Classical 95.9-FM WCRI

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour hosts Jamie and Spencer listen to music by the Rasa String Quartet. They will be part of Newport Classical's Community Concerts on Sunday, May 18th. Enjoy a joyful outdoor concert with Rasa String Quartet and multidisciplinary percussionist Brian Shankar Adler as they present Redefining Home, celebrating each artist's musical roots. For information, visit newportclassical.org

On this week's 95.9 Company Break, we speak with the Director of Marketing and Sales for StoneRidge Active Retirement Living in Mystic, CT, Jamie Cornell. She updates us on some new and exciting things happening at StoneRidge in the near future! Located just two miles from the riverfront, StoneRidge is a senior living community of doers and thinkers, artists and educators, lifelong learners, and dedicated volunteers. We support each other, learn from one another, and enjoy each other's company. New retirement community residents tell us they're surprised at how quickly everyone knows their name. Visit us, and it won't be long before you feel connected to the people here. People who, like you, want to continue an active lifestyle in a corner of Connecticut close to their hearts. For more information, call 860-333-8995 or visit www.stoneridgelcs.com

This week, Jane explores how humans assisting is actually co-existing.

This week, Joe features Guitarist and Composer Steve DeConti from his 1993 self-published recording, titled “Gigantic Art Sale.”  

WaterFire is the subject of this week's program with Barnaby Evans, Artist and Founder. We talk about the upcoming season and listen to some of the important music presented in the past. This year's season starts on May 15th and runs through December 31st. For more information, you can go to www.waterfire.org

This week on A Walk in the Park, Jane talks about when nature interrupts our day.

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, from his 1954 Fresh Sound Records recording, titled “Coleman Hawkins and his All-Stars.”  

Theatre By The Sea's announcement of the 2025 season is the subject of this week's program with Bill Hanney, owner of the theatre, and Karen Kessler, General Manager. We talk about next summer's musicals and listen to some of the very popular songs from: Always...Patsy Cline, Waitress, Hairspray, and Heartbreak Hotel. For more information, you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com  

This week, Jane turns to nature to show us that attitude is everything when it comes to overcoming obstacles.

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe is  featuring Pianist Lennie Tristano from his 1956/1962 Atlantic Records recordings, titled “Lennie Tristano/The New Lennie Tristano.”

The Mystic River Chorale is the subject of this week's program with Frank Zilinyi, Artistic Director, and Sandra Streeter, Board Member. We talk about what the Chorale has done in the last season and their concert coming up on Sunday, May 18th at 4 PM at Mystic Congregational Church in Mystic. For more information, you can go to www.mysticriverchorale.org

This week, Jane explores the realities of nature and the renewal of spring.

This week on Jazz After Dinner Joe features Saxophonist, Joakim Milder along with Roger Kellaway, piano and Red Mitchell, bass and vocal, from their 1991 Dragon Records recording, titled “Live In Stockholm.”

This week Westminster Youth String Ensemble is the subject of the program with Kathleen Curran Monroe, Director. We talk about the upcoming season and the Spring Concert on Sunday April 27th at 3 PM at the Westerly Armory in Westerly and listen to some selections of past concerts. For more information you can call 401.596.5225 or go to www.westminsterstrings.org

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour hosts Jamie and Skylar, listen to music by Bulgarian American violinist Bella Hristova! She will be part of Newport Classical's ongoing Chamber Series on Friday, April 25th, at the Newport Classical Recital Hall. She will be in collaboration with returning pianist, Anna Polonsky. For tickets and information, visit newportclassical.org

This month on The 95.9 Company Break, Mike catches up again with the owner of Mystic River Paintworks, Alix Stanley. From your initial contact with Mystic River Paintworks to completing your project, you are entitled to timely and accurate information concerning all aspects of the job. Your projects are staffed by friendly, uniformed, skilled craftsmen who will complete the job safely and efficiently. You must be fully satisfied by the work completed and the value received. For more information, please call 860-867-6435 or visit mysticriverpaintworks.com

This week, Jane examines how much we've allowed technology to take over our lives.

On this week's Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Saxophonist Cercie Miller from her 1998 Jazz Project Records recording, “Blue Vistas.”

Musica Dolce is the subject of this week's program with Paul Rosenbloom, Artistic Director. We talk about their upcoming concerts and listen to some of the music from the program being presented on Sunday, April 13th at 2 PM at St. Peter's By The Sea in Narragansett. For more information, you can go to www.musicadolce.org

In this episode of This Old Tree, Doug presents the fourth edition of "Tree Story Shorts" on This Old Tree, where guests get to tell their own tree stories! Salacious pepper trees, historic oaks, a tree named after a Marvel character, a beech tree's farewell at a college reunion, big tree hunters, an old-growth tulip poplar in Queens, a neighborhood ash tree in Amsterdam, and the largest tree at Kew Gardens - this episode has it all. Listen to what people have to say about the trees that inspire them.

This week, Jane finds an unusual peace in nothingness.

This week, Joe is featuring Saxophonist, Composer, and Arranger Dan Moretti from his 2025 Roots Grooves Records recording, “Dan Moretti and Brazilia/Celebrating The Music of Wayne Shorter/Live At The Pump House.” 

The Mystic Chamber Music Series is the subject of this week's program with Thomas Readett, Artistic and Executive Director, along with special guest Gary Upton, owner of Upton Bass. We will discuss the upcoming concert on Saturday, April 12th, at 5:30 PM at The Noank Baptist Church. For more information, you can go to www.mysticchambermusicseries.com

This week Jane explores how nature regulates our emotions and heals us from within.

This week Joe is featuring Pianist David Hazeltine, from his 2006 Chesky Records recording, titled “Manhattan.” 

The Community Player's production of “Merrily We Roll Along” is the subject of this week's program with Christopher Margadonna, President and John K. McElroy, Director. We talk about the musical and listen to some of the very interesting songs from the show being presented April 4th through the 13th. For more information you can call (401) 726-6860 or go to www.thecommunityplayers.org

This week Jane observes wildlife sparring over their next meal and ponders how the human species justifies stealing.

This week Joe is  featuring The Heath Brothers, Jimmy, Percy and Albert (Tootie,) from their 1997 Concord Records recording, titled “As We Were Saying.” 

This week, for a special show about St. Patrick's Day, we feature Eddie Dillon, Composer, Arranger, Singer and Guitarist He is one of the original guests on the show when it started in 2007. Eddie is the only person to have appeared with Mike every year of the show's existence. We'll listen to some examples of his music, some of his personal favorites and discuss his upcoming concerts. For more information you can go to www.eddiedillon.com

Join Ocean House owner and author Deborah Goodrich Royce as she moderates a conversation with featured authors. New York Times bestselling authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White will discuss their new novel, An Author's Guide To Murder. About An Author's Guide to Murder: Agatha Christie meets Murder, She Wrote in this witty locked room mystery and literary satire by New York Times bestselling team of novelists: Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. There's been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead–under bizarre circumstances–in the castle tower's book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle's guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for literary Americans, finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists. The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book together, but the authors' stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don't quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious. Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death? A crafty locked-room mystery, a pointed satire about the literary world, and a tale of unexpected friendship and romance–this novel has it all, as only three bestselling authors can tell it! About Beatriz Williams: Beatriz Williams is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including Husbands and Lovers, The Summer Wives, and The Secret Life of Violet Grant, as well as four other novels cowritten with Lauren Willig and Karen White. A native of Seattle, she graduated from Stanford University and earned an MBA in finance from Columbia University. She lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore, where she divides her time between writing and laundry. About Lauren Willig: Lauren Willig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels, including Band of Sisters and the RITA Award winning Pink Carnation series. An alumna of Yale University, she has a graduate degree in history from Harvard and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She lives in New York City with her husband, two young children, and vast quantities of coffee. About Karen White: Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty-four novels, including The Last Night in London and The House on Prytania, as well as the Tradd Street mystery series. She currently writes what she refers to as “grit lit”—Southern women's fiction. She is a graduate of the American School in London and has a BS in management from Tulane University. When not writing, she spends her time reading, singing, and avoiding cooking. She has two grown children and currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and a spoiled Havanese dog. For more information about the authors on this panel, visit oceanhouseevents.com/events. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week on A Walk In The Park  Jane discusses how nature takes it as it comes.

The RI Civic Choral and Orchestra is the subject of this week's program with Dr. Joshua Rohde, Music Director. We talk about their upcoming concert and listen to some of the music being presented on Sunday March 30th at St. Sebastian's Church in Providence at 3 PM. For more information you can call 401-521-5670, or go to www.ricco.org

This week on Jazz After Dinner Joe feature Trumpet Player, Arranger and Composer Quincy Jones from his 1989 Qwest Records recording, titled “Back On The Block.”

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour hosts Jamie and Spencer listen to music scores and songs that won at past Oscars!

In this 95.9 Company Break program, Mike talks with Nancy Shaw, the owner of N.L. Shaw & Co. in Mystic. They are proud to have you browse their exquisite selection of Antique and Estate Jewelry and their fine selection of unique jewelry designers. The antique and estate collection embraces alluring jewelry from Victorian, Edwardian, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro, and the fabulous '50s and '60s. Their designers include original jewelry bells by Gordon Barnett, fabulous colored gemstones in sterling and marcasite by Argent, Butterfly wings set in sterling, Pea Pods by Michael Michaud, Mystical Madness creative colored stone line, and more. They welcome you to browse their wonderful selections. For more information, call 860-572-5838 or visit nlshaw.com

This week on A Walk In The Park, Jane discusses looking outside nature and ourselves.

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Saxophonist Paul Desmond from his 1959 Gambit Records recording “First Place Again."

The Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts is the subject of this week's program with Craig Menard and Heidi Smith. We talked about their upcoming concert and listened to some of the music presented on March 6th at the McVinney Auditorium in Providence. For more information, you can call (401) 863-2416 or go to www.ricmc.org

In this episode of This Old Tree, Doug introduces us to Kabirvad, a 500-year-old, 4-acre banyan tree in the heart of Gujarat, India. The spectacular tree is a national treasure associated with Saint Kabir, a 15th-century mystic poet known for his timeless poetry. He challenged institutions, religions, and social conventions. Who was he, and how is his legend tied to a banyan tree? Journey to India to learn about Kabirvad. In understanding the tree, you may find the essence of Kabir himself.

This week, Jane attempts to describe a sound of the force of nature.

This week, Joe features Pianist Sonny Clark from his 1961 Blue Note Records recording “Leapin' and Lopin'.”  

This week, Robert Rogler, a classical music composer, is our special guest. We talk about his many compositions and listen to some of the recordings of his music that multiple artists have performed. For more information, you can go to https://roglercollection.com/about.com

Join Deborah Goodrich Royce and a panel of fantastic thriller fiction novelists for a talk about their books, their writing process, and the thriller genre. About the Authors:  Sara DiVello is a mystery writer and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular author series. Sara loves connecting with fellow mystery-lovers on her social media platforms. She also serves as the director of social media strategy for the International Thriller Writers association. Sara's first book, “Where in the OM Am I?” was the NIEA-winner, selected by SHAPE Magazine as a best book, and named a must-read for anyone considering a career change by Working Mother. Her articles have been published in Marie Claire, Elle, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and Woman's Day, among others. In her spare time, she loves to teach yoga, cook (and eat!), garden, and go for leisurely walks with her husband and their beloved rescue mutt, Pelu. Jean Kwok is the international bestselling author of Girl in Translation, Mambo in Chinatown, and Searching for Sylvie Lee, which was a Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller. Her work has been published in twenty countries and is taught in schools across the world. She has been selected for numerous honors, including the American Library Association Alex Award, the Chinese American Librarians Association Best Book Award and the Sunday Times Short Story Award international shortlist. She immigrated from Hong Kong to Brooklyn when she was five and worked in a Chinatown clothing factory for much of her childhood. She received her bachelor's degree from Harvard University and earned an MFA from Columbia University. She currently lives in the Netherlands. Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Lynne and Valerie are national and international bestselling authors with over one and a half million copies sold worldwide. Their books have been translated into 29 languages, are available in 34 countries, and are in development for both television and film. Their novels have been praised by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Their debut novel, THE LAST MRS. PARRISH, is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection. Luanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of 35 novels including Last Day, Dream Country, Beach Girls, Pretend She's Here and others, Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor's Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category. Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television, including Crazy in Love for TNT, Blue Moon for CBS, Follow the Stars Home and Silver Bells for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, and Beach Girls for Lifetime. Juliet Grames was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in history from Columbia College. For the last twenty years she has worked in book publishing and is currently Editorial Director at Soho Press in New York. She is the recipient of the Mystery Writers of America's Ellery Queen Award and Italy's Premio Cetraro for contributions to Southern Italian literature. She is the author of two novels, THE SEVEN OR EIGHT DEATHS OF STELLA FORTUNA and THE LOST BOY OF SANTA CHIONIA. Elise Hart Kipness is a television sports reporter turned crime fiction writer. The KATE GREEN series is based on Elise's experience in the high-pressure, adrenaline-pumping world of live TV. Like her main character, Elise chased marquee athletes through the tunnels of Madison Square Garden and stood before glaring lights reporting to national audiences. She is currently Co-President of Sisters in Crime Connecticut. For more information about the authors on this panel, visit oceanhouseevents.com/events. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week Jane talks about how humans can choose to leave their mark.

 This week Joe is featuring Pianist/Keyboardist Joe Sample from his 1993 Warner Brothers Records recording, titled “Invitation.” 

The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra is the subject of this week's program with Luis Viquez, Guest Conductor and President Greg Henninger. We talk about their upcoming concert and listen to some of the music that will be presented on March 2nd at the E. Greenwich H. S. Auditorium. For more information you can call (401) 274-4578 or go to www.nabsco.org

Join us as Ocean House owner and author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with New York Times bestselling authors Meghan Riordan Jarvis and Catherine Newman as they discuss their novels End of the Hour and Sandwich.  About Meghan Riordan Jarvis is a podcast host (Grief Is My Side Hustle), two-time TEDx Speaker, and psychotherapist specializing in trauma and grief and loss. After experiencing PTSD following the deaths of both of her parents, Jarvis founded Talking Point Partners to help employers address complex emotions such as grief in the workplace. Jarvis is currently at work on Can Anyone Tell Me Why: 25 Essential Questions About Grief and Loss, which publishes with Sounds True Media in 2024. Originally from New England, Jarvis currently lives in Maryland with her husband and their three children, where competing piles of LEGO bricks and books cover most surfaces of their house. About End of the Hour “A frank chronicle of healing.”—Kirkus Reviews Esteemed trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. For nearly twenty years, Meghan expected that this clinical training would inoculate her against the effects of personal trauma. But when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by her mother's unexpected passing while on their family vacation, she came undone. Thrown into a maelstrom of grief, with long-buried childhood tragedy rising to the surface, Meghan knew what she had to do―check herself into the same trauma facility to which she often sent her clients. In treatment, trading the therapist's chair for the patient's couch, Meghan took her first steps toward healing. A brave story of confronting life's hardest moments with emotional honesty, End of the Hour is for anyone who has experienced the unpredictable, lasting power of grief―and wondered how they'd ever get through it. About Catherine Newman has written numerous columns, articles, and canned-bean recipes for magazines and newspapers, and her essays have been widely anthologized. She is the author of the novel We All Want Impossible Things; the memoirs Waiting for Birdy and Catastrophic Happiness; the middle-grade novel One Mixed-Up Night; and the bestselling kids' life-skills books How to Be a Person and What Can I Say? She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. About Sandwich “Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry. Catherine Newman does a miraculous job reminding us of all the wonder there is to be found in life.”–Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake. “A total delight.”–Kate Christensen, author of The Great Man and Welcome Home, Stranger. From the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go. For more information about author Meghan Riordan Jarvis, visit meghanriordanjarvis.com, and for Catherine Newman, visit www.catherinenewmanwriter.com. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week, Jane discusses how nature inspires us to keep moving forward in the face of brokenness.

This week on Jazz After Dinner Joe features Saxophonist Joe Henderson from his 1992 Polygram Records recording, titled “Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn.”

This week Newport Classical is the subject of the program with Trevor Neal, Artistic Director. We talk about their upcoming Concert Season that will run at the Newport Classical Recital Hall in Newport and listen to music that relates to those performances. For more information you can go to https://www.newportclassical.org/

On this month's WCRI's Kids Hour episode, host Jamie lets you enjoy the music of the Sound of Music during its 60th Anniversary!