AMERICAN ROUTES
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté June 7th, 2023 (Hour 1)
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté

It’s Blueswomen, Jazzmen, African roots and branches. Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland‘s father, the late blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, brought her into his music as a child. As an adult, she found new ways to use blues to express her perspective. We’ll hear from some of Shemekia’s heroes including Etta James, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunter and Big Mama Thornton. Then a conversation and performance by Boston-based Mandinka balafon player Balla Kouyaté and music inspired by and from the continent of Africa from Randy Weston, Miriam Makeba and the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Shemekia Copeland photo by Mike White

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ELLIS MARSALIS REMEMBERED: FAMILY MEMORIES & MUSIC WITH BRANFORD, WYNTON, DELFEAYO AND JASON MARSALIS

March 29th, 2023

There is no more recognizable family name in jazz from New Orleans and beyond than: Marsalis. We’re paying tribute to the late pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr. who passed of Covid-19 in April 2020, and to his musical sons Branford (saxophone), Wynton (trumpet), Delfeayo (trombone) and Jason (drums and vibraphone). The conversation ranges from coming of age in a family of musicians, with expectations of performing at the highest level, to the interplay of traditional and modern jazz in New Orleans. Previously unheard are Wynton’s remarkable memorial oration and a live set with youngest son Jason Marsalis playing the music of his late father. It’s the enduring and thriving musical legacy of the Marsalis family this week on American Routes.

  • Listen to Hour One
  • Listen to Hour Two

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: At the House, in da Pocket Marsalis Family
    Music Redeems, Marsalis Music
  • SEGMENT: Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis & Branford Marsalis in 2001

    Listen
  • Instrumental: Java Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra
    Make America Great Again, Marsalis Music
  • SEGMENT: Delfeayo Marsalis

    Listen
  • Monkey Puzzle Ellis Marsalis Quartet
    Classic Ellis, AFO Records
  • 3 Musketeers The American Jazz Quintet
    Gulf Coast Jazz Vol 1, AFO Records
  • Instrumental: Lulu's Back in Town Ellis Marsalis and Branford Marsalis
    Loved Ones, Sony BMG
  • Swinging at the Haven Marsalis Family
    A Jazz Celebration, Marsalis Music
  • SEGMENT: Wynton Marsalis Memorial Statement

    Listen
  • Oh But on the Third Day (Happy Feet Blues) Wynton Marsalis
    Majesty of the Blues, Sony
  • End Bed: Mind and Spirit Ellis Marsalis and Jonathan Batiste
    Homecoming, ELM

HOUR two

  • Open Bed: Oneness Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • A Joy Forever Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • Nostalgic Impressions Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • Instrumental: Homecoming Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • SEGMENT: Jason Marsalis

    Listen
  • Futuristic Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • A Moment Alone Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • A Groove for Bags Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • Instrumental: The Garden Ellis Marsalis Quintet
    Plays The Music Of Ellis Marsalis, ELM Records
  • Three in One Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • Dippy Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,
  • End Bed: On Time Jason Marsalis Quintet
    American Routes Original Recording,

THE LATEST STREAMS

  • June 7th, 2023

    BLUES AND JAZZ, AFRICAN ROOTS AND BRANCHES WITH SHEMEKIA COPELAND AND BALLA KOUYATé

    Listen
  • May 31st, 2023

    PIANO PEOPLE AND MORE: JASON MORAN & HEATH ALLEN

    Listen
  • May 24th, 2023

    MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE 2022 NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWS

    Listen
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