Afterglow

Series produced by WFIU

Series image

Afterglow is a weekly, one-hour program of vocal jazz and popular song from the Great American Songbook, hosted by Mark Chilla.

Ella, Frank, Billie, Duke -- WFIU's Afterglow has them all.

Afterglow highlights the best of vocal jazz and popular song from the 1930s to today. Each episode explores a new topic about the greatest jazz singers. Whether it's the unlikely friendship between Frank Sinatra and songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen, the times trumpeter Clifford Brown worked with vocalists, or songs all about love, Afterglow tells the stories of the Great American Songbook.

Afterglow first aired on WFIU sometime in the late 1970s, hosted by a man named Dick Bishop, who gave the show its elegance, passion, laid-back expertise, congenial charm, and that "martini-moon" quality. After Bishop's retirement in 2005, the show was hosted by David Brent Johnson. In February 2015, Mark Chilla took the helm, continuing to bring an hour of the Great American Songbook to the airwaves in a high-quality production available every week.

For syndication information, please contact LuAnn Johnson at lujohnso@indiana.edu.

For help subscribing please email prxhelp@prx.org.

Find us at http://indianapublicmedia.org/afterglow/.

Afterglow is a production of WFIU at Indiana University in Bloomington. Hide full description

Ella, Frank, Billie, Duke -- WFIU's Afterglow has them all. Afterglow highlights the best of vocal jazz and popular song from the 1930s to today. Each episode explores a new topic about the greatest jazz singers. Whether it's the unlikely friendship between Frank Sinatra and songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen, the times trumpeter Clifford Brown worked with vocalists, or songs all about love, Afterglow tells the stories of the Great American Songbook. Afterglow first aired on WFIU sometime in the late 1970s, hosted by a man named Dick Bishop, who gave the show its elegance, passion, laid-back expertise, congenial charm, and that "martini-moon" quality. After Bishop's retirement in 2005, the show was hosted by David Brent Johnson. In February 2015, Mark Chilla took the helm, continuing to... Show full description


Additional Files

112 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
This week on Afterglow, we explore the songs of two unrelated black jazz composers from the early 20th century: Spencer Williams and Clarence Willi...

  • Added: Jan 24, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
In the 1950s and 60s, Ray Charles left his indelible mark on songs in a variety of genres, including R&B, pop, jazz, and even country. This week on...

  • Added: Jan 07, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This week on Afterglow, we pay tribute to the husband-and-wife songwriting team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who wrote lyrics to such memorable son...

  • Added: Jan 13, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Jimmy Van Heusen with Frank Sinatra in the 1950s. Van Heusen and Sinatra met in the 1930s and collaborated over the next 40 years, Credit: NPR
This week on the show, we’ll feature the many songs of songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen, as performed by his good friend Frank Sinatra, including “Come ...

  • Added: Jan 03, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This week on Afterglow, we pay tribute to bebop legend Charlie Parker. I’ll feature his recordings with vocalists like Sarah Vaughan, as well as vo...

  • Added: Dec 27, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This week, we remember the artistry of American songwriter Stephen Sondheim, and his many contributions to the American songbook, like “Small World...

  • Added: Dec 21, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
As the elder statesman of jazz, Bing Crosby would often share the stage with many of the great singers of his day. This week on Afterglow, we’ll fe...

  • Added: Dec 06, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
At the end the year, relax with Afterglow this week, as I play some peaceful holiday songs to soothe your soul, sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King C...

  • Added: Dec 03, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
It’s the holiday season, and we’re keeping things light and snappy this week as we dance along to some swinging holiday tunes, sung by Frank Sinatr...

  • Added: Dec 02, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
They may not be as well known as Rodgers and Hammerstein, but the songwriting duo of Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz nevertheless made significant...

  • Added: Dec 04, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Stan Kenton and June Christy on their 1955 album "Duet"
The Stan Kenton Orchestra emerged in the 1940s as a bold and sometimes controversial voice in the swing band genre. This week, we’ll explore the co...

  • Added: Nov 10, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
We once again turn our attention to what’s new in the world of vocal jazz, exploring recent releases by singers like Tony Bennett, Jazzmeia Horn, L...

  • Added: Nov 10, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: David Allyn from the cover of the1940s compilation album "Where You At"
Afterglow continues its look at some less familiar singers this week, by exploring the work of male crooners David Allyn, Rocky Cole, and Deno Kannes.

  • Added: Oct 27, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
We’re continuing our exploration of some less-familiar jazz voices this week, with a close look at some female jazz and pop vocalists from the late...

  • Added: Oct 27, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Caption: Norene Tate's 1958 album "Tenderly" will be featured on the program
This week on Afterglow, I’ll be highlighting some lesser-known female vocalists from the late 1950s, including Pat Thomas, Gloria Smyth, Mae Barnes...

  • Added: Oct 14, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
This week, we’re turning back the clock 100 years to explore how the songs of 1921, like “Ain’t We Got Fun,” “My Man,” and “I’m Just Wild About Har...

  • Added: Oct 13, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
In 1960, Frank Sinatra became the Chairman of the Board of Reprise Records. And this week on Afterglow, we’ll explore the early years and the artis...

  • Added: Sep 29, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
We’re looking up at the moon this week, exploring jazz standards all about our lunar companion, like “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Moon River,” and many m...

  • Added: Sep 29, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
For National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ll be exploring the influence of Latin music on the American jazz and pop singers in the 1950s, including ...

  • Added: Sep 21, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
Piece image
Lyricist Alan Jay Lerner was clever and precise with a turn of phrase. This week on Afterglow, we’ll explore his songs like “On The Street Where Yo...

  • Added: Sep 07, 2021
  • Length: 59:00