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Soundcheck

Wednesday, December 24, 2003
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    Renee Fleming Sings Jazz Standards

    Renee Fleming is among the world’s leading operatic sopranos, yet has also maintained a career-long interest in jazz. On this special Christmas Eve show, Fleming is joined in the WNYC studio by tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet and pianist Larry Ham to perform a selection of jazz standards. This is the first time that these major American artists have come together to perform (despite long-gestated plans for a recording project), although it's hardly their first meeting. While attending the State University of New York at Potsdam, Fleming and Ham performed a regular weekend gig with a jazz trio in a local, off-campus pub. When Jacquet, one of the giants in American jazz, was invited to conduct an on-campus master class, he was won over by Fleming’s performance. A repeat broadcast can be heard Monday, January 5, 2004.

Additional Resources:
Among the selections that will be featured on Soundcheck are Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Quiet Nights,"George Gershwin's "They Can't Take that Away from Me," Carey/Fischer's "You've Changed," and two Duke Ellington standards: "In a Sentimental Mood" and "Caravan."

More about Illinois Jacquet
More about Renee Fleming

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"

Pop's Love Affair With Death

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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?

Behind the public face of John Lennon

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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.

The Soul of British Soul

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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.