AMERICAN ROUTES
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Koutaté Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Koutaté June 7th, 2023 (Hour 1)
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Koutaté

It’s Blueswomen, Jazzmen, African roots and branches. Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland‘s father, the late blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, brought her into his music as a child. As an adult, she found new ways to use blues to express her perspective. We’ll hear from some of Shemekia’s heroes including Etta James, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunter and Big Mama Thornton. Then a conversation and performance by Boston-based Mandinka balafon player Balla Kouyaté and music inspired by and from the continent of Africa from Randy Weston, Miriam Makeba and the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Shemekia Copeland photo by Mike White

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HALLOWEEN

October 27th, 1999

That old black magic’s got you under its spell in our show honoring All Saints. Tricks and treats from blues goblins, country werewolves, and those who’ve purportedly sold their souls (but not their Soul) for their art. With musical goose bumps from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Howlin’ Wolf, Sarah Vaughan, and William Burroughs.

  • Listen to Hour One
  • Listen to Hour Two

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: Halloween Spooks Lambert, Hendricks and Ross
    The Hottest New Group In Jazz, Columbia
  • Moondance Van Morrison
    The Best of Van Morrison, Polydor
  • T'aint No Sin (To Take Off Your Skin And Dance Around In Your Bones) Fred Hall & His Sugarbabies
    Fred Hall & His Sugarbabies, The Old Masters
  • T'aint No Sin William Burroughs & Tom Waits
    The Black Rider, Island
  • Instrumental: Swamp Fire Martin Denny
    Ultra-Lounge, Capitol
  • I Hear Voices Screamin' Jay Hawkins & the Chicken Hawks
    The Best of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Rhino
  • I Put A Spell On You Creedence Clearwater Revival
    Chronicle, Fantasy
  • The Devil Had A Hold of Me Gillian Welch
    Hell Among The Yearlings, Almo
  • Hellhound on My Trail Robert Johnson
    King of the Delta Blues, Columbia
  • I Ain't Superstitious Howlin Wolf
    The Box Set, MCA/Chess
  • Superstition Stevie Wonder
    Talking Book, Motown
  • Instrumental: Dracula Medeski, Martin & Wood
    Shack-Man, Rykodisc
  • Jumpin Punkins Cecil Taylor
    Complete Candid, Mosaic
  • I Walk on Gilded Splinters Dr. John
    The Very Best of Dr. John, Rhino
  • Haunted House Blues Lonnie Johnson
    Blues & Ballads, Bluesville

HOUR two

  • Twilight Zone The Ventures
    In Space, Liberty
  • Marie LaVeau Papa Celestin
    Marie LaVeau, GHB
  • That Old Black Magic Louis Prima w/Keely Smith
    Capitol Collectors Series, Capitol
  • Trick or Treat Otis Redding
    Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding, Rhino
  • Werewolves of London Warren Zevon
    I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: An Anthology, Rhino
  • The Werewolf Michael Hurley
    Wolfways, Koch
  • Howlin at the Moon Hank Williams
    The Original Singles Collection Plus..., Polydor
  • Red Ridin Hood Sam the Sham
    Dumb Ditties, K-Tel
  • Instrumental: The Munsters Theme Los Straightjackets
    Halloween Hootenanny, Geffen
  • Halloween Charles Ives/Detroit Chamber Winds
    Remembrance: A Charles Ives Collection, Koch
  • La Toussaint Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys
    La Toussaint, Rounder
  • Tam Lin Sandy Denny & Fairport Convention
    Who Knows Where The Time Goes, Hannibal
  • Instrumental: When the Saints Go Marching In Tuts Washington
    Mardi Gras Party, Rounder
  • I Scare Myself Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks
    Return To Hicksville: The Best of Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, Hip-O
  • Skeleton in the Closet Louis Armstrong
    Highlights From His Decca Years, Decca
  • Witchcraft Sarah Vaughan
    You're Mine You, Roulette
  • End Bed: The Blob The Five Blobs
    Halloween Hits, Rhino

THE LATEST STREAMS

  • June 7th, 2023

    BLUES AND JAZZ, AFRICAN ROOTS AND BRANCHES WITH SHEMEKIA COPELAND AND BALLA KOUTATé

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  • May 31st, 2023

    PIANO PEOPLE AND MORE: JASON MORAN & HEATH ALLEN

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  • May 24th, 2023

    MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE 2022 NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWS

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