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Soundcheck

Tuesday, July 13, 2004
  • Marian Anderson - Annenberg Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania
    Marian Anderson (Annenberg Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania )

    Toppling Tours and Living Monuments

    The Lollapalooza concert tour, long one of the big events of the summer mega-concert season in the US, was recently cancelled because of poor ticket sales. It's only the latest blow for promoters in a summer which has seen slow sales for many large touring shows. Newsday pop music writer Glenn Gamboa joins us to examine why the concert market is slumping, and what can be done about it. Also on the show, WNYC’s Margaret Juntwait joins us to look back on the life of the late, great contralto Marian Anderson. Anderson was the first black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera and she broke down a host of other color barriers as well. A Connecticut museum recently restored her rehearsal studio and turned it into an exhibit celebrating her career achievements, and Margaret gives us a report.

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.