September 14, 1992

A Veteran Jazz Vocalist Proves "It's Not About the Melody"

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album and a reissue by singer Betty Carter.

05:18

Contributor

Kevin Whitehead

Other segments from the episode on September 14, 1992

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 14, 1992: Interview with Abraham Rodriquez; Review of Betty Carter's albums "It's Not About the Melody" and "I Can't Help It"; Interview with David Clennon.

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September 14, 1992

22:48

Abraham Rodriguez on Capturing the South Bronx on the Page

The debut writer's first book of short stories is "The Boy Without a Flag: Tales of The South Bronx." It's an autobiographical collection about the people in his neighborhood. He has said, "I write about the rancid underbelly of the American Dream." He's also in a punk rock band called Urgent Fury.

Interview

Abraham Rodriguez

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September 14, 1992

12:23

Actor David Clennon on His Career After "thirtysomething"

Many listeners will know Clennon from his role as Miles Drentell on the ABC TV show "thirtysomething." He received and Emmy nomination for the part. Now he plays a drug dealer in the new Paul Schrader film "Light Sleeper" along with Willem Dafoe and Susan Sarandon. He's also been in the films "Missing," "the Right Stuff," "Sweet Dreams," "The Thing," "The Paper Chase," and many others. Offscreen, he's very active in Central American politics.

Interview

David Clennon

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with excerpts from her Fresh Air interviews and concerts. She died last weekend after jumping to her death. She was 55. She had 17 albums to her credit and a repertoire of more than 3000 songs. Besides being a literate interpreter of American popular song, she was also a prose writer who published fiction in Mademoiselle, Cosmopolitan and The O. Henry Book of Short Stories. We also talk with Susannah McCorkle's ex-husband and former manager Dan Dinicola.(REBROADCASTS from 7/17/87, 12/23/88, 4/12/91, 7/3/96).

Obituary

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April 30, 2015

06:40

Two Takes On Billie Holiday

In honor of Billie Holiday's 100th birthday this month, several artists are releasing out Holiday tribute albums. Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead looks at a couple of these by other singers. One he rather likes; the other, not so much.

Review

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September 22, 2014

06:17

Jason Moran Modernizes Fats Waller, With Uneven Results

Now that the pianists' Fats Waller project tours and has a new album, Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead admits to mixed feelings.

Review

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A Veteran Jazz Vocalist Proves "It's Not About the Melody"

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Other segments from the episode on September 14, 1992

Abraham Rodriguez on Capturing the South Bronx on the Page

Actor David Clennon on His Career After "thirtysomething"

Transcript

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We Remember Singer Susannah McCorkle

Two Takes On Billie Holiday

Jason Moran Modernizes Fats Waller, With Uneven Results

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