Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight we have put together a show we are calling, ‘Jazz with a Latin tinge’ our celebration of Afro Latin Jazz. We can not talk about Latin Jazz without talking about DJ, master teacher and passionate music lover, Juan Flores, host of Jazz Latino. His show has been the only source for Afro Cuban, Afro Brazilian and Afro Latin Jazz in Houston.
Miles Davis
It was March 2, 1959 when Miles Dewey Davis entered the studio to record 3 of 5 tracks for the album, Kind of Blue. It is considered the standard of excellence in music by critics and music lovers alike. So today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight to celebrate the 62 anniversary of this musical masterpiece we will play the complete album uninterrupted. We will also play music by Chris Dave and Drumheadz, Roseanna Vitro, Kellye Gray and of course Arnett Cobb.
Black History Month
Today is our last show during Black History Month. It should be commonly accepted that Black history is American history. Historian, Carter G. Woodson, began Black History Week in 1926 as a response to the exclusion of the accomplishments of 'NergoColoredBlackAfricanAmericans' and their contributions to civilization and this country. Our show today is a musical meditation on the continued pursuit to acknowledge the humanity and the resilience of African Americans despite the brutality of chattel slavery and the creation of a racial caste system.
Joe Sample
Today's show reflects our motto,"you can't talk about Jazz in America without talking about Texas but definitely can't talk about Jazz in America without talking about Houston." And pianist, composer and member of the Houston super group, The Crusaders's, Joe Sample is a perfect example of this. If you have enjoyed major works by artist like Miles Davis, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Micheal Franks, Hugh Masekela and many others you heard Joe Sample. Today on the Houston Jazz Spotlight we will be celebrating the music of Joseph Leslie Sample born February 1, 1939. The song 'Street Life' is probably one of Joe Samples most recognized compositions recorded in 1979 with The Crusaders and featuring vocalist, Randy Crawford. Street Life has been featured in Burt Reynolds film, 'Sharkys Machine' and Quentin Tarantino's film, 'Jackie Brown'. The bassist on this live performance is Joe's son Nikolas Sample.
Mob Violence
Today’s program is a musical sermon in response to the mob violence last week at the Nation’s Capitol. I heard over and over again on social media and newscast, “this is not who we are”. The history of our country paints a very different story than the one we tell ourselves. Mob violence has been the repeated response to challenges of the status quo and maintaining our racial caste system. Gil Scott Heron’s ‘Winter In America’ was his commentary on the nation’s season of discontent in 1974. Did you know that the flutist on this epic song was Houston’s own Hubert Laws.
Christmas Messages
Tis the season to be with those you love, family and friends. This is greatly challenged this year by the need to social distance due to Covid 19. It's even more challenging for the families of cats who are in prisons across the state which has suspended visitation because of the pandemic for the foreseeable future. So today's show is our continued effort in a small way to use jazz in the service of the community. On this special program we are helping those families to send holiday messages to their loved ones who are incarcerated.
Love in the Time of COVID 19
2020 will be a year remembered for many things, one of which will be the challenges faced by relationships due to the need to quarantine and social distance. Many have had to weather this pandemic alone not being able to spend time with the one they love. Others have experienced the emotional ups and downs of being quarantined with their partner everyday. So what ever your situation may be, today's show was created with you in mind, 'Love in the Time of Covid 19'.