American Routes Live: Creole Songlines of Leyla McCalla and Saxophonist Donald Harrison's Jazz Journey
We go live in concert and conversation with two New Orleans artists each of whom bring their family heritage forward into contemporary music. Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla has called New Orleans home for many years, but her family ties are to Haiti. She draws on French Creole roots for inspiration, as well as from the poetry of Langston Hughes. Then jazz saxophonist Big Chief Donald Harrison, whose musical journey includes time in New York with drummer Art Blakey’s band, talks about “Afro-New Orleans” culture and demonstrates how to bring soul, funk, and Black carnival traditions into modern jazz.
Baton Rouge blues pianist Henry Gray passed away at age 95. He played with Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells, and was a stalwart in the Baton Rouge blues scene.
You can hear our interview with him here, and his performance at the 2016 Baton Rouge Blues Festival here.
