Jimmy Witherspoon: 1950-56, Part 2. Jimmy Witherspoon is one of most influential blues shouters to emerge after WWII and yet he remains just a footnote in the evolution of Rhythm & Blues and Rock n' Roll. In part 1 of our 2-part feature on Spoon, we focused on his early recordings with Jay McShann's band from 1945-50. During that time, Spoon recorded his signature tune, "Ain't Nobody's Business," which topped the R&B charts during the summer of 1949. This week in part 2, we pick it up in 1950, while he's still recording for LA's Modern Records. Spoon would score his last hit, "The Wind Is Blowin'" for that label in 1952. Then he jumps over to Federal Records, where A&R man Ralph Bass tries a few new things, like pairing Spoon with the R&B vocal group, The Lamplighters. Having no charting hits on Federal, Spoon signs with Checker Records in Chicago, where only 3 singles are issued. It becomes clear that blues shouters like Witherspoon are out of fashion with the new Rock n' Roll record buyers, so he takes a stab at a Rock n' Roll song, "My Girl Ivy" for Atco in '56, before reinventing himself as a jazz singer. All of these records must be heard in order to appreciate the depth of styles and influence on Rock n' Roll Music that Spoon had.

Blue Note Holiday Special. A holiday hour from Blue Note Records, curated by Don Was, a musician and producer known for his wide-ranging ear and love of great songs. This program drifts through snowy soundscapes with classics and deep cuts from Norah Jones, Horace Silver, Dianne Reeves, and more.

Coming Soon

Tony Award-nominated actress, singer, writer Melissa Errico is loaded with energy, ideas and inspiration. Melissa started singing at eleven and with her pianist father, trumpet-playing brother and Melissa on vocals, they would, in her words, make guerilla assaults on her neighbor’s pianos, going from door to door as a kind of Italian Partridge family, inviting themselves in to entertain anyone who’d have them. These adventures and others made clear where Melissa’s life was heading.

If you’re a fan of Gypsy Jazz, or are in tune with the extensive legacy of Django Reinhart, then Stephane Wrembel likely needs no introduction. But if you’re new to the genre you’ll be impressed with Stephane Wrembel’s extensive list of accomplishments and his gifts. His original compositions for movies, including Midnight in Paris, Vicky Christina Barcelona and Rifkin’s Festival have earned him global accolades. He’s performed among luminaries from John Schofield to Elvis Costello to Shelia E. There’s inspiration to be had and groundbreaking performances to be found across all 17 of his releases, including 2023’s Django New Orleans – selections from which are featured in this performance. Featuring Josh Kaye on Guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on Bass, Nick Anderson on Drums, and from a May 16th, 2024 sold out performance, it’s Stephane Wrembel – Live at the Bop Stop.

The Swallows were one of the most underrated R&B vocal groups of the early 1950s. Hailing from Baltimore, they only scored 2 top 10 R&B hits during their 3-year stint with King Records, but collectors and aficionados know their catalog inside and out. The Swallows' original lead tenor, Eddie Rich, joins us with his first-hand account of scoring a hit record, life on the road, segregation and playing with the top artists of the day. So, dim the lights, turn up the juke and get ready for a full hour of some of the greatest vocal group harmonies you're ever going to hear.

There's something about Mary Stallings. We celebrate Mary Stallings, a stalwart of vocal jazz, who has shared the stage with many legends -- Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, to name a few. Still swinging at 86 years old, she shows no signs of stopping. She joins the Emmet Cohen trio for a special night of singing from Dizzy’s Club in New York City.

Coming Soon

Coming Soon