The Night Beat — Independence Day Eve Edition

Join me, your host Doug Crane, for a special Independence Day Eve Edition of the Night Beat featuring Bill Frisell and his band performing music from Aaron Copland’s “Billy the Kid.” Years ago when I played it, I heard from a violinist who, having played Copland’s orchestral version, thought that Frisell captured the true essence of the score with his small ensemble of musicians.

We’ll hear the 3rd movement of Patrick Williams’ “An American Concerto.” He composed it during the time he was a Composer-in-Residence at the University of Colorado Denver in the 1970s. It was first performed at UCD by student musicians and members of what was then known as the Denver Symphony Orchestra. For this 1979 recording, Williams conducts the London Symphony Orchestra. Guest musicians include Phil Woods, Dave Grusin, Grady Tate, and Chuck Domanico.

And we’ll track some tunes by Johnny Hartman, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Johnny Coles plus remember the comedian and musician Martin Mull who passed away on June 27 at the age of 80.

Also, in a quasi-scientific study, it’s been shown that dogs prefer listening to jazz by a 100 to one margin instead of being subjected to incessant fireworks. That’s why throughout Independence Day celebrations you owe it to your dog to tune in KUVO and turn up the volume real loud!

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