Night Lights

Night Lights, is a weekly one-hour jazz radio program hosted by David Brent Johnson, focusing on jazz from the 1945-1990 era—a timespan that, as Johnson notes, “weirdly parallels Miles Davis on record and the Cold War.” Covering artists such as Jackie McLean, Charles Mingus, and Nina Simone and themes ranging from jazz recordings of spirituals to avant-garde interpretations of the Great American Songbook, Night Lights also features many lesser-known talents of post-1945 jazz, such as saxophonist J.R. Monterose, trumpeter Freddie Webster, and piano/singer duo Dick and Kiz Harp.

Upcoming Programs

Jan 20th: Pittsburgh Soul Connection Horace Parlan and Stanley Turrentine

At the beginning of the 1960s saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and pianist Horace Parlan teamed up to make a dynamic run of recordings for the Blue Note label.

Jan 27th: Roy Eldridge: Portrait of Little Jazz

He could split the stratosphere with his high notes, play you sweet and low with his ballads--and woe to any other trumpeter who showed up ready to jam. Night Lights pays tribute to one of jazz's most fiery trumpeters.

Previous Programs

Jan 13th: Dear Martin, P.S.: More Jazz Tributes To Martin Luther King Jr.

Jazz recordings in honor of the civil-rights leader made by James Spaulding, Billy Taylor, Herbie Hancock, and others.

Jan 6th: Best Historical Releases 2020

Night Lights’ annual round-up of some favorite reissues and new historical releases from the year just passed, including music from Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Tubby Hayes, and the Brecker Brothers.

Dec 30th: Swingers: Hugh Hefner, Playboy Magazine, and Jazz

Hugh Hefner was best known as the founder of Playboy Magazine, but in the early days of his media empire he often showcased jazz performers and sponsored jazz festivals. We’ll hear recordings from some of those events and delve into the history of Hefner’s relationship with jazz with author Patty Farmer.

Dec 23rd: Have Yourself A Very Quiet Christmas

Night Lights pays tribute to the holidays in the mellowest of moods, with music from Joe Pass, Dave Brubeck, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and more.