I recently discovered the “Night Lights” Classic Jazz Radio Program, an hour-long weekly jazz program produced by Indiana University’s public radio station. It’s marvelous, and there are five years’ worth of archives available on the web that you can listen to at any time.
Each program focuses on a particular artist, particular period, and/or particular style, combining some context and discussion with a selection of some of the best recordings. I just finished listening to the January 2007 broadcast on the excellent but obscure tenor saxophonist J.R. Monterose, as well as the August 2009 broadcast on the Claude Thornhill Band. Both were excellent. If you’re interested in learning more about jazz, or you want to hear more about a particular jazz musician or style, the program is well worth checking out.
Classic Jazz Radio Program | Ryan Babe says:
[...] Kerr points to the “Night Lights” Classic Jazz Radio Program sponsored by Indiana [...]
Bill N says:
What a treasure trove. The themes of each show sound fascinating–not just “best of Dolphy,” etc. Great find, Orin–thanks!
So much for grading this weekend....
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November 20, 2009, 8:24 amWidmerpool says:
Damn you Kerr for discovering yet another massive time sinkhole.
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November 20, 2009, 8:35 amAnon321 says:
Good find. Just based on the name, I was very (pleasantly) surprised to see folks like Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, and even John Zorn (!) mixed in with more traditional fare. Looking forward to checking it out. Thanks.
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November 20, 2009, 9:52 amThales says:
It was a great treasure to have that program live while at IU.
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November 20, 2009, 10:27 amGringo says:
Thank you for the find.
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November 20, 2009, 11:07 amdearieme says:
Thanks, Daddio.
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November 20, 2009, 11:19 amMatt says:
If you like that, you will enjoy Jazz Unlimited, an award winning jazz radio program out of KWMU in the University of Missouri Saint Louis. Dennis Owsley does a three hour program every week and has the weekly show available for download. No archive, but the show is always enjoyable. About the show is here and the show download is here.
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November 20, 2009, 11:55 amRealistLiberal says:
I agree! There goes my ability to get any work done today. I knew I shouldn’t have even looked at it yet.
In all seriousness, that is an incredible find, thank you for pointing it to us.
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November 20, 2009, 1:02 pmBT says:
Great stuff, George Benson in the 1960s, Monk as sideman. Can’t wait. Gotta admit, never heard of John Zorn. I hope they have some Gene Ammons....
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November 20, 2009, 5:15 pmDoctor Gator says:
The most valuable post you ever contributed.
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November 20, 2009, 10:41 pmJazz Treasures « To dust you shall return says:
[...] In General on November 21, 2009 at 3:00 pm I completely agree with Prof. Kerr’s recommendation of this wonderful collection of jazz music. It has served me well all day while editing our fall [...]
Joe Luttrell says:
Two of my favorites:
1. Richard Hadlock on KCSM in the San Francisco Bay Area, 7:00pm to 8:00pm West Coast time each Sunday: http://kcsm.org/jazz91/index.php
2. Alyn Shipton on BBC Radio 3, 8:00am to 9:00am West Coast time each Saturday: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazz/
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November 21, 2009, 6:15 pmMaegan Bencosme says:
Hi buddy, your blog’s design is simple and clean and i like it. Your blog posts are superb. Please keep them coming. Greets!!!
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December 24, 2009, 3:00 am