MILESTONES: Celebrating the Culture

On the latest episode of Milestones: Celebrating the Culture, NEA Jazz Master and GRAMMY-winning recording artist Terri Lyne Carrington joins host Angélika Beener to spotlight two under-acknowledged figures in their centennial year: trombonist, arranger and trailblazing trombonist Melba Liston, and Rock & Roll progenitor, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

On the next special edition episode of Milestones: Celebrating the Culture podcast, host Angélika Beener commemorates 100 years of Miles Davis with two masters of their craft whose work helped carry Davis’s legacy across generations — award-winning trumpeter and composer and the sound behind the Miles Davis biopic, Miles Ahead Keyon Harrold, and legendary hip-hop producer Easy Mo Bee, the architec...

Celebration the 60th anniversary of Speak No Evil, the 1966 masterpiece by Wayne Shorter that stands as one of the defining works of post-bop music. Guest Jeremy Pelt joins the conversation to talk about this classic and his brand new album.

On this episode of Milestones: Celebrating the Culture, host Angélika Beener sits down with pianist, composer, and producer Nat Adderley Jr.

The push for a federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday began almost immediately after Dr. King’s assassination in April 1968, when the late Representative John Conyers introduced the first motion to make King’s birthday a federal holiday. Yet it would take another 11 years for the proposal to reach the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote in 1979. When the bill fell just five votes shor...

In the world of music, few names resonate quite like that of Steely Dan. Often cited by critics as one of their finest works, Pretzel Logic — their third album — marks a significant evolution in their musical journey. In honor of its 50th anniversary, on this episode of Milestones we delve into the landmark album with GRAMMY winning guitarist Isaiah Sharkey, whose admiration for Steely Dan runs de...

Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder is 60

The family of Max Roach discusses their iconic dad during centennial year

Pianist, composer, educator and advocate Bertha Hope-Booker, joins us to discuss her fascinating musical journey -- including her recording career and her legacy and preservation work. With a career spanning over six decades, we take a deep dive into the early years that brought her from Los Angeles to New York City, the keys to developing her own sound, the best advice she received from Philly Jo...

Legendary pianist, composer, arranger, and contemporary jazz giant Bob James joins Milestones as we delve into his experimental CTI debut, One, for its 50th anniversary.

Season 3 Episode 1: Soundtracking Society: Brian Jackson Talks Winter in America at 50

In Part Two of our special Isley Brothers celebration, award winning vocalist, instrumentalist, producer, composer, and cultural historian TL Cross is back to help unpack the genius of The Isley Brothers' 1973 classic '3+3.'

In Part One of this episode of the Milestones podcast, host Angelika Beener talks with vocalist, instrumentalist, producer, composer, and cultural historian TL Cross about the legacy of The Isley Brothers.

In honor of Coltrane's 97th birthday, renowned astrologer Sam Reynolds joins Milestones host Angelika Beener to explore the inner journey of John Coltrane through the lens of astrology.

GRAMMY® award-winning trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, vocalist, and activist Keyon Harrold joins Milestones to discuss Donald Byrd's groundbreaking masterpiece Black Byrd, released 50 years ago this year.

GRAMMY-nominated musicians Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke discuss their brand-new, long-awaited album, as well as their mutual mentor Herbie Hancock in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his groundbreaking funk-meets-jazz album, Head Hunters.

It's Black Music Month! On this special throwback edition of Milestones, we're going deep into the archives to the very first episode, never released on WBGO Studios until now. Our special guest Marcus Strickland joins us to discuss a fan favorite, John Coltrane's My Favorite Things.

On the week of Ramsey Lewis' 88th birthday, Gentleman of Jazz co-author Aaron Cohen and Lewis' wife and closest confidant Jan join Milestones to discuss everything from Lewis' activism and mentorship, to his exceptional work in media.

In the second part of our special two-part episode with T.S. Monk, we discuss what many consider to be his father's great quartet, with saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist John Ore and drummer Frankie Dunlop; Monk’s role as mentor; and why his High Priest of Bebop moniker deserves expansion.

It's a family affair on the latest episode of Milestones as drummer-bandleader, recording artist and educator T.S. Monk joins for a special two-part episode.

'Nothing Sounds Like This': Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at 50

A deep dive into the beauty of intergenerational creativity, Coltrane's approach to a ballad, Black male vulnerability and the cultural impact on the 60th anniversary of John Coltrane and Duke Ellington's one-time collaboration.

Award-winning vocalist and educator Charenee Wade joins Angélika Beener to celebrate Roberta Flack on the legendary musician's 86th birthday through a rich discussion of her classic Killing Me Softly LP.

Singer, educator and activist Candice Hoyes joins Angélika Beener to discuss The Pointer Sisters' tour de force, Break Out.