Soundcheck

I Got Thunder

What You Didn't Know about Black Women in Music

Thursday, December 06, 2007

The music industry has often pigeonholed black women as soul singers and "Divas." But a new book argues for their greater impact in the worlds of folk, blues and other genres, particularly when it comes to songwriting. Today, LaShonda Katrice Barnett, editor of the book I Got Thunder, explains. Also: Ari Roland is a New York-based bassist who has been recently named a State Department jazz ambassador. He joins us to talk about his six-month tour through countries like Russia, Turkmenistan, India and China and about his new album: "Ari Roland: And So I Lived in Old New York."

Listen to the whole show

I Got Thunder

In her new book I Got Thunder scholar LaShonda Katrice Barnett examines the careers of the world's prominent black women singers and songwriters, from Dianne Reeves to Nina Simone to Tokunbo Akinro of the European band Tok Tok Tok. As we find out, there's more than just the media stereotype of soul singers and "Divas."

Also joining us is Brenda Russell, a singer-songwriter and co-writer of music and lyrics for “The Color Purple” on Broadway, among other productions.

I Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters and Their Craft on Amazon
Grammy Nominations Announced (AP)
Brenda Russell's Web site

A New Spin on "A Christmas Carol"

The holiday season is underway and that means Christmas-themed entertainment. WNYC's Oliver Kramer usually says "Ba Humbug," but a new stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," may have him changing his tune.

Ari Roland

This year, jazz bassist Ari Roland and his quartet received traveled abroad as part of American Music Abroad program, visiting countries like Russia, Turkmenistan, India and China. Meanwhile, in New York, he has has appeared hundreds of times at Smalls, more than any other musician in its history. Today he talks about his globe-trotting ways, and shares his new album "And So I Lived in Old New York..."

Ari Roland on Smalls Records