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Jazz 91.9 WCLK | Membership Matters

February 25 Special WCLK Program: On The "Sonny" Side of Harlem

Join Debb Moore on Sunday, February 25 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. for a very special event on the air on Jazz 91.9 WCLK, Atlanta's Jazz station.  Moore will lead the listener on a special look and listen at the life and times of Jazz immortal Sonny Rollins.

He sighs at the memory of his “crush” on one of the great ladies of Jazz, his mood swings from upbeat to reflective as he talks of growing up in Harlem and the influences that shaped his life and ultimately his road to becoming one of the great Jazz Saxophonist of our time.   He is Sonny Rollins, 87 years strong and enjoying the respect and honor that comes with traveling miles, riding trains and being awarded the National Medal of Arts, by President Barack Obama in 2010, and having his work and artifacts permanently installed in one of Harlem’s premiere institution, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.   There is also talk of having a bridge named in his honor and through it all Rollins is humbled and appreciative of the recognition.

Rollins, who is retired and lives quietly in upstate New York rarely does interviews, but agreed to speak with Debb Moore, an Atlanta based Jazz radio veteran of 27 years, because of his respect and admiration of her work.   Moore, skillfully navigates the interview uncovering stories of his childhood growing up in Harlem, finding clarity as a musician and a man. “I tried to perfect myself, what I was doing, my craft and my music,” Sonny explains. He talks about the honor of having his work installed at the Schomburg center.  On The "Sonny" Side Of Harlem will also feature comments from friends, family and Schomburg curator Shola Lynch, all of whom offer additional insight on his work and legacy.  

“I am really very humbled and honored to have the opportunity to produce this piece,” said Moore.   “Sonny is a warm, sincere and very private man whose music has given pleasure to millions around the world, for decades.   He is really the “last one” standing when you consider the Jazz greats that laid a foundation for good Jazz music to exist.  “There is no one like Sonny Rollins,” added Moore and “it is my hope that I can offer just a little bit of knowledge as to why Sonny Rollins matters in 2018.  That’s one of the goals with On the “Sonny” Side of Harlem

On the “Sonny” Side of Harlem” will broadcast, Sunday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. until 3 p.m., as well as, in March, 2018, on 91.9 WCLK, a National Public Radio (NPR) affalite member station.  On the “Sonny” Side of Harlem," has a production team that includes master engineer Glenn Simmonds, of Glen Simmonds Media and production assistant Jahmi Wellman.   The "A team," didn't leave what people want to hear on the editing floor!