Labor Day with Toots Hibbert and Johnny Rivers
Put your feet up and relax on this Labor Day weekend with music of work and workers in blues, jazz, country and more. There’s also a conversation with one- time barber and boxer, reggae legend Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals. Hard-working roots rocker Johnny Rivers drops by to talk about his developing that live Whiskey-A-Go-Go sound. Plus we visit the morgue for thoughts on music and life from New Orleans’ official coroner—and trumpeter—Dr. Frank Minyard.
Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals
Celebrate epic moments in American music from the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals—from Duke Ellington’s 1956 comeback to Bob Dylan’s 1965 electric revolution. Mark the 50th anniversary of the Jazz Festival with performances by Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson, Louis Armstrong, and a visit from trumpet legend Clark Terry, who played with Ellington in ’56. Festival founder George Wein also joins us to share his memories, such as the founding of the Folk Festival in 1959 that featured blues, gospel, country, Cajun and more; and folk singer Joan Baez recalls her Newport experiences. Plus Newport performances from Doc Watson, John Lee Hooker and others.