Ancient Futures Show

Last night the Sophie's Parlor collective was thrilled to cover Willard Jenkins' spot at 10 PM - Midnight,

Helen's view of Tim!

Ancient Futures. In keeping with his format, we had music from the past, and current voices who are our classics of the future. Helen and Tim were the Divas of the Night, and Kim, Lakeisha and Deb kept us on task at the engineering board. It was a night of laughter, of good music and of fun!

Here is the playlist:

• Sophie's Theme, Pam Parker, Imagine
• Spring Is Here, Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook
• Feelin' Good, Carmen McRae, Women Talk (Remastered)
• A Woman's Place Is In the Groove, Ginger Smock, Ginger Smock 1946-1958 Los Angeles Studio and Demo Recordings
• Ain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do, Bessie Smith, The Very Best Of
• Lullaby Of Birdland, Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan Verve Jazz Masters
• Honeysuckle Rose, Hazel Scott, This Is Jazz
• Wholly Earth, Abbey Lincoln, Wholley Earth
• Aries, Mary Lou Williams, Zodiac Suite
• Here Comes the Sun, Nina Simone, The Very Best of Nina Simone: Sugar in My Bowl (1967-1972)
• Here's to Life, Shirley Horn, Here's to Life
• It Might As Well Be Spring, Cassandra Wilson & Jacky Terrasson, Rendezvous
• La vie en rose, Melody Gardot, The Absence
• Younger Than Springtime, Amel Larrieux, Lovely Standards
• I'll Remember April, Grace Kelly, Mood Changes
• A Taste Of Honey, Lizz Wright, The New Jazz Divas
• Light Above the Trees, Keiko Matsui, The Piano
• Grass Roots, Terri Lyne Carrington, Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue
• Feelin' Good, Meshell Ndegeocello, Pour une âme souveraine - A Dedication to Nina Simone
• A Change Is Gonna Come, Anat Cohen, Notes from the Village
• Apple Blossom, Esperanza Spalding, Chamber Music Society
• Walkin' Shoes, Jen Krupa - Leigh Pilzer Quintet, JLQ
• Spring, Heather Rigdon, Young & Naïve

Check out the video of Melody Gardot singing La Vie en Rose!

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Sing the Truth - Powerhouse Performance

Just a few weeks ago, three of the Sophie's Parlor Divas experienced the controlled power, elegant grace, and pure joy that is bottled in a concoction called "Sing the Truth:" just over two hours of listening to Dianne Reeves, Angelique Kidjo, and Lizz Wright. They were backed by two more stars of the jazz world, Geri Allen and Teri Lyne Carrington, as well as James Genus, Munyungo Jackson, and Romero Lubambo.  The song list included these and a few more surprises: Bold Soul Sister, Both Sides Now, Heart and Soul, Talkin' about a Revolution, Endangered Species, Easy Rider, Afrika

There are really no words to express the brilliance of the evening, except perhaps "yowza!" From the beginning, as they commanded, strode and wafted onto the stage, respectively, the audience was theirs for the taking. They performed together, in duos and singly, belting out a wide selection of songs in a variety of styles, "honoring the music and spirit of great women of jazz, folk, r&b, gospel and the blues." It was the last night of the tour, unfortunately for you, but it seems that these women will not want to be apart for long. Their friendship and love for one another was palpable.

With all of that what more could be said, but what a blueprint they gave the audience and the rest of the world of music. Women can get along, women do make beautiful music together and most importantly women do Sing The Truth. Stellar, superb, transformative. For all of you I hope the tour will be revived again. - by Helen Viksnins

A clip from Jazz Fest's Sing the Truth

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Rene Marie, not to be missed!

credit: renemarie.com

For a long time I didn't know who Rene Marie was. I didn't know that she'd been singing all her life. Nor did I know that her career didn't really begin until she left her marriage at the urging of her son. She was 40.

What I did know was that every time I heard a song by her, I liked her more. Learning that she was going to be at the Hamilton last week was a no brainer. The show couldn't have been better. It was a mixture of old and new material, standards and originals. It exemplified the risk taking that has marked her career.

She began the set with raunchy version of the title tune of her latest release, Black Lace Freudian Slip. It got everyone clapping and displayed the talents of her rhythm section Kevin Bale, piano, Elias Bailey, bass and Quentin Baxter on drums. She got the audience singing along to Just My Imagination part of her Imagination Medley.  And she thrilled the audience with her version of Skylark.

The highlights of the evening were two new originals: Blessings, a song inspired by her late brother Claude and This Is Not a Protest Song, which she wrote about homelessness. (It can be purchased on her website renemarie.com and all proceeds go directly to National Coalition for the Homeless.) Both songs showcased her talent as a composer.

She concluded with the patriotic medley from her release Voice of My Beautiful Country. If you wanted to sing along to your grandma's version of America the Beautiful or Lift Every Voice and Sing, you would be disappointed. With new instrumentation, it was possible to hear them in a new way. This portion of the program was highlighted by solos by Quentin Baxter and Kevin Bale.

I can't say enough about the talent of these musicians. Returning for an encore, a song about where the time had gone and the hope that we would all meet again. If you haven't seen her, please do. It's a gift that you can give to yourself. Until you catch her live, here is a video of her below. - By Deb Morris

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Souls of Jazz - Diva of the Day - Helen (10/11/12)

My show was about the Souls of Jazz - those dearly departed souls who left us exquisite jazz renderings in which they live on. I especially selected songs in which they express the joys of life - breathing, dancing, loving, laughing.

This week's Sophie's Parlor sofas were filled with wraiths enjoying the sounds as they wafted through the airwaves, and especially enjoying the reactions from the listening audience. Believe it or not, they were all there!

The Playlist:

Pam Parker, Sophie's Theme, Imagine

Ella Fitzgerald, Something To Live For, Ella at Dukes Place

Billie Holiday, Now or Never, Original Decca Masters

Sarah Vaughan, Sometimes I'm Happy, Sarah Vaughan Verve Jazz Masters

Dinah Washington, It's Magic, What a Diff'rence A Day Makes!

Carmen McRae, Feelin' Good, Women Talk

Shirley Horn, Here's To Life, Here's To Life

Nina Simone, Sugar in My Bowl, Let It Be Me

Etta Jones, Don't Go to Strangers, The Best of Etta Jones: The Prestige Singles

Abbey Lincoln, Being Me, A Turtle's Dream

Lena Horne, I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good, Anthology

Betty Carter, Shine On Harvest Moon, "Round Midnight

Bessie Smith, Ain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I do, The Very Best of

Ginger Smock, A Woman's Place is in the Groove, Ginger Smock 1946-1958

Josephine Baker, J'ai Deux Amours, The Very Best of

Peggy Lee, I've Got You Under My Skin, Jazz Divas

Anita O'Day, Early Autumn, Jazz 'Round Midnight

Betty Carter, You're Getting to be a Habit, Jazz Divas

Bessie Smith, Me and My Gin, Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Bessie Smith

Abbey Lincoln, Wholly Earth, Wholly Earth

Josephine Baker, Love is a Dreamer, The Very Best of

Lena Horne, Someone to Watch Over Me, The Classic Lena Horne

Hazel Scott, Honeysuckle Rose, This is Jazz

Anita O'Day, We'll be Together Again, Jazz 'Round Midnight

Sophie Tucker, After You've Gone, The Last of the Red Hot Mamas

Ella Fitzgerald, Please Don't Talk about me When I'm Gone, Love Letters from Ella

Betty Roche, All My Life, Take the "A" Train

Pearl Bailey, Around the World With Me, Won't You Come Home Pearl Bailey?

Rosemary Clooney, Sisters, Mothers & Daughters

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Grammy - Nominees and Recipients (Helen, November 10, 2011)

I selected my music from those who have been nominated and/or received Grammys for their recordings, with a special nod to those in the Native American (First Nations) category as it's Native American Heritage Month! If you want to listen to the show, visit the archives and look for this:

Mid Day Jazz

Thursday, November 10, 2011 12:00 pm 1:59:31

13

Play

I spoke to Maimouna Youssef about her Grammy nomination a few years ago and about what she's up to now. You can hear three cuts from her latest oevre, The Blooming!

Here's what I played:

-->

Artist	Song Title	Album	Label
Pam Parker	Sophie's Theme	Imagine	Pam Parker
Joanne Shenandoah	Help Us Be Peaceful	Covenant	Silver Wave
Dee Dee Bridgewater	A Foggy Day	Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie with love from Dee Dee	Emarcy / Pgd
Maimouna Youseff	Black Magic Woman	The Blooming	Maimouna Youssef
Esperanza Spalding	Knowledge of Good and Evil	Chamber Music Society	Heads Up
Dawn Avery	Onkwehon:we (First Peoples)	Our Fire	CDBY
Terri Lyne Carrington	Transformation	The Mosaic Project	Concord Jazz
Madeleine Peyroux	Standing on the Rooftop	Standing on the Rooftop	Decca
Patti Austin	I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise	Avant Gershwin	Rendezvous
Mary Youngblood	Dream With Me	Beneath the Raven Moon	Silver Wave
Shirley Horn	My Funny Valentine	I Remember Miles	Verve
Joni Mitchell	Chelsea Morning	Hits	Warner Bros / Wea
k.d. lang	Hallelujah	Hymns of the 49th Parallel	Nonesuch
Angelique Kidjo	Djin Djin	Djin Djin	Razor &Tie
Maimouna Youseff	Thank you	The Blooming	Maimouna Youssef
Cassandra Wilson	Gone with the Wind	Loverly	Blue Note Records
Maimouna Youseff	Gypsy Woman	The Blooming	Maimouna Youssef
Dinah Washington	What a Difference a Day Makes	Compact Jazz: Dinah Washington	Polygram Records

I also played this at the end...

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Night One of the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival

If you weren't at last night's Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival (Thursday, May 19), I'll let you know what you missed! Actually, I know you weren't there, because I didn't see you there.

The evening began with a moment of silence for the late Billy Taylor who was the founder of the festival in 1996. His big glasses and big grin were always such a beautiful thing to see each year. He was truly missed.

Overall, the evening went from cool to HOT! Mistress of ceremonies was Dee Dee Bridgewater. The evening was being taped for her Jazz Set with Dee Dee Bridgewater on NPR. Too bad it wasn't being taped for Sophie's Parlor! I noted to my friend Susan that I had personally interviewed six of last year's performers for my show. So far I haven't arranged anything, but it's on my personal to do list.

The first set was performed by the Jamie Baum Septet. Jamie is a New York City-based jazz flutist who had composed all of the numbers we heard. Besides the effervescent Linda Oh on bass and the composer/leader Jamie Baum, the other performers in the septet were men. I have this wish for more of the performers to be women at this festival, but that's just what I hope to see! The compositions were complex, I admire musicians who are able to perform at that level, especially when there are mis-steps during the performance. [This paragraph was edited, based on feedback from the artist.]

Then, we had the distinct pleasure to watch JaLaLa - a sparkly trio of singers: Janis Siegel and Laurel Masse (founding members of Manhattan Transfer), joined by Lauren Kinhan. Guess how their name was formed - LOL! We did enjoy this set, that was quite reminiscent of the past: Andrews Sisters'esque tight harmonies, Johnny Mercer songbook, Doris Day, and a killer rendition of Queen's Killer Queen. Everyone had a good time here: the performers and the audience!

The capstone of the evening was the HOT Tia Fuller. Dee Dee warned us before she came out that she would bedazzle us, and Boy, did she! She was poured into a golden one-strapped mini-dress and wearing a pair of the highest golden heels I've ever seen. Her saxes were as shiny as she was! Her group was composed of the husband and wife pair of Luis Perdomo on piano and Miriam Sullivan on bass, and her own brother-in-law Rudy Royston on drums. Her sister would have been on piano, but was unable to make it that night. She made a better effort of showcasing the women performers, by including Sheherezade Tennan (not sure of the name) at the drums and even more not sure of the name on the alto saxophone. This set made the joint jump with engaged musicians (only Luis used sheet music), who laughed and smiled and showed appreciation for each others' efforts. It was fast, it was slow, we laughed, we cried. A perfect ending of the evening, as I walked away with the saxophone melody in my mind.

Tomorrow evening is a tribute to Abbie Lincoln with some amazing women on stage. I can't wait!!!

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Who Does She Think She Is?

Celebrating the accomplishments of women who dared to dream and dared to DO! 1-3 PM on WPFW.org or 89.3 FM in Washington, DC. Join me! (I hope I get to play them all - I'll have to talk fast...)

Heleeene's Playlist:

Change the World, Magdalen Hsu-Li, Smashing the Ceiling
The Mermaid, Mari Boine, In the Hand of the Night
Chachimurenga, Stella Chiweshe, Talking Mbira
Spring, Heather Rigdon, Young & Naïve
Electro Reading, Syntheme, Lasers 'n' S**t
Summertime (Live), Janis Joplin, Cheap Thrills / I Got Dem 'Ol
Kozmic Blues Again Mama! / Pearl
Shamrock Green, Susan McKeown, Sweet Liberty
On the Sunny Side of the Street, Billie Holiday, The Very Best of Billie Holiday
Vul'indela, Brenda Fassie, Greatest Hits: The Queen of African Pop
Have a Little Faith In Me/Patty Larkin/Rollin' into Memphis: Songs of John Hiatt
Ko Te Ao Marama, Mahinarangi Tocker, The Mongrel In Me
They Say It's Spring, Erin McKeown, Sing You Sinners
To the East, Electrelane, No Shouts, No Calls
Mysterious Ways, Angélique Kidjo, In the Name of Love –
Africa Celebrates U2
Mfan' Omncane, Dorothy Masuka, Women of Africa
Here Comes the Sun, Nina Simone, The Very Best of Nina Simone:
Sugar in My Bowl (1967-1972)
Demons, Yo La Tengo, Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo
Life Begins At Forty, Sophie Tucker, The Last of the Red Hot Mamas
Riti, Saulit, Ritedama, Ilgi, Riti
Zen, Rokia Traoré, Tchamantché
Ain't Misbehavin', Carmen McRae, 20th Century Masters - The Millennium
Collection: The Best of Carmen McRae
La Sopa en Botella, Celia Cruz & La Sonora Matancera, The Best of Celia Cruz
I'm Glad There Is You, Natalie Cole, Ask a Woman Who Knows
Spring, Ursula Rucker, Supa Sista (Limited Edition)
My Head May Be Small, But My Heart Is Bigger Than Yours - Neotropic,
Riz Maslen, Bip-Hop Generation Vol. 3
Sassy's Blues, Sarah Vaughan, Verve Jazz Masters
Springtime #2, Venus Hum, Big Beautiful Sky
Will Your Lawyer Talk to God? Kitty Wells, 20th Century Masters - The
Millennium Collection: Best of Kitty Wells
Four Loom Weaver, Maddy Prior & June Tabor, Silly Sisters
Daughters of the Kaos, Luscious Jackson, In Search of Manny
Feelin' Good, Carmen McRae, Women Talk (Remastered)

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