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Horace Silver

James Mahone Music

Sunday Night Jazz Showcase

Program 29 (July 27 at 11pm)

Horace Silver was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on September 2, 1928. His father had immigrated to the United States from Cape Verde---and that island nation's Portuguese influences would play a big part in Silver's own music later on.

When Silver was a teenager, he began playing both piano and saxophone while he listened to everything from boogie-woogie and blues to such modern musicians as Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.

In 1951, Silver moved to New York City where he accompanied saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and many other legends. In the following year, he met the executives at Blue Note Records while working as a sideman for saxophonist Lou Donaldson. This meeting led to Silver signing with the label where he would remain until 1980. He also collaborated with Art Blakey in forming the Jazz Messengers during the early 1950’s.

But it was a few years later when Silver would record one of his most famous songs, the title track to his 1964 album, “Song For My Father.” That piece combined his dad's take on Cape Verdean folk music (with a hint of Brazilian Carnival rhythms) into an enduring jazz composition.

After Silver's long tenure with Blue Note ended, he continued to create vital music. The 1985 album, “Continuity of Spirit,” features his unique orchestral collaborations. In 2005, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) gave him its President's Merit Award.

Horace Silver passed away on June 18, 2014 in New Rochelle, New York. He was 85.

Story courtesy of: http://www.horacesilver.com

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."