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Soundcheck

Wednesday, August 08, 2007
  • Nnenna Freelon
    Jazz singer Nnenna Freelon

    Why Jazz is Always in Style

    From flappers, to zuit suits, to Afros and beyond: Jazz, the quintessential American music, has reflected popular culture not only in its sound but also with its fashion sense. As the Newport Jazz Festival gets underway, we look at the history and the state of jazz fashion. Also: we talk to members of Budos Band, an 11-piece Afro-funk and soul ensemble, which comes all the way from...Staten Island.

The Look of Jazz

Jazz fashion is ever-changing and somehow always in style. Today, a look at the state of jazz style with Grammy-award-winning trumpeter Roy Hargrove, jazz singer Nnenna Freelon and photographer John Abbott, who has taken pictures of many jazz stars, from Miles Davis to Cassandra Wilson.

Slideshow: Jazz Fashion

The Budos Band

The Budos Band, a relatively young eleven-piece Afro-funk ensemble out of Staten Island, arrived on the scene in 2005 and have just released Budos Band II on Daptone Records. Joining us today are Baritone Sax player Jared Tankel, guitarist Tom Brenneck and drummer Brian Profilio.

The Budos Band on MySpace

Stormy Weather

Jody Kuh, the executive producer of the River to River Festival, talks about how outdoor concert presenters struggle with weather emergencies each summer. And we take listener calls on music and weather.

River to River Festival Web site

Best Live Performances of 2008

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We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

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Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

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Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

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We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.