Deep Focus

How is it possible that you have never heard guitarist Jef Lee Johnson?  He was as incendiary and as nakedly original as any soloist you have ever heard (absolutely any!).  But his greater distinction might have been his songwriting.  You don't learn to write songs that are that revealing, that insightful, that cleverly put-together, and that hilariously funny, just by working at it.  First, you have to have the wisdom, and Jef had it pouring out of him.  It seemed as if he couldn't make it stop if he wanted to.   Jef toured and recorded for decades, but, for whatever reason, he never broke through the way many of us thought he should have. One person who got to witness the artistry up close was fellow guitarist Bob Dee.  The two shared the front line in Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society, and Bob has never forgotten a moment of what he saw and heard.  Bob joins host Mitch Goldman for a Deep Focus that continues the WKCR Lost Masters tradition. Join us Monday (8/18) when Mitch Goldman and Bob Dee unearth live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.   Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: no publishing information available. #WKCR #DeepFocus #JefLeeJohnson #/BobDee #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman 

How is it possible that you have never heard guitarist Jef Lee Johnson?  He was as incendiary and as nakedly original as any soloist you have ever heard (absolutely any!).  But his greater distinction might have been his songwriting.  You don't learn to write songs that are that revealing, that insightful, that cleverly put-together, and that hilariously funny, just by working at it.  First, you have to have the wisdom, and Jef had it pouring out of him.  It seemed as if he couldn't make it stop if he wanted to.   Jef toured and recorded for decades, but, for whatever reason, he never broke through the way many of us thought he should have. One person who got to witness the artistry up close was fellow guitarist Bob Dee.  The two shared the front line in Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society, and Bob has never forgotten a moment of what he saw and heard.  Bob joins host Mitch Goldman for a Deep Focus that continues the WKCR Lost Masters tradition. Join us Monday (8/18) when Mitch Goldman and Bob Dee unearth live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.   Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: no publishing information available. #WKCR #DeepFocus #JefLeeJohnson #/BobDee #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman 

Ornette Coleman, one of our brightest lights, died in June of 2015.  Here is a Deep Focus from August of that year, with Eric Person as my guest, remembering Ornette.  This show features a beautiful live recording from 1978.  Officially, his band is listed as the Ornette Coleman Sextet, but his fans know them as Prime Time.

Ornette Coleman, one of our brightest lights, died in June of 2015.  Here is a Deep Focus from August of that year, with Eric Person as my guest, remembering Ornette.  This show features a beautiful live recording from 1978.  Officially, his band is listed as the Ornette Coleman Sextet, but his fans know them as Prime Time.

Ornette Coleman, one of our brightest lights, died in June of 2015.  Here is a Deep Focus from August of that year with Eric Person as my guest, remembering Ornette.  This show features a beautiful live recording from 1978.  Officially, his band is listed as the Ornette Coleman Sextet, but his fans know them as Prime Time.

This is a rare treat: a former subject of Deep Focus becomes the guest.  In 2016, drummer Will Calhoun was our guest for a Deep Focus on one of his heroes, Elvin Jones.  Will brought a cassette of a set of music that he had heard as a teenager at the Village Vanguard.  At the time, Elvin had an emerging guitarist with a sound entirely unlike that of anyone else who had ever picked up the instrument.  For the audience and for this young man, every note that he played brought an amazed sense of wonder and discovery.     Little did Will know that, in the years to come, the world would discover Jean-Paul Bourelly's talent, and that he would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.  Jean-Paul's music, informed by his Haitian and Chicago Blues roots, as well as hip-hop, West African traditions, and his own unbridled creative imagination, is still immediately recognizable and entirely beyond category.  What a privilege to have him on Deep Focus.   Join us Monday (7/21) when Mitch Goldman hosts Jean-Paul Bourelly on Deep Focus and unearths live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.      Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/Jean-PaulBourelly #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

This is a rare treat: a former subject of Deep Focus becomes the guest.  In 2016, drummer Will Calhoun was our guest for a Deep Focus on one of his heroes, Elvin Jones.  Will brought a cassette of a set of music that he had heard as a teenager at the Village Vanguard.  At the time, Elvin had an emerging guitarist with a sound entirely unlike that of anyone else who had ever picked up the instrument.  For the audience and for this young man, every note that he played brought an amazed sense of wonder and discovery.     Little did Will know that, in the years to come, the world would discover Jean-Paul Bourelly's talent, and that he would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.  Jean-Paul's music, informed by his Haitian and Chicago Blues roots, as well as hip-hop, West African traditions, and his own unbridled creative imagination, is still immediately recognizable and entirely beyond category.  What a privilege to have him on Deep Focus.   Join us Monday (7/21) when Mitch Goldman hosts Jean-Paul Bourelly on Deep Focus and unearths live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.      Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/Jean-PaulBourelly #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

This is a rare treat: a former subject of Deep Focus becomes the guest.  In 2016, drummer Will Calhoun was our guest for a Deep Focus on one of his heroes, Elvin Jones.  Will brought a cassette of a set of music that he had heard as a teenager at the Village Vanguard.  At the time, Elvin had an emerging guitarist with a sound entirely unlike that of anyone else who had ever picked up the instrument.  For the audience and for this young man, every note that he played brought an amazed sense of wonder and discovery.     Little did Will know that, in the years to come, the world would discover Jean-Paul Bourelly's talent, and that he would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.  Jean-Paul's music, informed by his Haitian and Chicago Blues roots, as well as hip-hop, West African traditions, and his own unbridled creative imagination, is still immediately recognizable and entirely beyond category.  What a privilege to have him on Deep Focus.   Join us Monday (7/21) when Mitch Goldman hosts Jean-Paul Bourelly on Deep Focus and unearths live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.      Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/Jean-PaulBourelly #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

When Mitch Goldman invited Roy Campbell to be his guest on Deep Focus, he knew that Roy was a master student of the entire history of the music, but he had no idea that Roy knew Woody Shaw personally.  Stunning tales of Ornette Coleman, Lee Morgan, and others emerge in this remarkable program, recorded not 2 months before Roy Campbell's tragic early passing.  Roy, you are missed! #WKCR #DeepFocus #RoyCampbell #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio

When Mitch Goldman invited Roy Campbell to be his guest on Deep Focus, he knew that Roy was a master student of the entire history of the music, but he had no idea that Roy knew Woody Shaw personally.  Stunning tales of Ornette Coleman, Lee Morgan, and others emerge in this remarkable program, recorded not 2 months before Roy Campbell's tragic early passing.  Roy, you are missed!

When Mitch Goldman invited Roy Campbell to be his guest on Deep Focus, he knew that Roy was a master student of the entire history of the music, but he had no idea that Roy knew Woody Shaw personally.  Stunning tales of Ornette Coleman, Lee Morgan, and others emerge in this remarkable program, recorded not 2 months before Roy Campbell's tragic early passing.  Roy, you are missed!

In the seventies, when Uri Caine was discovering the piano, two dominant influences were Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock.  Both were in their thirties, both had played emerging electric music with Miles Davis after having established their Jazz bona fides, both led successful fusion bands (Chick with Return To Forever, Herbie with his Head Hunters band), and each had a distinctive voice on the keyboard.     How stunning must it have been in 1978 when they announced a joint recording and touring project?  Just two geniuses on stage at two concert grand pianos.  If that's not catnip for an eager young pianist, we don't know what is!  You better believe that, when they came to Philadelphia, Uri Caine was in the house.  I mean, the guy is still talking about it!   What did he hear?  What was the big deal?   Find out Monday (5/26) when Mitch Goldman hosts Uri Caine on Deep Focus and unearths live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.   Please note: this will be a live broadcast.  This show was rescheduled after a previously scheduled broadcast was postponed.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/UriCaine #HerbieHancock #ChickCorea #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

In the seventies, when Uri Caine was discovering the piano, two dominant influences were Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock.  Both were in their thirties, both had played emerging electric music with Miles Davis after having established their Jazz bona fides, both led successful fusion bands (Chick with Return To Forever, Herbie with his Head Hunters band), and each had a distinctive voice on the keyboard.     How stunning must it have been in 1978 when they announced a joint recording and touring project?  Just two geniuses on stage at two concert grand pianos.  If that's not catnip for an eager young pianist, we don't know what is!  You better believe that, when they came to Philadelphia, Uri Caine was in the house.  I mean, the guy is still talking about it!   What did he hear?  What was the big deal?   Find out Monday (5/26) when Mitch Goldman hosts Uri Caine on Deep Focus and unearths live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.   Please note: this will be a live broadcast.  This show was rescheduled after a previously scheduled broadcast was postponed.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/UriCaine #HerbieHancock #ChickCorea #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

In the seventies, when Uri Caine was discovering the piano, two dominant influences were Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock.  Both were in their thirties, both had played emerging electric music with Miles Davis after having established their Jazz bona fides, both led successful fusion bands (Chick with Return To Forever, Herbie with his Head Hunters band), and each had a distinctive voice on the keyboard.     How stunning must it have been in 1978 when they announced a joint recording and touring project?  Just two geniuses on stage at two concert grand pianos.  If that's not catnip for an eager young pianist, we don't know what is!  You better believe that, when they came to Philadelphia, Uri Caine was in the house.  I mean, the guy is still talking about it!   What did he hear?  What was the big deal?   Find out Monday (5/26) when Mitch Goldman hosts Uri Caine on Deep Focus and unearths live, unreleased recordings.  Deep Focus airs Mondays from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/UriCaine #HerbieHancock #ChickCorea #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

"Eddie (Harris) was an enigma. He was also a soulful intellectual. He was an innovator who had hit records. He was a success, but he didn't appear all that popular. I think he must have had 3 audiences in one. Each person seeing something different in his music, and that's problematic to navigate in. But he was who he was. He was a creative force with many talents and interests."   Saxophonist/bandleader/composer Eric Person   We couldn't put it better ourselves, so how about if we give Eddie Harris a good, hard listen?  This Monday (5/12) from 6p to 9p NYC time, host Mitch Goldman invites Eric Person to the WKCR studios for a powerful Deep Focus.  If only they had rare, unreleased recordings of Eddie Harris from the WKCR archives.  Hmmm... We'll have to work on that!    Tune in this Monday (4/27) from 6pm to 9pm NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Eddie Harris 1972 Atlantic Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #EddieHarris #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

"Eddie (Harris) was an enigma. He was also a soulful intellectual. He was an innovator who had hit records. He was a success, but he didn't appear all that popular. I think he must have had 3 audiences in one. Each person seeing something different in his music, and that's problematic to navigate in. But he was who he was. He was a creative force with many talents and interests."   Saxophonist/bandleader/composer Eric Person   We couldn't put it better ourselves, so how about if we give Eddie Harris a good, hard listen?  This Monday (5/12) from 6p to 9p NYC time, host Mitch Goldman invites Eric Person to the WKCR studios for a powerful Deep Focus.  If only they had rare, unreleased recordings of Eddie Harris from the WKCR archives.  Hmmm... We'll have to work on that!    Tune in this Monday (4/27) from 6pm to 9pm NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Eddie Harris 1972 Atlantic Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #EddieHarris #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

"Eddie (Harris) was an enigma. He was also a soulful intellectual. He was an innovator who had hit records. He was a success, but he didn't appear all that popular. I think he must have had 3 audiences in one. Each person seeing something different in his music, and that's problematic to navigate in. But he was who he was. He was a creative force with many talents and interests."   Saxophonist/bandleader/composer Eric Person   We couldn't put it better ourselves, so how about if we give Eddie Harris a good, hard listen?  This Monday (5/12) from 6p to 9p NYC time, host Mitch Goldman invites Eric Person to the WKCR studios for a powerful Deep Focus.  If only they had rare, unreleased recordings of Eddie Harris from the WKCR archives.  Hmmm... We'll have to work on that!    Tune in this Monday (4/27) from 6pm to 9pm NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Eddie Harris 1972 Atlantic Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #EddieHarris #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

Here it is: the very first episode of Deep Focus ever, and it's a killer!  Graham Haynes is the guest and Ed Blackwell is the subject.  First-hand stories about Blackwell? Yes!  Don Cherry? Yes!  Lester Bowie? Yes!  Carlos Ward? Yes!  Roy Haynes? Yes!  Fantastic music that we've never heard?  What do you think?  Tune in to find out.   Photo credit: fair use.  Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.  

Here it is: the very first episode of Deep Focus ever, and it's a killer!  Graham Haynes is the guest and Ed Blackwell is the subject.  First-hand stories about Blackwell? Yes!  Don Cherry? Yes!  Lester Bowie? Yes!  Carlos Ward? Yes!  Roy Haynes? Yes!  Fantastic music that we've never heard?  What do you think?  Tune in to find out.   Photo credit: fair use.  Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.  

It's impossible to distinguish between Randy Weston's musical innovations and his conception of the world he was born into.  To say that the roots of jazz are in West Africa is hardly a groundbreaking statement nowadays, but it was a mostly unfamiliar notion when he started to say it in the 1950's.  It's easy to hear it now, especially when you listen to Weston's 6+ decade discography.  It's in his percussive compositions and it's in the story of his life, making music with players from throughout the African diaspora.  To this day, musicians are walking through the doors he opened, more than 6 years after his death at age 92.    Pianist Vijay Iyer chose Randy Weston for this Monday's Deep Focus with host Mitch Goldman.  What inspired him to make that choice?  Was it Weston's distinctive touch on the piano?  The warmth and humanity that he exudes?  Or maybe just pure admiration for one who always charted his own path?      To find out, tune in this Monday (3/24) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Randy Weston - Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #VijayIyer #RandyWeston #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

It's impossible to distinguish between Randy Weston's musical innovations and his conception of the world he was born into.  To say that the roots of jazz are in West Africa is hardly a groundbreaking statement nowadays, but it was a mostly unfamiliar notion when he started to say it in the 1950's.  It's easy to hear it now, especially when you listen to Weston's 6+ decade discography.  It's in his percussive compositions and it's in the story of his life, making music with players from throughout the African diaspora.  To this day, musicians are walking through the doors he opened, more than 6 years after his death at age 92.    Pianist Vijay Iyer chose Randy Weston for this Monday's Deep Focus with host Mitch Goldman.  What inspired him to make that choice?  Was it Weston's distinctive touch on the piano?  The warmth and humanity that he exudes?  Or maybe just pure admiration for one who always charted his own path?      To find out, tune in this Monday (3/24) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Randy Weston - Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #VijayIyer #RandyWeston #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

It's impossible to distinguish between Randy Weston's musical innovations and his conception of the world he was born into.  To say that the roots of jazz are in West Africa is hardly a groundbreaking statement nowadays, but it was a mostly unfamiliar notion when he started to say it in the 1950's.  It's easy to hear it now, especially when you listen to Weston's 6+ decade discography.  It's in his percussive compositions and it's in the story of his life, making music with players from throughout the African diaspora.  To this day, musicians are walking through the doors he opened, more than 6 years after his death at age 92.    Pianist Vijay Iyer chose Randy Weston for this Monday's Deep Focus with host Mitch Goldman.  What inspired him to make that choice?  Was it Weston's distinctive touch on the piano?  The warmth and humanity that he exudes?  Or maybe just pure admiration for one who always charted his own path?      To find out, tune in this Monday (3/24) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Randy Weston - Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #VijayIyer #RandyWeston #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

Ronald Shannon Jackson's music was open source.  It was not possible to play it correctly without bringing your own voice to it: your background, your proclivities, your vocabulary.  And if you didn't have it to bring, the music wasn't going to make it off the stage.  Jack DeSalvo brought a musical lexicon to the Decoding Society that was unmatched.  When Shannon expressed a mood-- on drums or flute or schalmei or in a composition-- Jack was able to flesh it out in a completely distinct way.  Entire new pathways were charted.     Mitch Goldman presents the third installment of his memorial broadcasts for Ronald Shannon Jackson from 2013, with guest Jack DeSalvo.  This week's show features guest cameos of Prince(!), Iron Maiden(!) Ethan Singer(!), a stolen vanload of gear(!) and that guy at the hotel in the south of France(!).  I tell you, this one is not to be missed.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #MitchGoldman #RonaldShannonJackson #JackDeSalvo #JazzRadio #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #DecodingSociety   Photo credit: no publishing information available.   Here is part 2 of this episode: 2013.11.18 Jack DeSalvo on Ronald Shannon Jackson - 2 of 3   And here is part 3: 2013.11.18 Jack DeSalvo on Ronald Shannon Jackson - 3 of 3

This Monday's (2/17) Deep Focus is on trumpeter Don Cherry, a wonderful and deeply missed friend of WKCR.  Back in the Eighties, Don was a frequent guest on Mitch Goldman's show.  Don would guest DJ, talk to the audience, bring guests... It was an ongoing Eighties NYC Don Cherry party.  And if there was a blank cassette handy, Mitch would make a recording.  The tapes got tossed in a box and ended up deep in storage.    In January of 2024, Mitch and his guest, the bandleader, trumpeter, cultural historian, and raconteur Steven Bernstein, blew the dust off of a few of the tapes and took their audience on a time travel journey beyond the imagination of Asimov or Butler.  Cherry as a radio host was knowing, passionate, deeply curious, and remarkably generous. He was generous to his guests with his attention and generous to his audience (which is to say, us) by considering them to be part of the conversation.  It's very much the way he played music.    This Monday (2/17) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: by Mitch Goldman 2024.  All rights reserved.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #StevenBernstein #DonCherry #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

This Monday's (2/17) Deep Focus is on trumpeter Don Cherry, a wonderful and deeply missed friend of WKCR.  Back in the Eighties, Don was a frequent guest on Mitch Goldman's show.  Don would guest DJ, talk to the audience, bring guests... It was an ongoing Eighties NYC Don Cherry party.  And if there was a blank cassette handy, Mitch would make a recording.  The tapes got tossed in a box and ended up deep in storage.    In January of 2024, Mitch and his guest, the bandleader, trumpeter, cultural historian, and raconteur Steven Bernstein blew the dust off of a few of the tapes and took their audience on a time travel journey beyond the imagination of Asimov or Butler.  Cherry as a radio host was knowing, passionate, deeply curious, and remarkably generous. He was generous to his guests with his attention and generous to his audience (which is to say, us) by considering them to be part of the conversation.  It's very much the way he played music.    This Monday (2/17) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: by Mitch Goldman 2024.  All rights reserved.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #StevenBernstein #DonCherry #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

This Monday's (2/17) Deep Focus is on trumpeter Don Cherry, a wonderful and deeply missed friend of WKCR.  Back in the Eighties, Don was a frequent guest on Mitch Goldman's show.  Don would guest DJ, talk to the audience, bring guests... It was an ongoing Eighties NYC Don Cherry party.  And if there was a blank cassette handy, Mitch would make a recording.  The tapes got tossed in a box and ended up deep in storage.    In January of 2024, Mitch and his guest, the bandleader, slide trumpeter, cultural historian, and raconteur Steven Bernstein blew the dust off of a few of the tapes and took their audience on a time travel journey beyond the imagination of Asimov or Butler.  Cherry as a radio host was knowing, passionate, deeply curious, and remarkably generous. He was generous to his guests with his attention and generous to his audience (which is to say, us) by considering them to be part of the conversation.  It's very much the way he played music.    This Monday (2/17) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: by Mitch Goldman 2024.  All rights reserved.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #StevenBernstein #DonCherry #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

On our previous Deep Focus, host Mitch Goldman and his guest, saxophonist Eric Person explored the work of the David Murray Octet of the 1980s.  Here was an ensemble that punched far above its weight, with swinging horn parts like a Thirties big band as well eyeball-to-eyeball improvisation like a small ensemble.  They had the storytelling of a traditional group with the expansive harmonies and extended techniques that were being freshly discovered at the time.  It was a laboratory for the music's possible futures, and they grooved like hell.     Could there have been another band at the time that fit this description?  As Eric Person's one-time employer, Ronald Shannon Jackson might have said, "Where there's one there's two."  This week Mitch and Eric explore the equally inventive bands of Arthur Blythe.  His eighties quintet didn't sound like any other band before or since.  It was as if he had exploded a standard hard bop ensemble and rebuilt it with a new kit of parts.     And do you know who that band's original guitarist was?  And have you ever heard live recordings of that band with him in it?  We don't think you have!  Tune in and you will.     This Monday (2/3) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #ArthurBlythe #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

On our previous Deep Focus, host Mitch Goldman and his guest, saxophonist Eric Person explored the work of the David Murray Octet of the 1980s.  Here was an ensemble that punched far above its weight, with swinging horn parts like a Thirties big band as well eyeball-to-eyeball improvisation like a small ensemble.  They had the storytelling of a traditional group with the expansive harmonies and extended techniques that were being freshly discovered at the time.  It was a laboratory for the music's possible futures, and they grooved like hell.     Could there have been another band at the time that fit this description?  As Eric Person's one-time employer, Ronald Shannon Jackson might have said, "Where there's one there's two."  This week Mitch and Eric explore the equally inventive bands of Arthur Blythe.  His eighties quintet didn't sound like any other band before or since.  It was as if he had exploded a standard hard bop ensemble and rebuilt it with a new kit of parts.     And do you know who that band's original guitarist was?  And have you ever heard live recordings of that band with him in it?  We don't think you have!  Tune in and you will.     This Monday (2/3) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #ArthurBlythe #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

On our previous Deep Focus, host Mitch Goldman and his guest, saxophonist Eric Person explored the work of the David Murray Octet of the 1980s.  Here was an ensemble that punched far above its weight, with swinging horn parts like a Thirties big band, as well eyeball-to-eyeball improvisation like a small ensemble.  They had the storytelling of a traditional group with the expansive harmonies and extended techniques that were being freshly discovered at the time.  It was a laboratory for the music's possible futures, and they grooved like hell.     Could there have been another band at the time that fit this description?  As Eric Person's one-time employer, Ronald Shannon Jackson might have said, "Where there's one there's two."  This week Mitch and Eric explore the equally inventive bands of Arthur Blythe.  His eighties quintet didn't sound like any other band before or since.  It was as if he had exploded a standard hard bop ensemble and rebuilt it with a new kit of parts.     And do you know who that band's original guitarist was?  And have you ever heard live recordings of that band with him in it?  We don't think you have!  Tune in and you will.     This Monday (2/3) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #ArthurBlythe #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

Here is another episode from the Deep Focus "Prodigal Children" series.    Mitch Goldman first went on the air at WKCR in 1985 and started Deep Focus in 2008.  Since his primary focus during the broadcast is hosting and engineering the show, making these recordings has often had to take a back seat. Add in the fact that WKCR is, in Phil Schaap's words, "The home of technical difficulties," and you might understand that the historical record of the show is somewhat incomplete.    In this podcast, we try to provide as complete an archive of the broadcast program as possible.  If we find that a part is missing, we put that information in the notes and keep right on going.   On rare occasion, a missing piece will find its way home.  When it does, we put it up on the podcast.  This is one of those episodes.  One CD recording of the last part of this show has turned up so here it is.  We hope you enjoy it.  If you do, please tell someone about Deep Focus.   We will be back next week with a brand new episode of the show.   Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #EricPerson #HerbieHancock #Mwandishi #BeaverHarris #360DegreeMusicExperience #FrancisHaynes #ArthurRhames #DonPullen

In the early 1980s, when saxophonist Eric Person was coming up, one big question that was being addressed was how to combine the free-swinging improv of the Loft scene with the beauty and power of a large ensemble.  Many fascinating strategies would arrive (Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, we're looking at you!).  One of the first and most thrilling came from saxophonist David Murray.  Murray was the emerging heavyweight champ of the tenor sax and he packed his Octet with Big Thinkers, Heavy Honkers, and Late-Night Prowlers.  "Men," in the words of Stanley Crouch, "of great magnitude."   And the David Murray Octet always played standing up.     This Monday (1/6) on Deep Focus, Mitch Goldman invites Eric Person into the WKCR archives for an exploration of this explosive and still underappreciated ensemble, from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/EricPerson #DavidMurray #DavidMurrayOctet #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

In the early 1980s, when saxophonist Eric Person was coming up, one big question that was being addressed was how to combine the free-swinging improv of the Loft scene with the beauty and power of a large ensemble.  Many fascinating strategies would arrive (Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, we're looking at you!).  One of the first and most thrilling came from saxophonist David Murray.  Murray was the emerging heavyweight champ of the tenor sax and he packed his Octet with Big Thinkers, Heavy Honkers, and Late-Night Prowlers.  "Men," in the words of Stanley Crouch, "of great magnitude."   And the David Murray Octet always played standing up.     This Monday (1/6) on Deep Focus, Mitch Goldman invites Eric Person into the WKCR archives for an exploration of this explosive and still underappreciated ensemble, from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/EricPerson #DavidMurray #DavidMurrayOctet #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman  

In the early 1980s, when saxophonist Eric Person was coming up, one big question that was being addressed was how to combine the free-swinging improv of the Loft scene with the beauty and power of a large ensemble.  Many fascinating strategies would arrive (Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, we're looking at you!).  One of the first and most thrilling came from saxophonist David Murray.  Murray was the emerging heavyweight champ of the tenor sax and he packed his Octet with Big Thinkers, Heavy Honkers, and Late-Night Prowlers.  "Men," in the words of Stanley Crouch, "of great magnitude."   And the David Murray Octet always played standing up.     This Monday (1/6) on Deep Focus, Mitch Goldman invites Eric Person into the WKCR archives for an exploration of this explosive and still underappreciated ensemble, from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.     Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.  We won't even ask for your contact info.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: no publishing information available.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/EricPerson #DavidMurray #DavidMurrayOctet #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman

Arturo O'Farrill: "Without Carla (Bley)'s influence, I wouldn't be where I am today; there would be no Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, no Belongó, no Arturo O'Farrill. She is in everything that I do..."  Don't you want to hear what happens when WKCR's Mitch Goldman welcomes Arturo into the WKCR archives for a Deep Focus on Carla Bley?  We know we do!   Game on this Monday (12/23) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Photo by Petra Gall 1981, CC0 courtesy of Schwules Museum.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/ArturoOFarrill #CarlaBley #EscalatorOverTheHill #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview

Arturo O'Farrill: "Without Carla (Bley)'s influence, I wouldn't be where I am today; there would be no Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, no Belongó, no Arturo O'Farrill. She is in everything that I do..."  Don't you want to hear what happens when WKCR's Mitch Goldman welcomes Arturo into the WKCR archives for a Deep Focus on Carla Bley?  We know we do!   Game on this Monday (12/23) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Photo by Petra Gall 1981, CC0 courtesy of Schwules Museum.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #/ArturoOFarrill #CarlaBley #EscalatorOverTheHill #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview

Arturo O'Farrill: "Without Carla (Bley)'s influence, I wouldn't be where I am today; there would be no Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, no Belongó, no Arturo O'Farrill. She is in everything that I do..."  Don't you want to hear what happens when WKCR's Mitch Goldman welcomes Arturo into the WKCR archives for a Deep Focus on Carla Bley?  We know we do!   Game on this Monday (12/23) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Photo by Petra Gall 1981, CC0 courtesy of Schwules Museum.   #WKCR #DeepFocus #ArturoOFarrill #CarlaBley #EscalatorOverTheHill #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview

Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber is renowned for "never playing anything the same way once." Drawing inspiration from Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, Parliament Funkadelic, and The Art Ensemble of Chicago, in the words of founder Greg Tate, "Our player-ranks  include known Irish fiddlers, AACM refugees, Afro-punk rejects, unrepentant beboppers, feminist rappers, jitterbugging doowoppers, frankly loud funk-a-teers and rodeo stars of the digital divide.” Under the baton of Butch Morris's conduction concept, this polyglot throng becomes the universal translation device of AI's disembodied dreams.   We hear what you're thinking: "The concept is great but what happens when the rubber hits the road?  Can they really do it on stage?"  Let's answer that question on Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus.  And who better to listen to the music with than BSAC's own samchillianist Leon Gruenbaum?      It's all happening this Monday (11/25) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Ginny Suss   #WKCR #DeepFocus #LeonGruenbaum #BurntSugar #BurntSugarTheArketraChamber #BSAC #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview

Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber is renowned for "never playing anything the same way once." Drawing inspiration from Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, Parliament Funkadelic, and The Art Ensemble of Chicago, in the words of founder Greg Tate, "Our player-ranks  include known Irish fiddlers, AACM refugees, Afro-punk rejects, unrepentant beboppers, feminist rappers, jitterbugging doowoppers, frankly loud funk-a-teers and rodeo stars of the digital divide.” Under the baton of Butch Morris's conduction concept, this polyglot throng becomes the universal translation device of AI's disembodied dreams.   We hear what you're thinking: "The concept is great but what happens when the rubber hits the road?  Can they really do it on stage?"  Let's answer that question on Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus.  And who better to listen to the music with than BSAC's own samchillianist Leon Gruenbaum?      It's all happening this Monday (11/25) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Ginny Suss   #WKCR #DeepFocus #LeonGruenbaum #BurntSugar #BurntSugarTheArketraChamber #BSAC #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview

Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber is renowned for "never playing anything the same way once." Drawing inspiration from Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, Parliament Funkadelic, and The Art Ensemble of Chicago, in the words of founder Greg Tate, "Our player-ranks  include known Irish fiddlers, AACM refugees, Afro-punk rejects, unrepentant beboppers, feminist rappers, jitterbugging doowoppers, frankly loud funk-a-teers and rodeo stars of the digital divide.” Under the baton of Butch Morris's conduction concept, this polyglot throng becomes the universal translation device of AI's disembodied dreams.   We hear what you're thinking: "The concept is great but what happens when the rubber hits the road?  Can they really do it on stage?"  Let's answer that question on Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus.  And who better to listen to the music with than BSAC's own samchillianist Leon Gruenbaum?      It's all happening this Monday (11/25) from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast.     Photo credit: Ginny Suss   #WKCR #DeepFocus #LeonGruenbaum #BurntSugar #BurntSugarTheArketraChamber #BSAC #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview

The previous time Graham Haynes was the guest on Deep Focus, it was to celebrate his father Roy Haynes's stunning contributions to Charlie Parker's performances at Birdland.   That alone would have been enough to earn Roy a place in the history books.  Now, how about Roy with another wildly different innovator making Jazz history at another musical landmark?  So who was the drummer with Thelonious Monk at the Five Spot?  We'll give you one guess!    Graham Haynes on Deep Focus with Mitch Goldman tonight from 6pm to 9pm on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR HD-1 and wkcr.org.     See you on the radio -   #WKCR #DeepFocus #GrahamHaynes #RoyHaynes #TheloniousMonk #TheFiveSpot #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast

The previous time Graham Haynes was the guest on Deep Focus, it was to celebrate his father Roy Haynes's stunning contributions to Charlie Parker's performances at Birdland.   That alone would have been enough to earn Roy a place in the history books.  Now, how about Roy with another wildly different innovator making Jazz history at another musical landmark?  So who was the drummer with Thelonious Monk at the Five Spot?  We'll give you one guess!    Graham Haynes on Deep Focus with Mitch Goldman tonight from 6pm to 9pm on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR HD-1 and wkcr.org.       See you on the radio -   #WKCR #DeepFocus #GrahamHaynes #RoyHaynes #TheloniousMonk #TheFiveSpot #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast

What a treat!  Listening to live recordings of Charles Mingus through the ears of the great trombonist and musical thinker Craig Harris.  When Craig was coming up in the seventies, he was enthralled with what Mingus was doing; the daring and imagination were unmatched anywhere.  This was a man in his moment.  It's easy to see how this would have a bearing on who Craig Harris was to become.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: Charles_Mingus 1976 Tom Marcello Webster - New York - CC BY-SA 2.0

What a treat!  Listening to live recordings of Charles Mingus through the ears of the great trombonist and musical thinker Craig Harris.  When Craig was coming up in the seventies, he was enthralled with what Mingus was doing; the daring and imagination were unmatched anywhere.  This was a man in his moment.  It's easy to see how this would have a bearing on who Craig Harris was to become.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: Charles_Mingus 1976 Tom Marcello Webster - New York - CC BY-SA 2.0

Here's another Ph.D. topic for you: Miles Davis vs. Ornette Coleman. Both blazingly original innovators lived most of their lives in Manhattan and they were roughly contemporaries (Miles was 4 years older) so they drew from the same talent pool to make up their bands.  But across 30+ years of simultaneous bandleading and the hiring of dozens and dozens of sidemen, how many can you think of who toured and recorded extensively with both?  We've got one for you: tabla player Badal Roy.     And Badal Roy did so much more than play with those two giants!  His bubbling groove and enormous sonic textures can be heard on albums by everyone from Yoko Ono to Richie Havens, John McLaughlin to Pharoah Sanders, not to mention half a dozen albums under his own leadership.  He died in 2022.   But if you talk to those who knew him, they all speak of a singular warmth, humanity, and unabashed joy.  Maybe that, more than the pure musicianship, is what caught the ear of Miles and Ornette in the first place.     Few know this better than guitarist Ken Wessel. Wessel toured and recorded with Badal Roy in Ornette's band for 13 years, and the two worked on a number of their own projects together.  Wessel will be celebrating Badal Roy in this week's Ragas Live Festival in Brooklyn.     Deep Focus host Mitch Goldman is delighted to welcome Ken Wessel to the WKCR studios this Monday (10/14) from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: source unknown.   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #KenWessel #BadalRoy  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio #OrnetteColeman #MilesDavis

Here's another Ph.D. topic for you: Miles Davis vs. Ornette Coleman. Both blazingly original innovators lived most of their lives in Manhattan and they were roughly contemporaries (Miles was 4 years older) so they drew from the same talent pool to make up their bands.  But across 30+ years of simultaneous bandleading and the hiring of dozens and dozens of sidemen, how many can you think of who toured and recorded extensively with both?  We've got one for you: tabla player Badal Roy.     And Badal Roy did so much more than play with those two giants!  His bubbling groove and enormous sonic textures can be heard on albums by everyone from Yoko Ono to Richie Havens, John McLaughlin to Pharoah Sanders, not to mention half a dozen albums under his own leadership.  He died in 2022.   But if you talk to those who knew him, they all speak of a singular warmth, humanity, and unabashed joy.  Maybe that, more than the pure musicianship, is what caught the ear of Miles and Ornette in the first place.     Few know this better than guitarist Ken Wessel. Wessel toured and recorded with Badal Roy in Ornette's band for 13 years, and the two worked on a number of their own projects together.  Wessel will be celebrating Badal Roy in this week's Ragas Live Festival in Brooklyn.     Deep Focus host Mitch Goldman is delighted to welcome Ken Wessel to the WKCR studios this Monday (10/14) from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: source unknown.   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #KenWessel #BadalRoy  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio #OrnetteColeman 

Here's another Ph.D. topic for you: Miles Davis vs. Ornette Coleman. Both blazingly original innovators lived most of their lives in Manhattan and they were roughly contemporaries (Miles was 4 years older) so they drew from the same talent pool to make up their bands.  But across 30+ years of simultaneous bandleading and the hiring of dozens and dozens of sidemen, how many can you think of who toured and recorded extensively with both?  We've got one for you: tabla player Badal Roy.     And Badal Roy did so much more than play with those two giants!  His bubbling groove and enormous sonic textures can be heard on albums by everyone from Yoko Ono to Richie Havens, John McLaughlin to Pharoah Sanders, not to mention half a dozen albums under his own leadership.  He died in 2022.   But if you talk to those who knew him, they all speak of a singular warmth, humanity, and unabashed joy.  Maybe that, more than the pure musicianship, is what caught the ear of Miles and Ornette in the first place.     Few know this better than guitarist Ken Wessel. Wessel toured and recorded with Badal Roy in Ornette's band for 13 years, and the two worked on a number of their own projects together.  Wessel will be celebrating Badal Roy in this week's Ragas Live Festival in Brooklyn.     Deep Focus host Mitch Goldman is delighted to welcome Ken Wessel to the WKCR studios this Monday (10/14) from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: source unknown.   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #KenWessel #BadalRoy  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio

Let's present an award: who would you say has been the most prolific artist on NYC's forward-looking music scene and who has contributed the most to its community?  Deep Focus host Mitch Goldman's nominee: bassist William Parker.  This Monday, Mitch and trumpeter Lewis "Flip" Barnes will put William Parker's music in Deep Focus.  Will there be live, unreleased recordings from the WKCR archives?  What do you think!     (And a bonus question: what are we going to call the award that the winner gets?)   It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: William Parker by Tore Sætre, Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #LewisFlipBarnes #WilliamParker  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio  

Let's present an award: who would you say has been the most prolific artist on NYC's forward-looking music scene and who has contributed the most to its community?  Deep Focus host Mitch Goldman's nominee: bassist William Parker.  This Monday, Mitch and trumpeter Lewis "Flip" Barnes will put William Parker's music in Deep Focus.  Will there be live, unreleased recordings from the WKCR archives?  What do you think!     (And a bonus question: what are we going to call the award that the winner gets?)   It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   William Parker - CC0 @ Schwules Museum Berlin, photo by Petra Gall   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #LewisFlipBarnes #WilliamParker  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio  

Let's present an award: who would you say has been the most prolific artist on NYC's forward-looking music scene and who has contributed the most to its community?  Deep Focus host Mitch Goldman's nominee: bassist William Parker.  This Monday, Mitch and trumpeter Lewis "Flip" Barnes will put William Parker's music in Deep Focus.  Will there be live, unreleased recordings from the WKCR archives?  What do you think!     (And a bonus question: what are we going to call the award that the winner gets?)   It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted.  It's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: William Parker by Tore Sætre, Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #LewisFlipBarnes #WilliamParker  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio  

Tonight (8/19) bassist/composer Melvin Gibbs joins host Mitch Goldman for a Deep Focus on Sun Ra with unheard rarities from the WKCR archives.  Here's a serious question, Melvin: what's the Sun Ra/Brooklyn connection?  This I have to hear.   It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Either way, it's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: Sun Ra - Impulse!, ABC/Dunhill Records - Photographer uncredited most likely Francis Ing who is credited on Astro Black ., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #MelvinGibbs #SunRa  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio #SpaceIsThePlace #SunRaArkestra

Tonight (8/19) bassist/composer Melvin Gibbs joins host Mitch Goldman for a Deep Focus on Sun Ra with unheard rarities from the WKCR archives.  Here's a serious question, Melvin: what's the Sun Ra/Brooklyn connection?  This I have to hear.   It's on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time.  Or join us next week when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/.  Either way, it's ad-free, all free, totally non-commercial.   Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram at deep_focus_podcast.   Photo credit: Sun Ra - Impulse!, ABC/Dunhill Records - Photographer uncredited most likely Francis Ing who is credited on Astro Black ., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.   #WKCR #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #MelvinGibbs #SunRa  #MitchGoldman #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast #JazzRadio #SpaceIsThePlace #SunRaArkestra