Roy Hargrove - a life in service to music w Frank Lacy, Justin Robinson, Evan Sherman and Funmi Ononaiye

Special guest DJ Funmi Ononaiye brought friends Frank Lacy, Justin Robinson and Evan Sherman to the show to pay tribute to a great musician and dear friend.
The music community suffered a devastating loss with the transition of Roy Hargrove.
The relationship Roy had with music was so vibrant and crackled with so much energy and feeling that it is hard to believe he is not with us anymore.
Roy did leave us with the great gift of his music, however and we spent the show celebrating his music and his life.
Long live Roy Hargrove!
”Roy Anthony Hargrove, one of the most respected and loved musicians in the New York City community and the world at large, was a trailblazing multiple Grammy Award winning trumpeter. He was known just as intensely for his brimming fire and fury as he was for his gorgeous, signature balladry. Over and over, his sound attested to and sanctified his deep love for music. His unselfish timbre covered the waterfront of every musical landscape. Owning his music, his sound, Roy inspired generations of musicians. He was a game changer.”
Quoted from Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Pointer Sisters' Ruth Pointer is STILL so Excited!!!

We were honored to have the fabulous, effervescent Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters on the show to share some of the highlights of her long lived and well deserved show biz career. The Sisters catalog contains a truly diverse mix of music from jazz, soul, r&b, rock, pop and even country! What is evident is anything they lent their voice to was imbued with a passion and soulfulness grounded by their gospel upbringing. 
The Pointer Sisters are a true American Treasure and we are happy to see Ruth passing the torch to her daughters and granddaughters and chronicling her memoirs to preserve their legacy for future generations. 
Take a listen above to find out why WE'RE so excited that Ruth is still excited ;) 
SONGS from The Pointer Sisters included in this podcast
Yes We Can Can
Cloudburst
Wang Dang Doodle
Chainey Do
How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side)
Going Down Slowly
Automatic
Dare Me
Fairytale
Pinball Number Count
Happiness
Jump (For My Love)
AND
Sweeping Through The City sung by Shirley Caesar

 

Inside the Evolutionary Jazz Mind of Brian Jackson

The "Music Behind the Message" Brian Jackson is responsible for some of the most moving and profound  political and social albums of the 70's along with his partner Gil Scott-Heron. It was truly a pleasure and treat to have this gracious man in the studio taking us on a musical stroll through his life.

Widely regarded as one of the early architects of the neo-soul era, Brian Jackson's enduring sound is capturing the hearts and souls of yet another generation. Today, Brian is not only a respected jazz artist but also a frequent collaborator with emerging artists who carry on the Tradition of inspiring and informing the masses through conscious music. 

The Tradition started in 1970 when the Brooklyn-born producer, composer, and musician Jackson began writing songs with another prodigy, 20-year-old Lincoln University classmate and poet Gil Scott- Heron.

Jackson remembers his first encounter with Gil, "He had this way with words and I thought to myself, 'People have to hear this stuff.' What I had to offer was the music and I figured if we can take his words and make this tribal knowledge rhythmic and musical, we can draw people to hear it."