Night Lights Classic Jazz

A Popular-Song Celebration of July 4 on Afterglow

David Brent Johnson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:12:44 +0000

On Afterglow this week, a festive and reflective tribute to Independence Day with music from Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Paul Desmond and more.

We Made It! A Note of Thanks

David Brent Johnson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:16:18 +0000

A note of thanks for the success of the recent Night Lights fund-drive.

Satchmo, Take Two: Louis Armstrong at the Movies

David Brent Johnson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:54:13 +0000

Louis Armstrong was a legendary innovative trumpeter, a vocalist who had a profound impact on jazz singing, and a dynamic entertainer--and he got a chance to showcase all these aspects of his talent in 28 full-length films and several short features in which he appeared between 1931 and 1969.

Night Lights on Facebook: Some Shows You Might Like

David Brent Johnson — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:19:14 +0000

You can now become a fan of Night Lights on Facebook. If you're just discovering the program through Facebook, here are some shows you might want to check out.

Billy Eckstine on Roulette

David Brent Johnson — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:30:39 +0000

Billy Eckstine, the so-called "Sepia Sinatra," shows up in many jazz histories as the leader of a great, cutting-edge big band of the 1940s. But he should be remembered for being an amazing jazz vocalist as well. This week's Afterglow program covers his circa-1960 stint on the Roulette label, including albums made with Count Basie and Billy May.

From Indiana to Neverland: Michael Jackson

David Brent Johnson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:08:28 +0000

Michael Jackson changed the landscape of American pop culture--a feat the scale of which we may never see again. Sadly, the culture changed him, too, as he looked to it to give him back something he'd never had.

Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers: Class of ‘57

David Brent Johnson — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:30:38 +0000

Drummer Art Blakey led the Jazz Messengers, one of jazz history's most noted and longest-running collectives, for four decades. The lesser-known 1957 edition included saxophonist Jackie McLean and trumpeter Bill Hardman, whose chemistry one writer described as "beautiful, tart...their brash, peppery tones created a distinctive front-line sound."

Mosaic Records Releasing Artie Shaw Set This Autumn

David Brent Johnson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:16:16 +0000

Mosaic Records has a Shaw set in the works--plus updates on Ellington and Jamal projects.

The Juneteenth Jazz Jamboree

David Brent Johnson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:46:10 +0000

Juneteenth, the African-American holiday celebrating the end of slavery, has a long tradition of food, games, music and prayer. Our jazz tribute includes musical tributes to freedom from Duke Ellington, Max Roach, Carmen McRae, and John Coltrane, as well as Louis Jordan's homage to the holiday itself, and some odes to African-American athletes.

Frank Zappa Meets Steve Allen and Plays the Bike

David Brent Johnson — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:26:45 +0000

In 1963 a 22-year-old Frank Zappa went on Steve Allen's TV show and demonstrated some far-out musical sounds on an unusual instrument: the bicycle.