Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20161112 | 20170916 (6M) 20180210 (6M) 20180829 (6M) 20190501 (6M) 20200829 (6M) | Soweto Kinch begins a four-part journey of discovery in Harlem, a few square miles in northern Manhattan which have given the world great musical riches. He hears from Pulitzer Prize winning novelist David Levering Lewis (author of 'When Harlem Was In Vogue') about the origins of the area and visits the site of the 'Tree of Hope' where superstitious musicians have touched the bark to help launch their careers. We hear about the unique Harlem Stride style of piano jazz; visit speakeasies and the site of the famous Lincoln Theatre (which is now an Episcopalian church); and journey to Sugar Hill, the home of the Harlem Renaissance movement which saw intellectuals produce some of the area's richest writing, poetry and painting. First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2009. Soweto Kinch begins a journey of musical discovery in Harlem, New York. Musician Soweto Kinch takes a journey of musical discovery in Harlem |
| 02 | 20161113 | 20170917 (6M) 20180211 (6M) 20180830 (6M) 20190502 (6M) 20200830 (6M) | In his second journey into Harlem's history, Soweto Kinch finds out about the rich gospel tradition, explores the art, music and poetry of the harlem Renaissance, and traces the story of jazz from swing to bebop. He visits the place where politician Marcus Garvey addressed the crowds from a soapbox, and finds out where African American thinker and reformer W. E. B DuBois lived and worked. He hears about the legendary Savoy Ballroom, and the late night clubs like Minton's and the Uptown House where Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie created a new style of jazz. Finally as the 1940s progress, rhythm and blues arrives on the scene and the everyday sound of Harlem is transformed. First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2009. Soweto Kinch on the gospel tradition, art, music and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance. Musician Soweto Kinch takes a journey of musical discovery in Harlem |
| 03 | 20090602 | 20161114 (6M) | Soweto Kinch continues his personal journey to discover the story of Harlem. Today he traces what happened from the end of the 1940s to the 1970s, taking in the story of soul music, and the growth of doo wop, but also looking at the social problems of the 60s, when Harlem's name was synonymous with protests and violence. Soweto Kinch traces what happened in Harlem between the end of the 1940s and the 1970s. Musician Soweto Kinch takes a journey of musical discovery in Harlem |
| 03 | 20161114 | 20170918 (6M) 20180212 (6M) 20180831 (6M) 20190503 (6M) 20200831 (6M) | Soweto Kinch continues his personal journey to discover the story of Harlem. Today he'll be be tracing what happened from the end of the 1940s to the 1970s, taking in the story of soul music, and the growth of doo wop, but also looking at the social problems of the 60s, when Harlem's name was synonymous with protests and violence. First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2009. Soweto Kinch continues his journey around Harlem. Musician Soweto Kinch takes a journey of musical discovery in Harlem |
| 04 | 20161115 | 20170919 (6M) 20180213 (6M) 20180901 (6M) 20190504 (6M) 20200901 (6M) | Concluding his personal journey to discover the story of Harlem, its music, politics and culture, Soweto Kinch meets record producer Paul Winley to discover how doo-wop became hip hop. Kurtis Blow and Zulu Jeff tell the tale of hip hop's spread to every corner of Harlem, and Soweto also encounters break dancers and DJs. Harlem's future is also assured, and we visit both the National Jazz Museum in Harlem that conserves the rich musical legacy of the area, and the last surviving speakeasy, Bill's Place, where Soweto joins in a jam session. We end at the marvellously preserved art deco Lenox Lounge, scene of many a recent movie, where jazz and blues remain a central part of Harlem's rich cultural atmosphere. First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 2009. Soweto Kinch concludes his jouney through the history, culture and music of Harlem. Musician Soweto Kinch takes a journey of musical discovery in Harlem |