Jazz

Arts & Music

A jazz opera about the 1940s labor union struggles at RJR Tobacco Company comes home to Winston-Salem

5:00am June 27, 2025

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company marks its 150th anniversary this year. Known for brands like Camel, its lesser-known history involves 1940s labor strikes led by Black women workers. A new jazz opera, "Love Songs from the Liberation Wars," highlights this story, with a special performance Saturday at the North Carolina Museum of Art — Winston-Salem.

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The John Coltrane historical marker was placed in front of his childhood home in High Point, North Carolina in August 2019.

Arts & Music

'Trane Tracks music festival supports restoration of John Coltrane’s childhood home in High Point

3:52pm April 25, 2024

by David Ford

Jazz legend John Coltrane's childhood home is being turned into a museum and community education center. A new music festival aims to raise funds to support the renovation.

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Arts & Music

Jazz innovator Wayne Shorter: a look back at his philosophies on music and life

4:20pm March 09, 2023

by David Ford

In this interview from WFDD's archives, jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter reflects on his career, and shares his philosophies on life and music.

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Sonny Rollins biographer to speak at Bookmarks in Winston-Salem

3:32pm February 23, 2023

by David Ford

A conversation between Sonny Rollins biographer Aidan Levy and WFDD's David Ford.

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Music & Culture

From bebop to hip-hop: Gary Bartz's sax sound shapes many eras

2:58pm June 23, 2022

by Sarah Geledi

Gary Bartz shares stories from his sixty-plus-year career, covering everything from bebop to hip-hop. Hear a heartfelt conversation between the legendary saxophonist and host Christian McBride.

Mazel Tov Cocktail Party's influences are global, but the sound they create is uniquely their own.

Mazel Tov Cocktail Party: Take an ounce of hip hop, dash of polka, then square dance

5:08am May 02, 2022

by Jon Kalish

Finding a thriving dance culture in the Adirondacks Mountains inspired the band to take its sound in an unexpected direction.

Bill Frisell Brings 'Harmony' To Winston-Salem

3:19pm September 02, 2021

by Eddie Garcia

Bill Frisell's renowned career as a guitarist and composer has spanned decades.

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American jazzman Louis Armstrong plays trumpet in his dressing room before a show in 1947 in a New York jazz cabaret. Hurricane Ida destroyed the Karnofsky Shop in New Orleans, which was a formative influence on Armstrong's musical life.

Ida Leveled The Karnofsky Shop, Louis Armstrong's Second Home

1:06pm August 31, 2021

The Karnofsky Shop was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its outsized impact on Louis Armstrong's life. The family that lived there encouraged him to pursue music.

Arts

Triad Bassist Lives Blue Note Dream

5:57am March 05, 2021

by David Ford

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A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Rosita, Bert & Ernie and Count Von Count.

Music & Culture

Swinging The Clouds Away: Jazz Takes Over Sesame Street

1:09pm October 23, 2020

On this show, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis invite the Sesame Street gang onstage. Plus, trombonist Joe Fielder's Open Sesame share rare songs from the Sesame songbook.