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WPR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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At The Edge, The Blue Side, 52nd Street Jazz, and Kalihwiyo'se
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WHAT YOU'LL FIND BELOW:
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* AT THE EDGE – Circuit Bending
* THE BLUE SIDE – Oneida Casino Lounge Features
* 52ND STREET JAZZ – Branford Marsalis
* KALIHWIYO'SE – National American Indian Heritage Month
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AT THE EDGE with Michael Brown
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* In early November, UW-Madison hosted the third annual Madison Pop Festival. The Madison Pop Festival was in partnership with a local bent-label, Tiger Claw Records, that presented a workshop and performance called Circuit-Bending Madness. Circuit-bending is the creative art of short-circuiting low voltage, battery-powered electronic audio devices such as guitar effects, children’s toys, and small synthesizers to create new musical instruments. This technique of circuit-bending has been associated with noise music, though many more conventional contemporary musicians and musical groups have been known to experiment with “bent” instruments as well. The circuit-bending performers during the Madison Pop Festival included the groups Talking Computron of Iowa City, IA, Roth Mobot of Chicago, IL, Beatrix* JAR of Minneapolis, MN, and Life As Number Five of Madison, WI. For further information on circuit-bending visit this youtube clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Pbyg_kcEk
* Recently featured at the Luna Café in DePere, WI, The Fantastic Merlins are a group that encompasses avant-garde jazz, classical-yet-contemporary, experimental, and chamber music. This unique group has been together since 2005. They are a New York and Minneapolis based group that have focused on a unique blend of instruments. This group features Jacqueline Ferrier-Ultan on cello, Brian Roessler on bass, Nathan Hanson on tenor saxophone, and Federico Ughi on drums. For further information on The Fantastic Merlins visit their website: www.fantasticmerlins.com
At The Edge with Michael Brown can be heard every
Monday night from 10 p.m. to midnight
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THE BLUE SIDE with Mary Flynn
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* October 2007 brought The Fabulous Thunderbirds to the listening area with 3 nights of music at Oneida Bingo and Casino lounge. Stage manager, Steve Thomas, came to the WPR studio for a chat with Blue Side host, Mary Flynn. He gave insight into his daily work supporting The T-Birds and what skills he uses to help the band get ready for shows as well as his work during the performances. On the last night of The Fabulous Thunderbirds' performances, Kim Wilson and Kirk Eli Fletcher, leader and guitarist respectively, sat in on The Blue Side for a live interview during the show. The T-Birds will be back next year and promise to stop in to The Blue Side again to continue the spirited discussion on-air. Both recent interviews are currently available on The Blue Side website.
* John Hammond also had a 3 night stand at Oneida in November and wowed the listeners with his slide, vocals, and harmonica work. He regaled the crowd with his stories of coming-of-age in the blues world and the development of his career. Although John Hammond did not expound on his considerable musical pedigree, Blue Side listeners would probably be interested that John's father was a notable music producer, working with artists such Billie Holiday and Charlie Christian (guitarist for Benny Goodman).
* Mark your calendars for the next important blues appearances at Oneida. First, Allen Toussaint, legendary music figure of New Orleans, appears February 10, 11, and 12. Then the great Charlie Musslewhite rolls into the area on February 24, 25, and 26. Charlie Musslewhite is truly one of the blues world's greatest exemplars. Watch for announcements of a Charlie Musslewhite interview exclusive to The Blue Side. All shows include one 90 minute set of music, starting at 7:30p.
* Two annual Blue Side events occured in December and early January. The Blue Side Holiday Music special was perfromed on December 18, 2007. The fun show featured both contemporary and old blues holiday tunes. The show was presented with announcements limited to station IDs for maximum music time. The popular Three Kings feature was slated for January 8, 2008. This special Blue Side shared the epiphany of blues realization through the music of the blues' three Kings: B. B., Albert, and Freddy.
* Check The Blue Side web site for weekly playlists as well as The Essential List--The Blue Side's select music information resources.
The Blue Side with Mary Flynn can be heard every
Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to midnight
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52ND STREET JAZZ with Chris Kuborn
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* The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton was very fortunate to feature three time Grammy-winning tenor and soprano saxophonist, Branford Marsalis in early November. He is a New Orleans native that was born into the city’s most distinguished musical family with siblings Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason. Branford gained acclaim through his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messangers and with his brother Wynton’s quintet in the early 1980s before forming his own ensemble. Throughout his life, he has performed with some of jazz’s greatest including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, and Sonny Rollins.
Branford not only performs, but he also brings a new approach to jazz education. He educates jazz students and jazz listeners in colleges and high schools through Marsalis Jams, an interactive program in which leading jazz ensembles present jam sessions and concerts to residencies all over the world.
Branford Marsalis’s diverse interests lead him to tour and record with Sting and he was also the musical director of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno for two years in the 1990s. He also directed films and hosted National Public Radio’s syndicated program Jazz Set. His show on National Public Radio featured live performances from various jazz artists at some of the country’s top venues.
* Chris’ Caribbean and Jazz band “Island Magic” performs on Wednesday nights at the Ground Round in Neenah. They would love to see you there!
52nd Street Jazz with Chris Kuborn can be heard every
Wednesday night from 10 p.m. to midnight
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KALIHWIYO'SE with Chris Powless and Richie Plass
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* November has been classified as the National American Indian Heritage Month for the past 17 years. Beginning in 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November of 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” National American Indian Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the many contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives and to recognize the strong, living traditions of the first people to call our land home.
American Indians and Alaska Natives continue to shape our nation by preserving the heritage of their ancestors and by contributing to the rich diversity that is our country's strength. Their dedicated efforts to honor their proud heritage have helped others gain a deeper understanding of ancient customs of the Native American community. This dedicated month also expresses gratitude to the American Indians and Alaska Natives who serve in our nation's military and work to extend the blessings of liberty around the world. With this dedicated month, our nation celebrates the culture and injustices the American Indian people have suffered. This month is a rededication to the American Indian people who deserve to be honored and recognized as the original people of this land.
* Save the Date: Wisconsin Indian Education Association will host a conference titled “Native Pedagogy: Educating our Way”. This conference will be held from April 6-8, 2008 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Indian Education Association’s mission is to promote education and educationally related opportunities for American Indian people in Wisconsin. More information will be available in the next couple of months. To visit the Wisconsin Indian Education Association’s website: www.wiea.org
Kalihwiyo'se with Chris Powless and Richie Plass can be heard every Thursday night from 10 p.m. to midnight
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