Milestones: Celebrating the Culture | Deep Dive Conversations with Angélika Beener

For this in depth conversation with Milestones: Celebrating the Culture, celebrated trumpeter Jeremy Pelt returns to discuss the monumental legacy of Lee Morgan and his groundbreaking 1964 album The Sidewinder. Pelt shares his personal journey with Morgan's music, insights on the unique sounds of some of our favorite legends, and the elements that made The Sidewinder a crossover hit. The discussion also explores Morgan's role in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, the challenges and triumphs of creating iconic jazz records, and the significance of developing a working band. We discuss Morgan's broader discography, influential sideman work, and how The Sidewinder shaped jazz and popular music culture. The conversation touches on the enduring recognition of Morgan's music, including the recent inclusion of The Sidewinder in the National Recording Registry.

The family of iconic drummer Max Roach discusses his legacy, contributions to music and culture, and the initiative to co-name a street in Brooklyn in his honor. Roach's five children generously share precious memories, their vision for preserving his legacy, and the importance of respecting and understanding the craftsmanship and excellence their father brought to his art. They also emphasize the need for future generations to learn and build upon his contributions.

Pianist, composer, educator and advocate Bertha Hope-Booker, joins us to discuss her fascinating musical

Legendary pianist, composer, arranger, and contemporary jazz giant Bob James joins Milestones as we delve into his experimental CTI debut, One, for its 50th anniversary. A groundbreaking amalgamation of jazz, funk, classical and

Legendary keyboardist, songwriter and one half of one of the most important duos of our time, Brian Jackson joins us to reflect on his extraordinary career with music partner Gil Scott-Heron and their landmark album, Winter in America, which illustrates both the joys and plights of black life at a time when America was in the throes of political and social turmoil. The influential musician helps unpack the group’s biggest selling album and its significance 50 years later.

In Part Two of our special Isley Brothers celebration, award winning vocalist, instrumentalist, producer, composer, and cultural historian TL Cross is back to help unpack the genius of The Isley Brothers' 1973 classic 3+3. On its 50th anniversary, we delve into the pivotal album that transformed the Isleys from a group to one of the greatest bands of the 20th century, with the official addition of younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and brother-in-law Chris Jasper. With songs like "That Lady," which hints at a future rock guitar icon in Ernie Isley and "Summer Breeze," which broadened the breadth of what could be called black music and offered a master class in reinterpretation, 3+3 is an album deserving of deep reflection and reverence. 

Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famer Rudolph Isley of the legendary Isley Brothers passed away on October 11 at the age of 84. In honor of  the co-founding member, who helped pen some of the biggest popular classics of the 20th century, including “Shout,” “That Lady” and “It's Your Thing," award winning vocalist, instrumentalist, producer, composer, and cultural historian TL Cross joins us on this special two-part episode. In Part One will dive into the astounding six-decade career of The Isley Brothers and celebrate their milestone 1973 album 3 + 3, which turns 50 this year, in Part Two.

When thinking about harmonizing the subjects of music and astrology, there may be no more interesting of an artist to examine than John Coltrane. An avid student of philosophy, religion, and metaphysics, Coltrane entwined astrology with his innovative music more transparently than any other artist. Over the course of his life, his quest for a deeper knowledge of self and the universe became increasingly central to his music. In honor of Coltrane's 97th birthday, renowned astrologer Sam Reynolds (Ebony magazine, New York Magazine, Netflix's Explained) joins Milestones to explore the inner journey of John Coltrane through the lens of astrology, examining his birth chart and the ways key periods of his life are seen within it. We'll also break down some of Coltrane's astro-themed song titles. Want to know the backstory of a song like "Equinox" or "Fifth House"? We've got you covered. This and so much more!

Lauded musicians Josh Evans and Marcus Strickland join Milestones to discuss the debut album from saxophone giant Joe Henderson. Together they examine Henderson's harmonic and rhythmic innovation; the essentiality of collaborator and friend Kennny Dorham; and why it's always the right time to give flowers to one of the most important yet somehow underexplored musicians of our time. As members of Christian McBride's New Jawn, they share thoughts on the special relationship between the saxophone and trumpet in small group formats and why Henderson and Dorham are at the top of the list of dynamic duos.

It's Hip Hop's 50th birthday! On the latest episode of Milestones, black media legend Ralph McDaniels joins to discuss the legacy of his pioneering television program, Video Music Box. Celebrating a milestone of its own this year, Video Music Box became one of the most important shows in music video history, as it illuminated a budding genre called hip hop, and centered black youth culture overall at a time when it was not a consideration in mainstream media. Debuting in 1983, Video Music Box stands as the longest running music video program in history.