A radio story that aired on KCUR FM in Kansas CIty.

Charlie Parker's Birthday (KCUR audio postcard)

Warren Black interviews Portland composer and pianist Darrell Grant, about his chamber opera in progress, Sanctuaries. It tells the story of a community experiencing gentrification in Portland’s Albina district.

Gentrification in Portland and the city’s redlining past go under the microscope in Darrell Grant’s jazz opera, Sanctuaries, a new work commissioned and produced by Third Angle New Music. This world premiere, site-specific opera is composed by critically acclaimed jazz pianist Darrell Grant (who ‘Gramophone’ has called “a composer of substance”), with libretto by two-time National Poetry Slam Individual Champion Anis Mojgani and stage direction by LA-based opera director Alexander Gedeon. Blending elements of jazz, spoken word, and devised theater, Sanctuaries speaks to the experience of displaced residents of color in Portland's historically black Albina district.

Where We Live: Darrel Grant's Sanctuaries

Warren Black interviews Portland musician and educator Aaron Nigel Smith about his collaborative album 'All One Tribe,' which celebrates the rich culture and diversity of Black voices. It was released in 2021 and has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Children's Music category.

Where We Live: All One Tribe's Aaron Nigel Smith

In the late 90s, a ten-year-old from Kyrgyzstan caused quite a stir in Kansas City jazz circles with a piano technique that most players are lucky to develop at any age. Eldar would eventually go on to a contract with Sony and international touring. In 2007, he returned to the city where he earned his jazz chops for a pair of concerts with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. I interviewed him and prepared this preview for KCUR.

KCUR

Pianist Eldar Returns to Kansas City (KCUR feature/interview)

Years before the first of her 76 appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - years before there was a Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - vocalist Marilyn Maye was learning the art of putting across a song from someone she heard mostly on the radio: Frank Sinatra.

Marilyn Maye presents "Her Way," a tribute to Frank Sinatra (KCUR feature)

Kansas City musician Russ Long died of heart failure on New Years Eve 2006, a few weeks after releasing a CD of original compositions covering more than 4 decades. I spoke to bassist Gerald Spaits, a long-time bandmate of Long's, who produced and co-arranged the CD.

Russ Long: Time to Go (KCUR feature)

What happens after you die? The answer is just a phone call away...

The voice belongs to the lovely Emily Lauren. Production and SFX by Lee Ingalls.

Calling Purgatory

Meet 79-year-old Joe Jennings, a man who loves his work. This feature originally aired on KCUR FM and was awarded Best Radio Feature by the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists in 2007.

J-14 Agricultural Enterprises: “Going to my j-o-y” (KCUR feature)

On April 27, 2012, Walt Bodine retired after 72 years in radio (and television, and print). In 2006, I had a brief tenure as his producer at KCUR. One day we went into a booth to record some promos. Here's one that never made it to air (obviously) but still makes me smile. Happy trails, Walton!

Walt Bodine Show Promo

Lee Ingalls - demo for commercial voiceovers

Warren Black Commercial VO Demo

On your mind like a simile on the radio. I'm the morning host at All Classical Radio, getting the the day up on the good foot from 6-10am Sunday through Friday. Before arriving at All Classical, I hosted The Song Is You, a weekly radio show featuring great singers and great songs on KMHD, Portland's jazz station. And before that I was an award-winning reporter/producer at KCUR in Kansas City. I'm also a writer, singer, emcee, and sandwich enthusiast.

Warren Black

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