Social Justice Music Special | Jan. 17, 8-10 PM MST

In the welcome statement of the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival’s program guide, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote;           

“This is triumphant music. Modern jazz has continued in this tradition, singing the songs of a more complicated urban existence. When life itself offers no order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow through his instrument. 

Much of the power of our Freedom Movement in the United States has come from this music. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down.”       

Reflecting the same spirit of MLK’s passionate welcome statement, music special “For What It’s Worth” will blend the music of contemporary smooth jazz with insightful vocals surrounding the themes of social justice, civil rights and change enhanced with pertinent insights from MLK, Senator Ted Kennedy, Pres. Barack Obama and others.

“For What It’s Worth” will air on KUVO’s weekly contemporary smooth jazz program Groovejazz Rendezvous January 17 from 8 – 10 pm MST.

“Considering the news developments of the last few months coupled with long running social justice issues, we wanted to bring together the many jazz music tracks and covers of civil rights songs in order to share the spirit of the Dr. King holiday weekend,” said Adam Morgan, producer and host of the GrooveJazz Rendezvous and producer of the “For What It’s Worth” special.

Continue your MLK weekend celebrations with When a King Came to Town, a documentary story illustrating MLK’s principal visit to Denver and work with the Colorado community as well as the little known relationship he developed with the state’s Hispanic community.

This documentary will air on Rocky Mountain PBS January 18 at 1 pm MST.

The telecast is dedicated to Dr. Vincent Harding and State Senator Regis Groff, long-time community leaders who passed last year and provided the film’s perspective and narration respectively. When A King Came to Town is produced and directed by Adam Morgan.

Photo credit: gagop.org