Jun 08 Special Juneteenth Specials 2021 June 19 7pm A Call for Freedom with Kiana Del We’ll dig into the concept of freedom using Black American music as our language. Moving through the base elements of jazz, we’ll explore the history of Juneteenth, the cry for and celebration of liberation, as well as what history’s musicians have had to say about […] By WUOL Jun 08 Special Juneteenth Specials 2021 By WUOL
Nov 13 Blog Lara Downes – Amplify Pianist Lara Downes has a new project that has her closing the lid on the piano (just for a little bit), and opening a microphone. In “Amplify,” a new series from NPR Music, Downes talks with black musicians about the issues and challenges affecting their profession in general, and especially through a pandemic. The roster […] By Daniel Gilliam Nov 13 Blog Lara Downes – Amplify By Daniel Gilliam
Oct 31 Blog ‘In The Act Of Living, You’re A Revolutionary’: Anthony McGill Talks With Lara Downes The New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist blows apart the labels he once applied to himself to discover a stream of activism. By WUOL Oct 31 Blog ‘In The Act Of Living, You’re A Revolutionary’: Anthony McGill Talks With Lara Downes By WUOL
May 31 Blog Lara Downes: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert Watch the pianist reimagine old spirituals and songs of freedom that continue to resonate in new ways. By Tom Huizenga May 31 Blog Lara Downes: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert By Tom Huizenga
Jul 15 Featured Album Featured Album: Holes in the Sky Lara Downes’ newest album and collaborative project “Holes in the Sky” is a mix from across the musical spectrum, from songwriter Judy Collins to Florence Price, and a new generation of musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Ifetayo Ali-Landing. Inspired by words from Georgia O’Keefe, the album “tells the story of what women and girls can […] By WUOL Jul 15 Featured Album Featured Album: Holes in the Sky By WUOL
Feb 22 Featured Album Featured Album: For Lenny This year marks the centennial of Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918-October 14, 1990), the iconic, polymath, and genius pianist, composer, conductor, educator, and representative of American musical culture. With concerts and tributes planned around the world, a slew of new recordings are also marking the occasion. Among these is Lara Downes’ tribute For Lenny, which […] By WUOL Feb 22 Featured Album Featured Album: For Lenny By WUOL
Nov 02 Blog Featured Album & Giveaway: Lara Downes’ America Again Inspired by Langston Hughes’ “Let America be America Again,” pianist Lara Downes’ latest album on Sono Luminus label explores the rich diversity of music in our country, as an expression of the American dream. You’ll hear the music of Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Morton Gould, Scott Joplin, Angélica Negrón, Florence Price, […] By Daniel Gilliam Nov 02 Blog Featured Album & Giveaway: Lara Downes’ America Again By Daniel Gilliam