Soundcheck

Village Vanguard

The Grand Lady of Jazz

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Many of New York's legendary jazz clubs have gone silent, but the Village Vanguard is still swinging on Seventh Avenue South. Owner and manager Lorraine Gordon, whose husband Max founded the club in 1935, stops by to talk about her memoir, "Alive at the Village Vanguard: My Life in and Out of Jazz Time." She shares recollections about the jazz greats who have filled her life. Also: Devilishly charming conductor Nicholas McGegan is marking his 20th year as music director of San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra with an upcoming recording of Beethoven's 9th Symphony released exclusively over the Internet. He gives us a sneak peak today. Finally: Why Blue Note records is releasing its artists' music as MP3 files.

Listen to the whole show

In a Turnabout, Record Industry releases MP3's

Despite the risk that it may add to piracy problems, Blue Note Records and its marquee artist, singer Norah Jones, are selling her latest single as an MP3. Hear why as Wall Street Journal reporter Ethan Smith joins us.

Tales from the Village Vanguard

The Village Vanguard hasn't changed much in its 76 years, surviving in a small Greenwhich Village basement where no food is served and no credit cards are accepted but major artists appear night after night. Owner and manager Lorraine Gordon joins us to share stories from the club.