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Tri-C Jazz Fest 2008
April 2008
The 29th Annual edition of Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland is celebrating a tribute to American Classics in 2008. The festivities kick off on Thursday, April 17th with a parade and Kick-Off party at Tower City and Public Square. The activities wraps up on Sunday, April 27th with a performance by artist-in-residence/pianist Marcus Roberts and his trio at the East Cleveland Public Library. ideastream music director Bobby Jackson spoke with Tri-C Jazz Fest managing director Beth Rutkowski about this years festival. For more information you can visit the Tri-C website at www.tricpresents.com.

Thelonious Monk's Pulitzer Citation Award Show Originally aired April 28, 2006 We're all set to celebrate yet another accolade attributed to the genius of jazz legend Thelonious Monk. This time, it's a Pulitzer Award that has our attention. We'll tell you all about it, through many voices... some of them are directly involved.	Hearing Loss in Musicians Originally aired May 8, 2005 On this edition, we'll tell you about a program called "It's hip to hear" that's spreading awareness about protecting and maintaining healthy ears. We'll also speak with a neurologist as well as a couple of musicians about how they've have handled this issue. More information about hearing loss can be found here.
Photography of Gene Martin Originally aired February 8, 2004 Gene Martin is known in the jazz industry for his brilliant work as a color portrait artist for jazz musicians that spans some twenty years. His work is not only found on CD covers and all of the major jazz trades but his work has also appeared in mainstream magazines such as Time and People. I spoke with Gene in February, 2004. View some of Gene's work here.	Dr. Valerie Capers Interview Originally aired April 13, 2003 Despite losing her sight as a youth, Dr. Valerie Capers has enjoyed a brilliant career as a singer, pianist and educator. Originally from the Bronx, New York, classically trained Capers was the first blind graduate of prestigious Juilliard in New York. It was my pleasure to speak with Ms. Capers in April, 2003.
Holiday Music with Bobby J. Originally aired December 23, 2005 One of the things that bring the spirit of the season together this time of year is the joy of music. We've got plenty of music to share with you on this edition of Jazz Tracks that reflect the holiday season as we're looking toward the new year. Click here for a complete listing of songs featured on this broadcast.	Dr. Anthony Brown Interview Originally aired March 7, 2004 You're invited to hear the exciting and exotic sounds of The Asian American Orchestra, a big band that blends its traditional sound and power with the textures of traditional Asian instruments. You'll also meet their leader, Dr. Anthony Brown, who through his multi-cultural upbringing is adding a new dimension to big band listening.
Michael Brecker Rememberance Originally aired September 16, 2005 Tenor sax great Michael Brecker has led a storied career in the music industry. For some years now, Michael has been troubled with pain in his back and abdomen. The pain became so acute that he had to stop touring and seek professional help. What he found out was that he was diagnosed with a blood condition called Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Bobby explores this condition with various guests, including Dr. Clarence Taylor. Brecker recently passed away (Jan. 2007) from Myelodysplastic Syndrome.	The French Connection Originally aired January 27, 2006 This week, we're checking out the French connections to jazz music. Lately we have seen a flood of releases from Pearl Django, Richard Galliano, Bireli Lagrene and yes, even NPR host Dee Dee Bridgewater. We'll take a close up look at the history of the relationship between America's art form and the French in just a moment.
The Long Road to Freedom Originally aired February 24, 2002 The Long Road To Freedom Box set is one of the important, finest and comprehensive collections of music to chronicle the African American music experience that occurred before the advent of audio recording equipment. The concept which was thirty years in the making was conceived by actor/civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. WCPN music director Bobby Jackson investigated the creation of this masterpiece during Black History Month in 2002, speaking with many of the principals who were responsible for bringing it to the public.	Jazz, Hip-Hop and Brazilian Music Originally aired June 2, 2006 Brazilian music and melodies have been a staple element in jazz for decades. The year 1966 produced arguably Brazilian pianist and composer Sergio Mendes' finest recording ever with his band Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this landmark recording Mendes approached hip-hop star Will-i-am of the Black Eyed Peas to produce a recording featuring some of the best hip-hop, pop and R&B stars in today's music world. ideastream Music Director Bobby Jackson interviewed Chicago jazz radio broadcaster Mark Ruffin (co-host of the nationally syndicated program Listen Here) and Atlanta, GA evening jazz host Carl Anthony (91.9 FM/WCLK) who take you on a tour of jazz, Hip-Hop and Brazilian music through the "Timeless" lens of Sergio Mendes.
Scott Yanow: Jazz on Film Originally aired January 28, 2005 On January 28, 2005, ideastream Music Director Bobby Jackson spoke with jazz author and critic Scott Yanow about his book, Jazz On Film: The Complete Story Of The Musicians & Music Onscreen (Backbeat Books/2004). The book is an invaluable reference that chronicles the history of jazz on film.	Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus Originally aired April 21, 2002 April 21, 2007 marks the 85th birthday anniversary of one of the most original, volatile, endearing and enduring personalities to ever grace a bandstand - Charles Mingus. In 2002 Jazz Tracks host Bobby Jackson presented a show he called, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, to celebrate this legendary musicians 80th birthday anniversary. Invited guests include his widow Sue Graham Mingus, collaborators Sy Johnson and Jack Walrath as well as contemporary bassist Brian Bromberg.
The 28th Annual Tri-C Jazz Fest May 1, 2007 The 28th Annual Tri-C Jazz Fest Cleveland commenced in Cleveland on April 19th at Tower City in the heart of downtown Cleveland, with a parade on Public Square. The festival, in addition to top-notch performances from world class musicians offers various educational programs to the community at large. The festival also involves many key performance spaces around the city making it a true city wide celebration of this American art form. This year's festival paid homage to two giants in jazz history, pianist Thelonious Monk and bassist Charles Mingus. WCPN Music Director Bobby Jackson interviewed some of the festival participants including saxophonist Joe Lovano, pianist Kenny Barron, conductor/educator Gunther Schuller, Sue Mingus, vocalist Dianne Reeves and keyboardist George Duke.	Congo Square June 15, 2007 On Monday, June 18th the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring trumpet legend Wynton Marsalis join forces with Ghanaian drum master Yacub Addy and his drumming and dance ensemble Odadaa. The show, which takes place in downtown Cleveland at Playhouse Square called "Congo Square," is presented by The Cleveland Music School Settlement, an organization that provides high quality music education and arts related programs to close to 3,000 metro Cleveland residents annually. "Congo Square" premiered last spring in a free concert as a benefit to New Orleans in Congo Square itself. Cleveland is one of only 11 cities that Congo Square is touring. ideastream music director Bobby Jackson caught up Yacub Addy's wife and manager, Amina as well as Marsalis, who talked about Congo Square and the African connections.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk August 29, 2007 Last year, August 7th, Columbus native and master musician Rahsaan Roland Kirk would have celebrated his 70th birthday. This year marks the 30th anniversary of his death (December 5, 1977 in Bloomington, IN). The city of Columbus declared August 6th – 12th 2006, "Rahsaan Roland Kirk" week. ideastream Music Director Bobby Jackson painted this audio portrait of the man and his music. Voices include Kirk's long time producer, Joel Dorn; his sister, Candice; his widow, Dorthaan; Columbus musicologist Jack Marchbanks and Rahsaan himself.	Terence Blanchard - A Tale Of God's Will September 7, 2007 Celebrated New Orleans trumpeter, composer and band leader Terence Blanchard's latest Blue Note recording "A Tale Of God’s Will – A Requiem for Katrina" is inspired by the events of the late summer of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast of the United States creating torrid of death and destruction. ideastream Music Director Bobby Jackson speaks with Blanchard about this recording, Katrina and the state of New Orleans two years removed from this cataclysmic event.
The Color of Jazz Originally Aired December 2006 The work of Pete Turner is perhaps some of the most well known in the world of jazz photography. For five decades, Turner’s lens has captured and created images that are not only striking and colorful, but also among the most memorable. Hired in the late 50’s by legendary jazz record label owner Creed Taylor, Turner’s work has appeared on four different record label album covers during that period including Verve, CTI, A & M and ABC/Paramount. Turner’s works have graced the covers of albums performed by musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, AC Jobim, Grover Washington Jr., Hubert Laws, Airto Moriera, Wes Montgomery, Milt Jackson, Stan Getz, Quincy Jones and others. WCPN music director Bobby Jackson produced a radio segment in December 2006 called “The Color Of Jazz” in conjunction with the release of Turner’s made for the coffee table sized book of the same name. The book is 12” x 12” and features 80 of Turner’s finest prints as well as a foreward by Quincy Jones, an introduction by celebrated author Ashley Kahn and an afterword by Creed Taylor. View artwork here.