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(fabeblau/flickr)The Sounds of Freedom
Ghana was the first black African country to gain independence 50 years ago today. It was also the birthplace of “highlife music.” Today on Soundcheck: We look at the history and listen to the highlights of the original afro pop. Also: Avant-garde Jazz pioneer Cecil Taylor. And finally: Singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler plays live in our studio.
The Sounds of Freedom
Ghana was the first black African country to gain independence 50 years ago today. It was also the birthplace of “highlife music,” the original afro pop. Journalist, and scholar, John Collins joins us to look at the history, and listen to the highlights, of Ghana's biggest musical export.
The Uncompromising Cecil Taylor
Along with Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor is widely recognized as one of the father's of free jazz. Today, he visits the studio to talk about his lifetime as pianist, poet, and about the shape of jazz to come.
Cecil Taylor performs at the Rose Theater in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home to Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500 or via www.jalc.org.
Jorge Drexler
Singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler won an Oscar for his song "Al Otro Lado Del Rio" from the movie The Motorcycle Diaries. His new album, 12 Segundos de Oscuridad, tells tales of long-time love affairs that end badly and trans-Atlantic sleepless nights of soul-searching. He plays live in studio.
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Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10 at The Greene Space
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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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.
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