Folk and Jazz

Your Traveling enthusiasts continue their destination music series with two men who have seen the world through and because of their music. Folk recording artist Willy Porter tells us all about some the unique music venues hes played at during his travels. Then, legendary Jazz manager and producer Charles Fishman, founder and executive producer of Washington DCs Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, shares some tales from the road from his travels with Dizzy Gillespie.

Episode Segments:

Folk Artist Willy Porter In-studio guest Willy Porter tells Ian and Tonya all about how he got his start in music, and shares some of his early musical influence. He also talks about why he prefers the acoustic guitar, and his latest CD Available Light.
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The Travels of Willy Porter Willie discusses how traveling with his father got him to really love and appreciate travel. He also shares some of the favorite venues that hes played in across Europe, and in both big town and small town America.
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Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Producer Charles Fishman Ian and Tonya welcome one of the worlds foremost Jazz Producers, Charles Fishman. Charlie talks about growing up on the streets of Brooklyn, meeting Dizzy Gillespie & becoming his manager. He also talks a little about Dizzys United Nation Orchestra and some of his favorite places that hes traveled while on the road with Dizzy.
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Duke Ellington Jazz Festival Charles Fishman talks about why he started the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, and shares some information about whats coming up at this years festival, including some of the events, artists and venues.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Charles Fishman Charles Fishman is recognized among the foremost Jazz producers internationally. A native of Brooklyn, NY and alumnus of New York University, Fishman earned 2 PhDs at Dizzy Gillespie University, as the legendary trumpeter’s personal manager and producer from 1985 until Gillespie’s death in 1993. Fishman has produced festivals, concerts and tours at prominent venues in the United States and throughout the world with many of the most renowned Jazz artists. He has produced nine recordings and received a Grammy Award in 1992 as producer of the Best Jazz Recording, Large Ensemble for The Dizzy Gillespie United Nation Orchestra: Live at the Royal Festival Hall, London, and a Grammy Nomination for Paquito D’Rivera & The United Nation Orchestra at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. Fishman also has produced concerts and documentaries for television that have been aired on PBS, ABC, Bravo, the BBC, and other television networks throughout the world. Fishman created the annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, which premiered in Washington, DC, in 2005. He serves on the Board of Governors for the Washington, DC, chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and as a board member of the Howard Theatre. Click here to learn more about Jazzfest

Willy Porter Willy Porter released his debut CD, "The Trees Have Soul" in 1990. In 1994, he released his second independent CD entitled, "Dog Eared Dream." The song "Angry Words" became a top-10 staple on Triple AAA radio stations around the country. This radio success established Porter as a nationally recognized artist, and he would ultimately sign with Private Music/BMG in 1995. European and American tours with Rickie Lee Jones, Tori Amos and The Cranberries followed. In 1999, he signed with San Francisco-based Six Degrees Records and released the folk-pop gem, "Falling Forward." National tours commenced with legendary artists Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck and Jethro Tull. In 2002, Porter brought seemingly disparate elements together on his eponymous self-titled disc, "Willy Porter." In 2003 he released the solo live album "High Wire Live.". Porters' combined experience at both major and independent record labels ultimately fueled the drive to release a wider variety of music on a more frequent basis, and led Porter to start his own imprint, Weasel Records in December 2005. His latest release, "Available Light" features Porter at the peak of his powers as a guitarist, singer, songwriter & recording artist. Porter lives in Milwaukee, WI and is married with two children. Click here to visit his website