The Jazzed Up

The beGinning part of the show looked up with styles.

Save the Children- Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band FT. Bilal

The Beat Goes On- Bria Skonberg
Roundabout- Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra
Corean Fantasy- Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra
The Golden OG- Gardyn Jazz Orchestra (live)


‘Round Midnight- Bill Charlap Trio (live)

NanCee- Harry Skoler
blue, mostly- Harry Skoler
Giving- Jonathan Barber Ft. Vision Ahead
Radar- Jonathan Barber


MMXXI suite III Reunited- Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra
Ground and Pound (Mod 1)- Erik Friedlander
Miold Man- Sergio Pamies

THE esperanza spalding

The Brazilian legend, Milton Nascimento & the ever-evolving, esperanza spalding have released their collaborative album, Milton + esperanza, recently. Recorded in Brazil throughout 2023 and produced/arranged by spalding, the record is a dream-come-true collaboration. It serves as a beautiful musical expression of a friendship that began nearly 15 years ago. Milton + esperanza features 16 tracks that celebrate and reimagine Nascimento’s beloved classics, new pieces written by spalding with Nascimento in mind, and interpretations of The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” & Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song.” Guests include Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, Elena Pinderhughes, Shabaka Hutchings, Guinga and more. The album features spalding’s core band of Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), Corey D. King (vocals, synths), and several Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva & Lula Galvão. Milton + esperanza sparkles with duets between these 2 voices, exquisite musicianship and what esperanza identifies as a central theme of the album: the importance of younger generations creating with, learning from, and building new worlds with elders. A guiding spirit for the project was Wayne Shorter, whose collaboration with Nascimento, Native Dancer, was released nearly 50 years ago. The genesis for this album goes back to the very first time spalding heard a Nascimento recording, at a dinner party when a friend put on Native Dancer. “I get chills even thinking about it,” she says.” “Ninety percent of things I write, I’m thinking of him. He’s a very present part of my creative imagination.” They would finally meet (thanks in part to an introduction made by Mr. Herbie Hancock) and began to collaborate, record & perform live together. In 2022, Nascimento, now 81, embarked on a farewell tour, and invited her to perform on a couple of shows. At dinner on the eve of her participation in Nascimento’s Boston performance, his son asked her to produce Nascimento’s next album. A dream had come true. She worked in Brazil throughout 2023 recording/producing the album. Milton + esperanza is esperanza’s first new album release since 2021’s Songwrights Apothecary Lab, which along with 2019’s 12 Little Spells, both won GRAMMY Awards (Best Jazz Vocal Album). Last year she released a protest song entitled “Não Ao Marco Temporal” that was recorded in Rio and addresses the Temporal Framework, an initiative in Brazil that threatens Indigenous Brazilians’ land rights and poses a major risk to the Amazon rainforest. A 5-time GRAMMY winner and 11-time nominee, esperanza spalding has previously released 8 full-length albums and in addition to working with her heroes including Nascimento and Wayne Shorter, she has collaborated with Prince, Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monae, Robert Glasper, Terri Lyne Carrington and so many others. As a composer, her credits include writing the libretto for the opera “…(Iphigenia)” with Wayne Shorter, which premiered in 2021. She is also a philanthropist and advocate, and currently co-directs a non-profit BIPOC artist sanctuary in her hometown of Portland, OR.

I had the complete honor and thrill of spending a little time with esperanza spalding before she brings the show on the road to this part of the world. She will be here with her incredible band on September 19 at the Wisconsin Union Theater. We go from A-Z on creative a mental mosaic of what is about to go down in Madison, the ins and outs and side to sides of the possibilities and get into some of the ‘who’ that will try and tame that evenings sounds. Here’s a little scoop – there will even be dancers! I could feel the happiness on my face when we started to get into the new album ‘Milton & esperanza’, a recently releases dream come true kind of album with her ‘on many levels’ mentor, the legend, Mr. Milton Nascimento. We go seed to flower on their relationship as well as the construction/development of the album. Can you imagine having an opportunity like this within the world you’re living in? Of all the songs on the album, find out which one was the only one he commented on as being a ‘has to be’ on there. A large amount of her experiences putting this album toGether have been captured almost like a part of the conversations by the ever-talented Reva Santo. I wanted to make sure folks are aware of this part of the art equation too, since eventually some of these moments will get to our eyes. Of course I volunteered my services to weed through each frame to find the goodies. Just like everyone else, esperanza too deserves time away from the things that try and get to us, so we find out a little bit about where she goes to unwind….to be. Towards the end of our time, I was almost part of a true pied piper moment as someone is playing a sax outside her window and for just a moment, I thought we might get treated to an improvised sharing. I heard it in my dreams I think. Pinch me.

Marquis Hill: Composers Collective

From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer & bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary & classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. That mission to bring styles together, complemented by his absolute mastery of his instrument, is a through line connecting his many achievements. Born in Chicago in 1987 and raised on the city’s culturally rich South Side, Marquis began playing drums at age 4, before switching to trumpet in the 6th grade. He attended high school at Kenwood Academy, excelling in its revered jazz-performance program, and was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program. He earned his bachelor’s in music education from Northern Illinois University and his master’s in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University. During college he made gigs & sessions around Chicago, jamming with and absorbing wisdom from the likes of Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins & Von Freeman. Even then, he was known in town as a stunningly gifted trumpeter with a soulful, highly textured tone. His sound is now somehow both deeply distinctive and a tour through jazz-trumpet history, evoking the high-drama stillness and space of Miles; the undeniable virtuosity of Clifford Brown & Freddie Hubbard; the groove- savvy phrasing of Lee Morgan & Donald Byrd; and many more of the known greats. Well before Marquis won the Monk prize—arguably the most important jazz competition in the world—his reputation for brilliance was firmly established in the Midwest, as a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, an in-demand sideman and a bandleader. He also developed into a precocious, determined young label owner, and has released 5 acclaimed discs—New Gospel, Sounds of the City, The Poet and Modern Flows Vols. I and II and more, through his Black Unlimited Music Group imprint. Throughout his journey, he has supported and guested with a who’s who of jazz that includes Marcus Miller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Boney James, Kurt Elling, Joe Lovano and Hill’s trailblazing Chicago peer Makaya McCraven. Just this last week, the award-winning trumpeter, composer and bandleader who is widely acclaimed for his soulful, eclectic modern jazz sensibility, is proud to present Composers Collective: Beyond the Jukebox, a new album celebrating the compositions of others: in particular, a group of cherished colleagues & friends, many of them fellow Chicagoans, invited by Mr. Hill to compose a piece for the album with him specifically in mind. In addition to 6 of Hill’s compositions, the program includes pieces by Ernest Dawkins, Gary Bartz, Jeff Parker, Marcus Strickland, SABA, Geof Bradfield & Matt Gold, as well as the members of Hill’s core quintet: vibraphonist Joel Ross, pianist Michael King, bassist Junius Paul & drummer Corey Fonville.

I had the pleasure of getting to spend a little time with Marquis Hill ahead of his September 19th event in Madison at Cafe Coda when he and the Composer’s Collective will put on two shows (7pm and 9pm). I was pleased to both discuss who will be coming with him as part of the collective, and was not disappointed to hear who is going to be with him in Madison creating in real time. We even talk a little about the vibes man! He paints the scene a bit as to what folks in attendance can expect to be a part. I found it really interesting when we talked about the making of the new record and how something about other’s music clicked in. When we got toGether, the new album, ‘Composers Collective: Beyond The JukeBox’ had yet to even drop and I was able to soak come in early and we not only go seed to flower on the who & what, but we go deep in to see how that genre-less music created, gets discovered, explored and put out to the universe. We do find out a little bit about how that open-mindedness became a part of who he is, in what I am assuming, everything he does and why he is able to challenge himself into where the music lives with such diverse people;.

Marquis Hill
Composers Collective: Beyond The JukeBox

Album Credits:

Marquis Hill, trumpet
Joel Ross, vibes/marimba
Michael King, piano
Junius Paul, bass
Corey Fonville, drums

Guests:

Gerald Clayton, piano
Makaya McCraven, drums
Jef Parker, guitar
Josh Johnson, Caroline Davis, alto sax
Samora Pinderhughes, Manasseh, Christie Dashiell, vocals

Dig The New Pad

The final part of this week’s proGram floated by with the stroke of a row.

Shake It Down- Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids
Raise Me Up- Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids Ft. Victor Wooten and Malcolm Jamal Warner


Gettin’ It Back- The Flavors
A Good Day- Miles King & The Foolish Knights
Moon Walk- JJ Whitefield
Son of a Preacher Man- Mieke Miami


Virga- Yasmin Williams Ft. Darlingside
Touareg Spaceship- Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel
Casa Loca- Rio 18 Ft. Baldu Verdú


Ode To Adbul Wadud- Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash Ft. Luke Stewart/Anthony Pirog/Brian Settles
Tennessee’s a Drag- Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash Ft. Luke Stewart, Anthony Pirog & Brian Settles
As Wide as All Outdoors- Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash Ft. Luke Stewart, Anthony Pirog & Brian Settles

A Little MaGic

The middle part of this week’s proGram provided a wee bit of specialness.

The Liars- Gunn Blues Band
The Dollar Done Fell- Albert Castiglia Ft. Josh Smith & Lisa Anderson
Goin’ South- Memphis Royal Brothers Ft. Charlie Musselwhite


A New Day- NuBlu Band Ft. Carlise Guy
Comin For Mine- Jamiah Rogers


Duck Soup- Mick Pini
High Time For The Devil- Mark Hummel Ft. Oscar Wilson
What The Hell- Mark Hummel Ft. Junior Watson


U.S. Blues- Jed And Company (live: Bierock 6/29/2024)
***pre-recorded conversation with Becca of Jed & Co.***
The Music Never Stopped- Jed And Company (live: Catfish Music Festival 7/6/2024)


Mighty Fine & All Mine- The Mystery Lights
Angels Got His Back- The BARD Band
Bassakards- Evidence of a Struggle

Stretched to the End

The first part of this week’s proGram finished each one at the very last moment.

Hello Operator- Librarians with Hickeys
The Shot- The Giraffes
We Mainline Dreamers- Sacred Cowboys
Blood and Soil- Sacred Cowboys
Bangkok 2006- Sacred Cowboys


Cafe Emery Hill- Spygenius (Live at The 19th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival 2023)
Maggot Brain- Sendelica (Live at The 19th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival 2023)
Honey Drops- London Underground (Live at The 19th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival 2023)


Moving Along- Lions In the Street
Outlaw Doc- Katie Knipp
Tough Mother- Shemekia Copeland Ft. Luther Dickinson
Wine O’Clock- Shemekia Copeland Ft. Charlie Hunter
Tell The Devil- Shemekia Copeland Ft. Dashawn Hickman

Takin’ A Trip With Jed And Company

Jed and Company is Madison’s new hard-rippin’ Grateful Dead tribute band. With high-level high-energy jamming, experimental setlists, soulful vocals and fresh takes on the catalog, Jed and Company will impress any discerning Wisconsin Deadhead.

Erik Anderson- keys, vocals
Devin Geary- guitar, vocals
Becca Reynolds- vocals
Jeremy Snow- drums
Ben Johnson- bass, vocals
Jed Heckman- guitar, vocals

I had the chance to catch up with Becca Reynolds recently as Jed and Company prepare for their very first ticketed event on August 30th at The Bur Oak. Becca shares a little about what she expects that evening will brinG, including a fantastic sounding light show (Cosmic Flights Liquid Lights) that will certainly add to the night’s psychedelic feel and presentation. We talk about the mission of the band at a live event, how they choose setlists and one of the more fascinating things shred was thinking about how Becca (who is taking on more of a lead singing role), goes about finding her way as a female vocalist on tunes that were not written for nor sung originally by a female artist. I share my personal thoughts and findings from their recent performance at Atwoodfest, an event that band happily accepted a fill-in role for but did not have a ton of time to prep for, here’s a clue…they killed it. Come on and clap your hands.

Remembering Stories With Dom Flemons

Millennium Stage
The Kennedy Center
August 16th

As a resolute preservationist, storyteller, and instrumentalist, Dom Flemons has long set himself apart by finding forgotten folk songs and making them live again. His work has been recognized with a Grammy Award®, two Emmy® nominations, and 2020 U.S. Artists Fellowship. Dom Flemons is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and currently lives in the Chicago area with his family. He has branded the moniker The American Songster® since his repertoire of music covers over 100 years of early American popular music. Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, slam poet, music scholar, historian, and record collector. He is considered an expert player on the banjo, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, fife, and rhythm bones. Flemons is the host of the American Songster Radio show on Nashville’s WSM Radio. In 2022, he was awarded a degree as a Doctor of Humane Letters from his alma mater Northern Arizona University.

Garden Wheels

The final part of this week’s proGram helped things to grow out and out.

The Stuntman- The Headhunters
Cissy Strut- Bill Warfield and the Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra
Spring High- Warren Wolf
Herzog- Warren Wolf


Dee Dee- Tarbaby
Blues (When It Comes)- Tarbaby
Dislocation Blues- Orrin Evans &the Captain Black Big Band


Happy Anatomy- Planet D Nonet
Flirtibird- Planet D Nonet
Bailador- Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Get It By Now- Milton Nascimento & esperanza spalding


Freedom in Precision- Michael Eckroth Group
Mandalagh- Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Flying Chicken- Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
A Shifting Design- Kurt Rosenwinkel Ft. Mark Turner, Ben Street & Jeff Ballard

Gladtoknowyou

The middle part of this week’s proGram was quite friendly.

Bag. Full. Of. Cash.- King Pari
Within Myself- Goodge
Lights Out- Goodge
À L’instar Du Flair- Bolbec
Music For Lovers- Savages & Tripcat
Sangria Style- Savages & Tripcat


Pet Sematary- Dubmones Ft. Shniece & Horseman
The Third Man- Dubblestandart

Preacha- Long Beach Dub Allstars Ft. Philieano
***pre-recorded conversation with Ed Kampwirth of LBDAS***
Starting to Believe- Long Beach Dub Allstars

Wicked World- The Hempolics
Keep On Trying Version- Prince Jammy
Black Black Mind- The Travellers


Tieba- Koko Dembele
Baila Nomade- Migra
Cabaça- Diogo Ramos
Dunia- KOMASI w/Yudelkis Lafuente (Burkina Faso)

2 Corn or Not

The 1st part of this week’s proGram needed little salt and butter:

Drinking to the Angels- Billy Eli
Sweet Spot- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga
Black Cat In New Orleans- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga
Songbirds In The Stars- Ashley E. Norton
Spuirrlin’ Mama- Jontavious Willis


I Wish You Would- Johnny Ray Jones Ft. Junior Watson
The Toddle- Mark Hummel
Gimme Back The Keys To My Cadillac- Memphis Royal Brothers Ft. Marcus Scott
Hot Night In June- Memphis Royal Brothers Ft. Marcus Scott


Bitch Please- Scott Weis Band (live)
Get Down To The Nitty Gritty- Albert Castiglia Ft. Alabama Mike
You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover- Albert Castiglia Ft. Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram & Rayne Castiglia


’72 Monte Carlo- LA LOM
Angels Point- LA LOM
Sun & Moon- BALTHVS
Venus Flytrap- BALTHVS


Barbara- Angels Of Libra & Nathan Johnston
Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)- Kelly Finnigan
Flamingod- Haldi & ans Flamingo

Long Beach Dub Allstars Soon Come

After making their triumphant return in 2020 with their self-titled album, Long Beach Dub Allstars have taken it all the way back-to-basics on their latest album “Echo Mountain High”. The album will take listeners on a trip through a psychedelic mountain range of musical madness filled with reggae, rock, ska, hip hop, hard dub, & soul. Long Beach Dub Allstars have always taken chances and have never been afraid to chart into unknown musical territory. “Echo Mountain High” sees them experimenting with some heavy psychedelics and finds the band playing some hard classic dub anthems along with some wild experiments, showcasing the band’s free spirit & fearlessness to venture into the unknown. Joining the Dub Allstars on this mind-altering musical journey are Chris Dowd (Fishbone), who adds his trombone flavor to a track, some sweet vocals on another and some of his iconic keys on 2 others. Devin Morrison (Expanders/Man Like Devin) and Jesse Wagner (Aggrolites), lend some singing on a few tracks. Philieano (Doobie Raider) jumps on two tracks to rap and sing some harmonies, and local Long Beach ripper, Travis Goertz, plays a little slide guitar on one track. Today’s generation of reggae-rock fans may not fully understand how critical this group was to the reggae-rock genre, following Sublime’s conclusion in 1996. They played at a time when social media was non-existent. Live-videos of their early performances are mostly of grainy VHS quality, while most live-photos shot by fans were with those cheap throw-away cameras. There was no Youtube, Facebook, and this was before Myspace or even iTunes. They were the torch bearers of a genre that Sublime introduced and the original ‘Dub Allstars lineup included most of the players who were involved in cultivating that Reggae-Rock sound with Brad Nowell. 25 years later the band has found its resurgence with Opie Ortiz(vocals), Miguel Happoldt (guitar), Tim Wu (horns) joined by Roger Rivas (keys), Ed Kampwirth (bass) and Gil Sharone(drums).

I have to say, when Sublime and Long Beach Dub Allstars first made their way to me I found both to be a something I never heard quite like that before. Maybe it was that West coast flavor that adds its own something to it, but I dug it. I was happy to see that LBDAS are heading to Madison on September 19th along with The Movement at the Majestic to give us some of that West coast good time. I had the chance to chat with Ed Kampwirth to go through what the event will godown like. I wanted to get more insight on the latest album, ‘Echo Mountain High’, so we dive in seed to flower, talk a little about a couple of the tracks and from what went from a session in the yard to this finely assembled group of interesting & diverse tunes. For me this is soul’s music. Taking risks and getting the rewards should be how this album plays out for this band. We do touch a little on how the 562 (Long Beach) plays into the way the music grooves and grows as well as the lineage of the band from the then to now and all points between. HR is definitely an important figure in many a life, our included so we chat briefly about a tune he is actually singing on on their 2020 self titled record. Of course, no time would be complete without building some kind of setlist and that is just what Ed did. Some kind.

Photo by: Matt Farrington @maxfarenhite

Za Za

The final part of the proGram went into the over and came out just right.

Super Breath- Karen O & Danger Mouse
What’s Going On?- Raz & Afla
Free For All- Kolida Babo
Energie- Bogendorfer
Stand Up- Little Trooper & Renegades of Jazz
Good Life (Chantty Natural Remix)- Soweto Gospel Choir X Groove Terminator


Baila Sola- Maru Jota
Living Stone (Putumayo Version)- Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars


Yesterday’s Dream- Jeff Coffin Ft. Daru Jones, MonoNeon, Cory Wong, Leo Genovese, Yeli Ensemble & Bob Coffin
A Hat for My Beard- Jeff Coffin Ft. Béla Fleck, Daru Jones, Jay White & Yeli Ensemble
Cadillac Green- Tony Romano
Carroll Drive- Jubu Smith w/Charlie Hunter
Organizations Sake- Jubu Smith w/Charlie Hunter


Ser de Aquí- Jonathan Suazo Ft. Fabiola Méndez (live)
Ornette Goes Home- Jenny Scheinman Ft. Bill Frisell & Carmen Staaf

Grew Service

The middle part of the proGram was ready for the next.

Comfortable Gestures- Steve Beresford
Metropolis- Kit Sebastian
Green Ray- Rosettes
Close Your Eyes- La Luz
Space Girl (Vocals)- The Jennifer Ewan Band


No Flash- The Allergies Ft. Ohmega Watts
HIGHER LEVEL- Killer Mike Ft. Jori & Adonica Nunn
97 3-6 FREESTYLE- Killer Mike
Descendant of a Greek God- Montao Ft. Napoleon Da Legend & Sa-Roc


Hurricane Party- Dessa
***pre-recorded conversation with Dessa***
Decoy- Dessa

greenarrowradio promo- MC ZULU
No Mercy (Stalag Riddim)- MC ZULU
Tet Chajé- Kajou
Fade Out- Travel Plans & Kendra Morris

The Seed To Know

The first part of this week’s proGram grew to be ready to grow.

Light Like a Knife- Boulder Fields
Hooked On You- Los Lonely Boys


Tomland- Ross Valory
Imminent Redemption- Jane’s Addiction
Velvet Morning- Webb Chapel
And The Lion Saw The UFO- Sun Atoms


I Like Funky Music- Chris Daniels & The Kings Ft. Freddi Gowdy
Child Of The Blues- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga Ft. Yonrico Scott
Good Goes With You- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga


Devilment- Colin James Ft. Charlie Musselwhite
Protection- Colin James Ft. Lucinda Williams
Lula Mae- Jontavious Willis
Broken Hearted Moan- Jontavious Willis


Live For You- Thee Sacred Souls
Lovin’- BALTHVS
Aguacero- BALTHVS

Being Dessa

Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations—her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100-voice choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and top-200 entries on the Billboard charts. She contributed to the #1 album The Hamilton Mixtape and the RBG documentary; her track, “Congratulations,” has notched over 20 million streams. As a writer, she’s been published by The New York Times & National Geographic Traveler, broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio, and published a memoir-in-essays (My Own Devices, 2018) in addition to 2 literary collections. As a speaker, Dessa has delivered keynote speeches and presentations on art, science, & entrepreneurship; guest lectures at universities/colleges across the US; and a TED Talk about her science experiment on how to fall out of love. She also hosted two seasons of Deeply Human, a radio program created by the BBC and American Public Media. Dessa has been covered by Pitchfork, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal amongst others. The LA Times says she “sounds like no one else.” NPR’s All Songs Considered calls her “a national treasure.” On the stage and on the page, Dessa’s style is defined by ferocity, wit, tenderness, & candor. Plainly put, Dessa is dope.

I had the chance to catch up with Dessa before she headlines the 2024 Orton Park Festival in Madison on August 25th. Firstly, I am honored to have such a keen observer and sharer on the proGram. We get right into what the show will be like sonically, as in who will be doing what, and their are some surprises I think for many a listener to wrap their heads around. A harp? Of course, Dessa turns the plan on nme and asks me some questions as she prepares herself for the uniqueness Madison will offer her. We get into her latest album on Doomtree, ‘Bury The Lead’ and talk about the music, the risks and the rewards within the industry and life for that matter, when you stretch into the unknown. We say a lot of things to each other, as our foreheads were opened…but I really wanted to hear more about her TED Talk/science experiment/really freakin’ cool idea, so we get into her ‘Brain Skin Rug’ a bit. I could spend the time writing more about our conversation, but that’s not going to pinpoint the spots that will engross you, personally. I think a live performance will do that, just like this time we spent together.

Afghan Youth Orchestra Is Courage

The Afghan Youth Orchestra returns to the Kennedy Center more than a decade after its groundbreaking U.S. debut in 2013. This group of brave young musicians were forced to leave their homes in 2021 after the Taliban’s return to power. Today their performances are a symbol of defiance against the Taliban’s enforced silencing of Afghanistan’s rich musical heritage. The orchestra works tirelessly to defend musical rights, women’s rights, and gender equality in their native land through performance of Afghan traditional songs and classical works played on both Western and Afghan instruments. This was a moment in time I shared goosebumps with the many who watched.

Steel Pulse: Summer For The City

The songs of the GRAMMY Award-winning roots reggae ensemble Steel Pulse helped to popularize the reggae diaspora across the US and Europe. From the success of their 1978 debut single “Ku Klux Klan,” the band has addressed controversial topics of racial injustice and human rights with lyrics that remain as relevant today as they were at the beginning of their career. Hailing from Birmingham, England, the group’s 40-year revolutionary journey of clever orchestration and potent instrumental melody continues to define the magnificent power and beauty of reggae music. Their continually electrifying live performances on stages around the globe have kept Steel Pulse’s legacy alive for the next generation of artists and audiences. As part of Lincoln Center‘s celebration of Jamaica Independence Day, a jubilation of the island nation’s culture and history, Steel Pulse performed a full-length concert, featuring founding members David Hinds & Selwyn Brown and tracks from the band’s formidable catalog.

Dem Fuzzy

The final part of the proGram this week took a little sway with it’s grooves.

Furniture Of The Mind- Black Diamond
Expect Your Miracle- Matthew Whitaker
Meatballs and Apple Pie- Shelly Berg
Finger on the Trigger- Andromeda Turre


These Foolish Things- Steve Turre
Bright Mississippi- Ken Peplowski
Inception- Gerald Cannon Ft. Dave Kikoski & Lenny White (Live)
We Bop!- Sarah Hanahan


Smoke On The Water (And Beyond)- Michael O’Neill
Can’t Buy Me Love- Michael O’Neill
Lay It Down- Tony Romano
Yeli Geeche- Jeff Coffin

Peaceful Interruption

The middle part of the proGram took a moment to reflect with you.

II the Deepcyde- Mestizo Beat Ft. Jamie Allensworth

Asha- BALTHVS
***pre-recorded conversation with the trio BALTHVS***
Like Coconut Water- BALTHVS
Anouk- BALTHVS


T.O.P.- Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
The Light- Mieke Miami
Choices- The Salmon Ft. Tchiky
Renaceré- Superfónicos
Bogota Boogaloo- Superfónicos


Flamingos- Soul Jungle
Short Break- Cosmic Shuffling
Passe- Orua


Hidden Hatchway- Little Trooper
Roses- Lynda Dawn Ft. XL MIDDLETON