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The Silver BellesDancing through the Decades
The Silver Belles are the most unlikely troupe of tap dancers you're likely to ever meet: five former showgirls who got their start in Harlem clubs of the 1930s and 40s, including the Apollo Theater and the Cotton Club. Now the dancers are in their 80s and 90s and are performing together again. Today, meet one of the show girls and hear about a new documentary that tells The Silver Belles' story, "Been Rich All My Life." Also: the adventurous American pianist Christopher Taylor talks about playing Messiaen's monumental and mystical piano cycle "Vingt Regards sur l'enfant-Jesus." Finally, a look at how the Habitat for Humanity Musicians' Village in New Orleans is trying to help keep the music alive in the Big Easy.
Habitat for Humanity
The New Orleans chapter of Habitat for Humanity is overseeing a New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village. Joining us is to explain what the project is about is its director, Jim Pate, and Katy Reckdahl, who wrote an article about the Musicians' Village for Offbeat magazine.
Been Rich All My Life
The story of the Silver Belles, a group of ex-chorus girls of the Harlem Renaissance, who are now aged 84-96, and are still performing today.
» More about Been Rich All My Life
Christopher Taylor
Pianist Christopher Taylor talks about performing Messiaen's epic, mystical cycle "Vingt Regards sur l'enfant-Jesus" and shares some of his upcoming recording of the piece.
» Christopher Taylor at Caramoor
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
Soundcheck
John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
Soundcheck
The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
Soundcheck
Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
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In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
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In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
