[Dixielandjazz] William Warfield on Riverwalk Jazz this week

[Donald Mopsick]

Listees:

Some of you may remember the late William Warfield, star of the 1951
MGM classic "Show Boat" in which he sang "Old Man River." He was a
frequent contributor to Riverwalk Jazz, bringing to life the voices of
King Oliver, WC Handy, and narrating the stories of "Porgy and Bess"
(he also played the title role on Broadway in the '50s) and "Show
Boat."

He was a great artist and a lot of fun to be around. He knew a million
jokes and was eager to share new ones.

One of the shows he did for us, "Jazzonia" is on the air this week
starting today. It features Warfield reading poems by Langston Hughes
(April is also National Poetry Month as well as Jazz Appreciation
Month). The JCJB interweaves pieces by Duke Ellington and James P.
Johnson. I had a major hand in putting this show together, so you'll
know who to blame.

As Jackie Mason was fond of saying, "I'm telling you now how great
this show is so that if you think the show stinks, you'll know there's
somethin' wrong with you!"

Click here:

http://www.riverwalkjazz.org/jazznotes/langston_hughes_poetry/

mopo