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Studs interviews blues singers Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim, and Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton about the blues. They discuss the blues festival in Chicago for which they are all in town for and name other musicians who will be performing. Sunnyland Slim talks about being on the road and the hard times. Thornton describes the blues as music made from life experiences.
American jazz cornet player Wild Bill Davison known for his wild ways, discusses his career in jazz music and life in Chicago. Davison rubbed elbows with all the Chicago bigwigs from Al Capone to jazz legends such as Fats Waller.
While reminiscing about their 46-year friendship, Studs Terkel presents of retrospective of Win Stracke's work. Stracke said he was surprised that Studs hadn't outgrown their friendship. A few excerpts from past interviews are included in this interview.
Studs Terkel rebroadcasts a discussion on the Chicago School of Architecture and its future in memory of Carl Condit. Carl Condit, Richard Nickel, and Ben Weese share their opinions on the Auditorium Theatre, University of Illinois-Circle Campus, Chicago Civic Center, Monadnock Building, and historical continuity.
Studs engages the former Chicago Symphony Orchestra conductor, Sir Georg Solti, in a wide-ranging conversation about his life and career. From his early studies in Budapest with Béla Bartók, his string of good-luck opportunities before, during, and after World War II, meeting Toscanini in Lucerne, and starting on top conducting in Frankfurt, London, and finally Chicago. He discusses his many German and European musical influences and contemporaries, and stresses the importance of education, arts funding, and hard work.
Renowned soprano, Madame Rosa Raisa discusses her career, early training, Chicago debuts, travels, teaching, and hobbies post opera.
Music performance by Oscar Brown, Jr.
Paul Angle discusses his book "Crossroads: 1913," and Win Stracke provides a musical review. The three gentlemen talk in depth about the book with live and recorded music interspersed. Music: "Water--Oh!, Water For Me" and "The Rosary." "The Voice of Vienna" (a waltz).
Paul Angle discusses his book "Crossroads: 1913," and Win Stracke provides a musical review. The three gentlemen talk in depth about the book with live and recorded music interspersed. Songs include: "Casey Jones - The Union Scab," "Sweet Adeline," "We Shall Overcome," "Oh, Dear, What Can the Matter Be," and "Immortality" by William Jennings Bryan (1908).
Paul Angle, director of the Chicago Historical Society, discusses his new book "Crossroads: 1913." Win Stracke, musician, provides a musical review of Angle's book.
Interviewing the company of Free Street Too with Pat Henry, Free Street Theater founder and producer. Free Street Theater is an arts outreach organization that provides workshops in writing, theater, music and dance and stages performances for populations
Celebrated young tenor Giuseppe Sabbatini discusses his upcoming performance as Alfredo in "Traviata" at the Lyric Opera as well as beginnings, church music, debuts with little/no rehearsal and more.
Studs interviews Bud Freeman about his career in Jazz and his book, "Working" as well as his album, "Complete Bud Freeman." Freeman shares stories about his dad and brother during his childhood. He discusses various songs from his album and shares stories about his interactions with other jazz musicians. Studs reads a few passages from Freeman's book. They discuss how Freeman's creative practices and how his music has changed over the years. Musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.
Studs interviews Lawrence Freeman about his career in jazz. Studs notes that he first interviewed Freeman in 1939 as his first guest on his radio program with WGES. Freeman shares the names and events of influences in his life. He describes his interactions with other jazz musicians throughout his career and shares some stories about his brother, father, and childhood. Studs quotes Mark Miller of the Toronto Globe, music critic, for what he notes about Freeman.