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

Jun 27th: Caravan: Martial Solal, The Early Years

1950s and early 60s recordings by the French pianist.

Previous Programs

Jun 20th: Dolphy '64

Music from the last year of saxophonist Eric Dolphy’s life, including his landmark LP Out to Lunch and collaborations with Charles Mingus and Andrew Hill.

Jun 13th: From Naptown To Paris: Wes Montgomery Live

Wes Montgomery, who died in June of 1968, was one of the most influential jazz guitarists of his generation. In recent years newly-discovered live recordings have surfaced, and we'll hear some of them along with classic dates from New York City's Half Note and other venues.

Jun 6th: Cafe Society: The Wrong Place For The Right People

Cafe Society was New York City's first integrated nightclub and a gathering spot for politically engaged artists and intellectuals, as well as jazz performers like Billie Holiday and Frank Newton. We'll hear music from the musicians who played there and talk with cultural historian Michael McGerr and Café Society expert Terry Trilling-Josephson.

May 30th: Ready For Freddie: Freddie Redd on Blue Note

May 23rd: Final Miles

Music from trumpeter Miles Davis' final years, including his albums Amandla and Tutu, and collaborations with Shirley Horn and Quincy Jones.