American Music Festival : About
This show is no longer airing. You can access archives online.
American Music Festival, WNYC circular, 1945. (WNYC Archives)
Featuring both experimental music and show format, this long-running program enthralls listeners with scintillating performances from music icons.
Revisit the halcyon days before jam sessions were the domain of college students and live broadcast performances meant tuning into late-night television. Every year from Lincoln's birthday through Washington's birthday, the American Music Festival (1941-1956) "reflects the culture of a peaceful people, in a land where men and women of any race and creed were free to compose and perform music based on any and all themes." This collection captures that sentiment with absolutely jaw-dropping improvisations, live songs, and collaborations from across musical genre, gender, and race.