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I Got ThunderWhat You Didn't Know about Black Women in Music
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."
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..."
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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.
- Comments [1]
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.
