best of 2015Jan. 9 Albums of

Jimmy Witherspoon Vol. 9Jan. 16 Dinah Washington—

From the Beginning Vol. 16Jan. 23 Sam “The Man” Taylor Vol. 5Jan. 30 Lucky Millinder Vol. 4Feb. 6 Al Sears Vol. 2Feb. 13 Buddy Johnson Vol. 6Feb. 20 Dinah Washington Albums Vol.1Feb. 27 Billy Eckstine Vol. 48:00 AM SATURDAY MORNING FUNCTIONWBGO’s Bob Porter plays blues, R&B andclassic soul, with an emphasis on the early1950s to the late 1960s. New artists who


perform these styles are also featured. 10:00 AM RHYTHM REVUE

with Felix HernandezRhythm Revue’s blend of classic soul andR&B received the A.I.R. (Achievement inRadio) Award for the Best Weekend Programin New York, and was named Best RadioShow by New York Magazine and the VillageVoice. WBGO is the original home of RhythmRevue.

Jan. 2 Decades of Classic SoulFelix continues his 30th year on WBGO withfour commercial-free hours of classic souland R&B hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Jan. 9 MotownAn extra helping of Motown classics intoday’s show.

Jan. 16 PioneersFelix pays tribute to soul music’s pioneers,including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, SamCooke, the Temptations and many others.

Jan. 23 RaritiesFelix dips into his rare stash for some sel-dom-heard and obscure soul treasures.

Jan. 30 The HitsFelix features records that made it to No. 1on the national soul charts.

Feb. 6 Request ShowFelix takes your classic soul requests. Clickon “Requests” on the Rhythm Revue atwbgo.org!

Feb. 13 Warm Your SoulIt may be winter, but Felix has some uptempoclassics that will warm your body and yoursoul!

Feb. 20 Vocal GroupsFelix features great soul vocal groups as partof today’s classic soul mix.

Feb. 27 NY/NJ Radio SoulAs part of the four hour music mix, Felix features an hour of songs that were big soul radio hits in New York City and North Jersey.


The Winter Jazz Festival, which turns 12 this year, runs in various venues aroundGreenwich Village in Manhattan, January 13-17. WBGO will once again partner with the festival, and Simon Rentner, host of The Checkout (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. on WBGO),sat down with the festival’s creator, Brice Rosenbloom, to discuss this year’s event.

Simon: So how big can thisfestival really get?

Brice: The audience thatcomes out every year . . .and the amount of talentthat’s out there tell us thatwe can continue to see itgrow every year. This yearwill be five days long [with

more than] a hundred and twenty groups, over650 musicians performing [in] 14 differentvenues across the Village. Last year we werein a beautiful venue, the Minetta Theatre,which we don’t have access to this year. [That]propelled us to start a conversation with theNew School, and we’ve been able to securefour different stages at the school this year, inwhat we hope will become a long standingpartnership. On the Friday and Saturday ECMrecords will be showcasing thirteen differentgroups of homegrown talent at the Tishmanauditorium on 14th street and 5th Avenue.That showcase will feature artists like VijayIyer and Avishai Cohen, David Torn, CraigTaborn, Michael Formanek, Chris Potter andmany others.

Simon: I hear ECM records founder ManfredEicher is making a special trip for this series.

Brice: Yes, we understand that as well. We’rethrilled that he’s going to be in the room.

Simon: It’s funny that you have all these ven-ues in Greenwich Village which obviouslyholds great, storied history in jazz music in theUnited States where you’re presenting thisfestival. However, none of your acts are fea-tured in any of these sort of jazz club main-stays in Greenwich Village itself like Smallsjazz club isn’t involved, Fat Cat isn’t involvedor the Village Vanguard; all of these Greenwich

Village jazz clubs. Was that calculated or itjust didn’t work out that way?

Brice: You know it’s somewhat calculated,but not fully. We do include the Zinc Bar, wehave included the Zinc Bar almost . . . everyyear but for the past seven or eight years ofour twelve year history. We choose, though, tooffer opportunities to experience the music innon-traditional jazz settings for audience andpresenters who are in town for the ArtsPresenters Conference. So yes, we will offer acouple jazz clubs, but a lot of the venues feelmore like rock clubs or big open theatres; thekind of spaces that a presenter might come inand experience the music in a vibrant settingthat might lend, or remind themselves of howthey might want to present that artist. Sowe’re using Le Poisson Rouge as one of ourcentral larger venues, right on BleeckerStreet. [Other venues include] the Judsonchurch, which is a historic space right near[the] NYU campus, and …Sub Culture, a littlefurther east of the Village, which is kind of abasement smaller theatre space. So, the goalis to not just be in concert halls and jazz clubs but to offer a varied way to experiencethe music.

Find the rest of the interview atWBGO.org/WJF—along with links tointerviews with the artists, the festivalpreview from The Checkout and more.

BriceRosenbloom









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Upbeat January/February 2016

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