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(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)On the Road Again
American culture has produced the riches of gospel, bluegrass, and folk music; it has also spawned Cracker Barrel, Clear Channel and Wal-Mart. On today's show, music journalist and author Amanda Petrusich talks about hitting the road to find true Americana. Also: In the 50s, pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a formative influence on Miles Davis. He has since become widely acknowledged in his own right. He joins us to talk about his latest album, "It’s Magic."
Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.
Highway Culture
The American character has always been defined by a desire to hit the road and leave home in search of a truer one. In "It Still Moves: Lost Songs, Lost Highways, and the Search for the American Music," journalist Amanda Petrusich takes to the road looking to understand a culture that produced Lead Belly and Hank Williams, but also Cracker Barrel and Clear Channel.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on exploring the roots of American music.
Ahmad Jamal
In the 50s, pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis. Jamal's music, contrasting simple and complex, sound and silence, can be clearly heard on the album "Miles Ahead." These days, Jamal is sampled by rappers like Jay-Z and Nas. He joins us to talk about his latest album, "It’s Magic."
Ahmad Jamal will perform at Lincoln Center from Sept. 18 to 20 to open up this year's Jazz at Lincoln Center concert season. Each performance begins at 8 p.m.
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