With over 70 years of playing jazz under his belt, Sonny Rollins has seen a thing or two. He was present at so many turning points in the music: from bebop to modal jazz, post bop to fusion... and beyond.Now days at the age of 93, Sonny Rollins is one of the last of his generation and a true elder statesman. His contribution to music in both the 20th and 21st centuries is immense, and to this day, many aspiring tenor saxophonists still look to Sonny as a source on inspiration.He was a powerful player with a dominating sound - but he's also a gentle giant too, someone who was always looking to collaborate and pursue new avenues in jazz. Discover Sonny's life and music across this episode, with archival highlights from the ABC's vault, as well as excerpts from pianist Ben Sidran's Talking Jazz series on CD.This episode, presented by bass player and ABC Classic host, Eric Ajaye, was originally broadcast 3 July 2024
--------
54:05
--------
54:05
Jazz Legends: Nina Simone
The name Nina Simone can mean many things to many people. Casual fans of her music will no doubt remember her hits like 'I Loves You Porgy', or 'My Baby Just Cares For Me'. For others, though, Nina Simone was one of the most defiant and outspoken performers in the jazz field for much of her career.After an initial rise to fame in the 1950s, Nina started to use her music as a form of protest in the 1960s, becoming one of the most prominent artists involved in the civil rights movement in America. With her lengthy gigs and probing albums, Simone sought to tackle racism and segregation head on, and some of her most powerful works came from this era.On this episode, we wind back the years on the singer and pianist's incredible career. You'll hear from Simone herself and we'll touch on why her music was and still is so important to this very day.This episode, presented by Eric Ajaye, was originally broadcast 5 Nov 2024 on ABC Classic
--------
54:04
--------
54:04
Stephen Sondheim — taking a razor to conventions (Part II)
We continue our journey into the life and work of Stephen Sondheim, the composer and lyricist of some of the most well-regarded musical theatre ever made.We are joined by performer Philip Quast, authors Joanne Gordon and Robert L McLaughlin, directors of several Sondheim productions Dean Bryant and Sonya Suares, and we speak with the New York Times' chief theatre critic Jesse Green about Here We Are, Sondheim's posthumous final musical.
--------
54:04
--------
54:04
The Stage Show
Your guide to what's happening on stages across the country and beyond.
--------
54:04
--------
54:04
Stephen Sondheim — taking a razor to conventions (Part I)
Stephen Sondheim is the composer and lyricist of some of the most well-regarded musical theatre ever made. We delve into his life, work and impact on the form.We hear archival interviews with Sondheim himself and are joined by performer Philip Quast, author Joanne Gordon (Art Isn't Easy: The Theatre of Stephen Sondheim), director of several Sondheim productions, Dean Bryant, and Sonya Suares, founding artistic director of the Sondheim repertory company Watch This.
Australia