Tag: jazz

Houston Matters

Houston’s Often Forgotten Contributions To The Music World

Posted on · From Houng Dog to Texas Flood, we hear the often-forgotten stories of hit songs and legendary artists who have their origins in Houston.

Full Show

Houston Matters Weekend for September 24, 2016

Posted on · Last December (2015), a rape victim was housed for nearly a month at the Harris County Jail in order to ensure she would testify against a serial rapist who assaulted her. The prosecutor concluded it was the only viable option after she suffered a mental breakdown on the witness stand and said she would not […]

Houston Matters

Jazz Bassist Christian McBride Collaborates with Houston Chamber Choir

Posted on · Over the weekend (Sunday, May 22, 2016), jazz bassist and five-time Grammy winner Christian McBride and his trio performed with the Houston Chamber Choir at the Wortham Theater Center. The trio premiered a new piece designed for a jazz ensemble and choir. Before McBride got into town last week, he told Michael Hagerty about applying […]

Full Show

Transgender Houstonians, and Chef Robert Del Grande: Tuesday’s Show (May 24, 2016)

Posted on · Between last year's Houston Equal Rights Ordinance saga and political back-and-forth these days in North Carolina, the word transgender has been in the news for quite some time now, often coupled with misconceptions or hateful accusations. But what does it really mean to be transgender in Greater Houston today? On this edition of Houston Matters, […]

Full Show

The State of Houston’s Arts and Culture: Friday’s show (April 15, 2016)

Posted on · On today's program, we conclude our 2nd annual "State of Houston" series – exploring the state of Greater Houston's economy, transportation, health, education, environment, politics and culture. Today, we look at what's happening here in arts and culture, with News 88.7’s arts and culture reporter Amy Bishop.

Houston Matters

Frontier Jazz Orchestra Blends Jazz, Bluegrass and Chamber Music

Posted on · The Houston-based Frontier Jazz Orchestra is performing in town later this week. Jacqui Sutton is the lead vocalist and bandleader. She joins us to talk about the group’s blend of jazz, bluegrass, and orchestral/chamber music.

Houston Matters

Remembering Jazz Pianist Joe Sample

Posted on · We remember jazz pianist and composer Joe Sample. The longtime Houstonian died Friday at the age of 75. Sample became well known in the 1960s as the pianist for the Jazz Crusaders, who eventually shortened their name to simply the Crusaders. Sample gained notoriety for adding electric keyboards to his repertoire. In addition to his […]

Full Show

Abortion, Remembering Joe Sample, and Frontier Jazz Orchestra: Houston Matters for Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014

Posted on · Abortion rights supporters and opponents in Texas are awaiting a ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in an ongoing legal battle over an abortion law Texas legislators passed last year. The law, as written, requires (among other provisions) that all clinics providing abortions in Texas meet the same standards as hospital-style surgical centers. […]

Houston Matters

Does Jazz Exist in Houston?

Posted on · This past spring, Houston writer David Theis attended a concert by jazz pianist — and Houston native — Jason Moran. Moran, like many jazz musicians educated in Houston, left to pursue a career in New York, and that left Theis wondering why isn’t there more jazz in Houston? So Theis, editor of Literary Houston and […]

Full Show

CEOs & Plane Crashes, Anger Management and Jazz: Houston Matters for Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Posted on · CEOs are dying in private plane crashes more often than you might think. Why? And what does it have to do with Houston? Well, the connection lies in the oil and gas industry, and industries like it, and how the personalities of CEOs which allow them to be calculated risk-takers also lead some of them […]

Houston Matters

Vocalist Discusses Her Transition from Opera to Jazz

Posted on · Jazz singer Danielle Reich grew up playing the piano and singing, and for a while performed with the Houston Grand Opera Chorus. But eventually she decided opera was too stressful but wanted to keep singing. So she starting taking lessons in jazz vocals at Houston Community College. But, as she tells Houston Matters’ Michael Hagerty, […]

Full Show

Houston’s Beer & Wine Scene, Early Childhood Education & Switching From Opera to Jazz: Houston Matters for Thurs., Jan. 23, 2014

Posted on · We learned recently a new craft beer festival will debut in Houston this fall. And Draft Magazine recently named some Houston bars to its list of ‘America’s Hundred Best Beer Bars.’ And Wine Enthusiast Magazine recently named Texas Hill Country as a top wine travel destination for 2014. Today on Houston Matters, we’ll discuss the […]