Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, August 27, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - Starting this September, WFIU Public Radio will bring a series of specials based on the collaboration between legendary journalist, novelist, and screenwriter Dan Wakefield and tenor saxophonist Sophie Faught.
The Uncle Dan and Sophie Jam combines Wakefield's interviews with related music from Faught and her jazz ensemble. The program debuts September 21 at 7 p.m. on WFIU.
Wakefield and Faught's radio show grew out of a chance meeting between them at an Indianapolis jazz club.
"For several years, I worked at the independent bookstore on Mass Avenue in Indianapolis, which of course was where I heard about the great Dan Wakefield (though I don't think he had heard about me!).
I also played with my jazz trio every Wednesday night just down the street at the Chatterbox. One night he was walking by with a friend while the band and I were playing 'My Shining Hour,' one of Dan's favorite songs from the WWII era. He walked in and enjoyed the music enough to request we play another one of his favorites--'I Should Care.' We were delighted to do so," said Faught.
Following their initial meeting, Wakefield and Faught discovered that their literary and musical tastes intersected in many places. Wakefield started hiring Faught to play for his book signings and other events, sowing the seeds of their eventual on-air partnership.
"Soon, we decided it would be fun to collaborate on a radio show. Essentially, we were just looking for more excuses to get together and share music and stories!" said Faught.
The first Uncle Dan and Sophie Jam special that WFIU will air centers around the history of jazz on Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis. The program includes Wakefield interviewing author Aleta Hodge about her book Indiana Avenue - Life and Musical Journey from 1915 to 2015: Ragtime, Blues, Jazz, Spiritual, Bebop, Doo Wop, Motown, Opera and Hip Hop with Faught playing musical selections from Indiana Avenue. Faught is joined by keyboardist Carl Hines, who played at many clubs on Indiana Avenue, and drummer Kenny Phelps. The show was recorded live before an audience at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis.
WFIU plans to air The Uncle Dan and Sophie Jam specials once a month. The next live taping of their radio show will take place at the Blockhouse in Bloomington August 30 at 7 p.m and will be aired on WFIU in October.
Wakefield and Faught will explore the life of Hoosier journalist Janet Flanner and will be joined by special guest Rai Peterson and a house band playing Paris swing from the 1920s.
Tickets are $15 and are available in advance through bit.ly/uncledan or at the door.
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