Music

Milo Miles looks at the career of Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango.

A combination concert and interview with pianist and composer Joel Forrester. Forrester is co-founder of the quirky jazz group, The Microscopic Septet.

Rock historian Ed Ward concludes his two part look at the early days of singer Little Richard.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Best of Teo Macero," a reissue of Macero's so-called "third stream" work from the 50s. It's on Stash records.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a two-part profile on Little Richard. This week he tells us about Little Richard's early years, when he had more ambition than success and was still trying to make his mark in the music world.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new release of works by 20th century composer Leon Kirchner. Lloyd say Kirchner has managed to fuse the two major influences of 20th-century classical music, Schoenberg and Stravinsky. (the album's on the Elektra/Nonesuch label).

Jazz tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon was one of the creators of bop and one of the most influential players of the 1940s and 1950s. Gordon received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his role in the 1986 film Round Midnight. He died this morning of kidney failure. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead joins the show to remember Gordon.

Writer and critic Nelson George. George is one of this county's most prominent chroniclers of black music. He's the black music editor at Billboard, is a columnist for Playboy, and regularly writes for the Village Voice and Essence. George was the editor of a new book called, "Stop the Violence," a collaboration of today's top rappers working to end black on black violence. George's earlier books include a history of Motown called "Where Did Our Love Go?" and "The Death of Rhythm and Blues."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "That's a Serious Thing," a new reissue featuring trombonist Jack Teagarden. Kevin says the album shows how Teagarden brought a country influence into jazz. The album's on the RCA/Bluebird label and it features Teagarden performances from 1929 to 1957.

World Music Critic Milo Miles reviews music of Chicano bandleader and accordionist Steve Jordan. The eclectic performer's recorded almost 40 albums and has provided music for films like, "Born in East L.A." and "True Stories."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD collection of songs by the late Roland Hayes. Hayes was the first major black concert singer, and paved the way for performers such as Marion Anderson. (It's issued by the Smithsonian).

Poet ALLEN GINSBERG and composer PHILLIP GLASS. The pair have collaborated on a interpretation of Ginsberg's poem, "Hydrogen Jukebox." The work gets it's premiere April 26th at the American Music Theatre Festival in Philadelphia, and features six singers, a five piece orchestra, and a mix of songs, chants, and the spoken word.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward explores the roots of doo-wop from jazz harmonists the Cats and the Fiddle to groups such as the Ravens and the Orioles.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a couple of Ornette Coleman reissues from 1968: "New York is Now," and "Love Call." (Both on the Blue Note label). They include some alternate takes of tunes never before released in the U.S.

British singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding. Born in the historical seaside town of Hastings, Harding has looked to the United States for his creative influences--from his Cambridge doctoral dissertation on the role of Jimmy Stewart in American films--to the songs of bluesman Robert Johnson, and folksingers John Prine and Jim Croce. His new album is called, "Here Comes the Groom."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Stolen Wishes," the new album by a band called Shoes, a little-known group from Zion, Illinois, who happen to write great, and we mean GREAT, pop songs. (The record's on Black Vinyl Records, 2269 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL, 60099).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews conductor and cellist Pablo Casals' recording of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new reissue, "Uptown," featuring the Gene Krupa Orchestra with Roy Eldridge and singer Anita O'Day. It's on Columbia.

Jazz pianist Dave McKenna plays an April medley.

Ken Tucker reviews "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," the new album from Irish singer/songwriter Sinead (shh-NAY) O'Connor. (It's on Chrysalis records).