Podcast: Sara Fishko of “Fishko Files”

Radio host Sara Fishko is one of my heroes. Her unstinting devotion to American 20th century music of all genres, and her uncompromising approach to broadcasting make her an inspiration for anyone making radio today. In this interview, she has created her own playlist, including George Antheil (yes!), Marc Blitzstein, The Dave Brubeck Octet, Cleo Brown, Paul Bley, Jason Moran, and more. I interviewed her on her home turf, at the studios of WNYC in New York City.

AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #53: Sara Fishko’s Playlist:

Theme Music :
Steve Reich. The Desert Music (1984)
First Movement (Fast).
Chorus of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Michael Tilson Thomas & William Carlos Williams.
Nonesuch Records 79101.

Jason Moran
Out Front
Jason Moran, piano.
Blue Note 7243 5 32922 2 5

George Antheil
A Jazz Symphony
Radio Kamerorkest (RKO), o.l.v. Péter Eötvös.
NCRV broadcast recording courtesy of RFK

Raymond Klages & Jack Palmer
I’ll Take the South
Cleo Brown, piano/vocals; Perry Botkin, guitar; Artie Bernstein, bass; Gene Krupa, drums
President PLCD 548

Dorothy Fields & Jerome Kern
The Way You Look Tonight
Dave Brubeck Octet
Fantasy CD 101

Sam Coslow and Arthur Johnston
My Old Flame
Paul Bley, piano; Peter Ind, bass; Alan Levitt, drums.
Emarcy/Verve 9107

Victor Herbert
Indian Summer
Lee Konitz, alto sax; Billy Bauer, guitar.
Original Jazz Classics OJCCD-1726-2

Marc Blitzstein
Three Four Dance
Bennett Lerner, piano.
Etcetera 1986 CD KTC 1019

Hugo Friedhofer
Homecoming – soundtrack from The Best Years of Our Lives
Jerome Moross, cond.
Laserlight 21355

Links

Don’t miss the new film directed by Sara Fishko: The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith.

The documentary is 88 minutes, and has an astonishing cast of musicians and artists including David Amram, Carla Bley, Steven Swallow, Jason Moran, Chuck Israels, T.S. Monk, Freddie Redd, Phil Woods.

• www.jazzloftthemovie.org
• Fishko Files Podcast
• Sara Fishko Biography

With many thanks to WNYC