wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

Soundcheck / June 18, 2008

Soundcheck

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Previous Episode | Next Episode
  • Ice-T
    (Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

    Hip Hop's Night at the Symphony

    Rapper Ice T is set to perform with the Indianapolis Symphony, but it’s not the first time two very different genres have found common ground. Today we look at the cozy relationship between classical and hip hop music. Also: jazz drummer Brian Blade talks about crossing boundaries of a different sort -- he plays with everyone from Joni Mitchell to Wayne Shorter. Plus: live music from the Austin band Shearwater.

O.G.'s Down With the I.S.O.

Rapper and actor Ice-T is set to perform tonight with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In the performance, he will narrate "Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz," a poem from the 1960s by Langston Hughes. And while an ISO performance of Ice-T's classic album "O.G.: Original Gangster" is not on the program, tonight is not the first time classical music has backed an MC. We talk with writer Jayson Greene
Our blog: John Schaefer at the crossroads of hip hop and classical

"Top Ten Classical-Music Samples in Hip Hop" by Jason Greene

Shearwater

Jonathan Meiburg is the golden-throated songwriter (and part-time ornithologist) at the heart of the Austin-based rock band Shearwater. Two years ago, the group gained wide acclaim for the disturbing ballads and soaring vocals on the album, "Palo Santo." Shearwater's fifth release, "Rook," might be even better. They join us for a live performance.

Shearwater web site
Shearwater on MySpace
Video: Jonathan Meiburg in "Looking for Johnny Rook"
More installments of "Looking for Johnny Rook"

Brian Blade

Drummer Brian Blade has worked with some of the biggest names in American folk – Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell – and in jazz - Wayne Shorter and Pat Metheny. But he also has his own adventurous jazz group, Brian Blade and The Fellowship band. He joins us to talk about their latest album, Season of Changes.

Brian Blade's website

Arcade Fire

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

johnny flynn

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.

  1. The Brian Lehrer Show: VP TV (10/03/2008)
  2. The Brian Lehrer Show: Business Without Borders (10/08/2008)
  3. The Brian Lehrer Show: What’s The Damage? (10/06/2008)
  4. The Brian Lehrer Show: Security Blanket (10/07/2008)
  5. The Leonard Lopate Show: The Price of Style (10/08/2008)
  6. The Leonard Lopate Show: Memory (10/03/2008)
  7. The Leonard Lopate Show: Beyond Chicken Nuggets (10/07/2008)