The latest edition of Ask Governor Murphy, hosted by WNYC's Nancy Solomon, focused on several key topics including how Governor Murphy feels about the U.S. airstrike that killed an Iranian General, increased reports of sexual assaults in state government and the recent increase in hate crimes. Ask Governor Murphy is a WBGO News production in collaboration with WHYY and WNYC. The monthly show originates from the WBGO studios in Newark. During the show, the number to call is 844-677-9283, or on

“You can’t tell the history of jazz in America without also telling the history of jazz from Detroit,” says Mark Stryker. “Those two things are indivisible.”

Pianist Gerald Clayton will perform his 75-minute mixed media concert Piedmont Blues: A Search for Salvation , this Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., at the Loreto Theater, Sheen Center for Thought and Culture. This concert performance is part of the 2020 Winter Jazzfest, and will be included in the Saturday marathon. Conceived by Clayton, a Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer and bandleader, it also features Grammy-nominated vocalist René Marie. Clayton and Marie spoke with WBGO News Director

As a teenager, Cyntoia Brown-Long was convicted of first-degree murder and would have to serve 51 years in prison in order to be eligible for parole. On January 7, 2019, she was granted clemency. Brown-Long was released from prison about seven months later. In October of last year, she hosted a book signing at 3 rd Space Co-Work in Newark. Kenneth Miles, Founding Partner and Community Manager, describes 3 rd Space as the place between home and work. Although 3 rd Space is new to Newark, the co

Theater critic Michael Bourne says Halfway Bitches Go Straight To Heaven is one of the best plays he's seen. It's the latest production from the Atlantic Theater Company. Click above to hear his review.

The amazing jazz guitarist Vic Juris passed away this morning at the age of 66. In 2014, Vic Juris was a guest on SportsJam with Doug Doyle where he talked about his love of boxing. Juris started following the sport when Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) fought Sonny Liston in 1964. "Muhammad Ali, at the time Cassius Clay, was so charasmatic and every little kid on the block wanted to see him lose to Sonny Liston. There was so much hype for this fight. It was all people were talking about, through

A pretentious aristocrat. A besotted idiot. A variety of liars, hustlers, and fools. And one smart beauty. They’re the dramatis personae of an 1841 rom-com, London Assurance . Theater critic Michael Bourne reports on all the silliness afoot at the Irish Repertory Theatre. Click above to hear Michael's review.

The New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Time Square has been a bucket list item since Ward and Amy Taft were married 23 years ago. Unfortunately, it kept getting put off because of the birth of two daughters and Ward's service in the Navy. But that dream becomes a reality this year thanks to the Hope For The Warriors , a national nonprofit that hosts out-of-state service members and local Gold Star Families. Hope For The Warriors help select service members for a dinner and with the help of the FDNY and

Woody Shaw, the groundbreaking trumpeter, would have turned 75 on Dec. 24. Though he was born in North Carolina, Woody grew up in Newark from age one — eventually studying classical trumpet at Cleveland Junior High School and jazz at Arts High. So it’s only fitting that the anniversary of his birth would occasion official proclamations from both Mayor Ras Baraka and Gov. Phil Murphy. And of course, only appropriate that we’d celebrate his music at WBGO.

Michael B. Jordan portrays Bryan Stevenson in the new film “ Just Mercy ”. A private screening was held at the Cityplex Theatre in Newark, New Jersey. Jordan was present along with Bryan Stevenson, Tim Blake Nelson, and Rob Morgan. He has made a tradition of hosting screenings in his hometown. The film was adapted from Stevenson’s bestselling memoir “ Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption ”, which describes his journey defending the poor and wrongfully convicted. The Equal Justice