WCLK 91.9 Jazz celebrates 50 Years at special AJF opener
Patrick Tabeek | 21 MAY 2024
In the lead-up to the ever-vibrant and exuberant weekend of music-making that is the Atlanta Jazz Festival, now in its 47th year, featuring some of the most prominent names in the genre and industry as a whole, such as New Jazz Underground, Butcher Brown, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Lizz Wright, and Andre 3000, the Festival will also be honoring radio station WCLK 91.9 Jazz, as it reaches it’s 50th year on the air. The Clark Atlanta University-based radio station has reached both local and national audiences and increased the awareness of Jazz as well as its historical and cultural importance as an American art form.
The beginning of the celebration starts this Friday, as Lil’ John Roberts (drummer for the likes of Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lucy Pearl, George Duke, etc.) takes the stage at Atlanta Symphony Hall, leading a star-studded band of some of the brightest and most talented musicians that the city of Atlanta has to offer, including guest performances by Kathleen Bertrand, Cleveland Jones, and many more, including narration by Jon Goode who, in between performances, will tell stories of the great history and legacy of WCLK 91.9.
I had the chance to speak with Lil’ John Roberts and Kathleen Bertrand about the upcoming weekend: how WCLK has impacted them and what it means to them, the excitement about the return of the JazzFest for 2024, and their own personal upcoming projects and inspirations as both musicians and creators of art in different mediums.
Roberts talked of his time early on in the scene in Atlanta in the 80s and 90s and the beginnings of his relationship with the late Ken Batie, a trailblazer in Georgia radio and a massive part of WCLK’s growth and success. He also talked of the beginnings of musical partnerships with the likes of Phil Davis and Lizz Wright. Bertrand told of times from her earlier life: the joy of listening to jazz classics and standards on the radio and the importance of that for her as a musician.
Kathleen Bertrand (courtesy of the artist)
As there continues to be talk of inspiration and legacy, I wanted to know who currently inspires each of them and their excitement towards getting to work with their colleagues for a special performance.
Bertrand exclaimed, “They are all brilliant musicians…” in response to the question of who she is excited to work with. She finds her inspirations in all aspects of life, whether tumultuous, exciting, heartbreaking, or mundane. No matter what, music is a way for Kathleen to speak her mind and truly express herself. Roberts, having hand-picked the band for Friday’s performance, clearly has confidence and faith in his musicians: “… they’re all killin’.”
To wrap up, I took a dive into each of their personal projects, which have seen great success.
Kathleen is the executive producer of the BronzeLens Film Festival, which exists to share and bring forward the stories of people of color in the film medium. Kathleen is excited for the festival’s 15th season, which will take place between August 21st through the 25th.
Lil’ John has recently announced a new project, due to release at the beginning of June. Through his own words he described the new project, Elevation, as “…something new that I haven’t done before, we just went with it.” With writing beginning in 2020, the work aims to touch base and give a personal view of the events of the infamous year, with themes relating to the protests on the killing of George Floyd, the pandemic, and finding peace within the chaos. ■
Atlanta Jazz Festival Schedule of Events
The Atlanta Jazz Festival Presents WCLK AT 50
- Friday, May 24 @ 8pm: To celebrate WCLK 91.9’s 50th Anniversary the Atlanta Jazz Festival is presenting WCLK At 50: Featuring Lil John Roberts with an Atlanta All-Star Band, along with some very special guests, at Atlanta Symphony Hall
The Atlanta Jazz Festival 3-day lineup at Piedmont Park
- Saturday, May 25
1 pm New Jazz Underground
3 pm Sullivan Fortner
5 pm Butcher Brown
7 pm Cécile McLorin Salvant
9 pm Something Else! - Sunday, May 26
1 pm OKAN
3 pm Luca Ciarla Trio
5 pm Jacques Schwarz-Bart
7 pm OLATUJA
9 pm Paquito D’Rivera - Monday, May 27
1 pm Justice Michael & The Passage
3 pm KELS
5 pm Groove Centric
7 pm André 3000: New Blue Sun LIVE
9 pm Lizz Wright
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2022 in Piedmont Park. (credit John Stephens)
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Atlanta Jazz Festival: atljazzfest.com
- Lil’ John Roberts: liljohnroberts.com
- WCLK 91.9 Jazz: wclk.com
Read more by Patrick Tabeek.
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