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

Jul 15th: After The All-Stars: Live at the Lighthouse 1960-1972

Live recordings made at the nightclub in Hermosa Beach, California, featuring Joe Henderson, Elvin Jones, and others.

Jul 22nd: Late Art: Art Blakey in the 1980s

In the last decade of his life Art Blakey continued to mentor new talent in his Jazz Messengers group, helping to elevate musicians such as Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, and Mulgrew Miller.

Jul 29th: Electrifying: Charlie Christian

Music from one of the 20th century's most influential guitarists, heard with Benny Goodman and others.

Previous Programs

Jul 8th: Hank Mobley’s Third Season

Music that the hardbop saxophonist recorded for the Blue Note label in the 1960s.

Jul 1st: Ahmad Jamal

Music of the pianist in tribute to his 90th birthday.

Jun 24th: On The Scene at the Five Spot

Exploring a legendary 1950s New York City jazz club with musician David Amram, who frequented it as both a musician and a listener.

Jun 17th: The Juneteenth Jazz Jamboree

A jazz tribute to Juneteenth, the African-American holiday marking the end of slavery, with music from Paul Robeson and Count Basie, John Coltrane, Max Roach, Louis Jordan, and others.