A week in the movies to spend some jazz and blues inspired time, and new Pittsburgh holiday jazz, too. That’s the Scene this week on WZUM.
The film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” opens on Netflix this weekend. The August Wilson story, inspired by the real Ma Rainey, is set in Chicago around the time of a seminal recording session.
The film has a stellar cast and musical direction by Branford Marsalis - and was filmed largely in Pittsburgh.
We visit some late 1920’s sounds from Ma Rainey, and also hear from Branford Marsalis, who shares the insight that without Ma Rainey, there’d have been no Bessie Smith. Without Bessie Smith, no Billie Holiday. And so the connections evolve,
Scott Hanley and Branford Marsalis, 2019
We also celebrate the 100th birthday of jazz great Clark Terry with the revelation that IMDB has offered up the touching and enriching 2014 documentary about his relationship, late in life, with pianist Justin Kauflin. Click the Link to see it.
Also - new holiday sounds from Tania Grubbs and Katie Simone!
The Scene - Thursday nights at 6, Sunday nights at 5 and Friday and Saturday at noon WZUM.
