Afterglow

The Songwriter Sings: Johnny Mercer

David Brent Johnson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

A lyric writer for many American-songbook standards, Johnny Mercer was also the co-founder of Capitol Records, and he frequently appeared as a singer on the label’s sessions throughout the 1940s; his wry, laidback, and jazzy delivery helped create even more hits for the young company.

A Dark and Lonely Night: Haunted Love Songs For Halloween

David Brent Johnson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:14:57 +0000

Afterglow features a different take on haunted music for Halloween, with evening laments and anguished odes to lost and longed-for love from Julie London, Kay Starr, Duke Ellington, Cassandra Wilson and more.

Andy Bey: a 70th Birthday Tribute

David Brent Johnson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:33:07 +0000

Jazz singer and pianist Andy Bey is enjoying a late period of renewed appreciation in a long and sometimes-submerged career. Afterglow pays tribute to him with a musical overview that includes recordings he made with both his popular 1960s family act and his 1970s work with Horace Silver, as well as his recent American popular-song CDs.

The Piano Player Sings: Oscar Peterson

David Brent Johnson — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:48:08 +0000

Oscar Peterson was one of jazz’s most popular pianists, but on a couple of occasions he did albums on which he SANG as well.

The Hank Williams Songbook

David Brent Johnson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:45:04 +0000

Hank Williams may be the king of country music, but pop, jazz and R & B performers have seized upon a number of his songs over the past few decades.

What’s New: October 2009

David Brent Johnson — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:21:26 +0000

New music from singers Roberta Gambarini, Kurt Elling and Jackie Ryan, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and the Dutch Jazz Orchestra's tribute to Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan.

Songs of the Season: Autumn

David Brent Johnson — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:52:52 +0000

The fall 2009 edition of our annual tribute to the autumn includes music from Jackie Paris, Kenny Dorham, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone and Duke Ellington.

When Sinatra Met Dorsey

David Brent Johnson — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:15:45 +0000

When Frank Sinatra left Harry James at the end of 1939 to join Tommy Dorsey's big band, he was still a youthful unknown. Two and a half years later he'd would depart Dorsey's orchestra as a star, on his way to becoming one of the most successful singers of the 20th century.

Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling

David Brent Johnson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:51:43 +0000

Singer Kurt Elling talks with David Brent Johnson about his new CD, DEDICATED TO YOU, a tribute to saxophonist John Coltrane and vocalist Johnny Hartman that's highlighted on this edition of Afterglow.

Popular Song On the Picket Lines

David Brent Johnson — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:00:36 +0000

"Popular Song On the Picket Lines" features "social significance" music from the 1930s and 40s that alluded in humorous, poignant, or politically overt ways to issues and problems of the times. Featured artists include Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and Ethel Waters.