What do Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Claudia Schmidt, Thelonious Monk, Eric Clapton, Charles Mingus, Ron Getz and Duke Ellington have in common? Find out on Jazz Connections with acclaimed Michigan jazz composer, musician and educator Jeff Haas. Each week, Jeff artfully blends music and storytelling as he explores jazz and its ties to other traditions including rock-n-roll, the blues, soul, world and classical music. Think "radio version of the best liner notes collection ever compiled" ... with an engaging and sometimes edgy soundtrack to back it up.
The concept for Jazz Connections was inspired by Duke Ellington’s philosophy: When asked to define jazz, the Duke responded, "as long as it’s good music there is no need for definitions or categories – it's all music.”
Tune in January 2010 for:
JAZZ DIVAS
Spend a feel-good hour with the first ladies of vocal jazz and learn how their unique and very personal styles made a major impact on generations of vocalists. Travel the road from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Shirley Horn to their musical heirs Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson and Diana Krall, with a little Motown in the mix.
(Sunday, January 10 and Thursday, January 14)
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA AND THE NEW TANGO
Fall in love with the diabolical and wildly romantic sounds of the New Tango, an unusual blend of jazz, classical music and the Argentine tango that is regarded as one of the most innovative new genres of the twentieth century. Hear music from legendary New Tango innovator Astor Piazzolla and his musical descendants Richard Galliano, Per Störby and the electronic-tango sounds of Gotan Project.
(Sunday, January 17 and Thursday, January 21)
THE MANY FACES OF MILES
Most musicians or composers are lucky if they can lay claim to just one musical style that differentiates them from the pack. Jazz legend Miles Davis did it not once, but four times during his career—each time leading jazz in a new direction. Trace the path of each of these revolutionary styles with music from Miles Davis himself, as well as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and more.
(Sunday, January 24 and Thursday, January 28)
Contact Jeff at jazzconnections@interlochen.org.
