mahjongg's blog

On Sunday 5/19 from 2-3 pm, Divaville Lounge will host an in-studio interview with Durham's swing orchestra, the Mint Julep Jazz Band. Bandleader and trombonist Lucian Cobb and singer Laura Windley will talk about performing live swing music in the modern era, play songs from their new CD "Durham on Saturday Night," and play some of their favorite classic songs from the 1930s and 40s. Tune in for a swinging afternoon!

In tribute to Clarence Clemons who died yesterday, today's Divaville Lounge will celebrate the saxophone. We'll hear saxophone legends like Sidney Bechet, Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Woody Herman, Johnny Hodges, Lester Young, John Coltrane and many more. Tune in for two hours of Sax Heroes.

Step into the Divaville Lounge on Sunday, March 27 as we pay tribute to the divine Sarah Vaughan! Vaughan's powerful voice and distinctive phrasing made her one of the most important jazz singers of the 20th century. In this tribute program, guest hosted by DJ Georg, we'll hear two hours of Sassy beginning with her very first recording in 1944, and ending with a track from her last full-length album in 1987. Along the way we'll hear Vaughan performing with Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendes and Milton Nascimento. Tune in for an afternoon of Sassy!

December 12 is Frank Sinatra's birthday, and Divaville Lounge will feature a 2-hour tribute co-hosted by Georg and Sarah. By any measure Sinatra was one of the most important singers of the 20th century. We'll play classics from every era of Sinatra's career, including his early years with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey big bands; the Concepts series at Capitol; the Rat Pack years; songs from his decades-long movie career; live performances; radio and television appearances; plus some rare finds like an unreleased theme song to "The Man with the Golden Arm," and a duet with Groucho Marx (really!

Step into the Divaville Lounge on Sunday, September 26 for a birthday tribute to George Gershwin! One of the most important popular composers in American history, Gershwin sold his first song on Tin Pan Alley when he was only 17 years old and went on to write for Broadway, Hollywood, classical works, opera and ballet in a career that spanned just 20 short years before his untimely death in 1937. Tune in for two hours of the George Gershwin music that has come to define the Great American Songbook, performed by the greats and by Gershwin himself.

Step into the Divaville Lounge on Sunday, July 4 as we celebrate Independence Day! In this special four hour program from 12-4 pm, we'll hear a song for each of the United States. We'll hear classics like "Georgia On My Mind" and "Pennsylvania Polka," and rare tunes you might not have heard before. Every state will have its time to shine. And DC too!

Remember to tune in at noon, 2 hours early for this celebration of the United States in song!

Step into the Divaville Lounge on Sunday, April 25 from 2-4 p.m. as we celebrate the birthday of Ella Fitzgerald! We'll hear her earliest recordings with the Chick Webb orchestra, selections from her groundbreaking Songbook series, her collaborations with legendary bandleaders like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie, and even hear her shatter a glass for Memorex. Tune in for an afternoon of incomparable jazz singing by Ella, First Lady of Song.

Step into the Divaville Lounge on Sunday, July 5 from 2-4 pm as we celebrate Independance Day! We'll hear classic songs about freedom and democracy, baseball and apple pie, and cities and states across America. All sung by Divaville Lounge favorites like Frank Sinatra, Louis Jordan, Peggy Lee and more. Join us for an afternoon of wishing our country a happy birthday!

Check out DivavilleLounge.org for more information.

Step into the Divaville Lounge on Sunday, May 24 from 2-4 pm as we pay tribute to men and women in uniform on the day before Memorial Day. We'll hear classic songs from the war years, songs meant to inspire the troops and comfort those back on the homefront. We'll also hear performances from Armed Forces Radio broadcasts like Command Performance and Jubilee. Plus wartime public service announcements about war bonds, rationing and victory gardens. Tune for an afternoon of music in honor of the troops. 

Visit divavillelounge.org for more information.