Composer of the Week: The Harlem Renaissance: Making Strides

Donald Macleod is joined by jazz trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis to trace the explosion of jazz and blues in New York after the First World War. They begin by exploring the music of Willie `the Lion" Smith, who learned to play on a rotting organ in his mother's basement, but would later help develop a new, more sophisticated way to play piano called stride, which defined the music of the Harlem Renaissance. He got his start performing at a gangster's club, then made a name for himself at the highly competitive rent parties, raucous affairs that took place in people's tiny New York flats. Billy Strayhorn: Take the `A" Train. Duke Ellington (piano), Ella Fitzgerald (vocals), Stuff Smith (violin), Ben Webster (saxophone), Alvin Stoller (drums), Barney Kessel (guitar), Joe Mondragon (double bass). Willie `the Lion" Smith: Harlem Joys; James P Johnson: Carolina Shout. Willie `the Lion" Smith (piano), Jo `the Tiger" Jones (drums). Willie `the Lion" Smith: Rippling Waters; Echoes of Spring; Lion's Boogie Woogie; Willie's Blues. Willie `the Lion" Smith (piano). James P Johnson: The Harlem Strut. James P Johnson (piano). Willie `the Lion" Smith: Contrary Motion. Willie `the Lion" Smith (piano). Willie `the Lion" Smith: Finger Buster. Willie `the Lion" Smith (piano), Puss Johnson (drums). Lucky Roberts: Pork and Beans. Willie `the Lion" Smith (piano). Willie `the Lion" Smith: Here Comes the Band. Willie `the Lion" Smith (piano), Puss Johnson (drums).