We are exploring the spirituals and spirituality in Jazz. The spirituals are African American religious folk songs that grew out of slavery experiences and the introduction of Christianity to enslaved blacks. These songs reflect both the suffering and liberation of African Americans in the new world. Spirituality is an individual practice concerned with the human spirit. It is the process of understanding and seeking a sense of peace and purpose and developing ideas around the meaning of life and the connection with others. Jazz musicians have expressed both these forms and ideas in their music. We will hear music from John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper and others.
Solitary Confinement
Today’s Houston Jazz Spotlight was created in response to a request to hear music from Duke Ellington’s “Black, Brown and Beige Suite.” A request to hear music is not unusual. What was special about this request was the cat who made it. It was made by a brother who has been on death row in solitary confinement for almost two decades. Imagine that you are waiting to pay the ultimate price for a mistake you made as a teenager and you are facing that reality in a 6x9 room, 23 hours a day with little or no human contact. Solitary confinement was first used in a Philadelphia penitentiary in 1829 and was immediately found to be detrimental to the mental and physical well-being of all those subject to it. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1890 acknowledged these troubling findings. Yet today, it is a very common form of punishment for most prisons in this country and is mandatory for all those who receive a death sentence. So, today’s show is a musical mediation on solitary confinement and we will also play Ellington’s “Black, Brown and Beige Suite” in its entirety.
The Laws Family
This Thanksgiving will be remembered because the precautions many of us will observe due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Many of us will not be physically sharing this holiday with loved ones and family members. Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight we are celebrating family with the music of Houston's first family of Jazz, the Laws: Ronnie Laws, Debra Laws, Eloise Laws and Hubert Laws.
Texas Tenors - Illinois Jacquet & Shelley Carroll
Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight we will celebrate two Texas Tenors from Houston. Illinois Jacquet grew up in Frenchtown, Fifth Ward and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School. He made a name for himself when he left Milt Larkin's Orchestra and joined Lionel Hampton's big band. His solo on Flying Home made him a household name and his career spanned 60 years. Shelley Carroll is the heir apparent to the big honking sound of Arnett Cobb. He has performed and recorded with many great artist's in the Jazz world and in pop and R & B; Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Kool and the Gang, Sheryl Crow, Roger Waters, Roy Hargrove, Tony Bennet and Whitney Houston to list a few. He leads his own band and is a current member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Houston Jazz Showcase
Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight. We will showcase new music from some of the most talented artists from the Houston Jazz scene. You will hear music from Tianna Hall and the Houston Jazz Band, Henry Darragh, Paul English, Bayou City Swing and more. We always get started with music from Arnett Cobb and as a special request by us Bayou City Swing recorded a version of 'Smooth Sailing'. You can hear music from their debut album, 'Sunshine on Bastrop' during the first hour. We will also hip you to a very cool event streaming live tonight presented by the Alley Theatre on their Facebook and YouTube pages.
Infinite Tiny - Jehnifer's Birthday Show
Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight we will focus on the love of science which seems to be the center of political debate and on social justice especially the issues of mass incarceration and police brutality. The show is inspired by my beautiful and uber-talented wife and the producer of the Houston Jazz Spotlight, Jehnifer Malone. My world has been greatly influenced by her passionate interest in social justice, science, nature, space, photography, art and music. Jehnifer's interest in science and nature can be seen on her Facebook and Instagram page, 'Infinite Tiny' that explores the natural world thru the telescope and the microscope.
Women of the Keys Jazz Festival
Great Wednesday! Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight we are presenting , 'The Women Of The Keys Jazz Festival' live from the Jazz Church of Houston. The festival features premier jazz pianists, Bu Pleasant, Nina Simone, Pamela York, Helen Sung and Marsha Frazier. With the challenges of the Coronavirus and social distancing you have the best seat in the house to enjoy this musical happening safely from where ever you are.