April 2012
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On the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocals Competition, which requires entrants to be under 30 and not signed to a major label:
The night of the competition finals was not unlike a scene out of “American Idol.” Upon winning a record deal and $20,000 in scholarship money and cash, McLorin Salvant was approached by agents and managers. In place of Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, judges Dianne Reeves,...
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“I wanted to be a baseball player just like Jackie Robinson. Unfortunately it...”
– “Salsoul” singer Joe Bataan, on his thwarted baseball dreams.
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“The one thing that I relish in my life is hearing the fans talk about how my...”
– The king of Latin soul, Joe Bataan, on his fans.
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The Funk Soul Universe: Galactic and Joe Bataan
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It’s an exploration of the funk universe on American Routes. New York City’ pioneer of Afro-Latin Soul, Joe Bataan, tells us about his boogaloo beginnings, melding latin beats with soulful sounds and his move toward “salsoul” and rap. And a conversation with Stanton Moore and Ben Ellman from New Orleans’ Galactic about their love...
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“Boy, that’s then the war started. Bar was busted. Shooting peoples, cutting...”
– Little Freddie King, on playing one of his first gigs at a bar called the Busy Bee - which he renamed the Bucket of Blood.
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“I love the part when they’re dancing and having fun. I love that, and I love to...”
– Bluesman Little Freddie King, on what he enjoys about playing in clubs.
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“Out of this field of devastation grow these incredibly beautiful flowers. And...”
– Historian and folklorist Bill Ferris, on the blues.
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“There used to be a cigarette commercial called ‘I’d rather fight...”
– Buddy Guy, on why he continues to be a bluesman.
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Living with the Blues
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This week on American Routes, we’re roaming the highways, byways and crossroads of the Magnolia State, looking for all kinds of blues. We sit down with noted blues scholar Bill Ferris to talk about his lifelong obsession with the music of his home state, and visit with Delta piano blues chanteuse Eden Brent to learn about her music mentor Boogaloo Ames....
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That 70’s Show →
longformorg:
How group of misfits in Texas including Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings snubbed Nashville and brought the hippies and rednecks together. An oral history of outlaw country.
John Spong | Texas Monthly | Apr 2012
Nick chimed in on the history of outlaw country for this article. He was a DJ at KOKE while in graduate school at UT Austin, playing everything from the Carter Family, to...
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Johnny Winter & Jason Moran
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A visit with two native sons of the Texas Gulf Coast. Guitar slinger Johnny Winter grew up listening to the blues in Beaumont, Texas and took his talent for playing to the world. We talk with Winter about his Texas youth and his blues milestones. Jazz pianist Jason Moran started out in Houston playing classical music, but found his way to jazz through...
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Watchnolanews:
Dr. John was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night to promo his new album.
This record is so, so good. Produced by Dan Auerbach, too!
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Festival Time in Lafayette, LA
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Join us on the festival grounds in Lafayette, LA for the 25th annual Festival International. We’ll sample outstanding live performances in Cajun, Creole, Latin and Blues, including Keb’ Mo’, Sonny Landreth, and Steve Riley. Be sure to get out your dancing shoes for cumbia with Miami’s Locos Por Juana, two-steps with Yvette Landry and...
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“I believe he was just an aware and elevated human being, very expanded type of...”
– Ravi Coltrane, on his father, John Coltrane.
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Nick Spitzer: Your father had a phrase, “Always know.” What did he mean by "Always know"?
TS Monk: Thelonious--he was always aware of what was going on around him. He knew who the jive cats were. He understood the politics. He understood everything. I think that is one of the reasons why he had a lot of trouble negotiating life, because he was very, very aware. So, "Always Know." That was a very serious phrase with my father.
NS: And we should point out that Know is Monk backwards with the W inverted.
TS: Yes it is, yes it is!
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“We were going on the turnpike heading up to Buffalo out of Philadelphia and Bill...”
– Tootie Heath on John Coltrane. 