Night Lights Classic Jazz: Specials

Series produced by WFIU

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Enjoy these special editions of Night Lights -- a weekly jazz program hosted by David Brent Johnson, focusing on classic jazz from 1945-1990. Visit our online archives and the producer's jazz blog at: http://nightights.blogs.wfiu.org

Night Lights, WFIU's weekly jazz program hosted by David Brent Johnson, focuses on jazz from the 1945-1990 era - a timespan that, as Johnson notes, "weirdly parallels Miles Davis on record and the Cold War." Covering artists such as Jackie McLean, Charles Mingus, and Nina Simone and themes ranging from jazz recordings of spirituals to avant-garde interpretations of the Great American Songbook, Night Lights also features many lesser-known talents of post-1945 jazz, such as saxophonist J.R. Monterose, trumpeter Freddie Webster, and piano/singer duo Dick and Kiz Harp.

Host David Brent Johnson also maintains a widely read jazz blog and website which contains streaming archives of all past programs at: http://nightights.blogs.wfiu.org.

Stations wishing to carry Night Lights as a weekly program can contact LuAnn Johnson at lujohnso@indiana.edu for subscription and carriage information. Hide full description

Night Lights, WFIU's weekly jazz program hosted by David Brent Johnson, focuses on jazz from the 1945-1990 era - a timespan that, as Johnson notes, "weirdly parallels Miles Davis on record and the Cold War." Covering artists such as Jackie McLean, Charles Mingus, and Nina Simone and themes ranging from jazz recordings of spirituals to avant-garde interpretations of the Great American Songbook, Night Lights also features many lesser-known talents of post-1945 jazz, such as saxophonist J.R. Monterose, trumpeter Freddie Webster, and piano/singer duo Dick and Kiz Harp.Host David Brent Johnson also maintains a widely read jazz blog and website which contains streaming archives of all past programs at: http://nightights.blogs.wfiu.org.Stations wishing to carry Night Lights as a weekly program... Show full description


Additional Files

48 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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In 1943, Duke Ellington debuted a landmark 43-minute musical portrayal of the African-American experience at Carnegie Hall. We'll hear music from i...

Bought by Troy Public Radio, WNMU-FM, KMUW, WVIA, Radio Catskill and more


  • Added: Aug 25, 2022
  • Length: 59:03
  • Purchases: 20
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In 1952 Billie Holiday began her last great period on record with a series of small-group sessions that capture the twilight glow of a jazz star. ...

Bought by KMUW, Northeast Indiana Public Radio, KLCC, High Plains Public Radio, WKMS and more


  • Added: Mar 13, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 9
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Music for the holiday from Duke Ellington, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Kay Starr, and others. We'll also hear comedian Lenny Bruce's impersonation of Drac...

Bought by KAZU Seaside, Calif.


  • Added: Oct 25, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
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A look at the early jazz career and subsequent Peanuts success of pianist Vince Guaraldi, including interviews with jazz critic Doug Ramsey, Guaral...

Bought by KMUW and KAZU Seaside, Calif.


  • Added: Dec 05, 2022
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 2
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Night Lights celebrates the holidays with jazz from Fats Waller, Joe Williams, Claude Thornhill, and more.

Bought by KCME, KAZU Seaside, Calif., and WCVE


  • Added: Dec 19, 2022
  • Length: 59:02
  • Purchases: 3
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This hour explores Duke Ellington’s music for the 1959 film Anatomy Of A Murder and John Lewis’ score for Odds Against Tomorrow, released the same ...

Bought by KRCU Public Radio and KAZU Seaside, Calif.


  • Added: Jan 20, 2023
  • Length: 59:02
  • Purchases: 2
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A centennial tribute to Max Roach, who set the pace for modern jazz drumming and became an outspoken activist for civil rights.

Bought by WSKG, Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi), WWNO, WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., KUAT and more


  • Added: Jan 09, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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A profile of the pianist, singer, actress, and civil-rights activist, whose music drew on influences from classical to boogie-woogie, and who was t...

Bought by KVCR


  • Added: Feb 29, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1