Shark Jazz and Blues

This week we start with some funky jazz (including the Eddie Fisher and Branford Marsalis). In the second portion of the show, we wrap up this month’s review of the origins and development of early blues, focusing on one of the most enigmatic singer-songwriter of the early days, Robert Johnson. We close the show with a trio of songs from South Africa. My good friend Kevan kindly gave me an album of soundtrack to the documentary film American Epic . It is a fascinating collection of early recorded music and I have chosen a couple of songs to feature on the blues segment today. A reminder that we are hiatus next week for Spring Break. Shark Jazz and Blues will resume on 14 March with new features.   Eddie Fisher Quintet – A Dude Called Zeke (6:53) Branford Marsalis Quartet – Snake Hip Waltz (5:52) Adrian Ruiz Quintet – Cancion Para Mi Amor (5:26) Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra featuring Dinah Washington – Evil Gal Blues (3:17) Billie Holiday – Don’t Explain (3:24) C...

  This week we continue our examination of foundational blues songs, as well as the linkages between jazz music and the continent of Africa. Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra & Illinois Jacquet – Flying Home (3:12) Zoot Sims – Summerset (4:16) THe Gil Evans Orchestra – Where Flamingos Fly (5:12) Valaida Snow – You’re Driving Me Crazy (2:21) Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson – Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby (2:52) Leadbelly – We’re in the Same Boat Brother (2:42) Skip James – Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues (2:51) Junie Cobb – South African Blues (3:15) Dollar Brand – Scullery Department (featuring Hugh Masekela) (7:01) Randy Weston – Portrait of Cheikh Anta Diop (8:59) Ethioda – Musiqawi silt (5:01) Monty Alexander – Monk’s Dream (6:36)   Notes Lionel Hampton (1908-2002) – Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Hampton was an influential vibraphonist, pianist, and percussionist, as well as a prominent band leader. At a very early age he moved to Birmingham, Alaba...

  The Miles Davis Quintet – My Funny Valentine (5:59) Rahsaan Roland Kirk – I Say a Little Prayer (8:01) Chet Baker – My Funny Valentine (5:29) Bessie Smith – ‘Tain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do (3:27) Etta Baker – One-Dime Blues (1:42) Big Mama Thornton – How Come (2:34) Howlin’ Wolf – The Natchez Burnin’ (2:10) Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Long Gone (7:21) Joey Alexander – Midnight Waves (6:21) McCoy Tyner – Man From Tanganyika (6:53) Nduduzo Makhathini – Unyazi (9:51)

On today’s show we have several themes and start some month-long retrospectives. In the honor of Black History Month we will profile some of the great blues singers during February, featuring two artists each week. In another segment, we will listen to jazz music from, and inspired by, Africa. But to start the show today, we begin with an acknowledgement that it is winter in Central Pennsylvania with a couple of songs about the season. Joey Alexander – Winter Blues Kieth Jarrett – Blackberry Winter Michael Brecker – Midnight Mood Blind Willie McTell – Statesboro Blues Mississippi John Hurt – Coffee Blues Ramsey Lewis Trio – You Been Talkin’ ‘Bout Me, Baby Moe Koffman – A Night in Tunisia Mulatu Astatke – Girl From Addis Ababa Black Flower – O Fogo Blues Tribute  We begin our survey of important blues artists with a person who is not that well known but highly influential: Blind Willie McTell: Born blind in 1901 to an unwed 14-year-old mother, who would die in 19...