Mike Janssen

Some months ago I was at the Whole Foods in Arlington and happened to notice the art on the walls in the cafe area, and the accompanying artist’s statement. The artist said his artwork was inspired by his hobby of foraging for edible wild plants. Immediately I thought, This could make a really cool radio story.

I tracked down Matthew Best and later interviewed him in his studio at the Arlington Arts Center. He took me to Roundtree Park in Falls Church and gave me a forager’s tour. Months later (my trip to Brazil intervened) I finally wrote, edited and mixed … Continue Reading

Playlist for Late Night Jazz with Mike Janssen on 89.3 FM WPFW, 11pm–1am, Nov. 18, 2009

I’ll be on again this week, Nov. 25, so tune in. I might have to play “Alice’s Restaurant.”

1. “Make It Funky” — Roots Foundation, Various Bilongo
2. “Olvidalo” — Brownout (download)
3. “Armee Mali” — Rail Band, Belle Epoque Vol. 1: Soundiata
4. “Bemgnot Alnorem” — Girma Bèyènè, Tesfa Maryam Kidané and others, Ethiopiques Vol. 1: Golden Years of Ethiopian Music 1969–1975
5. “Chronology” — Ornette Coleman w/Don Cherry, The Shape of Jazz to Come
6. “Next to the Quiet Stream” — Don Cherry, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, Ed … Continue Reading

Playlist for Overnight Jazz with Mike Janssen on 89.3 FM WPFW, 11pm–1am, Nov. 4, 2009

I’m back on the air at WPFW in a new time slot — 11pm–1am alternating Wednesdays. So the next show is Nov. 18. I’ve resurrected up my WPFW Twitter feed — check it out for a live playlist and use it for requests, comments and questions. Also, I started a Facebook page for the station, so become a fan.

Without further ado, the playlist:

1. “Ugali” — The Tony Benson Sextet, Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-sounds & Nigerian Blues
2. “La Realite” — Amadou & Mariam, *Dimanche a … Continue Reading