Fishko Files

Jazz great Thelonious Monk was famous for his unorthodox approach, both at the piano and in his personal style. Even now, on his 101st birth anniversary, listening to Monk can be habit-forming – as well as life-changing – according to pianist Jason Moran. (Produced in 2007)

A forthcoming book on Jason Moran, in conjunction with the exhibition Jason Moran at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, is due out October 23 and is available for pre-order.

It's 65 years since the launch of Playboy Magazine in 1953. In this Fishko Files, an excerpt from the podcast The United States of Anxiety, Episode 4. WNYC's Sara Fishko tells the story of how, about halfway through the 20th century, Hugh Hefner's Playboy contributed to "men's liberation."

To hear the full episode, visit The United States on Anxiety.

French filmmaker Jean Vigo's short life contained enough drama for dozens of movies. Vigo - who died at 29 - only made a few, and by now every frame he shot and directed is considered gold. More, in this archival Fishko Files. (Produced in 2011)

At Film Forum, continuing through next Tuesday, October 2, The Complete Jean Vigo features new restorations of Vigo's films. For tickets and showtimes, visit their website.

Fifteen years ago, in the fall of 2003, the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in downtown Los Angeles after a protracted struggle over money, design, and politics. WNYC's Sara Fishko was in LA for the hall's debut - and returned with this Fishko Files. (Produced in 2003)

The songwriter/actor/singer Hoagy Carmichael (1899-1981) began his musical career working as a piano player at a fraternity dance in 1918. He went on to write and perform countless classic tunes. Carmichael was also a familiar figure, usually spinning out stories while sitting at an upright piano, in some high-profile Hollywood films. WNYC's Sara Fishko talked to musicians about him for this archival Fishko Files. (Produced in 2002)

Many decades after Marilyn Monroe's death in August of 1962, her image - often imitated, but never quite duplicated - is still everywhere. WNYC's Sara Fishko has more, in this archival Fishko Files. (Produced in 2011)

The days of summer are numbered, but, as WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us, a notable Whitney Museum summer exhibit will be on view for another month. More, in this edition of Fishko Files.

History Keeps Me Awake at Night is on at the Whitney through September 30. For tickets and more information on David Wojnarowicz, visit the Whitney online.

The Whitney will present three performances of Wojnarowicz's multimedia work ITSOFOMO (In the Shadow of Forward Motion) this month, as well as a screening of the film Self-Portrait in 23 Rounds: A Chapter in David Wojnarowicz's Life 1989-1991 and conversation with director Marion Scemama on September 23.

Cynthia Carr's book Fire in the Belly: The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz is available on Amazon.

This week, we feature both Leonard Bernstein, that great composer-conductor-writer-teacher, born in August 100 years ago, as well as Glenn Gould, that remarkable pianist-thinker-arranger-writer, born 86 years ago this September. These two had a rocky collaboration in 1962, the story of which is told by Sara Fishko in this archival Fishko Files. (Produced in 2006)

In 2000, after recording five members of the New York Philharmonic recalling their former, beloved music director, Leonard Bernstein, Sara Fishko felt she had nothing to add to their very specific, compelling memories - except music, perhaps. Here are the orchestra players in this archival Fishko Files, in honor of the much-celebrated, long-anticipated Bernstein centenary. (Produced in 2000)

Leonard Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918.

Featured in this piece are Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster; Stanley Drucker, principal clarinet; Matitiahu Braun; Oscar Ravina, violin; Evangeline Benedetti, cello.

Andy Warhol was born on August 6, 1928, and 'dreamt himself' out of his Pittsburgh childhood into his extraordinary celebrity life. Sara Fishko and guests consider how Warhol's own fandom figured into his self-creation, in this archival Fishko Files. (Produced in 2001)