Matana Roberts

Matana Roberts appears in the following:

Matana Roberts: Exploring History Through Free-Flowing Improvisation

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Hear jazz saxophonist and composer Matana Roberts perform in the Soundcheck studio.

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Amy Tan Picks Three; Terry Teachout On Duke Ellington; Matana Roberts Plays Live

Friday, January 10, 2014

In this episode, Soundcheck revisits a few recent favorite segments. 

First: Best-selling author Amy Tan talks about her first book in eight years, The Valley of Amazement, tells us what playing in a band with Stephen King is like, and, she plays a few favorite songs for Soundcheck's Pick Three series.

Then: Duke Ellington is one of the towering figures in American music, but there's more to his story than hits like "Take The A Train." Cultural critic and writer Terry Teachout discusses his new comprehensive biography about the iconic jazz composer and bandleader.

Plus: The jazz sax player and composer Matana Roberts continues her CoinCoin Project, which explores the history of "free people of color" in the early United States and her own family's long and widespread American tale.

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Matana Roberts

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

The alto saxophonist Matana Roberts does experimental jazz that travels from Africa to the American south to Chicago, following her family's trajectory. Her latest album, "The Chicago Project," was produced by pianist and composer Vijay Iyer. Matana joins us to talk about it.

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Soundcheck Smackdown: Baby Boomers vs. Generation X

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Baby boomers had the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Woodstock, but Generation X had Kurt Cobain, Pearl Jam and MTV. On today’s Soundcheck Smackdown: boomers and slackers debate which generation has the most to offer pop music history. Also: alto saxophonist Matana Roberts shares her latest album, "The Chicago Project." This ...

Matana Roberts

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

The alto saxophonist Matana Roberts does experimental jazz that travels from Africa to the American south to Chicago, following her family’s trajectory. Her latest album, "The Chicago Project," was produced by pianist and composer Vijay Iyer and drummer John McEntire. Matana joins us to talk about it.

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Can Boomers or Slackers Save Pop Music?

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Baby boomers had Jimi Hendrix and Woodstock, but Generation X had Kurt Cobain and MTV. It's another Soundcheck Smackdown, as boomers and slackers debate which generation has the most to offer pop music history books -- and the future of pop itself. Also: alto saxophonist Matana Roberts shares her latest ...