The Friday Riff

This week we welcome two wonderful guests: Jazz musician, multi-instrumentalist, painter, composer, performer, educator, and writer Oliver Lake; and UCSB Black Studies/Sociology Professor George Lipsitz. Professor Lipsitz and Mr. Lake will discuss jazz and beyond as part of Mr. Lake’s residency at UCSB’s College of Creative Studies.

Oliver Lake is a long-time member and co-founder of the World Saxophone Quartet, and was also co-founder of St. Louis’ important late 60’s/early 70’s collective B.A.G. (Black Artists’ Group). He has played with a host of musicians and ensembles, won numerous awards, and is an extraordinary performer and educator.

More information on Oliver Lake can be found at http://www.oliverlake.net

George Lipsitz is a prolific author and scholar of American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sociology, and Music. He has taught and published on a wide range of topics including social movements, urban culture, and inequality. He currently teaches in the departments of Sociology and Black Studies at UCSB.

Don’t miss this show!

Continuing the themes from our previous conversation with Arab music scholar Dr. Scott Marcus and musician Colter Frazier, we’ll listen to more music that is either influenced by Muslim/Arab culture, or combines jazz and Arab music into interesting fusions. And to continue the spirit of February 15th’s Anti-War Rally, we’ll also listen to some jazz that specifically protests the ongoing Iraq war from Charlie Haden‘s recent Liberation Music Orchestra album, “Not in Our Name.”

This show will feature two very special guests: Professor of Ethnomusicology and director of the UCSB Middle East Ensemble, Scott Marcus, and saxophonist and fellow KCSB programmer, Colter Frazier. Prof. Marcus will discuss the complex role of music in Islam, and discuss issues featured in his recent book, Music in Egypt (Oxford U. Press, 2007). Mr. Frazier will report on his recent residency in Cairo and his musical experiences there. Music selections include jazz and Arab music from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Colter’s projects in Egypt, and more!

In honor of the Santa Barbara Film Festival, today’s show features jazz from various film scores. Includes music by Miles Davis, Sun Ra, academy award-winning composer Ennio Morricone (as interpreted by John Zorn), and others. (Errata: John Tchicai is Afro-Danish, not Afro-Dutch).