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Soundcheck

Thursday, January 29, 2004
  • Percy Heath Modern Jazz Sextet Collage
    Jazz Bassist Percy Heath

    Clash of the Titans

    In the world of jazz, a few active players deserve to be called legends and stars. Among them is bassist Percy Heath, who has played with a who's who of artists, including a lengthy association with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Celebrating his 80th birthday this year, he joins us to look back on his storied career and to talk about his new CD – astonishingly, the first recording date he’s ever led. Speaking of living legends, 75-year-old American composer George Crumb has written music that addresses fundamental concerns like man's connection to the natural world and the importance of ritual. We hear a new piece of his for prepared piano performed by live in the studio by Simone Dinnerstein. Rounding out the program, Billboard columnist Anastasia Tsioulcas drops by to review a new CD of a choral rarity by Franz Liszt.

The Ill Effects of Urban Noise

Soundcheck

Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.