David Alpern, JazzVoice.org member and host of World Policy on Air has been interviewing vocalists for many years. He wanted to share his favorite interviews with us! Check out the full archive
WHAT SINGERS HAVE TO TELL US
As the son of a "girl singer," circa 1939 on the road and radio in New York City, my musical tastes tended toward The Great American Songbook and performers who help keep its "standards" alive. So during 32+ years with a radio interview show of my own -- first Newsweek On Air, for the magazine where I was a reporter, writer and senior editor, then independent, non-profit For Your Ears Only -- I took every opportunity to feature both music and music-makers.
Hear my late mom, Brooklyn-born Libbie Roe (nee Roginsky) at WHN and WINS, where the house "orchestra" was led by industry veteran Louis Katzman, who had conducted for Gershwin on the radio.
-- Hope you enjoy. David Alpern
jazz artist and performer, author of autobiography (and CD) "Girl Singer" -- at 43:56
award-winning singer and recording artist -- at 35:35
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
singer, pianist, music historian and cabaret impresario
-- on George, Ira and the "standards" -- at 23:54
-- on Ira, George, Michael, and his book "The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs” (Simon and Schuster) -- at 27:20
-- on Barbara Cook and other singers, -- at 35:06
Broadway/Cabaret Legend, on her approach to songs old and new and her show "Let's Fall in Love" at Feinstein's/Loews Regency, NYC -- at 27:14
jazz singer/songwriter/actress/activist on "You Gotta Pay the Band," her 1991 CD with Stan Getz, replayed to mark her death at 80 -- at 43:00
MARILYN MAYE
ageless show business veteran
-- on “The Happiest Sound in Town,” her show at Feinstein’s/Loews Regency, NYC -- at 27:18
-- on When Customers Call the Tunes and her show "Marilyn By Request" at The Metropolitan Room, NYC -- at 35:20
JANE MONHEIT
-- on Music, Motherhood, and her 10th anniversary CD "Home" (Emarcy/Universal Records) -- -- at 35:07
-- on "The Heart of the Matter," her 11th CD -- -- at 35:21
as recalled by Dr. Donald Bogle, NYU and University of Pennsylvania film/TV historian, author of "Heat Wave: The Life and Career of Ethel Waters"(HarperCollins, February 2011) -- at 27:41
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
singer/songwriter/actress
-- on her show "Bridges" at Birdland Jazz Club, NYC -- at 35:20
-- with singer/actress sister Liz Callaway on their divergent careers and duo show, "Sibling Revelry," at the 54 Below supper club, NYC -- at 27:33