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Recent Shows

Postwar Prez: Lester Young 1945-1950

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In 1945 Lester Young emerged at the age of 36 from a traumatic time in the Army to renew his career as one of jazz’s most influential and loved saxophonists.

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When Russell Met Baker: The George Russell-David Baker Sextet

George Russell David Baker Sextet

At the beginning of the 1960s jazz pianist and theorist George Russsell teamed up with trombonist and jazz educator David Baker and other Indiana jazz musicians to form one of the era’s most exciting and innovative groups. 

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Mob-Lee: Lee Morgan And Hank Mobley

George Russell David Baker Sextet

Mobley’s so-called “round sound” and Morgan’s kinetic attack made for a dynamic combination on the dozen-and-a-half studio and live sessions where they appear together.

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Making A New Kind Of Scene: New York City's Five Spot

David Amram New York City 1957

A small Bowery bar where John Coltrane came into his own with Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman stunned the jazz world with his quartet, and writers, painters, musicians and others formed an at-home underground community. Former Five Spot regulars David Amram and author Dan Wakefield join us.

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A Big Band Fourth of July

James Reese Europe and 369th

Celebrate America’s Independence Day with a legacy of swing from Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, Glenn Miller, Machito, and other iconic American artists and ensembles.

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Hope Lives: A Portrait Of Elmo Hope

James Reese Europe and 369th

Exploring the life and music of an unheralded pianist and composer from the hardbop era.

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On A Turquoise Cloud: Duke Ellington After The War, 1945-47

James Reese Europe and 369th

At the end of World War II Duke Ellington was coming off one of the most commercially and artistically successful periods of his career-the so-called Blanton-Webster years of the early 1940s.  But the cultural landscape was changing in ways that would challenge, provoke, and inspire Ellington as he continued to pursue his unique musical vision.

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"The Jackie Robinson Of Television": The Nat King Cole Show

James Reese Europe and 369th

How singer and pianist Nat King Cole pushed the boundaries of 1950s segregated culture through its hottest medium.

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Night Lights Blog

A Family Tribute To Janiece Jaffe

Janiece Jaffe

Two of the late singer's children stopped by WFIU to discuss their mother's life and music.

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A Tribute To Janiece Jaffe 1958-2022

Janiece Jaffe

A musical and conversational remembrance of Bloomington singer Janiece Jaffe, who passed away on November 23, 2022 at 64. Jaffe friends and collaborators Dave Bruker, Peter Lerner, and David Miller discuss her life and legacy, and we hear some of Jaffe's concert and studio recordings as well.

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Anon, Anon: Michael Bourne, 1946-2022

Michael Bourne

Michael Bourne became a global name in the jazz community after starting his on-air job at WBGO-Newark at the end of 1984. This tribute celebrates his beginnings at WFIU-Bloomington, Indiana in the 1970s and early 80s, with remembrances from friends and fans, interview excerpts, and a rollicking 1976 performance at Bloomington's Bluebird nightclub with Michael on lead vocals.

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My Interview With Duke Ellington

Open Ended Interview promo record

... OK, that should be "interview." A virtual conversation, using a very analog-era practice, in which I chat with the Duke about his work on the film score for ANATOMY OF A MURDER.

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Best Historical Releases 2021

John Coltrane A Love Supreme Live In Seattle

Night Lights' annual roundup of notable archival releases and reissues.

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A Tribute To Dominic Spera

Dominic Spera

Indiana University jazz studies head Tom Walsh and vocalists Rachel Caswell and Janiece Jaffe joined David Brent Johnson on WFIU's "Just You And Me" to discuss Dominic Spera, the trumpeter and former IU jazz educator who passed away on Saturday, October 23 at the age of 89. Spera's music is featured as well.

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"Thomas Merton Experiments with Meditations on Jazz": A Poem And A Night Lights Program

Brilliant Corners Summer 2020

"The great chain of witnesses": a poem by Betsy Sholl in the new issue of Brilliant Corners drew its inspiration in part from a Night Lights show.

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