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  12. DEC

ECLECTIC EXCELLENCE: PITTSBURGH GUITARIST GEORGE BENSON & NEW ORLEANS CLARINETIST AURORA NEALAND

We explore eclectic excellence with African American jazz guitar elder George Benson, who started with guitar/organ trios and has a signature sound for the ages. Then young clarinet/sax virtuoso Aurora Nealand plays traditional and modern jazz, and more, crediting Stravinsky, New Orleans Sidney Bechet and “hippie parents” for inspiration. Plus music from BB King, Louis Prima, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Atkins.

IT'S "CARNIVAL TIME" IN THE CARIBBEAN, NEW ORLEANS, AND FRENCH LOUISIANA WITH PROFESSOR LONGHAIR AND A CAST OF THOUSANDS

It’s “Carnival Time” throughout the Latin-influenced world. We’ll hear music and celebrations from the Caribbean and Gulf Coast, including Cajun and Creole courir de Mardi Gras songs and a visit on Carnival day with the singing and drumming Mohawk Hunters, Black masking Indians from Algiers, on New Orleans’ West Bank. Then a special tribute to Professor Longhair with late fellow New Orleans pianomen Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and Ellis Marsalis.

COUNTRY, CUBAN AND CAJUN: RAUL MALO & THE MAVERICKS; THE PINE LEAF BOYS

We meet Raul Malo, the Miami-born and Cuban-descended singer and leader of The Mavericks, known for country, pop and roots rock. We’ll talk about that and Latin music, all behind the band’s huge success in country music and their recent successful all Spanish language recording. Then a live concert and conversation with the Pine Leaf Boys as Louisiana French two-steps meet rock n roll. Plus music from Celia Cruz, Patsy Cline, Los Lobos and Professor Longhair.

HOME GROWN SOUL: JIMMY HUGHES AND BOOKER T. JONES

This week we visit with two masters of Southern soul. Multi-instrumentalist Booker T. Jones, along with his group the MGs, helped to create the legendary Stax sound. We talk with Booker T. about growing up in Memphis and his work with Southern rock band, the Drive-By Truckers. Soul singer Jimmy Hughes got his start at another landmark of Southern music, FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Hughes shares stories about his classic hits “Steal Away” and “Why Not Tonight,” as well as his move from gospel to soul and back again.