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The Veteran, The Rookies, and Klezmer Madness!
Before age 30, Martin Bresnick won the Rome Prize, which granted him a year of music study in Italy. He discusses his trials and tribulations as a young composer in the mid-1970s. Three young, New York-based composers will also share their professional struggles and triumphs: classical composers Marc Mellits and Steven Burke, and jazz/punk/advertising-jingle writer Franz Nicolay. Klezmer Madness! is one of the leading ensembles playing East Coast-flavored klezmer tunes for old and new fans alike. The group visits for a live performance.
More about Martin Bresnick
Though he studied trumpet from age 7, Steven Burke studied chemistry and did
neurosurgery research in addition to music before he suffered nerve damage and
gave up the trumpet for music composition.
More about Steven Burke
Artistic director of his eponymous music consort, Marc Mellits has completed
commissions for the Kronos String Quartet, Bang On A Can All-Stars, and the
Orchestra Dancing In Your Head, among others.
More about Marc Mellits
Franz Nicolay is the president of Anti-Social Music, Inc., a collective of
composers and performers that present new-music concerts twice yearly of new
works written and performed by ASM members and associates.
More about Franz Nicolay
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Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
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Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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Noteworthy New York
Soundcheck
We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.
The Journey of Quincy Jones
Soundcheck
During his 50-year career, Quincy Jones has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Puff Daddy, founded Vibe magazine, collected countless awards, and earned a reputation as a jazz giant. (Somewhere in there, he found time to make possible an album called "Thriller.") Jones joins us on the occasion of his new book, "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions."
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Quincy Jones, Henry Rollins and the term "Renaissance man"
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Pop's Love Affair With Death
Soundcheck
Death may be an unpleasant topic for conversation, but it ranks up there with sex and love as a basic ingredient in song lyrics. Today, we look at how pop music copes (and even thrives) with death. We're joined by Graeme Thomson, author of the self-explanatory book, "I Shot a Man in Reno: A History of Death By Murder, Suicide, Fire, Flood, Drugs, Disease and General Misadventure, as Related in Popular Song."
Soundcheck blog: What's your favorite song about death?
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Behind the public face of John Lennon
Soundcheck
Writing a book about the Beatles is to enter a crowded market. But Philip Norman’s new 851-page biography, “John Lennon: The Life” is getting much buzz this fall for the unprecedented access provided by Lennon’s friends and relatives, including Yoko Ono. We talk with Norman about why Lennon remains such a fascinating and troubled figure.
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The Soul of British Soul
Soundcheck
British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.
