upbeat november/december 2014

NOV./DEC. 2014

WBGO Program Guide

Jazz 88.3 FM www.wbgo.org

Christian McBride Hosts New Program on WBGO

NOV_DEC_14_Upbt_FNL.qxp_Jan_Feb10_Upbt_FNLv50.qxd 10/28/14 12:20 PM

2 Upbeat Nov./Dec. 2014 www.wbgo.org

Upbeat is available in a large print edition upon request.

President & CEO Amy Niles

MarketingManager Brandy Wood

Music DirectorGary Walker

MembershipDirectorRoslyn Turner

Design/LayoutPenguin Graphics

MEMBER-SUPPORTED Public Radio

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

Vol. XXXVIINo. 1

E-mail:[email protected] Page:www.wbgo.org

The next Newark Public Radio, Inc. Board of Trustees

meeting is scheduled for November 17 at 6pm. The

meeting will be held at WBGO, 54 Park Place, Newark,

New Jersey. The meeting is open to the public.

WBGO and BerkleeCollege of Musicare teaming up

to present the fourth yearof The Checkout—Live atBerklee. The series bringscritically acclaimed, New

York-based Berklee alumni back to theiralma mater for concerts in the Red Room @Cafe 939. The shows will be broadcast onWBGO-FM as a special edition of TheCheckout, the acclaimed multimedia showfeaturing what’s new on the jazz scene. Inaddition, selected shows will be webcastlive worldwide in high definition atWBGO.org. They will also be archived atCheckoutjazz.org.

Year four of The Checkout—Live atBerklee will debut with percussionist and

FerencNemeth

UriGurvich

KatieThirouxTHE CHECKOUT—LIVE AT BERKLEE

2014-15 SEASON ANNOUNCED

composer Ferenc Nemeth on October 8. Theseries continues with saxophonist and com-poser Uri Gurvich on November 5, followedby a Berklee homecoming for the Revive DaLive Big Band on December 3. In the springsemester, bassist and vocalist Katie Thirouxwill perform on February 4, and theGregorio Uribe Big Band will bring theColombian heat on April Fool’s Day.Concerts and broadcasts will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET.

“Boston is a major incubator for jazz, andthis series aims to underline that fact,”said Simon Rentner, producer of TheCheckout. “WBGO and The Checkout aredelighted to return to Berklee. We look for-ward to showcasing these young talents asthey pursue their artistry and inspire futuregenerations.”


www.wbgo.org Nov./Dec. 2014 Upbeat 3

What’s new? I don’t think that wehave ever had a longer list hereat WBGO. For many of you, my

name may be new to you. I joinedWBGO over eight years ago after beinghired by then President and CEOCephas Bowles. At his retirement thispast year, I was tapped to be the fourthleader of this great institution. Rightoutside WBGO’s building on Park Placein Newark, NJ, the business and artsdistrict that surrounds us has seen aflurry of new development- significantconstruction of office and residentialspace, Military Park right outside ourwindow has been reborn and even ourtwo weekly farmer’s markets are alivewith music. Newark is blooming and weare proud, as always, to be NewarkPublic Radio.

This year saw the launch of a newnational show that I am very proud tosay is credited “produced by WBGO”.The program, Jazz Night in America, ishosted by internationally renownedNew Jersey resident ChristianMcBride. What makes this show evenmore special is that it was born from acollaboration between WBGO, NPRMusic and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Andpublic radio audiences—some of themnew to our music—are embracing it. Itshows that our music is relevant. Thestories behind our music are com-pelling. And the music is wonderful.Please tune in on Sundays at 6pm withthe episode repeated Wednesday at6:30pm. WBGO.org will feature multi-platform additional programmingaround the show.

Every Tuesday, we feature The

Year End Message

from WBGO’s

President & CEO,

Amy Niles

Checkout. Our new host is SimonRentner who has been contributing to the show since its inception. Theshow features iconic artists, jazz starsfrom half a world away and artists whoare on the rise, but always current.Speaking of current, log on towww.WBGO.org/Radar to hear handselected jazz releases before they areavailable to the public. We are about tocelebrate the 100th recording availablethrough this unique service to our listeners.

Our 2014 Jazz Leadership Society(JLS) event was a day to remember!The divine Barbara Carroll was ourheadliner and we surprised her with fel-low JLS member Tony Bennett whojoined her onstage for a song. This wasa moment that many of us will neverforget. Speaking of Tony, if you missedMichael Bourne’s interview with himand Lady Gaga, you can find it on ourwebsite, or the cover of the Novemberissue of Downbeat! (see page 18) Thevery same week Michael’s interviewaired on WBGO, we had HughMasekela and Quincy Jones on the air!If you missed any of them on the radio,you can find these and other exclusiveinterviews and specials on the WBGOblogwww.WBGO.org/blog.

The music plays on—that will neverchange. What’s new is something thatyou have never heard before or hearingsomething new in a piece that you haveheard many times. That is what youdepend on 24/7. As long as we cancount on your support, we can continueto keep this vital public radio stationthriving. That is not new. Thank you.



On October 12, WBGO debuted thenewest jazz program available forpublic radio: Jazz Night in America.

The weekly show—produced in a collabo-ration between NPR, Jazz at LincolnCenter and WBGO—will air on Sundaysat 6pm, and repeat on Wednesday at6:30pm on WBGO Jazz 88.3FM andWBGO.org, with a webcast video series(Wednesdays at 9pm, beginning October15) and more available online atWBGO.org/JazzNight.

Each week, the Jazz Night in Americaradio broadcast will present some of thebest live jazz performances happeningaround the country and the stories behindthem. With multiple Grammy® Award-winning musician Christian McBride ashost, the one-hour radio show featureshand-picked performances from acrossthe country, woven with the colorful sto-ries of the artists behind them.

“Public radio has a long history of pre-senting jazz music and storytelling on the

radio; now we’re making sure it’s threadedthrough every platform, device and expe-rience we’re creating for our audiences,”says Anya Grundmann, director and exec-utive producer of NPR Music. “In thisfragmented media landscape, it’s impor-tant to have great partners, and we havethem in our collaboration with our long-time producing partner WBGO, Jazz atLincoln Center, and clubs, musicians andstations all across the country.”

NEW, FROM WBGO,NPR AND JAZZ ATLINCOLN CENTER –

Each week, the Jazz Night

in America radio broadcast

will present some of the

best live jazz performanc-

es happening around the

country and the stories

behind them.



“Incorporating the strengths of threehugely significant jazz curators into oneproject is truly a gift. We’re excited to betraveling across the country to showcasethe best of today’s thriving jazz scene,”WBGO President and CEO Amy Nilessays of the project.

“Jazz at Lincoln Center is committed toentertaining, enriching and expanding aglobal community for jazz through per-formance, education and advocacy,” saysWynton Marsalis, Managing and ArtisticDirector for Jazz at Lincoln Center. “Weare excited to join forces with our long-time friends and collaborators NPR andWBGO—institutions that have been ded-icated to jazz and represent the higheststandards of broadcasting excellence. Weeagerly anticipate showing the world whatwe can accomplish together through thisexciting program. Jazz Night in Americawill tell the stories of our music in newand innovative ways, engaging and inspir-ing our loyal public radio family with the current explosion of talent and cre-ativity across the spectrum of jazz andrelated musics.”

As host of Jazz Night in AmericaChristian McBride draws on his distin-guished career to introduce audiences to aroster of voices—resonant musicians, his-torians, artists—who will uncover themusical and personal stories at the heartof the genre. A bassist, bandleader andcomposer, McBride has been a leadingpresence in jazz for more than 20 years.He has recorded with many of the mostillustrious figures in jazz—FreddieHubbard, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, RayBrown, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, RoyHaynes, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock,

Pat Metheny—and has crossed into near-ly every genre through collaborations withthe Roots, D’Angelo, Queen Latifah,Sting, James Brown and Chaka Khanamong others. He was a guest host forMarian McPartland’s Piano Jazz and con-tinues to host Sirius XM’s Conversationswith Christian.

The radio show is the centerpiece ofthis multiplatform Jazz Night in Americainitiative, which showcases today’s vitaljazz scene while also underscoring thegenre’s storied history. Online, Jazz Nightin America will also offer a season of 26signature concert video-casts from clubsand festivals around the country, on-demand video and audio performances,and interviews from today’s great jazzartists. Jazz Night in America has beenfunded in part through the generosity oflong-standing supporters of public mediaand the arts—the Argus Fund and theWyncote Foundation, as well as theNational Endowment for the Arts and theDoris Duke Charitable Foundation.

NEWPROGRAM

Online, Jazz Night in

America will also offer

a season of 26 signature

concert video-casts from

clubs and festivals around

the country, on-demand

video and audio perform-

ances, and interviews from

today’s great jazz artists.



MUSIC DIRECTOR GARY WALKER’STOP CDS + RE-ISSUES

Gary’sPlays

Top Tunes

Michael Carvin ExperienceFlash Forward (Motema)

Eric ReedGroovewise (Smoke Session)

Akiko TsurugaCommencement (akikojazz.com)

Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream TrioWe’re Back (Whaling City Sound)

Roseanna VitroClarity (Random Act)

Conrad HerwigLatin Side of Joe Henderson (Half Note)

Marcia BallTattooed Lady & the Alligator Man(Alligator)

Harry Allen’s All-Star Brazilian BandFlying Over Rio (Arbors)

Ernie Watts QuartetA Simple Truth (Flying Dolphin)

The Vanguard Jazz OrchestraOver Time (Planet Arts)


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Mark your calendars! #GivingTuesday2014 will be on December 2, andthis year, WBGO is on board. You

may recall that WBGO has partnered onthe Jazz in July festival at 92Y, so wereached out to our partners there to getinvolved in this annual day of giving.

92nd Street Y is a Jewish organizationthat welcomes and reaches out to peopleof all racial, religious and ethnic back-grounds. Central to their mission is givingback, enriching people’s lives and creatingcommunity. They began doing thosethings in 1874, when the organization wasfounded. Thinking about what it means tobe a community center in a digitally con-nected world, the organization, in partner-ship with the United Nations Foundation,founded #GivingTuesday in 2012.

Why #GivingTuesday? There wasalready Black Friday and Cyber Monday,and 92Y wanted to use the same kind ofrallying point that the retail industry hadused to drive sales, but direct it towardgiving back. Tuesday was "available," sothey grabbed it, and set about turning theidea into a reality, and creating an "open-ing day" for the giving season.

Families and individuals are encouragedto be generous in whatever ways matter to

them, whether that meandvolunteering at a local chari-ty or donating to a favoritecause. In 2013, over 10,000charities, volunteer organi-zations, corporations andfoundations came togetherin 40+ countries with onecommon purpose: to helpothers and to incentivizeways to give more, givesmarter, and kick-off the

holiday giving season. This number wasup from 2,500 partners who participatedin the first #GivingTuesday in 2012.

Utilizing social media technology, the“hashtag” #GivingTuesday enabled thetracking of direct person to person discus-sion of the concept on sites like Facebookand Twitter. The hashtag was used over406,000 times on Twitter in the weekleading up to #GivingTuesday, with theconversation peaking on December 3,2013 with an average of 186 mentions perminute. Major voices helped spread theword on social media, including theWhite House, Kevin Bacon, EllenDeGeneres, Bill Gates, Steve Case, KatieCouric, Al Roker, Arianna Huffington,and many others.

WBGO is working on a special thankyou gift to offer those who support thispublic radio station on December 2, 2014.We also encourage you to post“unselfies”—photos of yourself doing vol-unteer work (for WBGO or another organ-ization) or with messages of giving. Pleasefeel free to post them to WBGO’s socialmedia pages: @WBGOjazz on Facebookand @WBGO on Twitter. Learn more atWBGO.org/givingtuesday.

DECEMBER 2, 2014

WBGO#GIVING



Performs in Support ofWBGO in Exclusive NewYork City Appearance

December 12, 2014Le Poisson Rouge

To commemorate WBGO’s 35th anniver-sary year, we are teaming up with BlueNote Records at the close of their 75th

anniversary year to present the only EastCoast appearance of the supergroup, OurPoint of View. With a limited number ofengagements in Monterey, Paris, London andNew York City, the December 12, 2014 per-formance in support of WBGO will be the onlyopportunity for fans in the jazz capital toexperience this historic group.

Created in honor of Blue Note’s anniver-sary, Our Point of View celebrates the vitalityof the label by looking ahead and bringingtogether the leading young artists on theBlue Note roster who steadfastly continue tomove jazz forward. Featuring keyboardistRobert Glasper, trumpeter AmbroseAkinmusire, guitarist Lionel Loueke, saxo-phonist Marcus Strickland, and bassistDerrick Hodge with drummer Kendrick Scott,the band’s repertoire draws from each ofthese artists’ own remarkable catalogs aswell new spins on Blue Note classics.

The creative young voices of jazz havebeen the lifeblood of Blue Note Records

since its formation in 1939—fromThelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock, toFreddie Hubbard and Joe Henderson—allof whom made their debut albums for thelegendary label. Since WBGO’s inception in1979, the station has been at the forefrontof many brilliant jazz careers, including themembers of this group, each of whom hasperformed in WBGO’s studio in Newark.

In 2009, WBGO launched an innovativeprogram entitled, The Checkout, whichbrought each of these musicians into ourNewark studios to perform as band leadersand discuss their music. Two years later,veteran record producer and musician DonWas joined Blue Note as Chief CreativeOfficer and soon became its president,renewing its dedication to the original labelvision, articulated by Blue Note founderAlfred Lion that “any particular style ofplaying which represents an authentic wayof musical feeling is genuine expression.”

To learn how you can join us for thisunique offering, and reflect each of theartists’ performances at WBGO, visitwww.wbgo.org/bluenote.

Our Point of View

WBGOEXCLUSIVE


programguide

Nov./Dec. 2014


Identities Are ChangeableMiguel Zenón, the prolific Puerto Rican saxo-phonist and composer, visits his old stomp-ing grounds in the Bronx and discusses hisnewest album, Identities Are Changeable.Jazz Night recorded this unique work livefrom the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.

SUNDAYS6:00AM SUNDAY MORNING HARMONY

with Dan Karcher10:00AM SINGERS UNLIMITED

with Michael BourneSingers Unlimited is four hours of new andclassic singers singing ballads and bossas,blues and be-bop. For more than 25 years,WBGO’s Michael Bourne has turned the spot-light on jazz vocalists with live in-studio per-formances, interviews and more. NEW SHOW!6:00PM JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICARe-broadcasts on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.Nov. 2 Happy Birthday, Blue NoteThis year, Blue Note Records turns 75. To cel-ebrate, Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Centerhosted a two-hour concert featuring some ofBlue Note's living legends and rising stars.

From the early years with Alfred Lion toBruce Lundvall's revitalization, Blue NoteRecords has remained one of the most iconiclabels in jazz. On Jazz Night in America, we'llhear highlights from the stage at theKennedy Center and discuss the label's influ-ence with Michael Cuscuna, Norah Jones,Terence Blanchard, and Dianne Reeves.Jason Moran is guest host.

Nov. 9 A Night at the MuseumJazz musicians find inspiration in many things;Himalayan art is not typically one of them.Jazz Night in America visits the Rubin Museumof Art in New York City to hear interviews andlive performances by each of the 5 youngfinalists for the American Pianists Association'sCole Porter Fellowship. Hear what inspires jazzmusic’s most promising young talent, fromCole Porter to mandalas to fish.

Nov. 16 Identities Are ChangeableSee sidebar.

Nov. 23 Very Very ThreadgillA postcard from a two-day celebration ofHenry Threadgill, one of the world’s leadingavant-garde composers and arrangers. The concert is curated by pianist JasonMoran and features dozens of performers,from those who played in Threadgill’s variousensembles to members of a new generationof admirers. We'll share highlights on Jazz Night in America.

7:00PM 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. 11:00PM JAZZ FROM THE ARCHIVESNov. 2 Nasser, That’s My Bassist!Host Joe Peterson pays tribute to bassistJamil Nasser who has played and recorded

JAZZ NIGHT Nov. 16


All programs subject to change.


with Al Haig, Phineas Newborn, AhmadJamal, and many others.

Nov. 9 Leroy the GreatThe New Orleans trumpeter and singer LeroyJones should be far better known, claimshost Dan Morgenstern, and aims to prove it.

Nov. 16 An Interview with James Chirillo, Part Two

Host Vincent Pelote continues his survey ofthe career of guitarist/composer JamesChirillo.

Nov. 23 No Thanksgiving Turkeys Here! Host Dan Morgenstern presents some properholiday platters.

Nov. 30 Hi-Ho, Steverino, Part OneHost Ed Berger interviews saxophonist Steve Wilson.

Dec. 7 Hi-Ho, Steverino, Part TwoHost Ed Berger interviews saxophonist SteveWilson in the second of a two-part examina-tion of Wilson’s music and career.

Dec. 14 An Interview with Warren VacheInterview conducted by host Tad Hershorn.

Dec. 21 To Be AnnouncedDan Morgenstern hosts.

Dec. 28 Jazz From the Archives FarewellAfter 35 years on WBGO Jazz From theArchives will move from this format tobecome a segment on WBGO’s TheCheckout. Featuring the four original hosts:Ed Berger, Robert Kenselaar, DanMorgenstern, and Vincent Pelote.

MONDAYSNEW TIME6:30PM LATINO USA

with Maria HinojosaMulti 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. 7:30PM NJ CAPITOL REPORTEmmy Award-winning anchors Steve Adubatoand Rafael Pi Roman host New JerseyCapitol Report which examines New Jersey’smost pressing public and policy issues. Theprogram looks at political, social, and culturalissues affecting the people of New Jerseythrough in-depth conversations with thestate’s top legislative leaders, political pundits, and “movers and shakers.” TUESDAYS6:30PM THE CHECKOUTThe Checkout is a weekly one-hour musicmagazine featuring the best content fromWBGO—the leading presenter of jazz on pub-lic media. Every week, producer SimonRentner crafts a program that aims into theheart of New York’s music scene—featuringexclusive interviews, studio sessions, and fieldrecordings of today’s leading artists.Nov. 11 Holmes Brothers/Joey

DeFrancesco and David Sanbornfrom the Newport JazzFestival/Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Nov. 25 Sam Harris TrioWBGO in-studio performance.

7:30PM CONVERSATIONS WITH ALLAN WOLPER

Conversations with Allan Wolper featuresguests whose ideas are on the cutting edge.Wolper, known as a “journalist’s journalist,” isan interviewer, reporter, documentary producerand ethics columnist, who has been honoredby every journalism medium, winning over 50awards.


programguide

Nov./Dec. 2014


8:00PM LATIN JAZZ CRUISEwith Awilda Rivera

WEDNESDAYS6:30PM JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICARe-broadcast of previous Sunday’s Program7:30PM SPORTSJAMSportsJam takes a unique peak into the sportsscene as WBGO’s News and Sports DirectorDoug Doyle talks with a wide variety of guests.Bernie Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, JonFaddis, Savion Glover and Jazz 88 hostRhonda Hamilton all agree there’s a strongconnection between jazz and sports.SportsJam recently received the Best SportsAward from the New Jersey Associated PressBroadcasters Association.THURSDAYS6:30PM SONG TRAVELS

WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEINNov. 6 Chris YoungChris Young was the 2006 winner of the TVseries Nashville Star and is earning a spot

among today’s top country voices. In 2010, hewas nominated for a Grammy® for Best MaleCountry Vocal Performance. With guitaristKevin Collier, Young brings his rich voice to aset of original songs and old favorites, includ-ing “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Nov. 13 Eric BenétSinger, songwriter, and actor Eric Benétcharges his old school soul songwriting withhealthy doses of modern funk and hip-hop.His winning formula has been recognized withmultiple Grammy® and Image Award nomina-tions. Benét joins Feinstein for a set of origi-nals along with classics by Stevie Wonder,Earth, Wind & Fire, and David Foster.

Nov. 20 Carsie BlantonVocalist and songwriter Carsie Blanton taughtherself to play guitar by listening to the musicof Ani DiFranco and Joan Osborne as a teen,and her musical curiosity has continuedthroughout her life. Her smoky vocals recallNina Simone and Billie Holiday, and her wit asa songwriter has been compared to ColePorter. On this Song Travels, Blanton performsher original song “Smoke Alarm,” andFeinstein joins in for “Sweet Lorraine.”

Nov. 27 Sheldon HarnickPulitzer Prize-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnickhas been a pillar of Broadway for more thanfifty years. His hit musicals include Fiorello!,Fidler on the Roof, and The Phantom Tollbooth.On this Song Travels, Harnick takes listenerson a musical journey through his career’sstories and songs.

Dec. 4 Ann Hampton CallawayTony-nominated actress, vocalist, and song-writer Ann Hampton Callaway has sung withtop orchestras and big bands the world over.As a songwriter, she penned tunes forBarbara Streisand and wrote and sang thetheme to the hit sitcom The Nanny. Thisweek she performs a set of standards,including “Our Love is Here to Stay.”

Gregory PorterJazz vocalist Gregory Porter had a breakoutyear in 2012. His album Be Good toppedmany “Best of” lists and was named iTunesJazz Album of the Year. In 2014, Porter wona Grammy® Award for his third album,Liquid Spirit, and NPR Music has called him“the next great male jazz singer.” On thisSong Travels, Porter performs his original“Water,” and recalls Nat King Cole with“Nature Boy.”

SONG TRAVELS Dec. 25


All programs subject to change.


Dec. 11 Anthony StrongBritish jazz vocalist and pianist AnthonyStrong built a reputation as a session pianist,supporting stars like B.B. King. His EP releaseDelovely reached number one on the UKcharts, and he has continued his rise with hislatest album of classic jazz songs and origi-nals, Stepping Out. On this Song Travels,Strong brings his fresh take on the GreatAmerican Songbook with performances of oldfavorites along with a few modern standards.

Dec. 18 Renée FlemingGrammy®-winning opera star and actressRenée Fleming has performed some of thegreatest operatic roles ever written at theworld’s leading concert halls. Her awardsinclude a Fulbright Lifetime Achievementmedal and the National Medal of Arts. Thisweek she shares a few of her favorite selec-tions, including songs by Franz Schubert,George Gershwin, and Leonard Cohen.

Dec. 25 Gregory PorterSee sidebar.

7:30PM PEOPLE’S PHARMACYThis program examines current issues in medicine, mental health, nutrition and fitness.FRIDAYS6:30PM PORTRAITS IN BLUERe-broadcast of previous Saturday’sProgram; See Listing.7:30PM WBGO JOURNALThis program, produced by the multi-awardwinning WBGO team, covers issues of impor-tance to the Newark/New York metro area.SATURDAYSNEW TO WBGO6:00AM NIGHT LIGHTSNight Lights presents jazz, from 1950 to thepresent, 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 a

cultural narrative about whatever artist ortheme I’m highlighting.”7:00AM PORTRAITS IN BLUERe-broadcasts on FRIDAYS at 6:30pm.Nov. 1 Buddy Johnson—

From the BeginningNov. 8 Jimmy Witherspoon—

Albums, Vol. 3Nov. 15 Jimmy McCracklin, Vol. 6Nov. 22 Little Richard, Vol. 5Nov. 29 Erskine Hawkins—

From the BeginningDec. 6 Dinah Washington—

From the Beginning, Vol. 12Dec. 13 Big Joe Turner—Albums, Vol. 5Dec. 20 Christmas Blues

All Styles and ErasDec. 27 Best of 20148:00AM SATURDAY MORNING FUNCTIONWBGO’s Bob Porter plays blues, R&B andclassic soul, with an emphasis on the early1950s to the late 1960s. New artists whoperform these styles are also featured. 10:00AM RHYTHM REVUE

with Felix HernandezRhythm Revue’s blend of classic soul and R&Breceived the A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio)Award for the Best Weekend Program in NewYork, and was named Best Radio Show by NewYork Magazine and the Village Voice. WBGO isthe original home of Rhythm Revue.Nov. 1 RaritiesFelix Hernandez dips into his rare stash, partof a 4 hour mix of classic soul and R&B.

Nov. 8 70s SoulA tribute to 70s soul.

Nov. 15 DanceRhythm Revue Dance Party classics to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the first party.

Nov. 22 Thank YouSongs of thanks, part of the four hour mix ofclassic soul and R&B.


programguide

Nov./Dec. 2014


Nov. 29 Request Show

Dec 6 Classic Crossover 70s SoulProgram includes many that went on tobecome No. 1 hits on the Op or R&B charts.

Dec 13 Rhythm Revue 28th

Anniversary ShowDec 20 Happy HolidaysPlenty of holiday songs in the mix on today's show.

Dec 27 Double-upTwo songs each by legends of American soul music.

SUPPORT WBGO

A great way to support WBGO isthrough a gift of stock or a

family foundation. If you would likemore information, please call BethLasoff at 973-624-8880, ext. 285.All gifts to WBGO are tax deductibleto the fullest extent of the law.



WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM is NJPAC’sseason-long jazz media partner. Inaddition to the TD James Moody

Democracy of Jazz Festival (Nov 9 –16) inNewark, NJPAC is adding more than 60performances throughout the season aswell as a variety of special events, includ-ing the third Geraldine R. Dodge PoetryFestival (Oct. 23–26), the largest poetryfestival in North America. Tune intoWBGO during the month of October tohear poetry segments in celebration ofthis exciting series.

“This season reflects who we are as aperforming arts center, uniquely situatedin an urban setting: reveling in our diver-sity and celebrating it with our most var-ied season ever,” said NJPAC’s CEO,John Schreiber. “Every member of ourcommunity wants an arts center that res-onates for them, and NJPAC offers that.”

“Artistic excellence is always our firstcriteria for programming decisions,” saidExecutive Producer of the Arts Center,David Rodriguez. “World-class dance and

classical music remain the building’sfoundation, but NJPAC has built on thatto create the region’s foremost home forfamilies of all diverse cultures. There’ssomething for everyone.”

“We’ve been curators of the State’sfinest classical music season for 17 years;now we aim to extend that curatorial lead-ership to America’s classical music—jazz,”said Schreiber. “As far as we’re con-cerned, it’s going to be a festival all yearlong. We want everyone to know thatNewark is the place to go for the world’sfinest jazz artists.”

The TD James Moody Democracy ofJazz Festival includes performances byGrammy® winning trumpeter and com-poser Chris Botti (Nov. 14) and Jazz andSoul (Nov. 13), an NJPAC exclusive col-laboration between Fantasia, theGrammy® and American Idol (“I Believe”)winner, Philip Bailey, the Grammy® win-ner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer fromEarth Wind & Fire, and Christian

WBGO MemberEvent during—TD James MoodyDemocracy of Jazz FestivalIn conjunction with the Sarah VaughanVocal CompetitionFOR DETAILS AND TICKETS VISIT WWW.WBGO.ORG/EVENTS OR CALL THE MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT AT (973) 624-8880 EXT 232

NOVEMBER 16, 2014

cont’d on page 19



WBGO is Celebrating South Africa!2 014 is the 20th anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa. In celebration,

there is a month-long festival happening at Carnegie Hall in New York—UBUNTU.This year also marked the 75th birthday of South African native, and globally

renowned trumpeter, Hugh Masekela. In honor of these events WBGO has had someexciting on demand programming including South African artists.

Gary Walker interviewed Masekela and WBGO presented South African group UHADIon The Checkout. You can hear this exclusive WBGO content at WBGO.org/SouthAfrica.

We want you to experience South Africa with us by joining WBGO on a very special tripto the Cape Town International Jazz Festival March of 2015. On this ten-day, once-in-a-lifetime journey, you will be able to immerse yourself in the culture, heritage, people, foodand music of South Africa as you travel through the “Rainbow Nation.” You can find coverage of the 2013 festival on our website as well (also at WBGO.org/SouthAfrica).

Travelers on this trip will visit the famousSOWETO Township in Johannesburg- a thriv-ing metropolis of color and cacophony, comeface to face with the Big 5 of PilanesburgGame Reserve, savor the freedom expressed bymillions by visiting the infamous RobbenIsland prison where Nelson Mandela wasimprisoned and visit the Cape of Good Hope

where two oceans meet. And then there’s the festival! Guests have the opportunity to min-gle with jazz greats of yesteryear and today amid the towering landscape of Table Mountainin Cape Town. This adventure comes complete with luxury accommodations in beautifulsettings catering to your every need.

We hope to see you there! Visit www.wbgo.org/events for further details.



WBGO’s ThanksgivingJazz Parade

There’s more than one parade onThanksgiving Day, and this onelasts all weekend long, so youcan enjoy leftovers in style.

Every autumn, the WBGOThanksgiving Jazz Parade allows you tovote—at www.wbgo.org/topten—foryour favorite jazz musicians in 19 categories.

Voting begins the first week ofNovember and, once tallied, winnerswill be played every hour on WBGOJazz 88.3FM and WBGO.org over thefour day Thanksgiving weekend(Thursday, November 27 throughSunday, November 30).

Join the fun and stay tunedThanksgiving weekend for the results!

Celebrating 16 years in the beauti-ful Catskills, WBGO announcerMichael Bourne will once again host

a four-day jazz extravaganza over theMartin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekendwith a lineup of jazz greats—includingChris Brubeck, Cat Russell, and DaveStryker—at the Mohonk Mountain House.

Mohonk Mountain House is a NationalHistoric Landmark located just 90 milesnorth of New York City. Whether you areplanning a family outing, a romanticretreat, a weekend with friends or a self-exploration getaway, the Mountain Househas activities for all!

The WBGO package includes bountifulbreakfast and lunch buffets with dinneras a traditional served meal, afternoon teaand cookies and all associated gratuities.Also included is the welcome cocktailreception (Friday evening) and exclusiveprivate dinner with Michael Bourne,musicians and WBGO guests (Saturdayevening) and a musical Mohonk scav-enger hunt (Sunday afternoon). Guestsalso receive amenities such as wirelessInternet access, ice-skating, skiing, snow-shoeing, snow tubing and use of theindoor heated swimming pool and com-prehensive fitness center.

We hope you can join WBGO for thisvery special jazz event and look forward toseeing you on the Mountain!

DATES: January 16–19, 2015LOCATION: 1000 Mountain Rest Road,New Paltz, NY 12561RESERVATIONS: Please call WBGO

Travel & Events at 1-973-624-8880 x269or [email protected]. A $500 deposit isrequested upon booking. Check payableto WBGO/Newark Public Radio, Attn:Travel & Events, 54 Park Place, Newark,NJ 07102, or by credit card. Full paymentwill be due November 21.

Jazz on theMOUNTAINMohonk Mountain House January 16–19, 2015



Michael Bourne Celebrates 30 Years on WBGO!

Michael Bourne has remained an integralpart of WBGO’s DNA for the past threedecades. Host of Afternoon Jazz, SingersUnlimited, and over twenty New Year’s Evebroadcasts, Bourne has also made a namefor himself as a theater critic, public speak-er, and author. On the occasion of his thirtyyear anniversary at WBGO, we askedBourne to reflect on his years at the station.

Thirty years ago, so much was differ-ent. Newark was different. Therewas no NJPAC, no Seton Hall law

school, no Prudential Center. WBGO at54 Park Place was different. The officelooked like a scene from a 1930s newspa-per movie: old desks, old partitions, oldphones. The studio was a wall of LP’s andseveral turntables with a couple of mics.If the red light was on, you couldn’t flushthe toilet. WBGO technology was WAYdifferent. We didn’t have CDs to play 30years ago, but soon after I started, the firstCD came: Glenn Miller in a DigitalMood. We only broadcast from a transmit-ter in Newark, and our signal was blockedby the skyline of Manhattan.

The music that we’ve played for 30 yearsendures. We play new artists, but wealways play the masters. First record Iplayed on WBGO: Dave Brubeck’s“Strange Meadowlark”—I’m still playingit. Second record I played on WBGO:John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things”—I’m still playing it. My first shift happenedjust before the birthday of Milt Jackson. I

played an hour of his classics, and hecalled me and thanked me. I knew in thatmoment that I was a jazz jock in the jazzcapitol of the world!

When [then program director] Wylie[Rollins] called me in September 1984 toask when I’d be coming to New York, Ipicked Pearl Harbor Day so I’d alwaysremember. He wanted me to recordmyself on a cassette. I was told to patch acord to do this, and ended up plugging theon-air signal directly into the cassetterecorder. The station went off the air!Wylie and Al Prior (whose show was on atthe time) panicked, not knowing whathappened. I pulled the plug, and the sta-tion was back. So, before I’d ever beenON the air, I knocked us OFF the air. Iconsidered this my own variation of theNew Year’s ritual when Greeks breakcrockery so they won’t break any morethis year.



People have come and gone, but someof the best have stayed. Dorthaan Kirk,soul of the station, has been working atWBGO since before the beginning. BobPorter, Gary Walker and RhondaHamilton were here when I came andthey’re still here and still inspiring me.Gary telling me something I’ve done is"good radio" is the highest compliment Ican get for what I do. Even if I’m at mygrumpiest when I come to work, when Iwalk into the studio, get a smile fromRhonda, and play a Dexter Gordonrecord, all is right with the world. Andcertainly, one constant that has enabledme to be a jock on WBGO for 30 years:the support of listeners.

Our finest hour was the week after 9/11when we didn’t play music at all duringthe day. With so many radio stationsknocked off the air, WBGO became thenews station that everyone needed. I felt

that being on the air, even if only for 30-60 seconds at a time, telling folks theweather or where to give blood, mattered.And listeners told me that hearing ourfamiliar voices was for many of them avery real continuity in their lives. I’d beenon the radio almost 30 years by then, andI’d always thought that the microphone islike the "”fourth wall” of a theatre. I don’tsee them. They don’t see me. But thatweek was when I realized how truly inti-mate is our relationship with listeners.They know us. They want us. They needus. And we’re always there. Whether theylisten on a radio in NY and NJ or via theweb around the world, WBGO is theswinging soundtrack of their lives.

Michael Bourne’s interview with TonyBennett and Lady Gaga is Downbeat’sNovember cover story- copies hit the standsOctober 21. Listen to the interview atwww.WBGO.org/cheek-to-cheek

McBride with his Big Band. The festivalkicks off with a special edition ofDorthaan’s Place brunch series (producedby WBGO’s Dorthaan Kirk) featuring theyear-old Brick City Jazz Orchestra, a col-lective of gifted high school jazz musi-cians in the Greater Newark area, withspecial guest Stefon Harris.

In addition to the young talent thatmakes up the orchestra, the TD JamesMoody Democracy of Jazz Festival con-tinues to highlight jazz’s next generationof artists when the NJMEA All-State JazzEnsemble and Jazz Choir (Nov. 14) per-form. A free Day of Swing (Nov. 15) forkids and their families, filled with per-formances and hands on activities for allages, returns to the NJPAC’s Center for

MEMBER EVENT cont’d from page 15 Arts Education. Other events include per-formances by sensual song writer andsinger Michael Franks (“When I Give MyLove To You”) with blind singer/song-writer/guitarist Raul Midón (Nov. 15);Vanessa Rubin, who played the title rolein the one-woman stage show Yesterdays:An Evening with Billie Holiday, with herTrio (Nov. 16), and free performancesaround Newark with Ray Mantilla (Nov.10) and Steve & Iqua Colson (Nov. 12).As in previous years, the culmination ofthe Festival is the finals of the SarahVaughan International Jazz VocalCompetition, at which five finalists willperform before a Victoria Theater audi-ence and an esteemed panel of jazz artistsand industry executives, including GaryWalker from WBGO, who will bestow theSassy Award to one winner.


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upbeat november/december 2014

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