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The Next Big Thing / February 14, 2003

The Next Big Thing

Friday, February 14, 2003
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    Coming and Going

    Jackie Mockbee--wife of the late Samuel "Sambo" Mockbee, internationally acclaimed architect--offers an audio diary of her first year in widowhood. Also, a noisy postcard from Matt Power, seeking enlightenment in a traffic jam in New Delhi. And we hear a new composition by Roy Nathanson, creator of our very own Next Big Thing theme music.

Toy Chat

This week the International Toy Fair celebrates its 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, industry experts have compiled a list of the century’s “most memorable” toys. Fearing bias, writer, actor, and Next Big Thing contributor Henry Alford decided to hit the street and ask the real toy experts about the toys they remember best.

Cradle Dreams

Jazz musician and composer Roy Nathanson likes to incorporate unusual instruments into his compositions. His “Cradle Dreams,” a new saxophone quartet commissioned by The Next Big Thing, is no different - it makes use of an odd little soccer toy his son likes, that plays the Lambada. Not that Roy knew that when he wrote this piece. Performed by Roy with Marty Ehrlich, Jay Rodriquez and Sam Furnace.

On Her Own

Last winter, Jackie Sambo lost her husband, internationally acclaimed architect Samuel “Sambo” Mockbee, who died of leukemia at the age of 57. Jackie was 54. In the months that followed, she spoke into a tape recorder almost nightly, in an attempt to come to terms with his death. Her audio diary offers an intimate portrait of one woman’s painful transformation into widowhood. Produced by independent producer Mary Beth Kirchner. (click on picture to enlarge)

Indian Traffic

An audio postcard from Matt Power, who finds enlightenment in the chaotic choreography of New Delhi’s perpetual traffic jam.

Remembering Keba

Keba Cissoko – musician, teacher, and storyteller – died last week. Born and raised in Guinea Bissau, he came to the United States in the 1990s, and was a renowned player of the kora, a string instrument, performing across the country (and for our show). Dean visits with those who knew Keba well, and listens once again to his ethereal music.