Jazz90.1 Streams Soul Jazz Spectrum Tonight
Jazz90.1 announced a Soul Jazz Spectrum encore with Melvin Sparks, Johnnie Taylor, and Marcus Miller at 9pm ET. The live stream features jazz-funk-blues fusion highlighting some of the genre's most influential artists. Meanwhile, The Jazz Kitchen is hyping Bria Skonberg's hot jazz shows on Mar 6 with performances at 7pm & 9:30pm.
The "Soul Jazz Spectrum" tonight spotlights a trio of artists who have each left a significant mark on the genre. Guitarist Melvin Sparks, who passed in 2011, was a key figure in the soul-jazz movement of the late '60s and early '70s, known for his clean, funky guitar lines. He was a sought-after session musician for labels like Prestige and Blue Note, backing legendary organists such as Dr. Lonnie Smith and Charles Earland. Johnnie Taylor, dubbed the "Philosopher of Soul," brought a unique blend of gospel, blues, and R&B to his music. Active for nearly half a century, Taylor is best known for his chart-topping 1976 hit "Disco Lady," which became the first single ever to be certified platinum. Before his solo success, he followed Sam Cooke as the lead singer of the famed gospel group, the Soul Stirrers. Marcus Miller, a two-time Grammy winner, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer. His distinctive bass sound, a fusion of funk, groove, and soul, has been featured on hundreds of recordings for artists like Luther Vandross, Miles Davis, and Aretha Franklin. Miller's 15-year partnership with Vandross resulted in 13 consecutive platinum albums. The station hosting the stream, Jazz90.1 (WGMC-FM) in Rochester, New York, is one of the last full-time community jazz radio stations in the United States. Founded in 1973 and licensed to the Greece Central School District, it relies on listener donations and is largely volunteer-run. The station prides itself on playing more new jazz than any other radio station in the U.S. while also featuring the classics. Meanwhile, The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, where Bria Skonberg will perform, is consistently ranked among the top jazz clubs in the world. Since opening in 1994, it has hosted a long list of jazz luminaries, including Harry Connick Jr., J.J. Johnson, and Ray Brown. The venue is also a key partner in producing the annual Indy Jazz Fest. Trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg is a leading figure in the "hot jazz" revival, drawing inspiration from early jazz pioneers like Louis Armstrong. The Juno award-winning artist moved from British Columbia to New York City in 2010 and has since become a prominent performer and educator. She co-founded the New York Hot Jazz Festival and is recognized for her ability to blend classic jazz with a contemporary feel.
